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Topic:Environment
The relationship between the environment and horses encompasses the study of how various environmental factors impact equine health, behavior, and performance. This includes examining the effects of climate, air quality, housing conditions, and pasture management on horses. Environmental factors can influence respiratory health, thermoregulation, and stress levels in horses. Research in this area often focuses on identifying optimal conditions for horse welfare and productivity, as well as the mitigation of adverse environmental impacts. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that investigate the interactions between environmental conditions and equine physiology, behavior, and overall health.
Human-horse interactions as complementary strategies for mental health promotion. Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) represent complementary rehabilitative approaches designed to address a range of physical and mental health conditions. Among these, Equine-assisted interventions (EAI) offer structured opportunities for engagement through diverse activities conducted within naturalistic settings, thereby integrating therapeutic processes with ecological contexts. Methods: Over the past years, our group has developed and implemented standardized AAI methodologies that are now embedded within comprehensive intervention planning. This overview summarizes the application of dif...
Management practices and human-horse relationships are associated with horse personality traits. The human-horse relationship has evolved through centuries of domestication, shaping how horses are managed and interact with people. Horses show interindividual behavioural differences that constitute personality, with implications for welfare, management and human-horse interactions. Although equine personality has a genetic component, environmental and relational factors may influence its expression, yet effects of everyday management practices remain poorly understood. This study examined associations between owner-rated horse personality traits and human-controlled environmental and relat...
Exhaled breath condensate in horses: a first microbiological insight. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a non-invasive method for obtaining samples reflecting the airway lining fluid; however, its microbiological composition remains poorly characterized. Objective: To perform an exploratory microbiological comparison of EBC in clinically healthy horses maintained under different environmental conditions. Methods: An observational study included 30 mares equally distributed into two groups: horses housed in stalls (Racetrack group) and horses maintained under pasture conditions (Farm group). EBC samples were collected using a validated device developed by the re...
The Polish Konik Horse: A Multidisciplinary Review of Its Origin, Genetics, Ecology, Health, Behaviour and Reproductive Biology. The Polish Konik horse (PKH) is one of Europe's best-known native conservation breeds. Traditionally associated with the extinct Eurasian tarpan and conservation grazing, the breed has recently become the subject of multidisciplinary research encompassing genetics, ecology, health, behaviour and reproduction. This narrative review summarises current knowledge on the biological characteristics and contemporary scientific significance of the PKH. Literature published between 2005 and 2026 was identified through searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar and narratively synthes...
The 3Fs as conditions of being: relational ontology and equine welfare in disaster response and reconciliation. Disaster relief work requires the collaboration of many stakeholders and can be viewed through a One Health lens, emphasising transdisciplinarity and an openness to different ways of knowing as well as an appreciation of the interdependence of human, animal, environmental health, and welfare. This perspective piece provides an autoethnographic account of a wildfire response in Western Canada in which a herd of free-ranging horses was rescued outside of conventional disaster management protocol. Through lived experience, the convergence between equine welfare, reconciliation, and relational ont...
Choice for the horse is paramount: Owners’ experiences in facilitating friends, forage, and freedom in their management practices. Owned horses rely on people for their behavioural needs, such as access to conspecifics, constant access to low nutrient density, fibrous forage and freedom of movement; otherwise known as friends, forage and freedom (3Fs). Restricting the 3Fs prevents horses from achieving optimal welfare. We carried out 14 semi-structured interviews in the UK and Ireland to examine horse owners' experiences, attitudes and beliefs around the provision of the 3Fs. Most participants were female, aged from 25 to 65 years, resident in the UK and kept their horse at a livery facility. A reflexive thematic analysis...
Evaluation of Serum Specific IgE Sensitization Profiles in a Korean Domestic Horse Population Using a Multiplex Allergen Line-blot Assay: A Cross-Sectional Screening Study. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical applicability of a multiplex serum specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE) test kit 'ANITIA Equine IgE' for identifying the causes of allergic diseases in horses raised in Korea, and to determine the major sensitization antigen profiles in the domestic horse population. Serum or plasma samples were collected from a total of 140 horses, classified by management system (Group A, n=108) and purpose (Group B, n=32). IgE concentrations for 120 environmental and dietary allergens were measured using a multiplex line-blot assay based on an indirect immu...
Parents’ perspectives on equine-assisted occupational therapy intervention for their children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study examined how parents experienced the ASTride Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy intervention for their children with ADHD, and the meanings they ascribed to changes observed in their children and themselves. Unassigned: Thirteen parents of children aged 7-12 who completed the ASTride intervention participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews. A grounded theory approach guided the analysis, which included open coding, category mapping, and thematic modeling to identify central processes across narratives. Unassigned: (1) Parents' perceived benefits for children including emo...
Could snort production reflect comfort in horses kept outdoors? A first study. The welfare of free-roaming, captive wild or domestic animals housed outdoors is often questioned. How subjects perceive climatic conditions is not always well detected as it is highly subjective, depending on species, age and experience. Hence, decisions on housing rely mostly on human anthropomorphic perception. In particular, indicators of comfort and positive emotions remain poorly documented. Acoustic signals, however, offer a promising window into animals' internal states. In the present study, we hypothesized that acoustic signals could be used to identify positive or negative perceptio...
Seroprevalence of Leptospira in Lavradeiro horses, a semi-feral ecotype from the Northern Brazilian Amazon. Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonosis with significant impact on public and veterinary health, with equines acting as potential maintenance hosts of infection. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of Leptospira in Lavradeiro horses under semi-feral conditions in Indigenous communities in the state of Roraima, Brazil. A total of 387 serum samples were subjected to the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), using antigens of Leptospira spp. from 18 serogroups. The overall prevalence was 15.8% (95% CI: 12.3-19.8%), with the most frequent serogroups being Australis, Tarassovi, Autumna...
Successful restoration of heathlands and grasslands associated with long-term habitat preferences of cattle and horses: Insights from GPS tracking. Long-term, year-round grazing by large herbivores is increasingly used to restore degraded temperate heathlands and grasslands, yet the behavioral mechanisms of grazers underlying restoration remain insufficiently understood. We combined over 13 years of high-resolution GPS-tracking data of free-ranging Heck cattle and Konik horses with repeated vegetation surveys across various habitat types (encroachment-derived Calamagrostis epigejos stands, dry sandy grasslands, dry heaths, and pioneer forests) in Central Germany. We quantified how habitat preference and vegetation structure co-develop und...
OPTIMIZING EXTRACTION AND CONCENTRATION METHODS FOR LC-MS/MS ANALYSIS OF VETERINARY PHARMACEUTICALS IN EQUINE-ASSOCIATED ENVIRONMENTAL MATRICES. This study developed a method for the simultaneous quantification of six potentially environmentally toxic veterinary drugs: benzylpenicillin, acepromazine, flunixin, dexamethasone, ketamine and romifidine, in soils, sediments, equine faeces and natural waters. Three methods were compared for their extraction from solid matrices: Ultrasonic extraction (USE), QuEChERS and Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE). ASE method was optimized according to temperature and extraction cycles. Quantification was performed by LC-MS/MS. LC and MS parameters were optimized. The method was validated according t...
Open habitats and species differences shape space use in semi-feral cattle and horses across Danish rewilding sites. Large herbivores can strongly influence ecosystem structure and biodiversity, making knowledge of their space use important for trophic rewilding. We used GPS-tracking data collected over two years from 10 semi-feral cattle and 17 horses across ten Danish rewilding sites to analyse habitat use in a use-availability framework using resource selection functions (RSFs), complemented by direct behavioural observations. Both species showed large individual variability but overall used habitats disproportionately to availability, with higher relative use of open habitats; including dry grassland and...
Horse Welfare 12: A Human Behavior Change Framework for Improving Horse Welfare. To improve horse welfare do we need more science or a different scientific approach? For over 40 years researchers have called for change to improve horse welfare. During this time, publications have grown exponentially, improving our understanding of horse's needs and the need for change. However, the translation of science into practice is arguably too slow, and yet, there is scant industry-specific research to guide change efforts. To assist behaviour change research, this paper recasts an influential, highly regarded systems thinking framework, the Meadows 12, for the horse industry as the...
Farm Atmosphere: Calm Attention and Mobility Characterise Positive Horse Welfare. On-farm welfare assessment of equines is a challenge given the large diversity of management practices, especially in terms of housing and activities. In our study, we tested time budget measures as a complementary tool to more conventional welfare indicators (e.g., stereotypic behaviours, ear position while foraging, neck shape). We observed 174 horses living in eight facilities (in their home environment) for which data on management practices and welfare were available. Time budget was assessed using the scan sampling method (1 min scan sampling over 30 min; 33 scans), while welfare assessm...
A wild rice byproduct as an alternative to wood sawdust for equine bedding: a pilot study evaluating effects on stall air quality. Minnesota is a major producer of cultivated wild rice, generating a straw byproduct that may serve as an alternative bedding material for horses. This study compared wild rice straw (WRS) and wood sawdust (WS) for water absorptive capacity (WAC), muck production, suspended particulate matter (PM), and ammonia concentrations. In a crossover design (n = 4), horses were assigned to WRS or WS for 5 d before switching treatments for an additional 5 d. Horses were stalled overnight. Daily muck production was recorded, WAC was evaluated over 24 h, and PM and ammonia concentrations were measured withi...
Heavy metals in horses: A review of the toxicity, clinical consequences and expected safe tissue concentrations. Trace elements arsenic, cadmium, lead, chromium, mercury, nickel, and zinc are high-density, naturally occurring metals notable for their toxicity and environmental persistence. Cadmium and mercury are particularly concerning due to their capacity for bioaccumulation and biomagnification within the food chain. Dispersed through both anthropogenic and natural sources, these elements pose significant threats to ecosystems and animal health. In equines, they induce oxidative stress by disrupting mitochondrial function, generating reactive oxygen species, and inhibiting antioxidant enzymes, leadin...
Is managing horses ‘as wild’ beneficial for dung beetle assemblages and their associated ecological functions? In Europe, where livestock has largely replaced wild ungulates over the centuries, dung beetle assemblages have become largely dependent on livestock farming. The radical changes in livestock farming practices during the 20th century have therefore had a profound impact on these assemblages. Trophic rewilding with large herbivores is an important focus in European rewilding projects, and dung beetle assemblages appear to be good indicators of the success of rewilding. By comparing the composition of dung beetle assemblages and the rate of dung disappearance in three neighboring grassland habit...
The incidence of fatal and non-fatal injury in thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racehorses in Louisiana (2014-2022). The objectives of the study were to report the incidence of race-related injuries and equine fatalities in racehorses at the Louisiana racetracks from 2014 to 2022 for both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racehorses. Additionally, this study evaluated several factors that may be related to the occurrence of race-related injuries in racehorses in Louisiana. The average rates of equine fatal injuries (euthanized on or off track within 72 h of the race) were 1.70 ± 0.76 and 1.94 ± 0.89 per 1000 starts in Thoroughbred and Quarter racehorses, respectively. The average rates of non-fatal injur...
Social enrichment mitigates facial expressions and physiological indicators of short-term stress in horses. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of social noncontact environmental enrichment to facilitate social buffering and to characterize the emotional experience of horses subjected to restraint in stock by assessing physiological parameters and facial expressions. Pantaneiro horses (n = 11) were evaluated in a crossover design with two treatments: social noncontact enrichment during stock restraint and social isolation during stock restraint. Physiological parameters (heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, ocular temperature by infrared thermography, and auricular temperat...
Age-Associated Differences in Paddock Locomotor Activity Among Senior Horses: A Pilot Observational Study. Turnout locomotor activity is a potentially informative indicator of health and welfare in older horses, yet objective field data in seniors remain limited. We examined whether a brief turnout recording could detect cross-sectional associations between chronological age and locomotor activity in senior horses in this study setting. In this single-site observational study, 28 senior Selle Français horses (17-35 years) contributed 122 paddock sessions (2 h each), with total distance and mean speed quantified using a Polar Team Pro sensor. Associations with age were assessed using linear mixed-e...
Money, morality, and nationalism: the contested sponsorship of the Falsterbo horse show. In early 2025, the Falsterbo Horse Show entered a title sponsorship agreement with Al Shira'aa Stables in the United Arab Emirates, prompting extensive Swedish media coverage and strong public reactions. This controversy offers an opportunity to examine how sport sponsorship becomes a site for moral and geopolitical boundary-making. Drawing on a Foucauldian understanding of discourse as a meaning-making practice, the study analyses 210 Swedish newspaper articles published between February and April 2025 to explore how power/knowledge operates through language and how sponsorship is discursivel...
Survey of equine pasture best management practices and soil fertility in southeast Pennsylvania after the grazing season. Proper pasture management improves forage yield, reduces costs, and minimizes environmental impacts, but may be difficult in suburban settings. Objective: This study evaluated pasture condition and management practices on 28 horse farms in counties adjacent to the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Methods: Between November 2019 and January 2020, 72 pastures (2-3/farm) were assessed via soil sampling, USDA-NRCS Pasture Condition Score Sheet (PCSS), Penn State Equine Pasture Evaluation Disc (EPED), and farm manager interviews. Linear models assessed effects of management factors on pasture conditi...
Learning in the arena: healthcare students’ lived experience of interprofessional education in equine-assisted services. This qualitative study explored healthcare students' lived experiences during an interprofessional education (IPE) event incorporating equine-assisted services (EAS). Traditional IPE events often rely on classroom settings that may limit interprofessional engagement, collaboration, and application. Utilizing interpretive phenomenological analysis, researchers examined how the equine environment influenced interprofessional learning among fourteen graduate students from diverse healthcare disciplines at a western United States public university. Participants engaged in experiential demonstratio...
Impacts of flavor and aromatic palatants on consumption behavior in nursing foals. Palatability research in horses has primarily been conducted in mature, non-lactating horses and has typically investigated gustatory rather than aromatic preference. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the gustatory and aromatic preferences of nursing foals. Methods: Stock-type mare (13.25 ± 4.40 years) and foal (6 ± 3 weeks) pairings (n = 4) were utilized in multi-preference testing for treatments including apple, anise, peppermint and control (no palatant). Mares and foals were placed in assigned split stalls for 1800 seconds and provided unrestricted access to a...
West Nile Virus in Europe: Epidemiology, Vector Ecology, Environmental Drivers, and the Role of Equine Sentinel Surveillance in a One Health Framework. West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that remains an important public and veterinary health concern across Europe. Periodic outbreaks affecting humans, horses, and wildlife highlight the complex ecological interactions underlying viral circulation. This narrative review aims to synthesize current knowledge regarding WNV epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and surveillance strategies in Europe, with particular attention to the Romanian context. Available surveillance data indicate recurrent seasonal transmission in several European regions; however, reported case numbers may be...
Does the Reproductive Technique Affect Neonatal Health Parameters in Foals? This retrospective study evaluated whether different reproductive biotechnologies influence neonatal behaviour parameters in foals. Data from 102 foalings in two commercial breeding farms were analysed, including foals conceived by artificial insemination (AI), conventional embryo transfer (ET) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Neonatal parameters recorded were birth weight, time to achieve sternal recumbency, time to stand, time to nurse and time to meconium elimination. Mixed statistical models were applied to assess the influence of reproductive technique, breed, sex and farm. Si...
Spatio-temporal analysis of anthrax in livestock at zonal level in Ethiopia, 2008-2020. Ethiopia has not only one of the largest livestock populations in Africa, but also a substantial growing human population, increasing the risk of zoonotic disease transmission. Anthrax is a priority zoonosis in Ethiopia due to its risks to both human and animal health. Utilising 13 years of retrospective data (2008-2020) from 92 zones, this study investigated the spatio-temporal distribution of livestock anthrax cases in Ethiopia. High variability in annual incidence was observed, with the lowest number of cases (n=2357, 3.73 %) in 2018 followed by the highest number of cases (n=8210, 12.98 %)...
Environmental Occurrence of Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria in the Equine Anesthetic Induction and Recovery Box: A Single-Center Study. In horses, surgical site infections (SSIs) are multifactorial complications influenced by patient-related, procedural, and environmental factors. While perioperative contamination has been extensively studied in the operating theater, the anesthetic induction and recovery environment has received limited attention. The aim of this study was to characterize bacterial contamination within an equine anesthetic induction and recovery stall and to evaluate its spatial and temporal distribution. Environmental samples were collected from four predefined locations within the stall at three time points...
