Topic:Animal Study
Animal studies involving horses encompass a wide range of research activities aimed at understanding various aspects of equine biology, behavior, health, and management. These studies can include investigations into equine physiology, nutrition, reproduction, and disease processes. Research often involves controlled experiments or observational studies to gather data on how horses respond to different interventions, environments, or management practices. This topic includes peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore methodologies, findings, and implications of animal studies in equine science, contributing to the broader understanding of horse welfare and management.
Connections Between Gene Polymorphism and Fetlock and Hock Measurements in Polish Sport Horses. Finding the causative mutations for musculoskeletal system development and health status is of a higher priority for all sport horse breeders' associations. Of the regulating proteins involved in animal ossification, 15 gene polymorphisms were chosen to be identified as connected with the nine fetlock and 14 hock bone structures measurements of 198 horses. All measurements were taken using X-rays of the limbs, which were available at the beginning and end of the horse training. The analysis of variance (GLM, SAS program) was performed taking into account identified training and horse-connected...
Deep learning approach for classifying grazing behavior in yearling horses using triaxial accelerometer data: A pilot study. Accurate monitoring of grazing behavior in horses is essential for pasture management and welfare evaluation; however, conventional observation methods are labor-intensive and lack temporal resolution. Objective: This pilot study aimed to develop and validate a deep learning model using jaw-mounted accelerometer data to classify grazing and non-grazing behaviors in yearling horses under various pasture conditions. Methods: Four yearling Thoroughbred horses were equipped with triaxle accelerometers mounted under their jaws. Data were recorded at 10 Hz (100 ms) during a 19 h free-grazing period ...
The effect of heel elevation on the stiffness gradient index of the digital flexor tendons in the equine forelimb of clinically normal horses. To evaluate the effect of heel elevation on measurement of stiffness gradients by means of acoustoelastography in the digital flexor tendons of clinically normal horses. Unassigned: 15 clinically normal horses. Unassigned: For each horse, stiffness gradient index (SGI) for superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFT) and deep digital flexor tendons (DDFT) were evaluated in both forelimbs at 0, 4 and 8 degrees of heel elevation. Acoustoelastography (AEG) was used for data acquisition at three sites, approximately 6, 12, and 18 cm distal to the accessory carpal bone in the metacarpal region. Lif...
Proteoglycan 4 is expressed in equine flexor tendons and tendon sheaths, with greater synovial fluid lubricin in tendon sheaths with tendon injury. To describe proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) expression, lubricin tissue distribution, and lubricin synovial fluid concentrations in healthy and injured equine flexor tendons and tenosynovial structures. Unassigned: Synovial fluid and tissues were collected over the span of 1 year. Proteoglycan 4 expression was quantified using quantitative real-time PCR, lubricin synovial fluid concentrations were measured using ELISAs, and lubricin tissue distribution was evaluated with immunohistochemistry. Histology and quantitative real-time PCR data for healthy samples were analyzed using paired t tests, repeated-m...
A pilot study on the potency of injectable vs. oral moxidectin formulation to suppress strongyle egg excretion in horses at twice lower dose. The aim of present study was to examine the potency of moxidectin solution (Cydectin 1 %; Zoetis) and commercially available oral moxidectin gel (Equest®; Zoetis) to suppress the excretion of strongyle eggs in horses over a 6-week period. The horses naturally infected with strongyle nematodes (>500 eggs/g of feces) were divided into two comparable groups according age, sex and weight. On day 0 of the study, horses in Group OT (oral treatment; N=5) were dewormed with moxidectin gel (Equest®; Zoetis; 0.4 mg/kg of b.w.) according to the manufacturer's instructions, and horses in Group IT (intra...
Molecular Detection of Pythium insidiosum in Cutaneous Lesions of Horses from Northeastern Brazil. Pythiosis is an underestimated and neglected disease in Brazil, both in horse breeders and in horses. The molecular detection of in horses in the Brazilian Northeast represents a milestone in the epidemiology of equine pythiosis in the country. This study reports novel cases of equine pythiosis, diagnosed by molecular methods, in five states of Northeastern Brazil. Clinical samples were submitted to microbiological culture, DNA extraction, and nested-PCR for molecular detection of . The nested-PCR successfully detected in four out of five equine lesion samples, demonstrating higher sensitivi...
Cervical epidural catheter for administration of detomidine and morphine in a model of carpal synovitis in the horse. To determine the analgesic effects of detomidine and morphine administered by cervical epidural catheter (CEC) on a model of thoracic limb pain. Methods: Prospective, randomized, blinded crossover study. Methods: Five adult horses. Methods: Cervical epidural catheters were placed under ultrasound guidance, followed by induction of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated carpal synovitis. Horses received either saline or detomidine/morphine (DM; 10 μg/kg, 0.1 mg/kg, respectively) via CEC 4 h after synovitis. After a 7 day washout, synovitis was induced in the contralateral carpus, and the alternate ...
Feasibility and safety of intrathecal transplantation of allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in horses. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising alternative for treating neurological disorders due to their neuroprotective, neuroregenerative, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. The use of allogeneic MSCs offers advantages such as the selection of specific cells and their immediate availability. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of intrathecal transplantation of allogeneic equine bone marrow-derived MSCs (EqBM-MSCs) in healthy horses. Ten healthy horses (five-12 years old) were randomly divided into two groups. In the control g...
Differences in Plasma Exposure of Cannabidiol and Cannabidiolic Acid Following Oral Administration to Horses. There has been a growing interest in the use of cannabinoids in horses in recent years. Several studies have reported on the pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol (CBD) in horses. However, cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) has received less attention, despite limited evidence suggesting clinically beneficial effects in other species. Horses were administered 3 mg/kg of CBD, 3 mg/kg of CBDA, and a placebo per os in a crossover design, with a one-week washout period between treatments. Plasma and urine samples were collected and analyzed using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem...
Agreement between subjective evaluations and a markerless AI-based gait analysis system during lungeing assessment in traditional racehorses. Subjective lameness evaluation during lungeing is routinely performed in equine practice, but its consistency remains limited, especially in cases of mild or complex asymmetry. Objective: This study aimed to assess the agreement between subjective gait evaluations and a markerless AI-based gait analysis system (OAI-MS) in traditional racehorses during lungeing. Intra- and inter-observer agreement of subjective evaluations was also investigated. Methods: 24 traditional racehorses were assessed during routine pre-race inspections (T0) while trotting on a soft surface. Two experienced equine clin...
Proteomic profiling of endometrial tissue and plasma from mares with endometrial fibrosis†. Endometrial fibrosis leads to subfertility when periglandular fibrosis impairs endometrial gland function. Identifying distinct protein expressions in mares suffering from this condition is essential for understanding the pathogenesis and developing treatments to delay fibrotic progression. To gain a better understanding of protein dynamics underlying this condition, Data-Independent Acquisition Mass Spectrometry was utilized to comprehensively characterize and compare the equine endometrial and plasma proteome from mares with different severities of endometrial fibrosis. Mares in diestrus wer...
Comparing the Difference in Traction Between the Bare Hoof, Iron Horseshoes and Two Glue-On Models on Different Surfaces. The interaction between equine hooves and various ground surfaces is a critical factor for injury prevention and performance in modern equestrian sports. Accurate measurement of surface grip is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of different hoof protection systems. This study introduces the Vienna Grip Tester (VGT), a novel sensor-based device developed to quantify rotational resistance-an important parameter for assessing hoof-surface interaction. The VGT utilizes a torque wrench and spring-loaded mechanism to simulate lateral hoof movements under a standardized vertical load (~700 N...
Exploratory Metabolomic Fingerprinting of Aqueous Humor in Healthy Horses and Donkeys, and in Horses with Ocular Pathologies. This study aims to generate foundational metabolomic data of aqueous humor (AH) in healthy horses and donkeys, and to investigate potential changes or trends in the metabolomic profile associated with age, sex or ocular pathology in horses. The AH metabolomic fingerprint from 5 donkeys and 35 equine eyes (17 controls, 8 with cataracts, 6 with retinal disease and 4 with anterior chamber disease (ACD)) were analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A linear mixed-effects model, with individual horse as a random effect and group as a fixed effect, with multiple testing correct...
Xenogen-free media provide variable equine mesenchymal stromal cell expansion after a 7-day culture period. To determine the xenogen-free serum source that provides the greatest number of live equine mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) while maintaining the MSC phenotype. Unassigned: Equine bone marrow-derived MSCs from 8 horses were cultured for 7 days in media containing one of the following serum treatments: 10% xenogeneic serum, 10% or 20% commercial allogeneic equine serum, 10% autologous serum, 10% equine pooled platelet lysate (PPL), or a staged media reduction of xenogeneic media. Live cell numbers, MSC viability, and MSC immunophenotype were compared. Unassigned: The use of 10% commercial allo...
Development of African horse sickness disabled infectious single animal (DISA)-DIVA vaccine platform applied for all nine serotypes. African Horse Sickness (AHS) is a devastating vector-borne viral disease of equids with a mortality up to 95 % in naïve domestic horses. The causative African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is a distinct species of the genus Orbivirus of the family Sedoreoviridae, consisting of nine serotypes showing limited cross protection. AHSV is transmitted by Culicoides biting midges. Outbreaks cause huge economic losses in developing African countries. AHS has become a serious threat for countries outside Africa, since endemic Culicoides species in moderate climates appear competent vectors of the closel...
Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Equine Pharyngeal Lymphoid Hyperplasia Using the Object Detection-Based Processing Technique of Digital Endoscopic Images. In human medicine, computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) is increasingly employed for screening, identifying, and monitoring early endoscopic signs of various diseases. However, its potential-despite proven benefits in human healthcare-remains largely underexplored in equine veterinary medicine. This study aimed to quantify endoscopic signs of pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (PLH) as digital data and to assess their effectiveness in CAD of PLH in comparison and in combination with clinical data reflecting respiratory tract disease. Endoscopic images of the pharynx were collected from 70 horses clinic...
A study of the epidemiology of Anoplocephala perfoliata infection in horses and the oribatid mite vector in southern England. Anoplocephala perfoliata is the most common equine tapeworm infection. This parasite is found at the small/large intestinal junction and has been associated with colic. The cestode has an indirect lifecycle involving oribatid mite intermediate hosts, though little is known of its epidemiology. This study aimed to monitor seasonal fluctuations in pasture oribatid mite numbers and the presence of Anoplocephala spp. DNA in mite samples collected from three equine premises in the UK. Exposure to infection in resident horses was assessed by measuring tapeworm-specific salivary antibodies. The data ...
Multiple Catheter Recording in Horses to Investigate Atrial Depolarization Pattern During Sinus Rhythm and Induced Premature Atrial Complexes. Detailed characterization of arrhythmias can be performed by multiple catheter mapping; but this has not yet been explored in horses. Objective: Perform ultrasound-guided multiple catheter mapping of the right heart during sinus rhythm and right and left atrial pacing to identify activation patterns characteristic of the origin of ectopy. Obtain His signals and effective refractory periods (ERP). Methods: Eight healthy adult horses. Methods: Experimental study. Recording catheters were placed at the terminal crest, intervenous tubercle, caudal vena cava, and coronary sinus. Right atrial pacing...
Evaluation of a modified one-stage technique for repair of third-degree perineal laceration and rectovestibular fistula with rectal pull-back technique in 12 mares: a retrospective case series. This study was carried out to evaluate a rectal pull-back one-stage technique, which is a modification of the one-stage Goetz technique, for treating third-degree perineal laceration or rectovestibular fistula. Methods: This study was performed on 12 mares, ten of whom suffered from third-grade perineal laceration, and two suffered from rectovestibular fistula and were included in this study. After incision of the vestibular shelf horizontally, the dissected rectal flap was pulled caudally and sutured to the anal sphincter during its reconstruction at the final stage. While the vestibular shel...
Exploring the Genetic Link Between Coat Colour and Morphological Traits: The Case of Peruano de Paso Horse. The Peruano de Paso is a horse breed renowned for its smooth gait, traditionally selected based on breeders' empirical knowledge. Recently, the frequency of chestnut horses, a recessive trait, has increased substantially within the official studbook. This study evaluated whether preference for chestnut coat colour has influenced morphological traits and genetic diversity within the breed. A total of 8376 records of seven morphological traits, collected by the Peruano de Paso Breeders Association over eight years, were analysed, along with a pedigree including 41,357 individuals. Morphological ...
Mechanisms of Variation in Abdominal Adipose Color Among Male Kazakh Horses Through Non-Coding RNA Sequencing. The Kazakh horse is a highly valuable indigenous Chinese breed known for its use in both milk and meat production. However, the mechanisms underlying color variation in the abdominal adipose tissue of this breed remain poorly understood. In this study, the sequencing of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) was conducted on abdominal adipose tissue of different colors from Kazakh horses, with the aim of investigating the molecular mechanisms responsible for this variation. A total of 205 differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (DELncRNAs) including , , and ; 52 differentially expressed microRNAs (DEm...
Quantification of immune cells in full thickness and mucosal biopsies of the duodenum and rectum in a group of slaughter horses. Limited data are available on immune cells in the intestinal wall of healthy horses, hampering interpretation of results in case of disease. Objective: Characterize and quantify the immune cell populations and their distribution in duodenal and rectal biopsies of horses without gastrointestinal disease; compare immune cell counts (ICCTs) between full thickness- and mucosal biopsies. Methods: Twenty horses fit for slaughter, slaughtered for meat production. Methods: Full-thickness and endoscopic forceps obtained mucosal biopsies were taken within 30 min after slaughter from the duodenum and rec...
Lipopolysaccharide reduces progesterone and cytokines in equine follicular fluid without affecting oocyte development in vitro. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in follicular fluid impairs steroid production and oocyte developmental competence in cows and mice. This study assessed LPS concentrations in equine follicular fluid and their association with steroid and some cytokine levels. Additionally, we evaluated whether LPS exposure during in vitro maturation (IVM) affects equine oocyte developmental competence. In experiment 1, follicular fluid from large follicles (>30 mm in diameter) was collected from 16 slaughterhouse mares, and concentrations of LPS, estradiol, progesterone, TNF-α, and IL-6 were measured. In experiment...
Three-dimensional electro-anatomical mapping of premature atrial complexes originating from the right atrial free wall and treatment by radiofrequency ablation in three horses. Frequent premature atrial complexes (PACs) can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation or atrial tachycardia, and pharmacological therapy can be challenging. Objective: To report the use of three-dimensional electro-anatomical mapping of PAC originating from the right atrial free wall and treatment by radiofrequency ablation in three horses. Methods: Retrospective case report. Methods: Frequent premature atrial complexes (PACs) were diagnosed in three horses. Twelve-lead ECG and vectorcardiography suggested an origin in the right lateral free wall in two horses and the caudal right atrium in ...
Efficacy and welfare effects of different forms of physical restraint for upper airway endoscopy of horses. Physical restraint of horses for veterinary procedures is necessary to allow completion of tasks effectively and without injury to patient or personnel. Objective: To compare physiological effects and behavioural responses to four commonly used restraint techniques for upper respiratory tract (URT) endoscopy in unsedated horses. Methods: Blocked and randomised interventional study. Methods: Twelve university owned teaching horses were blocked into groups of four and randomly allocated to one of four restraint methods (nose twitch, ear hold, Stableizer® and nil restraint) for URT endoscopy. Ho...
Insights into Genomic Patterns of Homozygosity in the Endangered Dülmen Wild Horse Population. Dülmen wild horses are kept in a fenced wooden and marsh area around Dülmen in Westphalia, Germany, since 1856. Previous analyses supported early genetic divergence from other domesticated horse populations and the Przewalski horse. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate genetic diversity using high-density genomic data. Methods: We collected 337 one-year-old male Dülmen wild horses, captured at 12 annual auctions, for genotyping on the Illumina GGP Equine Plus Beadchip. All analyses were performed for 63,123 autosomal SNPs. Results: On average, each horse had 27.96 ROH with...
Ultra-rapid freezing in spheres yields a higher cryoresistance than in straws but remains inferior to conventional slow freezing of stallion sperm. This study evaluated the cryoresistance of stallion sperm frozen by ultra-rapid (UR) methods using microspheres and straws or by the conventionally-slow (CS) method. Sixteen ejaculates from four stallions were each divided into three aliquots according to the freezing method: UR freezing in 30-μL spheres (UR-Spheres) by direct immersion in liquid nitrogen (LN); UR freezing in 0.25-mL straws (UR-Straws) by direct horizontal submersion in LN; and CS freezing in LN vapors. Ultra-rapid freezing medium included 100 mM trehalose +1 % BSA, and the CS freezing medium contained 5 % dimethylformamid...
Sexual arousal intensity modulates copulatory behavior and semen quality in Arabian stallions: Effects of age, origin, and collection method. Stallion sexual behavior during semen collection can be influenced by multiple factors, yet the role of sexual arousal intensity remains underexplored. Understanding how arousal modulates behavioral and physiological reproductive traits is essential for improving artificial insemination (AI) efficiency and semen quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sexual arousal intensity, age, origin, and semen collection method on stallion sexual behavior and the quality of fresh and frozen semen. Unassigned: Thirteen Arabian stallions (7 Tunisian, 6 foreign parentage) aged 6-20 years (total...
Behavioral Assessment of Equine Relaxation Following Manual Therapy: A Pilot Study. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the relaxation, stress reduction and behavioral changes observed after manual therapy applied to horses exposed to racing and physical training stimulus. This descriptive approach is aimed at veterinary clinicians to evaluate the therapy process more effectively with behavioral feedback. For this purpose, the study was conducted in two different equestrian clubs in Adana (Adana Mediterranean and Suvari Equestrian Clubs) between 2023 and 2024. A total of 32 racehorses (16 Thoroughbred, 16 Arabian; 16 female, 16 male) of different ages, genders and bre...
Influenza D Virus Circulation Among Bovines, Swine, Equines, and Wild Boars in Italy: A Sero-Epidemiological Study. Influenza D virus (IDV), belonging to the family, was first discovered in 2011 in pigs. Surveys in humans and animals have been carried out to decipher IDV ecology. In this seroepidemiological study, we investigated the circulation of IDV lineages across Italy in livestock and wildlife animals. A total of 1038 animal serum samples (from 246 bovines, 249 swine, 98 equines, and 445 wild boars) were tested using hemagglutination inhibition and virus neutralization assays. The results confirm bovines as the primary reservoir for IDV, with high seroprevalence for both D/660 (87%) and D/OK (80%) st...