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Topic:Clinical Study
Clinical studies in equine research involve the systematic investigation of health and disease in horses through structured scientific methods. These studies aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of treatments, understand disease mechanisms, and improve veterinary care practices. Clinical studies can include randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and case-control studies. They may focus on various aspects such as pharmacokinetics, therapeutic interventions, and diagnostic techniques. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the design, implementation, and findings of clinical studies in equine medicine, providing insights into their impact on horse health and veterinary practices.
Harnessing the Horse for Human Osteoarthritis: microRNA-181a-5p Antisense Oligonucleotides in Clinically Normal Equine Fetlock Joints Are Safe and Well Tolerated. Horses serve as a translational model for human osteoarthritis (OA) due to their comparable joint size, cartilage thickness, and incidence of naturally occurring disease. Overexpression of microRNA-181a-5p has been implicated in cartilage degradation in OA, and its inhibition using locked nucleic acid antisense oligonucleotides (LNA-miR-181a-5p ASOs) represents a potential therapeutic strategy. This study evaluated the safety of intraarticular (IA) LNA-miR-181a-5p ASO injection in clinically normal horse fetlock joints. Twelve horses were randomized to receive two IA injections, 28 days apart,...
Investigating the TASK1 potassium channel in equine atrial myocardium as a potential treatment target for atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinically relevant arrhythmia in horses, with limited pharmacological treatment options in both veterinary and human medicine. TASK1 potassium channels represent a promising atrial-selective antiarrhythmic target, but their relevance in horses has not been established. To characterize equine TASK1 (eqTASK1) channels regarding structural conservation, electrophysiological function, pharmacological sensitivity, cardiac expression pattern and in vivo electrophysiological effects of TASK1 inhibition. Methods: Sixteen horses killed for non-cardiovascular...
Infracyanine green photodynamic therapy provides short-term disease control, but recurrence is common in equine immune-mediated keratitis. To evaluate long-term clinical outcomes, recurrence rates, and complications following photodynamic therapy (PDT) in horses with immune-mediated keratitis. Unassigned: Medical records of horses treated with PDT at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Equine Clinic from May 2018 through October 2025 were reviewed retrospectively. Eyes with a clinical diagnosis of recurrent immune-mediated keratitis that had responded to immunosuppressive therapy and been subjected to PDT therapy were included. Infracyanine green was injected intrastromally, followed by irradiation with an 810-nm diod...
Incidence of omphalitis in foals with different umbilical disinfection protocols. Omphalitis, a common umbilical disorder in foals, can lead to complications and systemic diseases. An adequate disinfection protocol of the umbilical stump after birth is recommended to prevent infection. Objective: Comparison of different disinfection solutions and their efficacy in preventing omphalitis in foals. Methods: A total of 288 clinically healthy foals were included in this prospective, blinded cohort study during the foaling seasons of 2023 and 2024 on one stud farm. Foals were randomly allocated to one of six disinfection groups. The umbilical stump was examined clinically during ...
Outcome following lag screw fixation of non-C3 carpal slab fractures in horses. To describe clinical features and short- and long-term outcomes of horses treated with lag screw fixation of slab fractures of the radial carpal (Cr), intermediate carpal (Ci), ulnar carpal (Cu), second (C2) or fourth (C4) carpal bones. Methods: Retrospective case study. Methods: Horses (n = 19) treated with lag screw fixation for slab fractures of Cr, Ci, Cu, C2 or C4. Methods: Medical records of patients with carpal slab fractures were reviewed, and those undergoing internal fixation of slab fractures involving Cr, Ci, Cu, C2, or C4 carpal bones from January 2008 to January 2026 were inc...
Low-dose histrelin for ovulation induction in mares: a partially randomized crossover pilot study. This partially randomized crossover pilot study evaluated reduced doses of histrelin for ovulation induction in mares and compared intramuscular (IM) administration with pharmacopuncture at the Bai-hui and Yan-chi acupoints. Eleven mares were enrolled, of which nine completed all eight protocols and were included in the analyses. The protocols comprised 250 µg histrelin IM (standard dose), 75 µg IM, 25 µg IM, no intervention, saline at Bai-hui, saline at Yan-chi, 25 µg histrelin at Bai-hui, and 25 µg histrelin at Yan-chi. Ovulation was assessed by transrectal ultrasonography at sched...
The Impact of Systemic Treatment With Flunixin Meglumine on the Two Antiproteases Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M) and Alpha-1-Antitrypsin (A1AT) in Equine Plasma and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF). To evaluate the effect of flunixin meglumine, a systemic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), on the antiproteases, A2M and A1AT, in equine plasma and PRF. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study. Plasma, solid PRF, and liquid PRF were collected from a control-group that included healthy horses not treated with NSAIDs within the last 3 months. The NSAID-group were ophthalmology patients with no systemic inflammatory disease, and all received a full dose of flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg BID PO or IV) for three or more days prior to collection. Samples were collected and prepar...
From bodyweight to biomarkers: Season-associated metabolic, endocrine and haematological shifts in breeding stallions. Breeding stallions are subjected to sustained seasonal metabolic, endocrine, and immune demands requiring systemic energy engagement. Prospective longitudinal data in the same individuals are limited. Objective: To screen adaptive responses of breeding stallions of clinical relevance through longitudinal characterisation of temporal changes across the mating season and negative photoperiod: (i) health and nutritional status; (ii) oxidative status and immune modulation; and (iii) metabolic and endocrine biomarkers as correlates of reproductive potential. Methods: Prospective longitudinal observ...
An in-feed oral glucose test increases post-prandial high molecular weight adiponectin concentration in horses. Adiponectin is a fat-derived adipocytokine that has been associated with laminitis risk in ponies. Factors that affect sampling timing for measurement of adiponectin concentration have been inadequately investigated. This study aimed to determine the effect of an oral glucose test (OGT) and fed-state on adiponectin concentration in horses and ponies. Blood samples were collected before and after an OGT in 85 horses and ponies and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin concentration was measured. Total adiponectin concentration was measured in a subset of 25 animals. Assays validated for use w...
Validation of a point-of-care assay for simultaneous quantification of equine adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticotropin-like intermediate peptide. Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations are used to diagnose equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). The reference chemiluminescent immunoassay for immunoreactive ACTH (iACTH) cross-reacts with corticotropin-like intermediate peptide (CLIP), which is also abnormally high in PPID. Objective: To compare the performance of a novel point-of-care (POC) immunoassay that concurrently measures ACTH and CLIP against the reference iACTH assay. Methods: Twenty-eight university-owned horses (13 PPID, 15 non-PPID). Methods: Prospective observational study. Resting plasma hormo...
Heel movement and foot biomechanics in aluminium nail-on and indirect glue-on fabric cuff shoes in horses. Heel movement is critical to shock absorption and vascular perfusion of the equine digit. Conventional horseshoeing techniques are suspected to restrict natural hoof deformation, affecting hoof biomechanics. Several studies have explored the effects of shoeing on hoof function, though many have been limited to artificial conditions, cadavers, or homogenous populations. Objective: We aimed to compare the effects of two aluminium shoeing techniques, nail-on versus indirect glue-on fabric cuff shoes, on heel movement in horses. Our objective was to determine which technique allowed greater heel m...
Effects of Incorporating Horses into Occupational Therapy on Adrenocortical and Sympathetic Nervous System Reactivity and Regulation in Autistic Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The study prospectively investigated adrenocortical and autonomic nervous system reactivity and regulation as autistic children participated in a randomized controlled trial of occupational therapy in an equine environment (OT-Equine). Methods: Autistic children (n = 72, ages 6-11 yrs) were randomly assigned for 10 weeks to OT-Equine or clinic-based occupational therapy (OT-Clinic). Saliva samples (later assayed for cortisol and alpha-amylase, [sAA]) were collected before (pre-session), during (within-session), immediately after (post-session), and 20-minutes after (post-session + 20) ...
Antinociceptive effects of subcutaneous butorphanol administration in healthy horses. Subcutaneous (SQ) butorphanol administration maintains target plasma concentrations in horses longer than intravenous administration with fewer adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate whether SQ butorphanol also produces clinically relevant antinociception in healthy horses. Unassigned: In a blinded, randomized, cross-over study, eight horses received 0.1 mg/kg butorphanol or equal volume (0.01 mL/kg) saline SQ in the cervical region. Thermal (TT) and pain pressure (PPT) thresholds at different body locations, along with physiological and behavioral variables, were assessed at baseli...
Therapeutic Horseback Riding for Youth With Autism and Psychiatric Comorbidities: A Randomized Trial. Autism spectrum disorder care is often complicated by co-occurring psychiatric symptoms. Equine-assisted services show promise for improving behavioral outcomes in this population. We aimed to examine benefits of equine-assisted services for youth with autism at higher risk for mental health interventions. Methods: A total of 236 youth with autism and psychiatric comorbidity (aged 6-16 years.) were enrolled in a randomized controlled multisite clinical trial, stratified by nonverbal IQ, and assigned to 1 of 3 intervention arms: therapeutic horseback riding (THR), no horse contact barn activity...
Plasma adrenocorticotropin concentrations vary with assay used in horses with and without pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) concentration is measured to support a diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). However, baseline ACTH and ACTH concentrations after IV administration of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) vary with season and assay used. To compare two ACTH assays (Scantibodies immunoradiometric assay [IRMA] and Immulite 2000Xpi chemiluminescent immunometric assay [CIA]) for diagnosis of PPID, ACTH was measured before and 10 minutes after administration of TRH in three groups of horses: 1) four young horses (6 ± 3 years, no hypertrichosis and a pituita...
Effect of shod status on distal limb thermography in leisure horses. This study evaluated whether shod status affects distal limb surface temperature in 43 healthy leisure horses using infrared thermography. Thermographic images of 16 regions of interest were acquired at rest from shod (n=23) and barefoot horses (n=20), with temperatures corrected for ambient temperature and wind speed. Significant thermal differences existed between anatomical regions (P0.7). These findings indicate shod status has minimal impact on resting distal limb thermography in leisure horses.
A generalized additive model using kinematic and demographic data provides an accurate and objective anesthesia recovery score in horses. To analyze kinematic data extracted from an inertial measuring unit to assess quality of recovery in horses emerging from general anesthesia. Unassigned: Horses undergoing anesthesia from February 2024 through March 2026 were enrolled in this study. Collected data from the inertial measuring unit included 3-axis acceleration, angular velocity, and orientation. Recoveries were evaluated by 3 scorers using a modified composite grading scale. The mean of the scores was used as the dependent variable. A Python pipeline was written to detect attempts to stand using the first derivative of the accel...
Characterizing dietary and exercise management practices and inflammatory biomarkers in a population of recreationally managed horses in Pennsylvania. Horses evolved as slow-moving grazers for 30 to 40 million years, but domesticated horses often consume greater quantities of grains and concentrates to foster athleticism. The changes in diet and exercise are hypothesized to increase the risk of chronic inflammatory conditions. Objective: The objective was to characterize relationships between dietary and exercise management practices and acute phase proteins (APPs) in horses. Methods: We collected body condition scores, blood samples, and surveys of the horse management practices from 144 horses. Plasma serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive prot...
Effect of canagliflozin treatment on β-cell responsiveness in insulin-dysregulated horses: a 4-week, multi-arm, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. The sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor canagliflozin (CAN) decreases hyperinsulinemia in insulin-dysregulated (ID) horses, but its effects on pancreatic β-cell responsiveness to glucose are unknown. Objective: Compare the effects of 2 CAN dosages (0.6 and 1.2 mg/kg) with placebo (PBO) on β-cell responsiveness to IV glucose in ID horses using a graded glucose infusion (GGI) test. Methods: Forty-two privately-owned ID horses. Methods: Randomized, multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group, multi-arm, PBO-controlled study. Horses underwent GGI testing before and after 4 weeks of...
Forage chemical composition drives early metabolic shifts in ponies fed different haylages. Rapid changes between feeds can cause dysbiosis and colic in horses. The metabolic consequences of transitioning between haylages (HY) are currently unknown. Objective: To characterise urinary and faecal metabonomics in ponies transitioned between HY varying in botanical composition and physiological age and to evaluate the speed of metabolic adaptation. Methods: In vivo experiments repeated Latin Square. Methods: Eight Welsh Mountain ponies were fed four HY (R1, R2, M1, M2) across 4 × 15-day periods; a structured 3-day (Days 13-15) changeover was observed: old:new 70:30, 50:50and 30:70....
Morphological and Behavioural Predictors of Motor Laterality in Domestic Horses: A Cross-Sectional Field Study. Motor laterality in horses affects performance, training, and welfare. A simple morphological marker for laterality would help riders, trainers, and veterinarians identify likely locomotor asymmetries early. This study tested whether observable morphological and behavioural characteristics were associated with rider-perceived motor laterality in domestic horses, using a cross-sectional observational field study design conducted in the Blida and Algiers regions of Algeria. The study included 100 regularly ridden domestic horses. Mane orientation, facial whorl characteristics, standing curvature...
Ultrasonography of the spleen, kidneys and bladder in healthy Mangalarga Marchador horses across different life stages. This study is the first breed-specific ultrasonographic reference values for spleen, kidneys, and bladder in Mangalarga Marchador horses from different life stages. Objective: The aim of this study was to establish a normal reference range of measurements of the spleen, kidneys and bladder, as well as to describe the anatomy and sonographic characteristics of these organs in Mangalarga Marchador horses. Methods: Abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed in 88 Mangalarga Marchador horses of both sexes, aged 1, 7 and 15 days, monthly from their 1st to the 11th month of age ando n their 1s...
Pass rates using the FEI noseband measurement device at British Dressage 2025 Championships. Appropriate fitting of equipment provides horse comfort and avoids compromising equine welfare. In May 2025, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) introduced an evidence-based measuring device that is passed beneath the noseband to ensure sufficient laxity. Objective: To study the use of the FEI noseband device during mandatory tack and equipment checks at British Dressage Championships. Methods: Observational. Methods: Noseband testing was observed for a total of 523 horses competing at the 2025 British Dressage National Championship, Middle Tour Championship and Area Festival Champi...
Cumulus cell DNA fragmentation as non-invasive biomarker of equine oocyte quality in in vitro embryo production. The efficiency of in vitro embryo production in animal species is constrained by the absence of practical, non-invasive biomarkers to assess oocyte quality. Cumulus cell DNA fragmentation index (CC-DFI) has been proposed as a biomarker in humans, but data in animals remain limited. Objective: This study investigated the association of CC-DFI with in vitro maturation (IVM) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes in horses, and its relationship with mare-related factors, autumnal transition period, cumulus cell viability, and cumulus expansion. Methods: Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC...
The effects of feeding frequency on glycemia and insulinemia in moderately exercised young horses. Concentrates are typically fed twice daily to supplement forages in horses to facilitate management, especially those with higher energy needs, but high-grain meals can contribute to digestive and metabolic challenges, including insulin dysregulation. This study investigated the effects of feeding frequency on glycemia, insulinemia, and insulin sensitivity measured by an oral sugar test in moderately exercised young horses. Thirty-two healthy Quarter Horses (2-3 years old) were assigned to either traditional feeding (TF; two grain meals/day) or fractioned feeding (FF; automated grain delivery...
Melatonin as a daily rhythm control signal for glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion in horses. An involvement of melatonin in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells has been proposed. To evaluate the features of the daily rhythms of plasma melatonin, blood glucose, and insulin in horses, ten clinically healthy Italian Saddle geldings, 9-10 years old with a mean body weight of 490 ± 25 kg, were enrolled. The animals were housed in individual boxes under natural environmental conditions (sunrise 06:10; sunset 18:10; 12-15°C, 77% RH). All horses were cannulated the day before the start of the study for sample collection, which was perfo...
Serum amyloid A alone or in combination with white blood cell count and fibrinogen is associated with inflammatory disease status in horses undergoing elective anesthesia. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical utility of common systemic inflammatory markers (WBC count [WBCC], plasma fibrinogen, and serum amyloid A [SAA]) for the detection of disease in patients undergoing general anesthesia. Unassigned: A retrospective review of 1,002 surgical case records (February 2021 to June 2023) was performed. Systemically stable equine patients undergoing elective orthopedic and soft tissue procedures and that had WBCC, fibrinogen, and SAA evaluated preoperatively were eligible for inclusion. Disease status (healthy vs disease) was recorded for each case ...
Clinical Efficacy of Varying Dosages of Intravenous Phenylbutazone in a Reversible Model of Equine Foot Lameness. The objective of this experiment was to compare the clinical efficacy of various dosages of phenylbutazone (PBZ) with a negative control. The hypothesis was that higher PBZ doses would result in improved efficacy in a dose-dependent manner. Eight horses were shod with adjustable heart bar shoes on one front foot. Grade 4.0/5.0 lameness was induced every 2 to 4 weeks by tightening a set screw against the heart bar. Heart rate (HR) and lameness score (LS) were monitored at rest; every 20 min after lameness induction for 5 h; and hourly for another 8 h. One hour after lameness induction, treatmen...
