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.
Hellman S, Martin F, Tydén E, Sellin ME, Norman A, Hjertner B, Svedberg P, Fossum C.Stem cell-derived organoid cultures have emerged as attractive experimental models for infection biology research regarding various types of gastro-intestinal pathogens and host species. However, the large size of infectious nematode larvae and the closed structure of 3-dimensional organoids often hinder studies of the natural route of infection. To enable easy administration to the apical surface of the epithelium, organoids from the equine small intestine, i.e. enteroids, were used in the present study to establish epithelial monolayer cultures. These monolayers were functionally tested by s...
Abebaw B.An adult male black horse was presented to the UOG veterinary clinic with swelling, discharge, and skin wounds on the chest wall and the right front leg; then, it goes to the lateral and medial hind leg. Inspection and palpation were carried out, and we revealed that the skin was swelled, thickened and hard on clinical examination. There was also nodule rupture, and discharge on the limb and chest skin. Different therapy was applied starting from washing the wound with water-diluted potassium permanganate and then 0.9% NaCl together with paraffin topically placed on the wound. 10% povidone-iod...
Anderson HC, Warner SF, Ripley NE, Nielsen MK.Tapeworm infection in horses can cause serious health concerns, and recent data have documented treatment failures in the most common species, Anoplocephala perfoliata. The threat of anthelmintic resistance in A. perfoliata is of particular concern because of poor diagnostic performance of standard egg counting techniques for detecting this parasite. This study compared the performance of three diagnostic techniques 1) Mini-FLOTAC, 2) Cornell-Wisconsin, and 3) Proudman and Edwards used to detect and quantify A. perfoliata eggs in naturally infected horses. Eighteen adult female horses from the...
Hamad MH, Islam SI, Jitsamai W, Chinkangsadarn T, Naraporn D, Ouisuwan S, Taweethavonsawat P.Mixed strongylid infections significantly impact equine health and performance. Traditional microscopy-based methods exhibit limitations in accurately identifying strongylid species. Nemabiome deep amplicon sequencing approach previously succeeded in describing the strongylid communities in livestock including equids. However, there are no available studies that describe the structural communities of strongylid parasites in horses in Thailand. Therefore, this study was undertaken encompassing the ITS-2 rDNA metabarcoding assay to characterize strongylid species within horse fecal samples colle...
Merlin A, Larcher N, Vallé-Casuso JC.This study assessed the anthelmintic resistance in strongylid nematodes against commonly used anthelmintic (AH) drugs in a French galloping racehorse stud farm from March to December 2023. Faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs) were conducted in three different groups of Thoroughbred yearlings (a group of 6 males, a group of 13 females and a group of 8 females and 3 males) following the new World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP) guidelines. The efficacy of fenbendazole was tested in two groups once during the monitoring period (in March), the efficacy of iv...
Storms N, de la Rebière G, Franck T, Mouithys Mickalad A, Sandersen C, Ceusters J, Serteyn D.Laminitis is a pathology of the equine digit ultimately leading to a failure of the dermo-epidermal interface. Neutrophil activation is recognized as a major factor in SIRS-associated laminitis and has recently been described in induced endocrinopathic laminitis evidenced by the presence of myeloperoxidase (MPO). Neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) are released with neutrophil activation. This study aimed to investigate the presence and activity of MPO and NET in the lamellar tissue of equids presented with naturally occurring laminitis. Samples of lamellar tissue of five horses and five donk...
Koehler G, McNeill G, Hobson KA.We investigated the stable isotope hydrology of Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada over a five year period from September, 2017 to August, 2022. The H and O values of integrated monthly precipitation were weakly seasonal and ranged from -66 to -15 ‰ and from -9.7 to -1.9 ‰, respectively. Fitting these monthly precipitation data resulted in a local meteoric water line (LMWL) defined by: H = 7.22 ± 0.21 · O + 7.50 ± 1.22 ‰. Amount-weighted annual precipitation had H and O values of -36 ± 11 ‰ and -6.1 ± 1.4 ‰, respectively. Deep groundwater had mor...
Tinkler SH, Villa L, Manfredi MT, Walshe N, Jahns H.This is the first report of Besnoitia bennetti in donkeys in Ireland. B. bennetti, an apicomplexan protozoan parasite specific to equids, is an emerging pathogen in Europe. This parasite forms chronic intracytoplasmic cysts in cells of the mesenchymal lineage, mainly fibroblasts, in the skin, sclera and mucosa. Clinical signs in affected equine hosts vary from mild to severe debilitating disease. Little is known of the phylogeny, epidemiology or transmission of B. bennetti infection in donkeys, mules or horses. Methods: Two cases of besnoitiosis in donkeys are presented. Both donkeys were born...
Equine influenza (EI) is a highly contagious viral disease of equids characterized by pyrexia and respiratory signs. Like other influenza A viruses, antigenic drift or shift could lead to a vaccine-induced immunity breakdown if vaccine strains are not updated. The aim of this study was to genetically characterize EIV strains circulating in Italy, detected in PCR-positive samples collected from suspected cases, especially in the absence of formal active surveillance. Methods: Between February and April 2019, blood samples and nasal swabs collected from each of the 20 symptomatic horses from Nor...
Ireland JL, Lester A, Banse HE.Measurement of basal adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentration is the most commonly used diagnostic test for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Although several pre-analytical and analytical factors have been reported to affect basal ACTH concentrations in equids, the extent to which these have been evaluated in the context of PPID diagnosis is unclear. The objectives of this scoping review were to identify and systematically chart current evidence about pre-analytical and analytical factors affecting basal ACTH concentrations in adult domestic equids. Systematic searches of ...
Hamad MH, Islam SI, Jitsamai W, Chinkangsadarn T, Naraporn D, Ouisuwan S, Taweethavonsawat P.The indiscriminate use of anthelmintics to control parasitic nematodes in horses has led to the emergence of anthelmintic resistance worldwide. However, there are no data available on using ivermectin for treating strongyle infections within domesticated horses in Thailand. Therefore, this study aimed to use the fecal egg count reduction (FECR) test to determine the strongylid egg reappearance period (ERP). Additionally, the nemabiome metabarcoding approach is incorporated to study patterns of strongyle species infection following ivermectin treatment. The study results indicate that, although...
Data in briefFebruary 7, 2024
Volume 53 110177 doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2024.110177
Klontza-Jaklova V, Smíšek M, Nevěčná R, Panagiotakis N, Klontzas M, Fernandes R.We gathered evidence on the occurrence of equines in the island of Crete from the Neolithic until 1895. We relied on published archaeological and osteological records plus on historical written documents. Our dataset includes a description of the type of evidence, where this was located, and the associated absolute and relative chronologies. The collected data can be used to investigate the past spread of equids in Crete ( and ), their socioeconomic status, and the development of the local Cretan breed. The dataset is made available via the Abraxas data community within the Pandora data platfo...
Miklavcic M, Dechant JE, Kilcoyne I.To determine breed, age, and sex predispositions for fecalith obstruction and to evaluate short-term survival and prognostic factors following surgical treatment of fecalith intestinal obstruction in equids. Methods: 151 equids. Methods: Medical records of equids undergoing surgery for fecalith obstruction from 2000 to 2020 were reviewed. Signalment, history, presenting clinicopathological data, surgical findings, complications, and short-term survival were recorded and compared between survivors and nonsurvivors. Signalment of the fecalith population was compared to a contemporaneous colic po...
Fournier AK, French M, Letson EA, Hanson J, Berry TD, Cronin S.This study examined human-animal symbiosis in an animal-assisted intervention through observations of animal maintenance behaviors. The rise of psychotherapy, learning, and recreation incorporating animals warrants exploration of the welfare of the animals involved in these interventions. The analysis of welfare in multispecies engagements can be discussed in terms of symbiosis. Regarding an intervention's animal provider (e.g., therapy horse) and human recipient (psychotherapy client), the balance of cost and benefit is important. Research describing human and animal during interventions is ...
Szemán K, Végvári Z, Gőri S, Kapocsi I, Székely T, Manning JA.Social behaviour is thought to be a major component of survival, reproduction, and resilience of populations. Thus, it is a key component in management and conservation of wild populations. In polygynous breeding species, group size influences the reproductive success of males and females, and hence it is essential to understand the environmental and demographic factors that shape the phenology of group size within populations. Here, we investigate harem size and its determinants using a 15-year dataset of annual harem size phenology-based metrics from a reintroduced population of wild Przewal...
Girma A, Tamir D.In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), particularly in Ethiopia, Epizootic Lymphangitis (EL) is the most prevalent fungal disease of equids, which causes significant economic losses as well as a decrease in equid populations. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis were designed to pool the results of individual studies and estimate the prevalence of EL among equids in Ethiopia. A systematic search of research articles on the prevalence and risk factors of EL among equids in Ethiopia was conducted in registers, databases, and other sources. Cochrane's Q, inverse variance (I2), sensitivity an...
Arroyo-Salvo C, Cogollo Villarreal MY, Clérico G, Flores Bragulat AP, Niño Vargas A, Castañeira C, Briski O, Alonso C, Plaza J, Zeledon JM....Members of the Equus genus exhibit a fascinating capacity for hybridization, giving rise to healthy offspring. Mules, resulting from the mating of a mare with a jack, represent the most prevalent equid hybrid, serving diverse roles in our society. While in vitro embryo production, particularly through Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), has rapidly gained significance in domestic horses, the in vitro production in other equids remains largely unexplored. Utilizing donkey sperm for fertilizing horse oocytes not only addresses this gap but also provides an opportunity to investigate donkey ...
McGorum BC, Davey T, Dosi MCM, Keen JA, Morrison LR, Pirie RS, Shaw DJ, Harris JB.Equine grass sickness (EGS) is a frequently fatal multisystem neuropathy of equids. The aetiology is unknown; proposed causes include toxicoinfection with Clostridium botulinum and a mycotoxicosis. The effect of EGS on the organisation and structural integrity of the skeletal neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the target of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), is unknown. Objective: To compare the organisation and structural integrity of skeletal NMJs from EGS horses, control horses and one horse with a presumptive diagnosis of botulism. Methods: Blinded, retrospective case control. Methods: NMJs in samp...
Leal Reis I, Lopes B, Sousa P, Sousa AC, Branquinho MV, Caseiro AR, Rêma A, Briote I, Mendonça CM, Santos JM, Atayde LM, Alvites RD, Maurício AC.Horses are high-performance athletes prone to sportive injuries such as tendonitis and desmitis. The formation of fibrous tissue in tendon repair remains a challenge to overcome. This impels regenerative medicine to develop innovative therapies that enhance regeneration, retrieving original tissue properties. Multipotent Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (MSCs) have been successfully used to develop therapeutic products, as they secrete a variety of bioactive molecules that play a pivotal role in tissue regeneration. These factors are released in culture media for producing a conditioned medium (...
Faghihzadeh Gorji F, Sadr S, Eshrati H, Borji H.Worldwide, equines are affected by equine filariosis, an endemic vector-borne disease caused by heterogenous parasitic nematodes. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of filarial infection among horses in the North and Northeast of Iran. Between October 2021 and July 2022, 145 equine blood samples were investigated, of which 49 cases were from the northeast and 96 were from the north of Iran. Blood samples were taken for microfilariae using Knott's method. Out of 145 blood samples, only 2 cases (1.37%) from northern Iran were positive for microfilaria of , and no po...
Tuomisto L, Virtanen J, Kegler K, Levanov L, Sukura A, Sironen T, Kareskoski M.Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common genital, ocular and gastric tumour in horses. Equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) DNA has been detected in several studies in equine penile squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and precursor lesions providing evidence of a causal role of EcPV2 in equine genital SCCs. Recently, EcPV2 E6/E7 nucleic acids were also detected in equine gastric SCCs, but further studies are required to determine the role of EcPV2 infection in the pathogenesis of gastric SCC. EcPV2 nucleic acids have been rarely described in ocular SCCs and precursor lesions. To investig...
Gholmohammadi S, Malekifard F, Yakhchali M.Ticks are important ectoparasites in equids, causing economic losses in animal husbandry in Iran and worldwide. This study was aimed to determine frequency and species diversity of hard ticks in equids in Ardabil province, during the four seasons in 2021. A total of 240 equids (187 horses, 53 donkeys) were randomly selected and examined. Ixodid ticks were collected from body surface of examined animals and identified. Of all examined equids, 32.5% horses, and 4.58% donkeys were infested with a total number of 412 ixodid ticks. Tick indices (tick number per animal) were 4.62. There was signific...
Hifumi T, Tanaka T, Suzu I, Sato M, Akioka K, Fujimata C, Shinkai R, Maeda T, Kusakisako K, Ikadai H, Miyoshi N.Alveolar echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a larval-stage infection. Geographical haplotyping targeting the parasite's mitochondrial cytochrome () gene has been reported for isolates from definitive and intermediate hosts (wild canids and rodents); however, there are limited reports on strain typing for the dead-end host, the horse, which could act as a sentinel for E. Accordingly, we investigated the diversity of in isolates obtained from slaughtered Japanese and Canadian horses originating from the Iburi and Hidaka regions in Hokkaido and from Alberta, respectively, with PCR ...
Villalba-Orero M, Contreras-Aguilar MD, Cerón JJ, Fuentes-Romero B, Valero-González M, Martín-Cuervo M.Stress leukogram includes eosinopenia as one of its main markers (neutrophilia, eosinopenia, lymphopenia, and mild monocytosis). Cortisol is the main stress biomarker, which is also strongly correlated with the severity of gastrointestinal diseases. This study aimed to determine the relationship between salivary cortisol and the eosinophil cell count (EC) in equids with abdominal pain. To do this, 39 horses with abdominal pain referred to an emergency service were included. All samples were taken on admission, and several parameters and clinical data were included. Equids were classified accor...
El-Zayat M, Shemies OA, Mosad SM, El Rahman SA.Equine herpes viruses (EHVs) are considered one of the most important respiratory pathogens in equids, resulting in serious outcomes for equine health worldwide. The objectives of the current research were the detection, molecular characterization, and isolation of EHV-1 and EHV-4 circulating within different equine populations in Egypt, either clinically or in apparently healthy horses. Unassigned: A total of 120 field samples were collected, and DNA was extracted. Screening and typing of extracted DNA were done by consensus and conventional PCR assays for detection of EHV-1 and EHV-4, follow...
Macon EL, Harris P, McClendon M, Perron B, Adams A.Hyperinsulinemia-associated laminitis (HAL) is the primary concern for insulin dysregulated (ID) equids and their insulin response to the consumption of oral, nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) has been shown to be a risk predictor for HAL development. This randomized, crossover study's objective was to examine the insulinemic responses to 3 forage pellets (1 g/kg BW) (timothy hay, TH, 9.5 % CP & 10 % NSC DM; alfalfa hay, AH, 16.3 % CP & 9.8 % NSC DM; timothy-alfalfa hay; TAH, 17.2 % CP & 9.8 % NSC DM) along with a positive (dehulled oats; OG, 14.7 % CP & 59.7 % NSC DM) and negative dietary cha...
Colbath AC, Fortin JS, Burglass CM, Panek C, Vergara-Hernandez FB, Johnson TN, Robison CA, Logan AA, Nelson NA, Nielsen BD, Schott HC.Pathological fractures have been reported in equids with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) but their prevalence and pathogenesis is unknown. Objective: To compare: (1) bone mineral density (BMD) in weight bearing and nonweight bearing bones in PPID+ equids and aged and young PPID- controls; and (2) biomechanical properties of the fourth lumbar vertebral body in PPID+ equids and aged PPID- equids. Methods: Case-control study: five PPID+ equids and six aged and four young PPID- control horses. Methods: PPID status was based on clinical signs and necropsy examination of the pituitary g...
Grazing equids are constantly exposed to three clinically important gastrointestinal parasites (small strongyles/cyathostomins, Anoplocephala spp. and Parascaris spp.). Knowledge of the local seasonal dynamic of these parasitic infections is important for constructing a sustainable parasite control program with a rational number of anthelmintic treatments. However, studies describing these patterns are sparse in France. In this context, a two-year study was carried out to assess i) the seasonal dynamic and variability of strongyle faecal egg counts (FEC) and infective larvae (L3) counts on pas...
Simões J, Tilley P.Decision making consists of gathering quality data in order to correctly assess a situation and determine the best course of action. This process is a fundamental part of medicine and is what enables practitioners to accurately diagnose diseases and select appropriate treatment protocols. Despite severe equine asthma (SEA) being a highly prevalent lower respiratory disease amongst equids, clinicians still struggle with the optimization of routine diagnostic procedures. The use of several ancillary diagnostic tests has been reported for disease identification and monitoring, but many are only s...
Bonsi M, Anderson NE, Carder G.Working equids provide a crucial contribution to the livelihoods and food security of communities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Nevertheless, they are a neglected category within animal health policies and interventions of governmental and non-governmental institutions. This critical review aims to assess the socioeconomic impact of diseases of working equids in LMICs. By highlighting the implications of diseases on working equid welfare, human wellbeing and livelihoods, this review seeks to sensitise policymakers within governments and international organisations to develop pol...
Yu YT, Olarte Castillo X, Reboul G, Zehr J, Sun Y, Anderson R, Wang M, Sun Q, Tallmadge R, Sams K, Brown J, Marra N, Stanhope B, Grenier J.... is a parvovirus that was identified in the blood of four horses in the United States. Here, we report one genome from a horse in New York State. This genome may represent a new species within the genus .
Raftery AG, Gummery L, Garcia K, Mohite D, Capewell P, Sutton DGM.Equine trypanosomiasis is a neglected protozoal disease. Objective: To perform a systematic search of literature to explore: (1) In equines what is the global geographical distribution and prevalence of trypanosomiasis? In low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is trypanosomiasis more prevalent than in higher-income countries (HICs)? (2) Is trypanosomiasis infection a significant contributor to global morbidity and mortality? Methods: Systematic review and meta-analyses. Methods: Studies were identified that described naturally occurring equine trypanosomiasis worldwide following 'Preferred R...
Tanner JM, Traub-Dargatz JL, Hill AE, Van Campen H, Knight AP, Cunningham WE, Salman MD.To describe the prevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) infection and evaluate factors associated with positive IgM capture ELISA results in equids with clinical signs compatible with WNV infection. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Laboratory submission forms from 1,104 equids tested for WNV in Colorado in 2003. Methods: Submission forms accompanying samples submitted for detection of WNV via IgM capture ELISA were obtained from the Colorado state veterinarian and diagnostic laboratories performing the tests. Data on signalment, clinical signs, history of vaccination against WNV, and a...
Atsenova N, Palova N, Mehandjyiski I, Neov B, Radoslavov G, Hristov P.The question about the time and the place of horse domestication, a process which had a profound impact on the progress of mankind, is disputable. According to the most widely accepted hypothesis, the earliest domestication of the horse happened in the western parts of the Eurasian steppes, between the Northern Black Sea region and present-day Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. It seems that it occurred not earlier than the first half and most probably during the middle (even the last third) of the fourth millennium BC (from ∼ 5.5 kya). The next steps of large-scale horse breeding occurred almost ...
Koch DW.Our understanding of tendon homeostasis and repair following injury has made great strides through basic science, clinical veterinary medicine, and preclinical translational research. We have now gleaned a greater understanding of the cellular and matrix dynamics that are being orchestrated within the tendon, which provide therapeutic opportunities. This article will focus on how utilizing the horse and equine tissues have advanced our understanding of tendinopathy and the cellular and matrix dynamics at play while also identifying continued gaps in our knowledge where the horse as a veterinar...
Thornton JJ, Roberts JF, AuCoin DP, Tuanyok A.We report a presumptive case of melioidosis caused by an atypical Burkholderia pseudomallei serotype in an American quarter horse in north-central Florida, USA, through archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens dating back to 2006. This case underscores the potential pathologic impact of emergent B. pseudomallei in the Gulf region of the United States.
Oliveira Filho RB, Campos Malta K, Assis Santana VL, Vance Harrop MH, Tancler Stipp D, Friguglietti Brandespim D, Aparecido Mota R....The present study, the first to spatially characterize Leptospira spp. infection among equids in the Brejo Paraibano micro-region of the Paraiba state in the northeast of Brazil, investigated 257 animals in 26 farms properties. Serum samples from 204 horses, 46 mules and seven donkeys were serologically diagnosed using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). The distribution of Leptospira spp. was studied by employing specific antigens from 24 different Leptospira serovars. All farms were georeferenced and their distribution visualised on a map of the Brejo Paraibano micro-region. In additio...
Lyons ET, Tolliver SC, Drudge JH, Swerczek TW, Crowe MW.Prevalence of natural infections of the lungworm, Dictyocaulus arnfieldi, was investigated in Kentucky in 5,437 live equids (horses, ponies, and asses) on 91 farms by examination of fecal samples over a 15-month-period from January 28, 1983 to April 19, 1984. For the 91 farms investigated, asses only were examined on 1 farm; for the other 90 farms, examinations were made of horses on all of them, of ponies on 4 farms, and of asses on 9 farms. Larvae of D arnfieldi were found in fecal samples of 112 (2%) of 5,379 horses on the 90 farms of which 38% had greater than or equal to 1 infected animal...
Makowiecki D, Chudziak W, Szczepanik P, Janeczek M, Pasicka E.Knowledge about horses from early medieval (10th-13th c.) Poland has been largely based on historical and archaeological data. Archaeozoological information has only been used to a limited extent. Therefore, this article aims to present the current state of knowledge on this subject, drawing on archaeozoological data from studies of horse bones. Apart from confirming earlier reflections regarding the sacred significance of the horse, additional information was obtained about specific individuals who were the subject of magical treatments. It turned out that sites with horse skeletons and skull...
Yılgör Çırak V, Girişgin AO.Significant numbers of parasites such as protozoa, helminths and arthropods infest equids. Various investigations have been conducted in Turkey to detect these parasites. In this review, all parasites reported in horses, donkeys and mules have been listed. A total of 62, 52 and 21 helminths were recorded in horses, donkeys and mules, respectively. As protozoan parasites, 13 species were detected both in horses and donkeys, and 3 in mules. With regard to arthropods, 40, 23 and 6 species were detected in horses, donkeys and mules, respectively. In the recent years, various molecular diagnostic m...
Wnuk M, Oklejewicz B, Lewinska A, Zabek T, Bartosz G, Slota E, Bugno-Poniewierska M.The fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique is widely used in animal cytogenetics. Contrary to FISH procedure, primed in situ DNA synthesis (PRINS) does not require the DNA probe preparation (design, synthesis, gel purification of PCR products and labeling). The PRINS method with primers used as 'DNA probes' is both PCR-sensitive and allows for chromosomal localization of DNA sequences. Here, we show the application of PRINS reaction with one unlabeled oligonucleotide pair to identify 18S rDNA loci in three different animal species: domestic pig (Sus scrofa), red fox (Vulpes vulpes...
Patterson SD, Bell K, Manton VJ.A detailed biochemical characterization of four of the five previously described alleles of the plasma protease inhibitor (Pi) system of Equus przewalskii was performed using both one- and two-dimensional electrophoretic techniques. The proteins have been characterized in terms of isoelectric point, relative molecular mass, inhibitory activity to bovine trypsin and chymotrypsin, immunochemical cross-reactivity, terminal sialic acid content and enzyme:inhibitor complex formation and the oxidation sensitivity of this interaction. Using these functional criteria, only three loci (Spi 1, 2 and 3) ...
Nakashima M, Noda H, Hasegaea M, Ikai A.We studied the oxygenation of mammalian hemoglobins: mouse (Mus musculus molossinus), rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus), Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata), man (Homo sapiens), sheep (Ovis aries), llama (Lama glama), pig (Sus scrofa domesticus), cow (Bos taurus domesticus) and horse (Equus caballus), in the absence of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) and compared their oxygen affinity in relation to the body weight. The negative correlation between body weight and the oxygen affinity of the whole blood, observed by Schmidt-Nielsen and Larimer (1958), was not observed in the absence of DPG. O...
Smith RM, Kotzé A, Grobler JP, Dalton DL.Toll-like receptors (TLR) are a family of proteins that signal activation of the innate immune response through the recognition of a variety of pathogen molecular compounds. Here, we characterized the complete TLR9 gene in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) from three populations in South Africa and compared sequences to a variety of horse and donkey breeds. Overall, we identified six single nucleotide polymorpHisms (SNPs). A single SNP (G586S) was non-synonymous, whereas the remaining SNPs were synonymous. The G586S alteration was detected in Cape mountain zebra populations with varying ...
Art T, Desmecht D, Amory H, Lekeux P.In order to facilitate lung auscultation, a transitory hyperpnea may be obtained by lobeline administration, use of a rebreathing bag or exercise. The effect of these three methods on the pulmonary function were studied and compared in 5 healthy ponies. Respiratory airflow and tidal volume were measured with a pneumotachograph Nr. 5 and pleural pressure with the esophageal balloon catheter technique. Pulmonary function values were measured before, during and after the hyperpnea induced by (i) lobeline, (ii) rebreathing and (iii) exercise. Lobeline administration induced an hyperpnea due to bot...
Newlyn HA, Collins SN, Cope BC, Hopegood L, Latham RJ, Reilly JD.A finite element model of donkey hoof wall was constructed from measurements taken directly from the hoof capsule of the left forefoot. The model was created with a 2 mm mesh and consisted of 11,608 nodes. A linear elastic analysis was conducted assuming isotropic material properties in response to a 375 newton (N) load, to simulate static loading. The load was applied to the wall via 400 laminae in order to simulate the way in which the pedal bone is suspended within the donkey hoof capsule. Displacement, stress concentration, principal strain, and force distribution across the hoof wall were...
Kirby AT, Traub-Dargatz JL, Hill AE, Kogan LR, Morley PS, Heird JC.To develop a questionnaire for self-assessment of biosecurity practices at equine boarding facilities and to evaluate infectious disease control practices in these facilities in Colorado. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: 64 equine boarding facilities in Colorado. Methods: Survey questions were rated according to importance for prevention and containment of equine infectious diseases. Point values (range, 0 to 20) were assigned for possible responses, with greater values given for optimal infection control methods. Questionnaires were mailed to equine boarding facilities in Colorado adv...
Górecka-Bruzda A, Jaworska J, Siemieniuch M, Jaworski Z, Stanley CR, Wocławek-Potocka I, Lansade L.Equine reproductive behavior is affected by many factors, some remaining poorly understood. This study tested the hypothesis that a period of captivity during the juvenile period and human-controlled reproduction may potentially be involved in the disruption of the development of incestuous mating avoidance behavior in sanctuary-reintroduced male Konik polski horses. Between 1986 and 2000, cases of incestuous behavior in harem stallions born and reared until weaning in the sanctuary were studied. Eight males lived in the sanctuary's feral herd for the rest of their lives (the non-captive group...
Sasaki M, Hayashi Y, Koie H, Yamaya Y, Kimura J, Manglai D, Kawashima S, Endo H, Yamamoto M.The domestic horse (Equus caballus) have the large symmetrical guttural pouches (the auditory tube diverticulum) formed by saccate bulge of the auditory tube. In this study, CT examination was carried out in the head of Przewalski's horse (Equus przewalskii), the only true wild horse living at present. As results of the examination, Przewalski's horse possessed the large symmetrical guttural pouches divided into medial and lateral compartments by the stylohyoid bone. Moreover, the right and left guttural pouches meet each other at the median part to form a thin septum. As CT sections get close...
Julien MA, Rivals F, Serangeli J, Bocherens H, Conard NJ.It is often difficult to differentiate between archaeological bonebeds formed by one event such as a mass kill of a single herd, and those formed by multiple events that occurred over a longer period of time. The application of high temporal resolution studies such as intra-tooth isotopic profiles on archaeological mammal cohorts offers new possibilities for exploring this issue, allowing investigators to decipher between single and multiple accumulation events. We examined (18)O and (13)C isotopic variations from the enamel carbonate of 23 horse third molars from the Middle Pleistocene archae...
Wilson RT.Equines are minor species in Tanzania's array of domestic livestock. Attempts to use them for transport by early explorers from the mid-nineteenth century usually failed. Donkeys were used extensively as pack animals to complement human porters by both British and German forces in the First World War, but their advantages were often outweighed by slow progress and competition with troops and porters for water, and they died in huge numbers. The British had regular cavalry troops in their campaign and mules found limited use as individual mounts for officers. In modern times, there are very few...
Lane VM, Merritt AM.In 4 healthy horses and 1 Welsh pony, fractional renal excretions of phosphorus (FEp) determined from 9 hourly time collections taken over a 24-hour period were compared to assess whether a single-sample collection would be an accurate indicator of the daily FEp. The mean FEp for each animal varied from 0.115% to 0.302%; the 2 animals with the highest values were significantly different (P less than 0.05) from the 3 with the lowest values. Individual variation within animals was not great, however, because it was calculated that the 24-hour FEp value could be found within +/- 0.087% of the sin...
McLean R, Rash NL, Robinson C, Waller AS, Paillot R.Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) is the causative agent of strangles, a highly contagious upper respiratory disease of equids. Streptococcus equi produces superantigens (sAgs), which are thought to contribute to strangles pathogenicity through non-specific T-cell activation and pro-inflammatory response. Streptococcus equi infection induces abscesses in the lymph nodes of the head and neck. In some individuals, some abscess material remains into the guttural pouch and inspissates over time to form chondroids which can harbour live S. equi. The aim of this study was to determine...
Lubow BC, Ransom JI.Reliably estimating wildlife abundance is fundamental to effective management. Aerial surveys are one of the only spatially robust tools for estimating large mammal populations, but statistical sampling methods are required to address detection biases that affect accuracy and precision of the estimates. Although various methods for correcting aerial survey bias are employed on large mammal species around the world, these have rarely been rigorously validated. Several populations of feral horses (Equus caballus) in the western United States have been intensively studied, resulting in identifica...
Jastrzębska E, Sadowska J, Wnuk-Pawlak E, Różańska-Boczula M, Janczarek I.This study aimed at assessing the behaviour of Konik geldings and mares, kept in a stable and in a free-range system, during behavioural tests regarded as a determinant of the exploration urge. A total of 19 Konik horses kept in individual stables and in a free-range system were included in the study. The experiment was conducted in five phases separated by five-day breaks. A one-stage passive human test was performed during the first phase, a three-stage active human test-2nd phase, a three-stage unknown object test-3rd phase, a two-stage unknown surface test-4th phase, and a one-stage test o...
Oliveira SN, Segabinazzi LGTM, Canuto L, Lisboa FP, Medrado FE, Dell'Aqua JA, Aguiar AJA, Papa FO.The goal of this study was to compare the efficiency of histrelin acetate (GnRH analog) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to hasten ovulation in Brazilian Northeastern jennies (Equus africanus asinus). Thirty cycles of ten jennies were randomly assigned in one of the three groups: G0 (control group), saline; G1, 250 μg of histrelin acetate; G2, 2500 IU of hCG. Jennies were evaluated by transrectal palpation and ultrasonography, and had the administration of an ovulation-inducing agent when a follicle measuring between 29 and 32 mm of diameter was diagnosed. Jennies were monitored every...
Jaworski K, Pankiewicz A, Chrószcz A, Poradowski D.The following article concerns the functional use of horse bones in the early Middle Ages (mainly in the period from the mid of the 10th to the 12th/13th century). The authors try to explain how such remains were used and how common it was. It is also discussed whether the special role of the horse in medieval societies somehow restricted its post-mortem usage, or perhaps there was no difference between the skeletal remains of horses and other species in this regard. For this purpose, statistical calculations on the use of the bones of various mammals were made. Only the remains of the species...
Muylle S, Simoens P, Lauwers H.The evolution of the healing process of venous puncture wounds was studied macroscopically and light-microscopically in order to determine the time of venipuncture. Seven small equids of various ages, all in normal healthy condition, were experimentally injected in the external jugular vein with a physiological Hartmann solution at different times before euthanasia. Two types of needle diameters i.e. 16.5 G and 19 G, were used. A fairly good uniformity in the healing process was seen in the 7 animals. In most cases the lesions induced within 5 weeks before death were macroscopically visible, w...
Bio SystemsFebruary 27, 2023
Volume 225 104871 doi: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2023.104871
Bhattacharjee S.Adaptations in equine limbs, including fusion of its bones, such as the metapodials II and IV (splint bones) with metapodial III (cannon bone), have been debated. It is argued that cursorial adaptations in equine limbs with a progressive reduction in the number of digits lighten up the limbs and facilitate fast running. Similar fusions in other bones, such as the radius and ulna, tend to exhibit similar traits. For example, the fusion often occurs in a disto-proximal direction while leaving sharp ridges. This article proposes a model to understand the biomechanical advantages that a fused symm...
