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.
Horse domestication and conservation genetics of Przewalski’s horse inferred from sex chromosomal and autosomal sequences. Despite their ability to interbreed and produce fertile offspring, there is continued disagreement about the genetic relationship of the domestic horse (Equus caballus) to its endangered wild relative, Przewalski's horse (Equus przewalskii). Analyses have differed as to whether or not Przewalski's horse is placed phylogenetically as a separate sister group to domestic horses. Because Przewalski's horse and domestic horse are so closely related, genetic data can also be used to infer domestication-specific differences between the two. To investigate the genetic relationship of Przewalski's hors...
Estimation of genetic parameters on conformation traits of the Iranian Arab horses population. Arab horse is a popular pure breed in Iran and is registered by World Arabian Horse Organization (WAHO). There is no scientific study and research about this breed. In this research 13 conformation traits on a random sample of the Iranian Arab horses studied. The estimate of variance components estimated by Animal Model and Derivative Free Restricted Maximum Likelihood (DF-REML) approach and DF-REML software. Heritability of conformation traits is also evaluated. The range of estimated heritability were (0.050 +/- 0.008) neck length and (0.614 +/- 0.087) croup height. Results indicated that, c...
Cutaneous pythiosis in a nontravelled California horse. An 18-year-old Arabian mare was examined with a large mass on the left hind pastern and fetlock. The mare was located in the Central Valley of northern California, and had never been out of the state. Routine histopathological processing and examination of biopsy samples from the mass showed several hyphal organisms that were delineated with a silver stain. Using immunohistochemistry the organism was diagnosed as Pythium insidiosum. The owner declined debulking surgery, and despite treatment with an immunotherapeutic vaccine, the horse's condition deteriorated leading to euthanasia.
Evaluating the addition of positive reinforcement for learning a frightening task: a pilot study with horses. Horse training often relies upon negative reinforcement (NR). This study tested the hypothesis that adding positive reinforcement (PR) to NR would enhance learning in horses (n = 34) being taught to walk over a tarp (novel/typically frightening task). Subjects were Arabians, and the same person handled all of them. This person handled half "traditionally" (NR only)--that is, halter/lead were pulled; when horse stepped forward, pressure was released; process repeated until criterion met (horse crossed the tarp with little/no obvious anxiety). The same person handled the other half traditionally...
Preliminary investigation of morphological differences between ten breeds of horses suggests selection for paedomorphosis. Paedomorphosis is the retention of juvenile morphology at maturity and is important in generating evolutionary change in domestic species and species in the wild. When comparing dogs with the wolf, this preliminary study saw paedomorphosis in their physical and behavioral traits (Goodwin, Bradshaw, & Wickens, 1997). This preliminary study compared morphological characteristics of 10 breeds from northern regions (Shetland ponies) and southern regions (Arabians) with the Exmoor pony. Twenty-three respondents from the United Kingdom and Australia rated the breeds for 7 physical traits. As evi...
What is your diagnosis? Peritoneal fluid from an Arabian horse after colic surgery. A 16-year-old castrated male Arabian horse was presented to the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a 4-hour history of colic. Initial examinations provided strong evidence for small intestinal obstruction. Abdominal surgery revealed a strangulating lipoma, and 25 feet of small intestine were resected. Postoperatively, the horse developed obstructive ileus due to adhesion formation, which required a second laparotomy. During and after surgery, the abdomen was lavaged with sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). One week after the second surgery, evaluation of peritoneal fluid reve...
Treatment of medial condylar fractures of the third metatarsus in three horses with fibreglass casts under standing neuroleptanalgesia. Minimally displaced condylar fractures propagating into the third metatarsal diaphysis were treated conservatively in one thoroughbred and two Arabian racehorses. In each case a neuroleptanalgesic protocol provided adequate pain relief for a rigid fibreglass cast to be applied in a weight-bearing position. The fractures healed completely and the three horses recovered uneventfully. Two of them returned successfully to racing and the third was used for breeding.
[The communities of cyathostomes (Cyathostominae) in year-old and two-year-old Pure Blood Arabian mares]. The objective of this study was to evaluate the strongyles species in 34 Pure Blood Arabian Horses: one-year-old mares (n = 12) and two-year old mares (n = 22) from the horse stud in 2005, kept under housed-pastured system and dewormed systematically, twice a year using the ivermectin compounds. Methods: The practical method of in vivo determination of strongyles species in horses is collection of these nematodes from the feaces after treatment. Nematodes were collected 24 hours after deworming from 1000 g sample of feaces, then were classified to appropriate species and relative abundance of ...
Apparent adiposity assessed by standardised scoring systems and morphometric measurements in horses and ponies. This study described a scoring system for the assessment of apparent neck adiposity and evaluated morphometric measurements for assessment of neck and overall adiposity. Twenty-one barren Thoroughbred mares, 13 Arabian geldings and 75 Welsh, Dartmoor, or crossbred pony mares, were clinically examined and blood samples analysed for insulin, glucose, leptin, and triglycerides. Bodyweight (BW), height, length, girth and abdominal circumferences, neck length, neck crest height and neck circumference were measured, and body condition scores (BCS) and cresty neck scores (CNS) were rated. Girth:heigh...
Dietary energy source affects glucose kinetics in trained Arabian geldings at rest and during endurance exercise. Advances in modeling and tracer techniques provide new perspective into glucose utilization and potential consequences to health or exercise performance. This study used stable isotope and compartmental modeling to evaluate how adaptation to a feed high in sugar and starch (SS) compared with a feed high in fat and fiber (FF) affects glucose kinetics at rest and during exercise in horses. Six trained Arabians adapted to each feed underwent similar tests at rest and while running approximately 4 m/s on a treadmill. For both tests, horses received 100 micromol/kg body weight [6,6-(2)H]glucose thr...
Comparative study of epidural xylazine or clonidine in horses. To evaluate the cardiorespiratory and behavioural effects of epidural xylazine (XYL) or clonidine (CLO) in horses. Methods: Blinded, randomized experimental study. Methods: Twelve healthy Arabian yearling horses weighing 117-204 kg were randomly allocated into two groups: XYL (n = 6) and CLO (n = 6). Methods: An epidural catheter was inserted and a facial arterial catheter was placed and the next day the horses were restrained in stocks. Baseline values for heart (HR) and respiratory (RR) rates, arterial pressure and behavioural responses were evaluated before (T0) and 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90 a...
Gender differences in non-specific immune response to exercise in the lactate threshold: a study in equine athletes. Gender differences have not been shown in relation to the immune system in athletic horses. The aim of the present paper was to elucidate gender differences in the non-specific immune response of the polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN), plasma glucose and in hormones before and after an exercise in the lactate threshold (LT). A group of 12 Anglo-Arabian horses (6 females and 6 males, 4-7 years old) was observed. A submaximal exercise test was carried out at the LT. The results showed that males had a higher PMN percentage, plasma glucose values, Adherence index (AI) and random migration than fe...
Comparative anatomy and muscle architecture of selected hind limb muscles in the Quarter Horse and Arab. The Quarter Horse (bred for acceleration) and the Arab (bred for endurance) are situated at either end of the equine athletic spectrum. Studies into the form and function of the leg muscles in human sprint and endurance runners have demonstrated that differences exist in their muscle architecture. It is not known whether similar differences exist in the horse. Six Quarter Horse and six Arab fresh hind limb cadavers were dissected to gain information on the muscle mass and architecture of the following muscles: gluteus medius; biceps femoris; semitendinosus; vastus lateralis; gastrocnemius; tib...
Bite and kick injuries in horses: prevalence, risk factors and prevention. Studies on the prevalence and predisposing factors of bite and kick injuries in horses have not been reported in a population-based data sample. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of bite and kick injuries in horses and associated risk factors in a representative sample of horses in Switzerland. Methods: A questionnaire on the incidence of disease and injury, which included the frequency of bite and kick injuries and their association with breed, housing, use and feeding regime, was sent to 2559 horse owners randomly selected throughout Switzerland. Results: The data of 2912 horses with ...
Allelic heterogeneity at the equine KIT locus in dominant white (W) horses. White coat color has been a highly valued trait in horses for at least 2,000 years. Dominant white (W) is one of several known depigmentation phenotypes in horses. It shows considerable phenotypic variation, ranging from approximately 50% depigmented areas up to a completely white coat. In the horse, the four depigmentation phenotypes roan, sabino, tobiano, and dominant white were independently mapped to a chromosomal region on ECA 3 harboring the KIT gene. KIT plays an important role in melanoblast survival during embryonic development. We determined the sequence and genomic organization of t...
Follicular and steroid hormone changes in Arabian mares in the postpartum period. In this study, the aim has been to characterize the profiles of progesterone, estradiol and follicular changes during postpartum period from parturition to first postpartum ovulation. Jugular venous blood was taken daily for progesterone and estradiol assay until first postpartum ovulation. The diameters of the follicles of the ovaries were recorded. The mean progesterone and estrogen concentrations markedly decreased (p<0.05) during the 48h after parturition. No correlation was observed between estradiol concentrations and the diameter of the largest follicle whereas a negative correlation wa...
The prevalence of cardiac dysrhthmias in Khozestan-Arab horses. An observational field study was performed on a well-know purebred horses in Iran (Khozestan-Arab horse). The study was conducted on 105 apparently healthy horses. To find the prevalence of cardiac dysrhythmias in different sexes and ages, the horses were divided into 2 sexes (63 females and 42 males) and three age groups (0-4, 4-8, > 8 years old). After taking the history and performing clinical examination, ECG was obtained on a base apex lead system with the paper speed of 25 mm sec(-1) and sensitivity of 10 or 5 mm mv(-1) at rest. The electrocardiograms were evaluated according to the crit...
Sequence analysis of the equine SLC26A2 gene locus on chromosome 14q15–>q21. The solute carrier family 26, member 2 (SLC26A2) gene belongs to a family of multifunctional anion exchangers. Mutations in the human SLC26A2 gene are associated with autosomal recessively inherited chondrodysplasias. Hence, we postulate that the equine SLC26A2 could be a candidate gene for conformational traits in horses. An equine BAC clone harboring the SLC26A2 gene was isolated. The complete 142,625 bp insert sequence of this clone was determined by transposon sequencing. Together with the SLC26A2 gene the BAC clone contains four genes, i.e. the macrophage colony stimulating factor 1 recep...
A new view on dam lines in Polish Arabian horses based on mtDNA analysis. Polish Arabian horses are one of the oldest and the most important Arab populations in the world. The Polish Arabian Stud Book and the Genealogical Charts by Skorkowski are the main sources of information on the ancestors of Polish Arabs. Both publications were viewed as credible sources of information until the 1990s when the data regarding one of the dam lines was questioned. The aim of the current study was to check the accuracy of the pedigree data of Polish dam lines using mtDNA analysis. The analyses of a 458 bp mtDNA D-loop fragment from representatives of 15 Polish Arabian dam lines re...
Pelger-Huët anomaly in an Arabian horse. A 9-year-old Arabian mare was evaluated for a 7-day history of malaise. Results of a CBC included a leukocyte concentration within the reference interval (8.4 x 10(3)/microL, reference interval 6.0-14.0 x 10(3)/microL) with an apparent degenerative left shift (segmented neutrophils 1.2 x 10(3)/microL, reference interval 2.5-7.5 x 10(3)/microL; hyposegmented neutrophils 1.8 x 10(3)/microL, reference interval 0.0-0.2 x 10(3)/microL). Serum clinical chemistry results included increased aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase activities. A presumptive diagnosis ...
Humoral immune responses in the horse after intrathecal challenge with ovalbumin. Diagnosis of neuro-inflammatory conditions in the horse can be challenging. Current methods include evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for inflammation and determination of specific antibody status. The antibody index (AI) and Goldman-Witmer coefficient (C-value) can be used to aid in the interpretation. Objective: The null hypothesis to be tested was that the Al and C-values do not change in horses with neuroinflammation. Methods: Twelve horses of various ages (3-17 years) and breeds (Thoroughbred, Thoroughbred cross, draft, and Arabian) were included in the study. Methods: The study was...
Karyotype evaluation among young horse populations in Poland. Five hundred young horses of the following breeds: Thoroughbred, Silesian, Malopolska, Wielkopolska, Polish Konik, Hutsul, Shetland Pony, Half-bred Anglo-Arabian, Noble Half-bred, Fjord and crosses were cytogenetically investigated. Chromosome preparations obtained after lymphocyte culture were analysed using conventional Giemsa staining and CBG-banding methods. In the case of abnormalities GTG-banding as well as FISH technique were applied. In ten mares different karyotypic abnormalities were diagnosed. One mare showed chromosome chimerism (64,XX/64,XY), eight had sex chromosomal aneuploidy (...
Bilateral occurrence of granulosa-theca cell tumors in an Arabian mare. An Arabian mare was referred for right granulosa-theca cell tumor (GTCT) evaluation. The mare was presented 4.5 years later for a left GTCT, after successfully conceiving and delivering a normal foal in the interim. The concurrent or nonconcurrent occurrence of bilateral GTCT in mares appears to be rare. Une jument Arabe a été référée pour l’évaluation d’une tumeur de la granulosa et de la thèque du côté droit (TGT). La jument avait été présentée 4,5 ans plus tôt pour une TGT du côté gauche, ayant entre temps conçu et mis au monde un poulain normal. La présence, simultan...
Effect on fertility of human chorionic gonadotrophin and uterine lavage with oxytocin performed after mating in Arabian barren mares. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the beneficial effect of hCG injected immediately after mating in Arabian barren mares treated with uterine lavage and oxytocin. Arabian barren mares (n=36) with PMIE were subjected to detailed clinical examinations including palpation per rectum, vaginoscopy, and cytological examination. After mating the 36 mares were randomly divided into four groups. The mares in group 1 (n=10) were immediately after breeding injected with hCG 3,000 IU IM. Uterine lavage with 1L of N-saline containing 4 million IU of crystalline penicillin and 4 g of strept...
Phylogenetic relationships of German heavy draught horse breeds inferred from mitochondrial DNA D-loop variation. We analysed a 610-bp mitochondrial (mt)DNA D-loop fragment in a sample of German draught horse breeds and compared the polymorphic sites with sequences from Arabian, Hanoverian, Exmoor, Icelandic, Sorraia and Przewalski's Horses as well as with Suffolk, Shire and Belgian horses. In a total of 65 horses, 70 polymorphic sites representing 47 haplotypes were observed. The average percentage of polymorphic sites was 11.5% for the mtDNA fragment analysed. In the nine different draught horse breeds including South German, Mecklenburg, Saxon Thuringa coldblood, Rhenisch German, Schleswig Draught Hors...
Racing speeds of quarter horses, thoroughbreds and Arabians. While Quarter Horses are recognised as the fastest breed of horse, direct comparisons to race times with other breeds can be misleading. Quarter Horse races begin when the starting gates open. Thoroughbred and Arabian races begin a short distance from the gates after horses have started running. This study compared speeds of these breeds as they accelerate from the starting gates and during the middle and end of races. Objective: To compare racing speeds of the 3 breeds, and to compare speeds during various segments of the races. Methods: Video tapes of races were obtained from a local track. ...
Glucose dynamics during exercise: dietary energy sources affect minimal model parameters in trained Arabian geldings during endurance exercise. Glucose regulation is critical for health and exercise performance. Objective: To quantify the effects of exercise and diet on insulin sensitivity (SI), glucose effectiveness (Sg), acute insulin response to glucose (AIRg) and disposition index (DI) in horses. Methods: This study applied the minimal model of glucose and insulin dynamics to exercise-trained Arabian geldings during rest or constant moderate-intensity exercise after 8 weeks adaptation to feeds high in sugar and starch (SS, n = 6) or fat and fibre (FF, n = 6). Horses underwent 2 frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance tests (FSIG...
Does usefulness of potassium supplementation depend on speed? Electrolyte mixtures given to counter sweat loss usually contain abundant potassium. However, increases in plasma [K+] occur with exercise and supplementation may further increase plasma levels, potentially increasing the risk of neuromuscular hyperexcitability and development of adverse clinical sequellae. This proposition requires study. Objective: To compare effects of a K-rich electrolyte supplement (EM+K) to a K-free one (EM-K) on plasma [K+], [Ca++] and acid-base status during an endurance incremental exercise test on the treadmill. Methods: The test consisted of 3 bouts (simulating loop...
A subcutaneous mass on the neck of a horse. A 25-year-old Arabian gelding was presented for investigation of a subcutaneous neck mass. Fine-needle aspirates and impression smears revealed mast cells with widely varying degrees of cytoplasmic granulation and scattered eosinophils. Histopathology revealed a poorly circumscribed mass composed of sheets and bundles of mast cells with a large population of eosinophils. The mast cells were separated into numerous lobules by a heavy collagenous stroma, and multifocal collagen necrosis was present. Strong reactivity of the tumor cells for both Giemsa and toluidine blue stains confirmed the diag...