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Topic:Equids
Equids are members of the family Equidae, which includes modern horses, donkeys, and zebras, as well as extinct species. Equids are characterized by their long limbs, single-toed hooves, and herbivorous diet, which is primarily composed of grasses. Horses, specifically, have been domesticated for thousands of years and have played significant roles in agriculture, transportation, and sport. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of equids and horses, including their evolution, physiology, behavior, and interactions with humans. The collected works provide insights into the genetic diversity, adaptive traits, and conservation efforts related to equid species.
Use of Sildenafil Citrate for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in Stallions: First Case Reports. Pharmacological aids can be useful alternatives to enhance penile erection and/or improve ejaculatory function, thereby prolonging the reproductive life of stallions with ejaculatory disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sildenafil citrate in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and on semen quality in two aged stallions, a Quarter Horse (18 years) and a Mangalarga Marchador (25 years), presented to the Veterinary Hospital of FMVZ-UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. The treatment consisted of oral administration of sildenafil citrate at 0.2 mg/kg. Thirty minutes after administ...
Fatal equine gas gangrene associated with Clostridium septicum in the Brazilian Amazon: clinicopathological and molecular characterization of a 20-case series. Clostridial gas gangrene is an acute necrotizing infection of skeletal muscle characterized by rapid tissue destruction and severe systemic toxemia in horses; however, systematically documented case series from tropical settings remain scarce. Here, we describe a clinicopathological and molecularly confirmed series of 20 fatal equine gas gangrene cases diagnosed in the eastern Brazilian Amazon (Pará State) between 2018 and 2026. Horses presented with abrupt onset of severe lameness, rapidly progressive swelling of a limb or muscle group, and palpable subcutaneous crepitus, frequently followin...
Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is one of the most common equine endocrine disorders. It is caused by oxidative damage to dopaminergic neurons in the hypothalamus and results in loss of inhibition of the pituitary pars intermedia. This leads to increased circulating concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and related peptides. Diagnosis is based on increased resting and/or thyrotropin releasing hormone-stimulated ACTH concentrations. Assessment of insulin regulation is also important, as insulin dysregulation occurs in at least one-third of PPID cases and is associate...
Use of wooden shoes for the treatment of chronic laminitis in an American quarter horse. An 11-year-old American quarter horse mare with bilateral forelimb lameness was examined at a mixed-animal veterinary clinic. Radiographs revealed rotation and distal displacement of the 3rd phalanx in each front foot, confirming chronic laminitis. Wooden shoes (Steward Clogs) were used successfully to manage the lameness. The findings from this case support the use of wooden shoes as part of the treatment of chronic laminitis in a general veterinary practice setting. Utilisation de sabots pour le traitement de la fourbure chronique chez un quarter horse américainUne jument quarter horse amé...
Equine piroplasmosis in China, 2000 to 2025: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence and risk factors. Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of equids caused by Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, and Theileria haneyi. We conducted a PRISMA-guided systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate pooled prevalence in China and identify associated risk factors. PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP were searched through 15 August 2025. Of 2,626 records identified, 80 studies met the inclusion criteria. Random-effects models were used to pool prevalence estimates, and prespecified subgroup analyses and univariate meta-regression were used to explore heterogeneity an...
Centrifugation of peritoneal fluid improves visual assessment of strangulating lesions in equine colic. Early and accurate recognition of a strangulating lesion is essential to expedite surgical intervention in horses presenting with colic. Objective: To evaluate the use of a colour grading scale in the visual assessment of peritoneal fluid, before and after centrifugation, and assess its ability to predict the presence of a strangulating lesion. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Peritoneal fluid samples from 231 equids presenting with colic were visually analysed immediately after collection and assigned a numerical value based on a developed colour scale. Peritoneal fluid was centr...
Successful outcome of open distal interphalangeal joint luxation in equids treated by surgical debridement without internal implants. The distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) plays a crucial role in the function of the hoof and digit. Dislocations and subluxations in this region are rare and primarily of traumatic origin. Methods: This case report aims to describe two unusual cases of open DIPJ dislocation, including clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, treatment, and long-term follow-up. Both animals presented with open traumatic distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) luxation. In Case 1, the animal received initial care on the property 5 h post-trauma and presented with joint exposure and articular surface contact with th...
Limb position, not exercise or sedation, affects power Doppler neovascularization detection in equine superficial digital flexor tendon core lesions. To determine the effect of limb position, exercise, and sedation on neovascularization detectability with the use of power Doppler ultrasonography (PDU) in superficial digital flexor tendon core lesions of the equine forelimb. Unassigned: 9 Thoroughbred horses with superficial digital flexor tendon core tendinopathies were assessed with PDU before lesion induction (week 0) and 12 weeks after lesion induction, with 5 horses in the study period ranging from January to April 2024 and 4 horses from January to April 2025. During weeks 0 and 12, ultrasound examinations were performed 24 hours apart,...
Walking prior to contrast tenogram radiograph acquisition improves radiological identification of equine digital flexor tendon sheath pathology. the protocol for mobilization of the fetlock region prior to acquiring a contrast tenogram radiograph is not clearly defined. Objective: to determine if walking exercise improves identification of DFTS pathology on contrast tenography. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Nineteen horses that underwent contrast tenography and subsequent surgical tenoscopy were included. A tenogram protocol was developed to enable comparison of diagnostic accuracy after increasing mobilization of the affected limb post-injection. Following contrast injection three tenogram radiographs were taken, (1) immediately ...
Intraoperative Mechanical Power and Post-Anesthetic Respiratory Outcomes in Horses: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Mechanical power (MP) represents the ventilatory-delivered energy to the respiratory system, integrating multiple variables into a single parameter. It has been linked to ventilator-induced lung injury and post-ventilation complications in human medicine, while clinical relevance in equine anesthesia remains insufficient. Objective: To evaluate the association between intraoperative mechanical power and postoperative respiratory outcomes in horses undergoing inhalant anesthesia. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed anesthesia records from 843 adult horses anesthetized between 2023...
Endocrine and uterine hemodynamic differences between intra- and interspecific equine pregnancies during early gestation. Interspecific equine pregnancies (mare x donkey) are associated with altered endocrine patterns and increased pregnancy loss; however, the relationship between hormonal dynamics, luteal activity, and uterine hemodynamics in relation to conceptus origin remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of conceptus origin on endocrine profiles, supplementary corpora lutea (SCL) formation, and uterine hemodynamics, and to investigate the relationships among these variables. Twenty mares were initially included; however, six were excluded due to pregnancy loss or incompl...
Effect of sample storage on pH-value in equine faeces. Measurements of pH-value in equine faeces are often performed in studies on nutrition and health in horses, but a standard protocol for it is lacking despite the knowledge that different sample handling may affect the pH-value. Sample handling prior to pH-measurement is often determined by practical settings and has been reported to vary in published studies within the area. The purpose of the current study was therefore to investigate the influence of different combinations of storage time and temperature on the pH-value in equine faecal samples in comparison to immediate pH-measurement at de...
Analgesic use, safety and pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen in equids: A structured scoping review. Despite its frequent use in equine clinical practice, scientific data on the use of acetaminophen in horses remain limited. Objective: To map and critically appraise the available evidence on the analgesic use, safety and pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen in horses. Methods: Structured scoping review. Methods: A comprehensive search was performed in accordance with the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews using the terms '(paracetamol OR acetaminophen) AND (pain OR safety OR toxicosis OR pharmacokinetics) AND (horse OR pony OR donkey OR mule)' across Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed from dat...
Hormonal, clinical, and survival outcomes in horses and ponies diagnosed with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in primary care practice. Variables associated with hormonal, clinical, and survival outcomes of equids with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) are incompletely investigated. Objective: Evaluate the effect of initial hormone concentrations, clinical signs, treatment, and owner-related variables on outcomes in horses and ponies with PPID. Methods: Medical records from 213 horses and ponies diagnosed with PPID by 2 university-based primary care practices. Methods: Analytical observational cohort study. Variables associated with adrenocorticotropic hormone normalization, clinical improvement, and survival after ...
Preliminary evaluation of beta-endorphin alone and in combination with adrenocorticotropic hormone for the diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in equids. Limited published data exist regarding the diagnostic utility of beta-endorphin (β-END) for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), either compared with or in combination with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Objective: To evaluate β-END as a potential diagnostic test for PPID in comparison with ACTH and to explore the diagnostic performance of combined tests. Methods: Ninety-eight equids aged 19-32 years, owned by the foundation "Stiftung für das Pferd," were included. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2025. Haircoat abnormalities were scored as absent, mi...
Osteosynthesis of bilateral, displaced incisive bone fracture in a horse. A nine-year-old Trakehner mare was presented three days after an episode of severe epistaxis, showing intermittent foul-smelling nasal discharge with feed material and rostral displacement of the upper incisor teeth. Radiographic and computed tomography examinations revealed a complete comminuted fracture of the right side and an oblique complete fracture of the left side nasal processes of the incisive bone and maxillary bone, as well as open fractures of the nasal septum and palatine bone with displacement of the incisor part rostrally and development of an oronasal communication. The fractu...
Relationship Between Feed Olfactory Exploration and Consumption in Horses. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between horses' behaviour during olfactory exploration and following consumption of the same food containing herbs, either previously exposed to the herb odour or not. Twenty horses' responses to 14 herbs were compared in a smelling test, when the horses sniffed a herb, and after 20 min a consumption test, when they consumed oats mixed with the same herb. Before the tests, the horses were exposed to the scent of seven herbs, whereas the remaining seven herbs were non-pre-exposed. The results show that horses consumed oats with herbal additi...
Comparative analysis of the karyotypes of Equus caballus and Equus asinus in the context of contemporary genomic data. Karyotypes of species within the genus Equus display considerable variation in chromosome number and are characterised by numerous structural rearrangements that have played a pivotal role in their evolutionary divergence and speciation. Equus caballus (horse), 2n = 64 and Equus asinus (donkey), 2n = 62, constitute particularly interesting models for comparative studies due to the diversified morphology of their chromosomes, including acrocentric and submetacentric pairs, documented Robertsonian translocations, and centric fusions. In recent decades, widely applied molecular cytogenetic techni...
Effects of pulsed electromagnetic therapy on the major hematological and biochemical parameters in horses. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, a commonly used supplementary treatment in the horse industry, shows promise in enhancing circulation, reducing inflammation, and supporting cellular repair; however, its effects on equine physiology remain unclear. Limited research and inconsistent protocols create uncertainty about its efficacy and safety in horses. Our study evaluates the short-term effects of PEMF on hematological and biochemical parameters in horses. Five active sport horses underwent PEMF therapy for five consecutive days using a full-body blanket at specific frequencies. Bloo...
A color-coded atlas of the cortical surface anatomy of the equine brain. The horse has a highly gyrencephalic cerebrum; however, detailed references of equine cortical surface anatomy remain limited, and terminology inconsistencies continue to complicate comparative, clinical, and educational applications. This research focused on creating a standardized, high-resolution, color-coded atlas of equine brain sulci and gyri, based on the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria (NAV). Unassigned: Brains from ten neurologically normal horses were examined. Following fixation and dissection, the sulci and gyri of the lateral, dorsal, rostral, and medial surfaces were documented, col...
Measuring Activity-Rest Condition by Using Two Different Accelerometer Devices in Trained and Retired Horses. To advance technological applications in animal welfare assessment, this study evaluated resting activity as a component of total locomotor activity (TLA) in horses using two different accelerometer devices: a collar-mounted device containing a single-axis accelerometer that records physical movement, and a three axes accelerometer that classifies the measured physical activity into nine different activities. Ten clinically healthy Italian saddle horses were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups on the basis of their lifestyle. Group A consisted of regularly trained horses housed c...
Semi-extensive management system drives lower prevalence of equine orodental disorders. The prevalence of orodental disorders in horses kept under different management systems is lacking. More detailed knowledge is needed to support targeted therapeutic and prophylactic approaches, as these conditions play a crucial role in maintaining equine health and welfare. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of orodental disorders in horses raised, kept, and fed under extensive, semi-extensive, or intensive management systems. Unassigned: Sixty-nine clinically healthy adult crossbred horses with no history of dental treatment were examined, with 23 horses included in each study group...
An experimental multiplex PCR/RT-PCR for detection of the main viruses associated with equine neurological disease. Viral neurological infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in horses worldwide. Herein, we describe an end-point multiplex PCR/RT-PCR for simultaneous and differential detection of major equine encephalitis-related agents: rabies virus (RABV), equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1), alphaviruses [Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) and Madariaga virus (MADV)] and flaviviruses [West Nile virus (WNV), Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), Rocio virus (ROCV) and Japanese encephalitis virus (...
Administration of the Postbiotic Substance 412 to Slovak Warm-Blooded Horses: A Pilot Experiment. Antimicrobial proteinaceous postbiotic substances (PS) and/or bacteriocins can beneficially influence animal health, as previously shown with enterocins from non-autochthonous enterococcal strains. Therefore, the effectiveness of PS 412, produced by our beneficial autochthonous strain EF 412, was assessed in horses. In the pilot experiment, PS 412 was administered to 12 horses of various ages and breeds for 21 days via a small feed ball. Sampling was performed on days 0/1, 21, and 42 (after a 3-week cessation of PS 412). The horses served as their own controls. Although the number of horses w...
Thermographic analysis of chiropractic care on the back health of Mangalarga Marchador horses. Poor saddle fit can cause back pain and lesions in horses, highlighting the need for preventive therapies. Objective: To evaluate the effects of chiropractic treatment on the backs of Mangalarga Marchador horses using infrared thermography to monitor thermal changes associated with saddle-induced overload. Methods: Physiological, environmental, thermographic, and chiropractic parameters were evaluated in 13 horses subjected to a standardized 25-min exercise session. Animals were assigned to either a control group (GC, n = 6) or a chiropractic treatment group (GT, n = 7). Assessments were c...
Validation of a handheld smartphone markerless method for quantifying thoracolumbar flexion-extension range of motion in horses at trot. Back pain and poor performance in horses are difficult to assess objectively and thoracolumbar flexion-extension range of motion (FE) is not reliably evaluated by subjective observation alone. A handheld, smartphone-based markerless computer vision system (RealHorse®; RH) may enable objective clinical and field-based FE assessment but requires validation against an established optical motion capture reference system (Qualisys®; QS). Objective: To compare the accuracy and precision of RH relative to QS for measuring FE in horses trotting on a straight line and on a circle. Methods: Cross-sect...
Questionnaire-Based Investigation into Stallion Management Practices in 28 Countries. Modern stud farm practices may limit stallion social contact, with potential welfare and safety implications. Objective: To describe housing, management and safety outcomes for stallions kept at horse breeding operations throughout the world and to assess regional differences. Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed via mailing lists and WhatsApp; 116 complete responses from breeding operations were collected and analysed. The focus was on management of the breeding facility, and stallion welfare indicated by management, handling and housing. Results: Respondents were from Europe (40....
Equine Sarcoid: From BPV-Driven Oncogenesis to Host-Sustained Tumor Persistence. Equine sarcoid is the most common cutaneous neoplasm of equids and represents a distinctive model of virus-associated tumor persistence. Although bovine papillomaviruses, particularly BPV-1 and BPV-2, are recognized as the main etiological agents, viral infection alone does not fully explain the clinical heterogeneity, frequent recurrence, and limited spontaneous regression of these lesions. This review summarizes current evidence on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying equine sarcoid pathogenesis, with emphasis on the interaction between BPV infection, host signaling pathways, tum...
The effects of diet on the physical characteristics of feces and fiber digestibility in healthy horses. Diet is a known risk factor for colic, but few studies have explored how diet affects fecal characteristics which are often altered in horses with colic. This prospective cross-over study evaluated the effects of two common equine diets on fecal characteristics and fiber digestibility in healthy adult horses. We hypothesized that horses offered a complete pelleted diet would exhibit increased fecal dry matter (DM) and decreased fecal particle size compared to those offered a forage-based diet. Twenty horses at Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine served as subjects in the study....
