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.
Steamed hay for the prevention of severe equine asthma exacerbations. Steaming hay reduces respirable particles and is commonly used to feed horses with asthma. However, it showed inconsistent benefits in clinical studies. Objective: (1) To assess the effects of steamed hay on lung function and airway inflammation in horses with severe equine asthma (SEA) in remission; (2) To compare these effects with a dry hay diet. Methods: Cross-over in vivo experiment. Methods: Horses were fed steamed and dry hay for 4 weeks in a prospective, cross-over study, with a 4-week washout period. Lung function, bronchoalveolar lavage (BALF) cytology, and a 23-point weighted clin...
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 ...
The potential value of cytokine, cortisol and vitamin D profiles in foals from birth to weaning for respiratory disease prediction on a farm endemic for Rhodococcus equi pneumonia. Rhodococcus equi causes pneumonia in young foals, but disease susceptibility and severity vary. Cortisol and vitamin D modulate immune responses and cytokine production during bacterial infection, and altered concentrations are associated with sepsis in neonatal foals. We hypothesised an age and disease effect on circulating steroid hormone concentrations in foals, and that differences in cytokines and steroid hormone concentrations would predict disease severity in pneumonic foals. Objective: To investigate circulating concentrations of various cytokines, cortisol and vitamin D as predictors ...
The efficacy of embryo recovery on consecutive days from Day 6.5 to obtain small embryos for vitrification. Vitrified embryos ≤300 μm give better pregnancy rates following warming and transfer than larger ones. Embryo recovery undertaken close to when the embryo enters the uterus (Day 6-6.5) helps in the recovery of embryos ≤300 μm. However, flushing early can mean missing an embryo not yet in the uterus, whereas later can result in embryos >300 μm. Objective: To evaluate if repeated embryo flushing on consecutive days from Day 6.5 would increase the number of embryos ≤300μm recovered. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Four hundred and ninety-six inseminations with cooled ...
Temperatures of the Mouthpiece of the Bit of Carriage Horses over a Period of 11 Months. Besides oral temperature, meteorological parameters are expected to be relevant for mouthpiece temperature, potentially influenced by the material, surface area and weight of the bit. This study measured the temperature of the mouthpieces at the corner of the mouth while they were in use on 58 carriage horses during the four 2024 seasons. Stainless steel, copper, and copper-steel bits were tested in three shapes: Butterfly Liverpool, Liverpool, and Loose Ring Snaffle with four rings. Additionally, surface temperatures of inner thighs, the ground, and buildings were measured using infrared ther...
2D-shear wave elastographic features of normal and injured equine superficial digital flexor tendons. Superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injuries cause progressive loss of its mechanical properties. Two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) provides information about tissue stiffness. Objective: To determine the feasibility, repeatability, and reproducibility of 2D-SWE of healthy and pathological forelimb SDFT. Methods: Prospective observational cohort study. Methods: Horses were divided into a noninjured Group (H) and a Group with tendinopathy of the SDFT (P). 2D-SWE of both fore SDFTs was performed at three metacarpal levels (A, B, and C, from proximal to distal). Qualitative an...
Clinical audit of pre-procedural checklists in an equine referral hospital. Surgical safety checklists have demonstrated a positive impact on post-surgical morbidity/mortality in human medicine, and likely have an equal benefit in veterinary medicine. To realise their advantages, they must be correctly and regularly used. A clinical audit was planned to assess this. Objective: To determine the compliance with the pre-procedural request form/surgical safety checklist in a large multi-disciplinary equine referral hospital. Methods: Retrospective full-cycle clinical audit. Methods: One hundred and forty-eight checklists (consisting of 23 sub-sections) were examined for c...
Clinical and ultrasonographic findings in horses with desmopathy of the palmar/plantar abaxial ligaments of the proximal interphalangeal joint: 20 cases. To describe the clinical and ultrasonographic findings in horses with desmopathy of the abaxial palmar/plantar ligament (APL) of the proximal interphalangeal joint and the prevalence of concurrent musculoskeletal injuries in the pastern and foot. Unassigned: Horses presenting to New Bolton Center between March 2017 and November 2022 with an age ranging from 5 to 20 years that underwent lameness evaluation in which lameness was localized to the distal limb and had an ultrasonographic diagnosis of APL desmopathy. Unassigned: Horses included were those that (1) presented for a lameness examinatio...
Youth horse-related injuries (2014-2024): a scoping review of epidemiological and disciplinary insights. Although horse riding is hazardous and injuries are common, young riders regularly engage in horse-related activities. To our knowledge, there have been no syntheses on youth horse-related injuries published during the past decade that employ a multi- and interdisciplinary research agenda (M-IDR) and that incorporate both quantitative and qualitative methods. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to (1) review studies on horse-related injuries among children and adolescents and (2) identify methodological and paradigmatic trends according to M-IDR. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for System...
Comparison Between Tracheal Wash and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cytology for the Assessment of Airway Inflammation in Racehorses Affected by Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage. Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) results from alveolar capillary stress failure after strenuous exercise, leading to bleeding and pulmonary inflammation. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology is considered the gold standard for the assessment of airway inflammation; however, it is often considered more invasive compared to tracheal wash (TW). It has been demonstrated that TW is a reliable diagnostic tool that may substitute BALF to diagnose and grade the severity of EIPH in racehorses; however, no information about airway inflammation in EIPH-affected horses has been reporte...
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...
Commercial cytokine assay on equine cerebrospinal fluid does not distinguish equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy from cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy. To measure and compare CSF cytokine concentrations among horses with equine neuroaxonal dystrophy (eNAD)/equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM), horses with cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM), and control horses and to evaluate for associations with clinical parameters. Unassigned: Banked equine CSF samples from horses with neurologic disease that underwent a complete neurologic examination and postmortem diagnosis confirmation of CVSM or eNAD/EDM or from control horses were included. Cytokines were measured with an equine-specific cytokine/chemokine magnetic bead multiplex p...
A case-matched controlled retrospective performance indexed analysis of Thoroughbred racehorses that underwent surgical repair of proximal phalanx and third meta-carpal/tarsal condylar fractures. Standing fracture repair has become established as an acceptable technique with a good long-term prognosis. However, no study has compared racing outcomes with case-matched controls. Objective: To compare racing outcomes between a large dataset of horses undergoing standing fracture repair against case-matched controls. Methods: Retrospective case-matched controlled comparative study. Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses undergoing standing repair of distal limb fracture(s) over 10 years (2012-2022) at five hospital centres across North America and Europe were included. Data retrieved included...
Equine Sarcoid Arising From the Medial Caruncle With Invasion of the Third Eyelid in a Quarter Horse Gelding. To describe the clinical and histologic features of a sarcoid arising from the medial caruncle with spread to the third eyelid of a horse. Methods: A 20-year-old Quarter Horse gelding. Methods: An incisional biopsy of the medial caruncle mass was initially performed, with histopathology suggesting a sarcoid or other spindle cell neoplasm. The mass grew rapidly following the biopsy, expanding to affect the third eyelid and adjacent superior palpebral conjunctiva. A complete third eyelid and medial caruncle excision with resection of affected palpebral conjunctiva and adjunctive cryotherapy was ...
Effects of sand, asphalt, and a three degrees hind toe or heel elevation on equine cervical and thoracolumbosacral kinematics at walk and trot. Effects of ground surface and hoof angles on equine cervical and thoracolumbosacral kinematics are poorly understood. However, the equine cervical and thoracolumbosacral areas present frequent lesions and he management of factors that might improve treatment and rehabilitation outcomes, such as ground surface and hoof angles, requires more investigation. Objective: Our objectives were to determine the influence of ground surface (asphalt versus sand) and a 3 degrees hind toe or heel elevation on cervical and thoracolumbosacral kinematics during walking and trotting. Methods: Six saddle horses ...
A cohort study of nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism in horses in Hawai’i. Equine nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP, Bighead Disease) is a consequence of diets with abnormal calcium: phosphorus ratios. With the widespread availability of fortified feeds and legume forage, the disease has largely disappeared. The Hawaiian Islands are unique in that legume forage is largely unavailable and pastures have high oxalate concentrations. This was a cohort study that included seventeen adult horses imported from the continental US to the Waiki'i region, Hawai'i that grazed on kikuyu grass pastures. Plasma ionized calcium and parathyroid hormone concentrations at...
Comparison of Two Surgical Techniques for the Treatment of Equine Hindlimb Proximal Suspensory Desmopathy. Suspensory desmopathy is a frequently documented cause of lameness in performance horses; proximal suspensory desmopathy is the most frequent site of injury in dressage horses [...].
Pharmacokinetics of orally administered calcium dobesilate in Warmblood horses. Calcium dobesilate has recently been used for treating lameness in horses because it enhances microvascular processes and reduces intraosseous pressure. Lameness caused by disorders in bone metabolism and increased intraosseous pressure, such as navicular disease, osseous cyst-like lesions and pedal bone oedema, are commonly treated with rest, anti-inflammatory agents and surgery. Calcium dobesilate has the potential to influence the pathophysiology of these diseases, thereby improving healing. To determine whether calcium dobesilate and its acting agent calcium 2,5-dihydroxybenzene sulfonate ...
Effects of Sedation on Rectal Temperature During Equine Dental Procedures Performed in Cold to Warm Ambient Temperatures. Sedation is important for safe equine dental procedures, but it is unknown if there is a higher risk of sedation causing hypothermia in procedures performed during cold months. The authors hypothesize that sedation for a dental procedure will significantly decrease rectal body temperature in cold as compared to warm ambient temperatures. Adult equids ( = 246), from a private equine dentistry practice, that underwent dental equilibration, were selected for the study. Each horse's weight was estimated and sedation was administered intravenously (0.01 mg/kg detomidine and 0.01 mg/kg butor...
Laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy in 10 equids using a single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) port device. Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical techniques are desirable in horses and other equids. A new approach called "modified single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) for equine cryptorchidectomy" is described, along with the postoperative outcomes of 10 equids. A SILS Port device (Covidien) was placed a 30- to 40-millimeter incision in combination with 1 or 2 15-millimeter para-inguinal incisions to exteriorize the intra-abdominal testicles. Ten animals, 2 bilateral abdominal cryptorchid horses and 8 unilateral abdominal cryptorchid equids, underwent cryptorchidectomy using the SILS tech...
Evaluating efficacy and strongyle egg reappearance period after ivermectin treatment in a Hungarian stud farm. Horses remain globally at constant risk of strongylid infections, with cyathostomins being particularly prevalent and abundant. It is essential to routinely monitor the efficacy of anthelmintics against equine nematodes. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin against equine strongyles and estimate the strongyle egg reappearance period (ERP) following ivermectin treatment for the first time in Hungary. Fecal samples were collected from 57 Thoroughbred mares before treatment and at 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 weeks post-treatment at a Hungarian National Stud Farm. Fecal egg counts (FECs)...
Autologous conditioned serum IRAP efficacy for tendon and ligament injuries in horses: An observational study. Tendon and ligament injuries in equine athletes pose significant challenges, often leading to prolonged recovery, reduced performance, and increased risk of reinjury. Current treatment strategies, including conservative and surgical approaches, have shown limited success in fully restoring tendon integrity. Autologous blood derivatives, such as autologous conditioned serum (ACS), have emerged as potential regenerative therapies. However, the clinical efficacy of ACS in the treatment of equine tendinopathies remains under investigation. Unassigned: This study aimed to compare the clinical outco...
Effect of Long-Term Freezing on Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Titers for the Diagnosis of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis. Long-term freezing storage can alter the stability of proteins, thereby compromising accurate determination of indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) titers that support the diagnosis of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. Objective: Assess the effect of long-term storage at -80°C on IFAT against S. neurona and N. hughesi in equine serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Methods: Paired serum and CSF (n = 46), and serum only (n = 25) samples. Methods: Prospective study of samples stored 6-12, 13-18, and 19-24 months. Comparing antibody titers across time points, McNemar and Wilcoxon...
Effects of vitamin E and selenium supplementation on oxidative stress parameters and marker of genomic instability in show jumping equines exposed to different sources of atmospheric pollution. The inhalation of pollutants from fossil fuel combustion increases oxidative stress and may cause genotoxic damage, a risk heightened during physical exercise due to increased respiratory rates. This concern extends to equines engaged in intense activities like show jumping. Antioxidant supplementation with vitamin E and selenium may mitigate oxidative stress induced by exercise in polluted environments. This study evaluated the effects of oral supplementation on show jumping horses subjected to physical exertion in urban (n = 10) and peri-urban (n = 10) areas with varying pollution le...
Scoping review of comminuted fractures of the proximal phalanx in horses. Comminuted fractures of the proximal phalanx (CFPP) occur in adult horses. Various treatments have been described. It remains uncertain which is the best therapeutic option. Objective: This study aims to review systematically the existing literature on CFPP in horses, evaluate treatment modalities, synthesise outcomes to assess treatment efficacy and survival rates, and identify knowledge gaps for future research. Methods: Scoping review. Methods: A literature search was conducted using online databases. The bias quality of each article was evaluated. Chi-squared analysis was used to detect di...
Clinical study on the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on healing of proximal sesamoid bone fractures in Yili horses. The incidence of sports injuries in horses is increasing, thus accurate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment are critical. Among common sports-related injuries, proximal sesamoid bone fractures (PSBFs) are one of the most frequent types. To investigate the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on imaging and hematological parameters of PSBFs, providing a clinical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of PSBFs in racehorses. After clinical diagnosis and radiographic examination confirmed the disease and its location, the affected horses were randomly divided into two groups: th...
Are Equine Assisted Interactions (EAI) a Dark Horse Bet? A Systematic Review on Measuring the Psychological and Physiological Effects of EAI on PTSD, Anxiety and/or Mood Disorders. Background: Conventional forms of trauma-focused psychological interventions seem to be less effective in military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Equine Assisted Interventions (EAI) have become increasingly popular as an additional treatment, resulting in increasing research on the effects of EAI. However, no systematic review on the effects of EAI has focused on PTSD, anxiety and/or mood disorders and whether the effects are reflected in psychological and physiological measures. This systematic review investigated the treatment effects, study design, population, interven...
Effect of Fluorescence Biomodulation on Dermal Healing in an Equine Experimental In Vivo Wound Model. This study aimed to determine the safety and macroscopic/microscopic effects of fluorescence biomodulation (FBM) on experimentally induced, full-thickness, distal limb wounds in horses.This was an experimental study ( = 6 horses). Two full-thickness wounds were created on both dorsal metacarpi of six adult horses. Each forelimb was randomly allocated to either control (no FBM) or treatment (FBM) and randomly allocated to visual or histological assessment of healing. Wounds were treated within each experimental group every 7 days for four treatments. Fluorescence biomodulation wounds were ...
Are Immune-Integrative Biomarkers Predictors of Systemic Inflammation in Show Jumping Horses? This study evaluated the dynamics of blood immune-inflammatory biomarkers in response to exercise-induced changes in jumping horses. Methods: For this purpose, adult Brazilian Sport Horses (n = 9), aged 10.1 years, both sexes, underwent a specific training test consisting of warm-up, flatwork, and jumping exercises, and recovery on a 900 m sand track over 40 min. Clinical examinations and blood collections were performed at three time points: before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 1 h after (T2) the final exercise. Hematologic and biochemical parameters, such as total protein, gl...