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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.
Characterization of Lipizzan Horse Population From Lipica Stud Using Molecular and Pedigree Data. In this study, we analysed genetic diversity, population structure and inbreeding in the Lipica Stud Farm population by integrating pedigree records, microsatellite (STR) and genome-wide SNP data generated using the GGP Equine 70K BeadChip. The dataset comprised 233 horses from the Lipica Stud Farm, which served as the reference population for comparisons of diversity estimates based on pedigree-, STR- and SNP data. The STR data were originally generated for routine parentage verification and were included here to compare inbreeding estimates based on pedigree, STR and genome-wide SNP data. Pe...
Supplementation of IVM media with equine follicular fluid of large follicles increases blastocyst yield in equine ICSI programs. Despite advances in the use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for the in vitro production of equine embryos, oocyte maturation and competence to sustain pre-implantation embryo development remain significant challenges. This study evaluated the supplementation of the in vitro maturation (IVM) medium with equine follicular fluid (eFF), obtained from young mares (2-15 years old) with oocyte-to-blastocyst conversion rates >22%, as a strategy to improve oocyte developmental competence. In the first experiment, IVM medium was supplemented with 10% eFF collected from ovarian follicles of di...
Comparison of Fogarty and Vollmar thrombectomy for chronic jugular thrombosis in horses. Chronic jugular vein thrombosis may result in persistent venous obstruction and impaired head drainage. Although surgical thrombectomy is performed in selected cases, experimental comparisons between mechanical techniques for chronic thrombus removal in horses are lacking. Objective: To compare Fogarty catheter thrombectomy alone with a combined Vollmar ring-Fogarty technique for restoration and maintenance of luminal patency in experimentally induced chronic jugular thrombosis. Methods: Randomised in vivo study. Methods: Chronic right jugular thrombosis was induced in 10 healthy adult horses....
Whole-genome characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Equine Rotavirus A isolated from Jeju Island, Korea. Equine Rotavirus A (ERVA) is a major cause of acute diarrhea in neonatal foals, leading to significant economic losses. Genetic variation and global transmission complicate disease control efforts. Objective: To analyze the complete genome of an ERVA strain from Jeju Island, Korea, and assess its genetic and phylogenetic relationships with global ERVA strains. Methods: Twenty-five fecal and swab samples were collected from diarrheic horses in Jeju during spring and summer 2025. Samples were screened using antigen testing and RT-PCR. One PCR-positive, antigen-test-positive sample was selected f...
Horse Anatomy and Art: Carlo Ruini. Carlo Ruini's Dell'Anotomia et dell'infirmità del cavallo (1598) is widely regarded as the first scientific treatise on veterinary anatomy. This paper reviews the historical circumstances of its composition and printing history, the structure and scientific content of its five anatomical books, the long-standing controversy over Ruini's authorship - including the plagiarisms it subsequently suffered - and the disputed attribution of its woodcut illustrations to artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Titian and Agostino Carracci. Ruini's description of the pulmonary circulation is situated within ...
Molecular Detection of Anaplasma spp. in Horses From Golestan Province, Northern Iran. Anaplasmosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease that affects both humans and many animals. In horses, anaplasmosis manifests as a seasonal, infectious, and febrile disease caused by bacteria of the genus Anaplasma. Since the transmission of this disease is primarily mediated by arthropods such as ticks, it holds significant public health importance. Objective: The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of anaplasmosis in horses in northern Iran (Golestan Province). Methods: A total of 350 blood samples were randomly collected from asymptomatic horses between December 2023 and April 2024...
Eight Weeks of 448 kHz Radiofrequency Therapy Increases Multifidus Muscle Cross-Sectional Area and Modulates Thoracolumbar Range of Motion in Horses with Chronic Back Pain. We aimed to investigate the effects of an 8-week 448 kHz radiofrequency (RF) on multifidus cross-sectional area (CSA) and thoracolumbar differential range of motion (ROM). Eight Thoroughbred horseball horses received four RF treatments (T9-L6) at 2-week intervals. Multifidus CSA (T10-L5) and differential spinal ROM between the withers (W), T13, T18, L3 and sacrum (S) were measured before treatment, immediately after the first session, 24 h after the first session, and at 8 weeks (15 days after the last session). Linear mixed models with Tukey post hoc comparisons were used. Significant effects...
Testicular Disorders in Equids: A Case Series. Equine testicular disorders represent a diverse group of conditions that impact the longevity of a stallion's breeding career. Stud farm veterinarians should be familiar with the variety of clinical presentations and diagnostic options for these conditions. This retrospective case series reports 57 cases of testicular abnormalities in stallions and donkeys presented to the clinic for further diagnostics and treatment. These disorders included neoplasia (three unilateral and one bilateral seminoma; two Sertoli cell tumors; two Leydig cell tumors; and one malignant mixed sex cord-stromal tumor),...
Phased T2T horse and donkey assemblies from a mule reveal peculiar equid centromere evolution. We present telomere-to-telomere genome assemblies of a Thoroughbred horse and a donkey derived from their mule offspring. Now adopted and annotated by NCBI as reference genomes, these assemblies resolve previously inaccessible regions, including satellite arrays, duplications, and telomeres. Equids are known to exhibit an uncoupling between satellite DNA and centromeric function. The completeness of these assemblies enabled annotation of both satellite-based and satellite-free centromeres, as well as non-centromeric satellite loci, revealing notable centromeric plasticity. They also allowed de...
Risk Factors for Disease in Military Working Equines. Diseases can impact Military Working Equids (MWEs) readiness and limit days in service. The objectives of this study are to categorize diseases in MWEs and evaluate potential risk factors for disease. Methods: Pathology reports from MWEs from 2005 to 2025 were retrieved from the Joint Pathology Center archives. Disease processes with ≥5 cases were evaluated for potential risk factors, including MWE breed, sex, neuter status, geographic location, and age at sampling. Results: Diagnoses included inflammation (n = 30), neoplasia/proliferation (n = 24), within normal limits (n = 12),...
Sleep architecture and lying behavior in horses across age groups and two housing systems: an overnight non-invasive EEG study. Sleep is a crucial factor for the well-being of horses, yet assessing equine sleep in common housing conditions remains challenging. This study investigated the effects of changes in horses' immediate environment and the influence of age on their sleep and resting behavior using a novel, non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG) mask. Ten horses from the teaching herd at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna were observed over four consecutive nights in two different housing systems (a large communal stable vs. two separate, adjacent individual stalls). Data collection included EEG reco...
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...
Implications of dominance deviations for reproductive and morphological traits in the genetic management of the Pura Raza Española horse. Dominance is a non-additive genetic effect involving allele interaction at the same locus. In animal breeding, it has often been ignored due to its complexity and the low accuracy of pedigree-based estimates. This study analysed dominance variance components for reproductive traits [age at first foaling (AFF), reproductive efficiency (RE), interval between first and second foaling (I12)] and morphological traits [scapulo-ischial length (SIL), dorsal sternal diameter (DSD), knee circumference (KC)] in Pura Raza Española (PRE) mares. The aim was to assess the magnitude of dominance effects acro...
Russell’s viper envenomation in a 9-month pregnant mare saved with high-dose antivenom: a first-in-world case report. Snakebite during pregnancy is an uncommon but potentially catastrophic event, with maternal and foetal outcomes closely related to the severity of envenomation. While snakebite in pregnant women has been sporadically reported and is known to be associated with significant obstetrical complications, envenomation in animals, particularly in pregnant horses, is exceedingly rare. Only a few isolated cases of snakebite in horses have been documented, and to the best of our knowledge, snakebite in a pregnant mare has not been previously reported in the medical or veterinary literature. Russell's vip...
Cryopreserved umbilical allograft (equicenta® CTM) improves clinical outcomes compared with clinician-selected standard of care in performance horses: a pragmatic prospective controlled trial. This multicenter, prospective, controlled clinical study and client survey evaluated the safety and effectiveness of an equine umbilical tissue suspension (equicenta® CTM; eCTM, 2:1) compared with clinician-selected standard of care (SOC) for treating lame performance horses. Unassigned: This pragmatic, real-world, open-label study enrolled horses diagnosed with appendicular musculoskeletal conditions affecting the joints, tendons, or ligaments under owner consent and an intention-to-treat design with an optional crossover after no improvement at 12 weeks and per-protocol analyses at 26 ...
Rethinking Equine Cystitis: Evidence from Four Atypical Clinical Presentations. In this case series, four equines were diagnosed with cystitis, resulting in divergent clinical outcomes. Three animals achieved complete clinical resolution without recurrence, whereas one required euthanasia due to progressive clinical deterioration. All diagnoses were established through a dual-modality investigative protocol comprising cystoscopic evaluation and histopathological examination of bladder mucosal biopsies. The cohort exhibited considerable etiological heterogeneity. One case was classified as chronic idiopathic cystitis, while another was attributed to an opportunistic bacter...
Equine Ulcerative Genital Lesions Associated with Parapoxvirus. In 2026, a widespread outbreak of ulcerative dermatitis of unknown aetiology occurred in breeding horses in Ireland. The lesions resembled those associated with equine herpesvirus 3 (EHV3) infection, i.e., papules, vesicles, and ulcers on the penis of stallions and on the vulval and anal areas of mares. This study aimed to identify the probable causative agent. The methods applied included metagenomic sequencing of DNA, phylogenetic analysis, and real-time PCR. Metagenomic analysis directly from a penile sample confirmed the presence of equine parapoxvirus (EqPPV) DNA. Phylogenetic analysis in...
Health assessment of Tokara horses on Nakanoshima island: potential chronic hepatic dysfunction induced by Leopard plant (Farfugium japonicum) ingestion. We investigated the health of Tokara horses (n=34) on Nakanoshima as part of conservation efforts for this breed. Although the horses were clinically healthy, elevated white blood cell count, neutrophil count and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were observed, leading to suspicion of chronic hepatic dysfunction and infectious disease. A survey revealed that the caretakers had been feeding the horses Leopard plant, which contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). The abnormal GGT levels observed in these horses may suggest the possibility of chronic PA poisoning resulting from the con...
Seasonal modulation of platelet indices in mares. Platelet indices provide valuable information on platelet activation, heterogeneity, and production kinetics, yet their physiological variability remains poorly characterized in horses. Although seasonal changes in platelet count have been described, the seasonal modulation of derived platelet indices in mares remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seasonal variation of platelet count and derived platelet indices in clinically healthy mares from the Valencia region (Spain), and to assess their interrelationships. Forty clinically healthy Spanish Purebred mares (6-...
Species-specific effects of spinal stiffness on gait and actuation-cost proxy in simulated cheetah and horse galloping. Cursorial quadrupeds employ distinct mechanical strategies for high-speed locomotion, with felids relying more strongly on axial motion than equids. The biomechanical role of spinal stiffness, however, is difficult to isolate experimentally because it is coupled to limb mechanics, morphology, and coordination. Here, we used comparative three-dimensional trajectory optimization to test how spinal stiffness influences gait mechanics and actuation-demand proxies in simulated cheetah-like and horse-like galloping. Homologous cheetah and horse models were evaluated across spinal-stiffness values, p...
Favorable survival of horses with guttural pouch mycosis following hospital-based treatment. To report the clinical outcomes and survival time in horses undergoing treatment of guttural pouch mycosis. Unassigned: Client-owned horses with guttural pouch mycosis admitted between 2005 and 2024 for evaluation and treatment were identified by medical record search. Signalment, disease history, and surgical and treatment details were recorded. Owners were contacted for follow-up information. Unassigned: 41 horses with guttural pouch mycosis were identified, of which 28 had epistaxis or a history of epistaxis on presentation. Thirty-five horses underwent surgical treatment, and the procedure...
Central nervous system lymphoma and neurolymphomatosis in equids. Lymphoma affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems in equids is rarely reported. Objective: To describe the clinical presentation, neuroanatomical localization, laboratory and pathologic features, type of lymphoma, and outcome to further current knowledge. Methods: Fourteen equids (13 horses, 1 mule). Methods: Retrospective study. Medical records from a veterinary teaching hospital were reviewed (1993-2025). The inclusion criteria consisted of a definitive diagnosis of lymphoma of the nervous system. Data collected included signalment, neurologic findings, laboratory results, imagin...
Differences between horses (Equus caballus) displaying oral and locomotor stereotypies in their responses to a stable mirror. Recent cross-species analyses suggest that the different forms of stereotypic behaviour have heterogeneous causal mechanisms. In ungulates, there are indications that some forms of locomotor stereotypy may be linked to social factors. Using the domestic horse as a model species within this clade, we investigated whether individuals displaying the locomotor stereotypy box-walking (n=6) demonstrated greater responses to a stable mirror, intended to mimic presence of a conspecific, than horses displaying the oral stereotypy crib-biting (n=5) and non-stereotypic horses (n=5). After a 24hr baseline...
Somatic cell nuclear transfer as a complementary tool for genetic conservation of the Peruvian Paso horse. The Peruvian Paso horse, a breed of national significance in Peru known for its unique gait, has been selectively bred for nearly 500 years and now faces potential risks due to reduced genetic diversity. To investigate the potential of somatic cell nuclear transfer to enhance genetic conservation strategies, a program was initiated to produce cloned Peruvian Paso foals. Skin biopsies from a highly awarded stallion with exceptional breed-defining traits were used as the source of donor somatic cells. Of the 15 cloned embryos reconstructed, seven blastocysts were produced, and five were transfer...
Ceratohyoidectomy for Management of Unilateral and Bilateral Temporohyoid Osteoarthropathy: Long-Term Outcome in 33 Equids. Temporohyoid osteoarthropathy is a disease affecting the temporohyoid joint in equids caused by local inflammation and/or degeneration, leading to neurological deficits ranging from mild signs that affect performance to significant, acute neurological deficits such as facial nerve paralysis or vestibular signs. Multiple surgical treatment options are available, and while treatment has historically been performed unilaterally on the side of the clinical signs, advances in diagnostic imaging have highlighted the occurrence of bilateral disease of the temporohyoid joints, warranting evaluation of...
Species-Specific Mechanisms of Sperm Transport: Predominant Roles of Motility in Ewes and Uterine Contractility in Mares. The factors controlling sperm transport within the female genital tract vary among species. The aim of this study was to quantify the respective roles of sperm motility and uterine contractions in passage of sperm within the reproductive tract of the mare and ewe. Sperm imaging was performed in vivo within the female genital tract of mares and ewes using probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) after intrauterine insemination during two stages of the cycle characterized by high (oestrus) or low (luteal phase) uterine contractility. Fluorescent microbeads (2 µm in diameter) were insemi...
Combined effects of pre-freeze cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin and post-thaw pentoxifylline on the functional longevity of cryopreserved stallion sperm. Cryopreservation causes structural and metabolic damage to stallion spermatozoa, impairing post-thaw functional competence. Objective: This study evaluated whether cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) supplementation before freezing, combined with pentoxifylline (PTX) after thawing, improves the functional quality, oxidative status, mitochondrial activity, and preliminary fertility outcomes of cryopreserved stallion semen. Methods: Semen from twelve stallions was assigned to four CLC concentrations (0, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg), frozen, thawed, and divided into subgroups with or without PTX supplemen...
Perineural dexamethasone does not prolong bupivacaine sensory blockade in equine palmar digital nerve blocks: a randomized crossover trial. To determine whether dexamethasone sodium phosphate (dexamethasone SP) prolongs the sensory blockade produced by perineural bupivacaine during medial and lateral palmar digital nerve blocks in horses. Unassigned: 8 healthy adult horses were enrolled in a blinded, randomized 4 X 4 crossover trial. Each horse received 1 of 4 perineural treatments over the palmar digital nerves of the left forelimb: bupivacaine, bupivacaine + dexamethasone SP, dexamethasone SP alone, or saline. A minimum 7-day washout was used between treatments. Mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) was measured at baseline and...
A Global Structural Variation Map Reveals Novel Variants for Body Conformation and Racing Ability in Horses. The selection of horses has been instrumental in shaping long-range mobility, advancing warfare strategies, and diversifying equine phenotypes. However, the structural variants (SVs) favored by this process remain largely unexplored. Utilizing high-fidelity Pacific Biosciences sequencing, we assembled three high-quality horse genomes, incorporating 237 Mb (9.48%) of novel sequences relative to the existing reference genome. These assemblies achieved an average Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs completeness of 95.1%. By employing a graph-based approach, we genotyped 23,163 high-con...
SURVIVAL ON THE MARGINS: NICHE PARTITIONING AND DENSITY-DEPENDENT SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF EQUINE CYATHOSTOMINS. Habitat preferences of gastrointestinal nematodes are well-documented in small hosts, but equine cyathostomin diversity has largely been characterized only at farm or regional levels. While organ-level site preferences are known, within-organ spatial distributions remain unexplored. We investigated the longitudinal and radial distribution of adult cyathostomins within the large-intestinal lumen. Intact large intestines from 5 Shetland ponies were frozen post-necropsy and transected into 4-cm sections. Three micro-habitat samples (2.5 cm diameter) were collected per section. We recovered 2,444 ...
