Topic:Arabian Horses
Arabian horses are a distinct breed known for their endurance, intelligence, and distinctive physical characteristics, including a refined head shape and high tail carriage. Originating from the Arabian Peninsula, these horses have played a significant role in the development of various modern horse breeds. Their genetic makeup contributes to their unique attributes, which include a strong cardiovascular system and efficient energy metabolism, making them well-suited for long-distance riding and endurance competitions. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the genetics, physiology, and performance attributes of Arabian horses, as well as their influence on other horse breeds and their role in equine sports and breeding programs.
Omic technology to monitoring resilience and adaptation to exercise and heat stress in endurance horses. In horses, heat exposure modulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, autonomic nervous system, and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis to maintain body temperature and prevent excessive heat accumulation. However, during strenuous exercise under hot and humid conditions, heat production may exceed dissipation, leading to heat stress, anhidrosis, heat stroke, or brain damage. Unassigned: Incremental field standardized exercise tests (fSETs) provide a reliable approach to assess training and fitness levels. Six Arabian horses from Italia Endurance Stable and Academy were monitored during ...
Use of a Fogarty balloon catheter for management of distal nasolacrimal duct atresia in a standing sedated horse. A 4-year-old Arabian cross paint mare was referred for evaluation of chronic mucopurulent discharge and epiphora of the left eye. Ophthalmic and radiographic evaluations confirmed distal nasolacrimal duct atresia with absence of the nasolacrimal orifice. Initial minimally invasive treatments, including guidewire-assisted catheterization and diode laser photoablation, were unsuccessful. Definitive treatment was achieved using a Fogarty arterial embolectomy catheter under standing sedation. Controlled balloon inflation and deflation enabled progressive dilation of the obstructed duct, and a surg...
A Pilot Study on Blood Concentration of β-Amyloid (40 and 42) and Phospho-Tau 181 in Horses. In humans, aging is often accompanied by cognitive decline, as seen in Alzheimer's disease. In contrast, the aging process in horses remains poorly characterized. This study aims to explore the presence of blood-based biomarkers associated with cognitive degeneration in this species. Twenty-three Arabian horses were enrolled, and 5 mL of blood was collected from each to measure serum levels of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ40 and Aβ42) and phosphorylated tau protein (pTau181), both considered reliable indicators of cognitive impairment in other species. Aβ42 was undetectable in all samples, while ...
Clinical occurrence of trypanosomiasis in Arabian horses from Ahvaz. Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi) is a hemoprotozoan parasite affecting camels and equids, such as horses, mules, and donkeys, and is known to cause surra disease in these animals. Despite the worldwide distribution of T. evansi infections in equids, surra has not been reported in Arabian horses in Khuzestan Province for over 60 years. In September 2018, a 7-year-old Arabian mare was referred from a 10-horse farm in the suburbs of Ahvaz City. The mare presented with a history of weight loss, poor appetite, and proximity to a camel herd. Physical examination revealed a poor body condition score ...
Changes in measurable ultrasonographic parameters in growing Arabian foals from birth to 1 year. Utrasonographic measurements of the abdominal viscera and the heart in growing Arabian foals have not been described. Objective: To establish normal intervals for ultrasonographic measurements of cardiac indices and abdominal viscera in growing Arabian foals from birth to 1 year of age. Methods: Prospective longitudinal descriptive study. Methods: Ultrasonographic images were captured from 15 foals every 3 months from 1 week to 1 year of age. During each examination, at least three images were obtained at each location and measurements were obtained using standardised ultrasonographic approa...
Computed tomography of the equine temporohyoid joint: Association between imaging changes and potential risk factors. Temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO) is characterised by bone proliferation and cartilage ossification caused by infectious and degenerative conditions, amongst others. Objective: To describe the variable appearance of the temporohyoid joint (THJ) on computed tomography (CT) and investigate associations between CT changes and potential risk factors. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Head CT examinations were assessed. A grading system was developed for osseous proliferation (grade 0 [normal] to 3 [severe]) and tympanohyoid cartilage change (grade 0 [normal] to 3 [complete ossification])....
Genetic susceptibility to sarcoid in Arabian horses: associations with MHC class II and compound MHC class I/KLRA genotypes. Although the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) has been repeatedly associated with susceptibility to equine sarcoid, a disease associated with bovine papillomavirus infection, the role of the MHC in the mechanisms of the disease is not fully understood. The objectives of our work were to analyze associations between polymorphic markers of the MHC genomic subregions and of the Natural Killer Complex (NKC) genomic region and the presence of sarcoid in Arabian horses. Microsatellite loci located in the MHC class I, II and III subregions and two MHC class II genes (DRA, DQA1), along with a se...
First report on equine papillomavirus type 1 in Arabian horses in Saudi Arabia: Clinical, histopathological, and molecular characterization. Equine papillomavirus type 1 (EcPV-1) causes cutaneous papillomatosis in horses, which is characterized by benign, proliferative epithelial lesions. Despite its global presence, the prevalence and characterization of EcPV-1 in Arabian horses in Saudi Arabia have not been previously reported. Unassigned: This study is the first to identify and comprehensively analyze EcPV-1 in four Arabian horses presenting with multiple raised, verrucous lesions around the muzzle and lips. Unassigned: This study involved clinical examination, skin biopsy collection, histopathological examination, and molecular...
Astaxanthin supplementation in Arabian racing horses mitigates oxidative stress and inflammation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells through enhanced mitophagy. Astaxanthin, a strong antioxidant carotenoid, has shown promising features in mitigating inflammation and oxidative stress and so that has been considered as a supplement for high-performance animals. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of astaxanthin on oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial health in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from Arabian racehorses. Horse-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) presented increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytoki...
Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma With Widespread Metastases in an Arabian Mare. This report describes a case of massive renal cell carcinoma (RCC) causing mild chronic colic in a 20-day-postpartum Arabian mare. The mare presented with deteriorating abdominal pain following normal parturition. Clinical examination revealed tachycardia, tachypnoea, weak intestinal motility and pale mucosal membranes. Rectal examination identified a very large mass in the caudal part of the abdominal cavity, and abdominal ultrasound examination revealed a huge space-occupying mass with renal architecture. During midline exploratory laparotomy, a massive tumour was observed in the anatomical ...
Effect of Management System on Fecal Microbiota in Arabian Horses: Preliminary Results. The gut microbiota plays a basic role in maintaining the psychophysical health and well-being of horses. Understanding the complex interactions among microbial communities in relation to age, management, and health is a topic of growing interest. The equine microbiota, given its complexity, is subject to variations caused by internal or external stressors that can lead to metabolic problems and pathologies, i.e., obesity and laminitis. The aim of this study was to characterize the fecal microbiota of 12 purebred Arabian horses and to compare the microbial communities in two distinct management...
Three Novel KIT Polymorphisms Found in Horses with White Coat Color Phenotypes. This paper reports three novel KIT variants likely responsible for previously unexplained white patterning phenotypes observed in three groups of horses. White spots and markings may have substantial consequences on the value and health of domesticated horses. This study aims to elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying depigmented coat colors to aid in producing prosperous herds. Aligned whole genome sequences were manually screened to identify three polymorphisms in a family of Anglo-Arabian horses (N = 7), a family of Warmblood horses (N = 5), and a single stock-type mare with unexplained...
The diagnostic accuracy of the Brix refractometer in determining mare colostrum with high and low immunoglobulin G concentrations. Foals, that receive poor-quality colostrum, are exposed to a risk of failure of transfer of passive immunity. The Brix refractometer can be used for the estimation of the immunoglobulin (IgG) concentration of mare colostrum, yet there is a scarce literature available on Brix refractometer thresholds for use in the detection of mare colostra with high and low IgG concentrations. Objective: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the Brix refractometer in determining mare colostra with IgG concentrations of <50g/L, <60g/L, >80g/L, >100g/L and >125g/L. Methods: Two hundred and seven...
Intranasal Dental Repulsion of a Displaced Cheek Tooth in an Arabian Filly. This case report documents an unusual cheek tooth (CT) displacement in a 3-year-old Arabian filly. The horse was referred to the clinic for loss of appetite and right-sided facial deformity. At admission, an oral inspection was performed, followed by a dental radiographic examination. The radiographs showed a very oblique vertical angulation (135°) of the CT 106 compared to the other premolars (107 and 108 CTs) (40°). In consideration of the clinical and radiographic findings, surgical extraction of the 106 CT was indicated. Due to the unique positioning of the displaced tooth, traditional e...
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Profiling in Horses Before and After Exercise. The impact of exercise on the classical and alternative renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) pathways has not been studied in horses. Objective: We hypothesized that exercise would activate both RAAS pathways and that endurance exercise would cause more activation of the classical pathway compared to short-duration, high-intensity exercise in horses. Methods: Twenty-five horses (21 client-owned and 4 research) were included in 4 exercise groups (10 Arabians, 50-mile ride [A-E]; 4 thoroughbreds, 1-mile treadmill exercise [TB-TM]; 5 thoroughbreds, 1-1/16th-mile race [TB-R]; and 6 quarter ...
Cerebellar abiotrophy in a quarter horse foal. Cerebellar abiotrophy is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum, resulting in premature neuronal death. In horses, its occurrence has been reported mainly in the Arabian breed as a congenital mutation inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. The objective of this study was to describe the case of cerebellar abiotrophy in a Quarter Horse foal. An 8-day-old foal was treated after presenting signs of ataxia, hypermetria, difficulty maintaining a standing position, and decreased menace response. The foal was hospitalized for 26 days, received treatment wit...
Effect of the intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the growth and development of young foals under subtropical conditions of Pakistan. This study was designed to explore the impact of intrinsic (breed of foal, age of dam, and age of foal at weaning) and extrinsic (season of birth and housing type) factors on the growth and survival of foals in the subtropical conditions of Pakistan. For the growth study, retrospective data analysis of foals (n = 150) born from purebred brood mares of Thoroughbred, Arabs, and Percheron breeds (n1, n2, and n3 = 50 each) was made. Six hundred and twenty-four (n = 624) foals born between 2020 to 2022 were observed for the study of foal survival rate. The survival of these foals till the age of on...
Myofibrillar Myopathy. Myofibrillar myopathy (MFM) is characterized by segmental disarray of myofibrils and ectopic accumulation of a protein called desmin. Previously thought to be a glycogen storage disease, MFM is now recognized as a stand-alone myopathy. Endurance Arabians with MFM usually present with exertional rhabdomyolysis (MFM-ER) at the end of races, elevated serum muscle enzymes, and myoglobinuria. Warmblood horses with MFM (MFM-WB) usually present with pain-associated behaviors such as exercise intolerance, reluctance to engage hind quarter muscles, shifting lameness and normal serum muscle enzymes. Bot...
Safety and efficacy of oral edible bird’s nest supplementation: Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory benefits for Arabian race stallions during exercise. Exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation adversely affect the health and performance of athletic horses. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of edible bird's nest (EBN) supplementation and its potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects in Arabian race stallions during exercise. Key objectives included assessing EBN's impact on hepatic and renal function, hematological profiles, and sialic acid (SA) levels. Unassigned: Two experiments were conducted on 18 Arabian stallions. In Experiment 1, six healthy stallions were divided into control (n = 2) and EBN-supplemented ...
Antioxidant capacity and athletic condition of endurance horses undergoing nutraceutical supplementation. Endurance is an equestrian discipline that primarily relies on aerobic metabolism. Intense aerobic exercise produces reactive oxygen species due to an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant substances, known as oxidative stress, which may reduce athletic performance. This study evaluated the effects of a feed supplement containing natural antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids on the blood antioxidant activity and the athletic condition of endurance horses undergoing an exercise test. Twelve Arabian endurance horses were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups. At T0, blood lactate, ...
A Closed Reduction of Cervical Spine Subluxation in an Arabian Foal with an External Neck Stabilizer. Cervical spine injuries that impact young horses and foals can result in mild to severe neurological signs or even result in sudden death. There are only a few reports on conservative treatment options for this condition in the scientific literature. If the condition is left untreated, it can lead to the development of degenerative joint disease, resulting in chronic neurological symptoms and discomfort. We present the case of a two-day-old Arabian foal that showed signs of ataxia following a neck injury, being the result of cervical spine subluxation. Radiological examination revealed a dislo...
Distribution of race and training-related musculoskeletal injuries by track and location in Thoroughbred and Arabian racehorses. Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) are a major concern in the horse racing industry, often leading to career-ending outcomes. Contributing factors include conformation, limb and joint defects, hoof structure, age, and hard track surfaces. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of MSI in Thoroughbred and Arabian racehorses during racing and training, categorised by breed and track surface. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: The data from 2018 to 2023 were collected at the Turkish Jockey Club's Şirinyer Hippodrome (38°23'03.7″ N 27°09'01.0″ E), covering 553 MSI ca...
Endurance Effort Affected Expression of Actinin 3 and Klotho Different Isoforms Basing on the Arabian Horses Model. Among numerous genes that have been a focus of equine genetic research, the (Klotho) and (Alpha-actinin-3) genes stand out due to their significant roles in muscle function and overall health, as well as performance ability. Previous studies on Arabian horses and other mammalians have shown that both and occur in different isoforms that seem to have different roles in metabolism. The main purpose of this present study was to describe different isoforms (, , , , , ) expression levels affected by the endurance effort in Arabian horses. Methods: Blood samples were taken from a group of = 10 ...
Potential use of beet-pulp concentrate supplementation in athletic horse. The aim of this two-phase study was to evaluate the use of beet pulp concentrate (BPC) in athletic horses. On the first trial the effects of supplementation with 820g of BPC for 12 weeks were assessed and a crossover postprandial curves of blood biomarkers were determined in five adult Arabian mares. Differences were found in T-chol, HDL-chol, TPP and MCHC (p < 0.05). Postprandial curves varied among challenges (p < 0.05) for glucose, insulin, and hematocrit. These results confirmed that BPC supplementation led to changes in blood biomarkers, without inducing major metabolic disruption. Th...
Study of Variation of ACOX1 Gene Among Different Horse Breeds Maintained in Iran. The gene is vital for fatty acid metabolism and is linked to environmental stress and physical exertion adaptation. The p.Asp237Ser variant (rs782885985) in is associated with increased enzyme activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. This study examined the polymorphism across six horse breeds in Iran: Arabian, Thoroughbred, KWPN, Caspian, Kurdish, and Turkmen. The goal was to identify differences in genotype distribution, potentially serving as genetic markers under selection pressure related to breed-specific traits. In a sample of 324 horses, genomic DNA was analyzed using PCR...
Y-chromosomal insights into the breeding history and sire line genealogies of two traditional Baroque horse breeds: Lipizzaner and Kladruber. The paternally inherited, male-specific part of the Y chromosome (MSY) is an ideal marker for studying the origin, genealogies, and historical connections of horse patrilines. Here, we performed fine-scaled MSY haplotype (HT) analysis in two Baroque horse breeds, the Lipizzaner and the Kladruber, both known for their long-standing tradition of sire line breeding and interconnected genealogies. We genotyped 95 MSY markers using KASP technology in 90 stallions representing all patrilines of both breeds. We identified 14 HTs across eight Lipizzaner sire lines and six HTs in eight Kladruber lines....
The effect of long term astaxanthin supplementation on the antioxidant status of racing Arabian horses – preliminary study. Astaxanthin due to its strong antioxidant activity is believed to reduce oxidative stress and therefore is considered as feed additive in pathological conditions and also for the athletes. It is promoted by several equine web portals, however, data supporting that concept in horses is limited. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of astaxanthin supplementation on the parameters of oxidative status in 3 years old, racing Arabian horses during long term observation and the changes related to a single training session of high intensity. Six horses were supplemented with astaxant...
Equine intraocular melanocytic neoplasia. To describe the clinical appearance, histopathology, and treatment of equine intraocular melanocytic neoplasia in adult horses. Unassigned: A retrospective review of medical records was conducted. Data recorded included signalment, ocular examination findings, physical examination findings, therapeutic interventions, and case outcomes. Histopathologic characteristics of enucleated globes were evaluated. A Student's -test was used to evaluate differences in the interval from diagnosis to last known outcome between horses receiving therapeutic interventions and horses undergoing monitoring alone...
Comparative analysis of breeding patterns and reproductive efficiency of mares in subtropical conditions of Pakistan. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the overall and breed-specific seasonal breeding patterns, fertility rates, cyclicity, and follicular dynamics of Arab, Thoroughbred, and Percheron mares under the subtropical conditions of Pakistan. Methods: A retrospective analysis of climatic data and breeding records of eleven breeding studs spanning four years (2020-2023) was made to find out the overall seasonality in the breeding pattern of mares. Fifty mares of each breed (n = 150 in total) were scanned by ultrasonography for a calendar year to find the cyclicity pattern and follicular ...
Astaxanthin Supplementation Does Not Alter Training-Related Changes in Inflammatory Cytokine Profile in Arabian Racing Horses. This study aimed to evaluate the oral supplementation of astaxanthin (ATX) on inflammatory markers in 3-year-old Arabian racehorses. Despite the recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of ATX observed in vitro in rodent models and in human athletes, the effects in equine subjects remain unknown. This study involved a controlled trial with 14 horses receiving either ATX (six horses) or a placebo (eight horses), monitored over four months of race training. Inflammatory cytokines: TNFα, IFNγ, IL-6, IL-10, and prostaglandin E (PGE), were measured monthly to assess the impact of A...