Analyze Diet

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.
Comparison of the fecal microbiota of healthy horses and horses with colitis by high throughput sequencing of the V3-V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene.
PloS one    July 31, 2012   Volume 7, Issue 7 e41484 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041484
Costa MC, Arroyo LG, Allen-Vercoe E, Stämpfli HR, Kim PT, Sturgeon A, Weese JS.The intestinal tract houses one of the richest and most complex microbial populations on the planet, and plays a critical role in health and a wide range of diseases. Limited studies using new sequencing technologies in horses are available. The objective of this study was to characterize the fecal microbiome of healthy horses and to compare the fecal microbiome of healthy horses to that of horses with undifferentiated colitis. A total of 195,748 sequences obtained from 6 healthy horses and 10 horses affected by undifferentiated colitis were analyzed. Firmicutes predominated (68%) among health...
Effects on cardiopulmonary function and oxygen delivery of doses of romifidine and xylazine followed by constant rate infusions in standing horses.
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)    July 28, 2012   Volume 195, Issue 2 228-234 doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.06.036
Ringer SK, Schwarzwald CC, Portier KG, Ritter A, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R.The objective of this study was to compare the cardiopulmonary effects of a xylazine or romifidine loading-dose, followed by a constant rate infusion (CRI) of the same α(2)-agonist. Nine research horses were treated in a randomized, blinded, crossover design with xylazine or romifidine. After instrumentation, a loading dose of intravenous xylazine (1mg/kg) or romifidine (80μg/kg) was administered, immediately followed by a CRI of xylazine (0.69mg/kg/h) or romifidine (30μg/kg/h) for a duration of 2h. Cardiopulmonary variables were recorded before bolus administration, during CRI, and for 1h ...
Tissue Doppler imaging and 2-dimensional speckle tracking of left ventricular function in horses exposed to lasalocid.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine    July 28, 2012   Volume 26, Issue 5 1209-1216 doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00972.x
Decloedt A, Verheyen T, Sys S, De Clercq D, van Loon G.Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and 2-dimensional speckle tracking (2DST) can quantify left ventricular (LV) function in horses. Objective: To evaluate LV function by TDI and 2DST in horses with myocardial dysfunction after accidental ionophore intoxication. Methods: Sixty-seven horses exposed to lasalocid in feed. Methods: Prospective study. Horses were included in the study if a full cardiac examination was performed, consisting of determination of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), electrocardiography, and echocardiography. By TDI, radial systolic velocity and strain were measured. By 2DST, circumfere...
Effect of sea buckthorn berries and pulp in a liquid emulsion on gastric ulcer scores and gastric juice pH in horses.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine    July 28, 2012   Volume 26, Issue 5 1186-1191 doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00975.x
Huff NK, Auer AD, Garza F, Keowen ML, Kearney MT, McMullin RB, Andrews FM.Sea buckthorn berries (Hippophae rhamnoides) are rich in vitamin C and E, carotenoids, flavonoids, fatty acids, plant sterols, lignans, and minerals. A feed supplement containing sea buckthorn berries might have efficacy in treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers in horses. Objective: To test the efficacy of a commercially available formulation of sea buckthorn berries and pulp (SeaBuck SBT Gastro-Plus) for treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers in stall-confined horses. Methods: Eight Thoroughbred and Thoroughbred-cross horses (3-10 years of age, 5 geldings and 3 mares, 380-600 kg body...
Fusobacterium necrophorum, and not Dichelobacter nodosus, is associated with equine hoof thrush.
Veterinary microbiology    July 27, 2012   Volume 161, Issue 3-4 350-352 doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.07.037
Petrov KK, Dicks LM.The aim of this study was to determine which of the two species, Fusobacterium necrophorum or Dichelobacter nodosus, are associated with hoof thrush in horses. Fourteen hoof samples, collected from eight horses with thrush and 14 samples collected from eight horses with healthy hooves, were examined for the presence of F. necrophorum, Fusobacterium equinum and D. nodosus. Only isolates with phenotypic characteristics representing Fusobacterium could be cultured. Total DNA extracted from the 28 hoof samples was amplified by using DNA primers designed from gene lktA, present in F. necrophorum su...
Morphology of distal border synovial invaginations of the equine distal sesamoid bone: comparison between computed tomography and a hoof-specific radiographic projection.
Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T    July 27, 2012   Volume 25, Issue 6 453-459 doi: 10.3415/VCOT-11-10-0149
Claerhoudt S, Bergman HJ, van der Veen H, Duchateau L, Raes EV, Vanderperren K, Saunders JH.To compare the difference and agreement of the morphology of distal border synovial invaginations on a dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique (DPr-PaDiO) projection with hoof-specific angle versus computed tomography. Methods: Computed tomography (CT) images and a DPr-PaDiO radiographic projection with hoof-specific angle were obtained on 50 cadaveric forefeet from 25 Warmblood horses. Computed tomography was assumed to be the gold standard. The number, shape and depth of penetration of distal border synovial invaginations into the distal sesamoid bone were evaluated with both methods, and the co...
Effects of intra-articular sodium pentosan polysulfate and glucosamine on the cytology, total protein concentration and viscosity of synovial fluid in horses.
Australian veterinary journal    July 26, 2012   Volume 90, Issue 8 315-320 doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2012.00959.x
Kwan C, Bell R, Koenig T, Bischofberger A, Horadagoda N, Perkins NR, Jeffcott LB, Dart AJ.Evaluate synovial fluid cytology, total protein concentration and viscosity after intra-articular administration of combined pentosan polysulfate and glucosamine in horses. Methods: Ten adult Standardbred horses had each carpal joint (n = 20) randomly assigned to one of two treatments: control (5 mL saline) or treated (pentosan polysulfate and glucosamine). All horses received an intra-articular injection every 7 days for 3 weeks and synovial fluid samples were collected on days 1 (baseline), 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 and 21. Synovial fluid variables measured included total protein concentrati...
Risk factors for superficial digital flexor tendinopathy in Thoroughbred racehorses in steeplechase starts in the United Kingdom (2001-2009).
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)    July 26, 2012   Volume 195, Issue 3 325-330 doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.06.033
Reardon RJ, Boden LA, Mellor DJ, Love S, Newton JR, Stirk AJ, Parkin TD.The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendinopathy in Thoroughbred horses in steeplechase races in the United Kingdom. Potential risk factors for SDF tendinopathy were studied between 1st January 2001 and 31st December 2009 using a cohort study design with 648 injuries sustained in 102,894 starts. Potential risk factors were screened using univariable logistic regression prior to multivariable model building. In the final multivariable model, 12 statistically significant risk factors were identified. Variables that increased the odds of S...
Caseinate protects stallion sperm during semen cooling and freezing.
Cryo letters    July 25, 2012   Volume 33, Issue 3 214-219 
Lagares MA, Martins HS, Carvalho IA, Oliveira CA, Souza MR, Penna CF, Cruz BC, Stahlberg R, Henry MR.Extenders with a defined composition containing only components with clearly protective effects on sperm during storage would be an advantage. The aims of the present work were to assess whether caseinate, improves cooled and frozen equine semen quality. Semen from six stallions were suspended with four different cooling extenders C1) Kenney extender; C2) 0.6 % caseinate; C3) 2.7 % caseinate ; and C4) C1 + 2.1 % caseinate, and frozen extenders: F1) INRA 82 extender; F2) 1.35 % caseinate; and F3) 2.7 % caseinate. Although there was no significant difference between the motility rate among the c...
Alfaxalone compared with ketamine for induction of anaesthesia in horses following xylazine and guaifenesin.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia    July 24, 2012   Volume 39, Issue 6 591-598 doi: 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2012.00756.x
Keates HL, van Eps AW, Pearson MR.To compare anaesthesia induced with either alfaxalone or ketamine in horses following premedication with xylazine and guaifenesin. Methods: Randomized blinded cross-over experimental study. Methods: Six adult horses, five Standardbreds and one Thoroughbred; two mares and four geldings. Methods: Each horse received, on separate occasions, induction of anaesthesia with either ketamine 2.2 mg kg(-1) or alfaxalone 1 mg kg(-1) . Premedication was with xylazine 0.5 mg kg(-1) and guaifenesin 35 mg kg(-1) . Incidence of tremors/shaking after induction, recovery and ataxia on recovery were scored. Time...
Cardiac troponin I in racing standardbreds.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine    July 24, 2012   Volume 26, Issue 5 1202-1208 doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00969.x
Slack J, Boston RC, Soma L, Reef VB.Upper reference limits for cTnI have not been established for healthy Standardbred racehorses. Objective: To establish cTnI upper reference limits for Standardbred racehorses and determine if increases in plasma cTnI concentration can be detected in 1-2 hours after a race. Methods: Samples were obtained from 586 apparently healthy Standardbreds aged 2-14 years before racing and from the winners of 144 races 1-2 hours after the end of the race. Methods: Prospective, observational study; convenience sampling; assay validation; and reference limits determinations were performed according to ASCVP...
Isolation and molecular characterization of methicillin-resistant staphylococci from horses, personnel and environmental sites at an equine hospital in Turkey.
The Journal of veterinary medical science    July 23, 2012   Volume 74, Issue 12 1583-1588 doi: 10.1292/jvms.12-0124
Aslantas Ö, Türkyilmaz S, Yilmaz MA, Erdem Z, Demir C.The present study was carried out to assess the frequency of methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) among racehorses (n=209) and veterinary personnel (n=13) as well as environmental surfaces (n=14) at an equine hospital in Adana, Turkey. In addition, species distribution, antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance genes, staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec (SCCmec) type and clonality of these isolates were also investigated. MRS were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing, and typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). As a result, MRS was isolated in horses (48.3%), clinic staff (92.3%...
A modified laryngeal tie-forward procedure using metallic implants for treatment of dorsal displacement of the soft palate in horses.
Veterinary surgery : VS    July 23, 2012   Volume 41, Issue 6 685-688 doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2012.01001.x
Rossignol F, Ouachée E, Boening KJ.To describe a modified laryngeal tie-forward procedure (LTFP) using metallic implants. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Twenty-seven horses (including 24 race horses) with dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) or palatal instability (PI) diagnosed using high-speed treadmill endoscopy (n = 15), history and resting examination (n = 8), or dynamic endoscopy over ground (n = 4). Methods: All horses underwent the modified LTFP. Modifications of the surgical procedure consisted in the use of 3 metallic stents called Suture Button(TM) through which the sutures are threaded and in ...
Effects of oral treatment with N-acetylcysteine on the viscosity of intrauterine mucus and endometrial function in estrous mares.
Theriogenology    July 21, 2012   Volume 78, Issue 6 1199-1208 doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.05.013
Witte TS, Melkus E, Walter I, Senge B, Schwab S, Aurich C, Heuwieser W.Persistent breeding-induced endometritis is ranked as the third most common medical problem in the adult mare and leads to enormous economic loss in horse breeding. In mares suffering from persistent breeding-induced endometritis, increased amounts of intrauterine (i.u.) fluid or viscous mucus in estrus or after breeding may act as a barrier for sperm and can contribute to low fertility. Current therapies of these mares aim to eliminate i.u. fluid and mucus by uterine lavage and/or administration of ecbolic drugs. Recently, i.u. administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been shown to suppor...
Effect of immunomodulatory therapy on the endometrial inflammatory response to induced infectious endometritis in susceptible mares.
Theriogenology    July 21, 2012   Volume 78, Issue 5 991-1004 doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.04.016
Christoffersen M, Woodward EM, Bojesen AM, Petersen MR, Squires EL, Lehn-Jensen H, Troedsson MH.The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of immunomodulatory therapy (glucocorticoids (GC) and mycobacterium cell wall extract (MCWE)) on the endometrial gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in susceptible mares with induced infectious endometritis. Endometrial gene expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines; interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra), acute phase protein (APP) serum amyloid A (SAA) and clinical parameters were evaluated. Five mares were classified as susceptible to persistent endomet...
Ovarian and PGF2α responses to stimulation of endogenous PRL pulses during the estrous cycle in mares.
Theriogenology    July 21, 2012   Volume 78, Issue 6 1252-1261 doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.05.021
Pinaffi FL, Khan FA, Silva LA, Beg MA, Ginther OJ.The effects of a PRL-stimulating substance (sulpiride) on PRL and PGF2α secretion and on luteal and ovarian follicular dynamics were studied during the estrous cycle in mares. A control group (n = 9) and a sulpiride group (Sp; n = 10) were used. Sulpiride (25 mg) was given every 8 h from Day 13 postovulation to the next ovulation. Repeated sulpiride treatment did not appear to maintain PRL concentrations at 12-h intervals beyond Day 14. Therefore, the hypothesis that a long-term increase in PRL altered luteal and follicular end points was not testable. Hourly samples were collected from the h...
What is your diagnosis? Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association    July 21, 2012   Volume 241, Issue 3 315-317 doi: 10.2460/javma.241.3.315
Tobler N, Fine DM, Messer NT, Johnson PJ.No abstract available
Inhalant horse allergens and allergies: a review of the literature.
Military medicine    July 20, 2012   Volume 177, Issue 7 877-882 doi: 10.7205/milmed-d-12-00038
Arseneau AM, Hrabak TM, Waibel KH.A wealth of literature exists regarding common allergies to household pets such as cat or dog. Allergy to horse, however, is infrequently discussed in the medical literature despite significant sensitization rates among urban-dwelling subjects without direct exposure to horses. A literature search was conducted in PubMed and additional references were collected from surveying the references of the pulled articles. This review summarizes aspects of IgE-mediated horse allergy including the prevalence and mechanisms for sensitization, clinical presentation, molecular characterization of the major...
Laminar regulation of STAT1 and STAT3 in black walnut extract and carbohydrate overload induced models of laminitis.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine    July 19, 2012   Volume 26, Issue 4 996-1004 doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00944.x
Leise BS, Watts M, Tanhoff E, Johnson PJ, Black SJ, Belknap JK.STAT1 and STAT3 are important signaling molecules in disorders of systemic inflammation and are likely to be involved in laminitis, as laminar and systemic inflammation have been well documented in experimental models of laminitis. Objective: The STAT1 and STAT3 activation (via phosphorylation of tyrosine and serine moieties) is occurring in the laminar tissue during the developmental and onset of lameness time points in both the black walnut extract (BWE) and carbohydrate overload (CHO) models of laminitis. Methods: Archived laminar tissue from horses. Methods: Experimental studies of induced...
A computer-assisted microscopic analysis of bone tissue developed inside a polyactive polymer implanted into an equine articular surface.
Histology and histopathology    July 19, 2012   Volume 27, Issue 9 1203-1209 doi: 10.14670/HH-27.1203
Albert R, Vásárhelyi G, Bodó G, Kenyeres A, Wolf E, Papp T, Terdik T, Módis L, Felszeghy S.One of the most promising applications for the restoration of small or moderately sized focal articular lesions is mosaicplasty (MP). Although recurrent hemarthrosis is a rare complication after MP, recently, various strategies have been designed to find an effective filling material to prevent postoperative bleeding from the donor site. The porous biodegradable polymer Polyactive (PA; a polyethylene glycol terephthalate - polybutylene terephthalate copolymer) represents a promising solution in this respect. A histological evaluation of the longterm PA-filled donor sites obtained from 10 exper...
Plasma clearance and half-life of prostaglandin F2alpha: a comparison between mares and heifers.
Biology of reproduction    July 19, 2012   Volume 87, Issue 1 18-6 doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.112.100776
Shrestha HK, Beg MA, Burnette RR, Ginther OJ.Horses are about five times more sensitive to the luteolytic effect of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF) than cattle, as indicated by a recommended clinical dose of 5 mg in horses and 25 mg in cattle. Novel evaluations of the PGF plasma disappearance curves were made in mares and in heifers, and the two species were compared. Mares and heifers (n = 5) of similar body weight were injected (Min 0) intravenously with PGF (5 mg per animal). Blood was sampled every 10 sec until Min 3, every 30 sec until Min 5, every 10 min until Min 60, and every 30 min until Min 240. The mean PGF concentration was great...
The problem with equine cheek teeth diastemata.
The Veterinary record    July 18, 2012   Volume 171, Issue 2 42-43 doi: 10.1136/vr.e4715
du Toit N.No abstract available
Indwelling cephalic or saphenous vein catheter use for regional limb perfusion in 44 horses with synovial injury involving the distal aspect of the limb.
Veterinary surgery : VS    July 18, 2012   Volume 41, Issue 8 938-943 doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2012.01006.x
Kelmer G, Tatz A, Bdolah-Abram T.To describe indwelling cephalic or saphenous vein catheter use for intravenous regional limb perfusion (ID-IV-RLP) to treat horses with synovial injury (contamination/infection) of the distal aspect of the limb. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses (n = 44; 45 limbs) treated with proximal ID-IV-RLP. Methods: Horses had ID-IV-RLP using a cephalic (21 limbs) or saphenous (24 limbs) vein. Amikacin was the most frequently used antibiotic. Number of perfusions ranged from 3 to 21 (median 7). A cast was applied to 14 injured limbs (1 tube cast, 1 full-limb cast, 2 foot casts, and 10 h...
Temperature regulation in horses during exercise and recovery in a cool environment.
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica    July 17, 2012   Volume 54, Issue 1 42 doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-54-42
Wallsten H, Olsson K, Dahlborn K.Clipping the winter coat in horses is done to improve heat dissipation during exercise and make grooming easier. It is often combined with blanketing to keep the horse warm. The aims of the present study were to investigate how clipping and the use of blankets affect thermoregulation during exercise and recovery in horses. Methods: One Gotland pony, one New Forest pony, and one warm-blooded horse exercised one after the other on a 6450 m long track. The horses walked, trotted and cantered according to a predetermined scheme, which took about 50 minutes including three stops. The scheme was rep...
Oxygenation and plasma endothelin-1 concentrations in healthy horses recovering from isoflurane anaesthesia administered with or without pulse-delivered inhaled nitric oxide.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia    July 16, 2012   Volume 40, Issue 6 e9-e18 doi: 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2012.00735.x
Grubb T, Edner A, Frendin JH, Funkquist P, Rydén A, Nyman G.To assess oxygenation, ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) matching and plasma endothelin (ET-1) concentrations in healthy horses recovering from isoflurane anaesthesia administered with or without pulse-delivered inhaled nitric oxide (iNO). Methods: Prospective experimental trial. Methods: Healthy adult Standardbred horses. Methods: Horses were anaesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen and placed in lateral recumbency. Six control (C group) horses were anaesthetized without iNO delivery and six horses received pulse-delivered iNO (NO group). After 2.5 hours of anaesthesia isoflurane and iNO were abrupt...
The analysis of densitometric and geometric parameters of bilateral proximal phalanges in horses with the use of peripheral quantitative computed tompgraphy.
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica    July 13, 2012   Volume 54, Issue 1 41 doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-54-41
Dzierzęcka M, Charuta A.Proximal phalanges in horses are among bones that are most prone to injuries. So far, the detailed analysis of densitometric and geometric parameters of both front legs proximal phalanges in horses has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to compare the densitometric and geometric parameters between proximal phalanges in equine both front legs with the use of peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Methods: The study material comprised isolated both front legs proximal phalanges derived from 22 horses. The structure analysis of the proximal phalanges was conducted with ...
Measurement of tidal volume using respiratory ultrasonic plethysmography in anaesthetized, mechanically ventilated horses.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia    July 13, 2012   Volume 40, Issue 1 48-54 doi: 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2012.00751.x
Russold E, Ambrisko TD, Schramel JP, Auer U, Van Den Hoven R, Moens YP.To compare tidal volume estimations obtained from Respiratory Ultrasonic Plethysmography (RUP) with simultaneous spirometric measurements in anaesthetized, mechanically ventilated horses. Methods: Prospective randomized experimental study. Methods: Five experimental horses. Methods: Five horses were anaesthetized twice (1 week apart) in random order in lateral and in dorsal recumbency. Nine ventilation modes (treatments) were scheduled in random order (each lasting 4 minutes) applying combinations of different tidal volumes (8, 10, 12 mL kg(-1)) and positive end-expiratory pressures (PEEP) (0,...
A preliminary study of diagnostic color Doppler ultrasonography in equine superficial digital flexor tendonitis.
The Journal of veterinary medical science    July 13, 2012   Volume 74, Issue 12 1639-1642 doi: 10.1292/jvms.12-0177
Murata D, Misumi K, Fujiki M.We hypothesized that semi-quantitative determinations of changeable blood flows in granulation and scar tissues during tendon healing could be helpful for differentiation between the acute phase rich in blood vessels and the remodeling phase with fewer vessels. Ten Thoroughbreds with injured superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in a forelimb were used for evaluation of blood flows in the injured tendons of racehorses using color Doppler (CD) ultrasonography. Using longitudinal CD images, features of maximum color activities were defined. These were rhythmically blinking, tiny to small sign...
Osteoprogenitor cell therapy in an equine fracture model.
Veterinary surgery : VS    July 13, 2012   Volume 41, Issue 7 773-783 doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2012.01024.x
McD○ LA, Pack L, Lores M, Wright GM, Esparza-Gonzalez B, Masaoud E.To compare the efficacy of osteoprogenitors in fibrin glue to fibrin glue alone in bone healing of surgically induced ostectomies of the fourth metacarpal bones in an equine model. Methods: Experimental. Methods: Adult horses (n = 10). Methods: Segmental ostectomies of the 4th metacarpal bone (MC4) were performed bilaterally in 10 horses. There was 1 treatment and 1 control limb in each horse. Bone defects were randomly injected with either fibrin glue and osteoprogenitor cells or fibrin glue alone. Radiography was performed every week until the study endpoint at 12 weeks. After euthanasia, bo...
The proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament in the horse: How precise are ultrasonographic measurements?
Equine veterinary journal    July 12, 2012   Volume 45, Issue 2 164-169 doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00597.x
Zauscher JM, Estrada R, Edinger J, Lischer CJ.To evaluate intra- and interobserver variability in ultrasonographic measurements of the proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament (PSL) in the horse. Objective: A minimum difference of ≥20% is required to differentiate reliably between physiological and pathological alterations related to dimensions. Methods: Two operators examined the PSL in all 4 limbs of 14 horses twice using different techniques and different probes with and without standoff pads. Measurements were taken from the longitudinal and transverse images. Inter- and intraoperator variability was evaluated using agreement indi...