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Topic:Equine Health
Equine health encompasses the study and management of diseases, disorders, and overall well-being of horses. It involves understanding various physiological systems, preventive care, and treatment strategies to maintain optimal health in equine populations. Common areas of focus include nutrition, infectious diseases, orthopedic conditions, and reproductive health. Research in equine health aims to advance knowledge on diagnostic methods, therapeutic interventions, and management practices that improve horse welfare and performance. This page collects peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the diverse aspects of equine health, offering insights into current findings and advancements in the field.
Rabies DNA vaccine in the horse: strategies to improve serological responses. In order for DNA vaccines to become a practical alternative to conventional vaccines their ability to induce antibody responses in large mammals needs to be improved. We used DNA vaccination against rabies in the horse as a model to test the potential of two different strategies to enhance antibody responses in a large mammalian species. The administration of the DNA vaccine in the presence of aluminum phosphate improved both the onset and the intensity of serological responses but was not potent enough to achieve seroconversion in all vaccinated ponies. However, when the DNA vaccine was formu...
Form and function of the equine digit. The list of possible diagnoses derived from matching anatomic structures or tissues to pathologic processes is inevitably broad in nature. Understanding and observation of distal limb function, conformation, and balance is the basis of identifying where the greatest abnormal stresses within the distal limb are likely to occur. This is key to focusing the diagnostic process and, in some instances, to treating the horse when a definitive diagnosis cannot be achieved.
Foot management in the foal and weanling. Foot management and hoof care of foals, weanlings, and yearlings tends to be considered a specialist job. Many farriers and veterinary surgeons have little exposure to young and growing stock. Nevertheless, a variety of angular and flexural limb deformities can benefit from simple podiatry techniques, which can be performed provided that a few basic rules are followed. The combined skills of the farrier and veterinary surgeon offer many young horses with angular or flexural limb deformities a chance of a future athletic career.
Chronic laminitis: current treatment strategies. Laminitis is divided into four different phases: developmental, acute, subacute, and chronic. The focus of this article is on treating the laminitic horse after the cessation of therapy for the acute phase, that is, usually 2 to 4 weeks after the onset of clinical signs.
Natural balance trimming and shoeing: its theory and application. The principles and techniques of natural balance trimming and shoeing are designed to optimize the efficiency and function of the foot. The basic guidelines have evolved in part from wild horse hoof imprint studies done in 1986 through 1987 and first presented in 1995. Further research has contributed to these principles and guidelines to make them applicable to domestic horses.
Radiographic imaging of the equine foot. Radiographic examination of the equine foot can provide the veterinarian and farrier with a wealth of information. Positioning and selection of exposure factors are of central importance if one is to produce radiographs of maximum diagnostic value.
Hoof wall defects: chronic hoof wall separations and hoof wall cracks. Hoof wall defects in horses are common occurrences, and, fortunately, many of those detected present little or no danger to the individual horse. Those defects that are either presently a problem or have a great likelihood of being a problem do often require specialized consideration. Horse shoeing and farriery are ancient practices; over the years, a multitude of methods, theories, and management schemes have been proposed. It is unfortunate to note that few studies are available to provide an accurate incidence rate, a better understanding of the various causes, and, lastly, a comparative ap...
Hoof wall surgery in the horse: approaches to and underlying disorders. Because of the hoof capsule, surgery of the equine foot is often perceived to be quite difficult. Knowledge of the specific disease entities that require surgical intervention as well as an in-depth understanding of the anatomy of the tissues beneath the hoof capsule is a definite prerequisite to successful surgical treatment. This article details the surgical approaches used to treat septic navicular bursitis, septic pedal osteitis, infection of the collateral cartilages, and keratomas. The principles used to treat these conditions can be applied to a variety of other conditions for which acc...
Hoof repair and glue-on shoe adhesive technology. There are many different commercially available hoof repair/adhesive products. The application of these products in the treatment of various foot conditions is continuing to evolve based on sound medical and farriery principles as well as imagination. Successful application of these products depends largely on using proper hoof wall preparation and adhesive application techniques. Success also depends on a realistic expectation of the final outcome when accounting for the physical limitations of the adhesive products and the underlying hoof problem. Our results with these techniques have been ...
Examination of the equine foot. The examination of the foot must be based on observations of the hoof, followed by a careful determination of areas of pain. This must be followed by an assessment of the biomechanical forces on the hoof and limb. Finally, imaging gives insight into the nature of the injury and allows the examiner to prognosticate the outcome.
The role and importance of farriery in equine veterinary practice. There is a lot of room for us to become the central source of medical information regarding shoeing and lameness in our own practice area. This takes a good bit of effort and a real "outreach" to client and farrier. It can be done with the one tool we are best at--the acquisition and careful dispensing of information that we can put together regarding the health of the foot. Such information includes the following: 1. Radiographically guided hoof trimming and shoeing. 2. Ultrasonography. 3. Digital radiography. 4. Thermography. 5. Nutritional and health counseling. Become the "local" expert in...
Rhodococcus equi secreted antigens are immunogenic and stimulate a type 1 recall response in the lungs of horses immune to R. equi infection. Rhodococcus equi is an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised humans and an important primary pathogen in young horses. Although R. equi infection can produce life-threatening pyogranulomatous pneumonia, most foals develop a protective immune response that lasts throughout life. The antigen targets of this protective response are currently unknown; however, Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a closely related intracellular pathogen and provides a model system. Based on previous studies of M. tuberculosis protective antigens released into culture filtrate supernatant (CFS), a bacterial growth s...
Structural changes in loaded equine tendons can be monitored by a novel spectroscopic technique. This study aimed to investigate the preferential collagen fibril alignment in unloaded and loaded tendons using elastic scattering spectroscopy. The device consisted of an optical probe, a pulsed light source (320-860 nm), a spectrometer and a PC. Two probes with either 2.75 mm or 300 microm source-detector separations were used to monitor deep and superficial layers, respectively. Equine superficial digital flexor tendons were subjected to ex vivo progressive tensional loading. Seven times more backscattered light was detected parallel rather than perpendicular to the tendon axis with the 2.7...
Long-term follow-up of manipulative treatment in a horse with back problems. In order to objectively quantify the effect of manipulation on back-related locomotion anomalies in the horse, a recently developed kinematic measuring technique for the objective quantification of thoracolumbar motion in the horse was applied in a dressage horse that was suffering from a back problem. In this horse, clinically, a right-convex bending (scoliosis) from the 10th thoracic vertebra to the second lumbar vertebra was diagnosed. As a result, there was a marked asymmetric movement of the thoracolumbar spine. Functionally, there was severe loss of performance. Thoracolumbar motion was ...
Comparison of perioperative versus postoperative intratumoral administration of cisplatin for treatment of cutaneous sarcoids and squamous cell carcinomas in horses. To determine the benefits of reducing the interval between surgical cytoreduction and intratumoral administration of cisplatin. Methods: Randomized clinical study. Methods: 70 horses with 89 incompletely resected T2- and T3-stage sarcoids (n = 64) and squamous cell carcinomas (25). Methods: Horses were given 4 intratumoral treatments of cisplatin at 2-week intervals. The first treatment was given at the time of, or immediately after, surgical resection for horses treated in accordance with the perioperative protocol (group 1). Horses in group 2 were treated with cisplatin after the skin healed...
Empyema of the guttural pouch (auditory tube diverticulum) in horses: 91 cases (1977-1997). To identify features of guttural pouch (auditory tube diverticulum) empyema in horses and compare findings of uncomplicated guttural pouch empyema with guttural pouch empyema complicated by chondroids. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 91 horses with guttural pouch empyema. Methods: Medical records of horses with guttural pouch empyema were reviewed. Results: The most common owner complaint and abnormal finding was persistent nasal discharge. Chondroids were detected in 21% (19/91) of affected horses. Streptococcus equi was isolated from the guttural pouch in 14 of 44 horses; for Streptoc...
Clinical and pathologic findings in two draft horses with progressive muscle atrophy, neuromuscular weakness, and abnormal gait characteristic of shivers syndrome. Two Belgian geldings, 4 and 14 years old, respectively, with muscle atrophy, weakness, and abnormal gait characteristic of severe advanced shivers were examined clinically and on necropsy. Neurologic examination revealed no evidence of ataxia, and the clinical diagnosis was neuromuscular weakness and shivers. Necropsies of both horses, including examination of pituitary, brain, spinal cord, spinal roots and ganglia, and peripheral nerves, revealed no gross or histologic abnormalities. Examination of multiple skeletal muscle specimens revealed chronic myopathic changes and periodic acid-Schiff ...
Usefulness of aerobic microbial culture and cytologic evaluation of corneal specimens in the diagnosis of infectious ulcerative keratitis in animals. To determine the diagnostic value of aerobic microbial culture and cytologic evaluation of corneal specimens in the diagnosis of infectious ulcerative keratitis (IUK). Methods: Prospective study. Methods: 48 animals (26 dogs, 13 horses, 7 cats, 1 bird, and 1 llama) with corneal ulcers. Methods: Scrapings from corneal ulcers were examined cytologically. Corneal swab specimens were submitted for microbial culture. Animals were grouped according to whether they had been receiving antimicrobials at the time of admission. Results: Of the 38 animals receiving antimicrobials, 19 had positive results ...
Healing characteristics of deep digital flexor tenorrhaphy within the digital sheath of horses. To describe the healing characteristics of deep digital flexor tenorrhaphy within the digital sheath. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Five mature horses. Methods: Right thoracic limb, deep digital flexor tenorrhaphy was performed within the digital sheath. Limbs were cast in partial flexion using a short limb cast for 6 weeks. Next, extended heel shoes were used for limb support for 14 weeks. Healing was evaluated by sequential ultrasonographic examinations, and limb use was evaluated by force plate analysis. At 26 weeks, mechanical strength and morphologic characteristics of the repair ...
An in vivo equine forelimb model for short-term recording of peak isometric force in the superficial and deep digital flexor muscles. To develop and test an experimental model for in vivo short-term recording of peak isometric forces of the digital flexor muscles in the forelimb of adult horses. Methods: In vivo experimental study. Methods: Four healthy, anesthetized, adult Thoroughbred horses (3 to 7 years old; 527 +/- 87 kg) Methods: In dorsal recumbency, ulnar and median nerves were exposed and instrumented with insulated bipolar cuff stimulation electrodes for later connection to an electrical stimulator. In left lateral recumbency, a biplanar fixator was applied to the right humerus and a custom-made, rigid, aluminum fr...
Scapulohumeral arthrodesis in miniature horses. To describe surgical arthrodesis of the scapulohumeral joint and to evaluate its efficacy in reducing morbidity associated with severe shoulder dysfunction in miniature horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Four miniature horses. Methods: Medical records and radiographs were reviewed for history, physical examination findings, lameness evaluation, radiographic evaluation, surgical techniques, postoperative complications, and outcome. A 10- or 11-hole, 4.5-mm narrow dynamic compression plate and 4.5-mm cortical screws were applied to the cranial surface of the scapula and cranial surfa...
The variations of white blood cell count in Lipizzan horses. Total and differential leucocyte counts (lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils) were measured in 140 stallions, 101 mares and 25 foals of Lipizzan breed. The values fell in the normal ranges for warm-blooded horses. Differences between mares and stallions were not significant with the exception of foals, having higher white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and basophil values in females than in males. Foals exhibited an age-related increase of total leucocyte count during the first 4 months of life, accompanied by a decrease in neutrophil and increase in ly...
In vitro comparison of equine cancellous bone graft donor sites and tibial periosteum as sources of viable osteoprogenitors. To compare the osteogenic potential of cancellous bone of conventional graft sites with that of one nonconventional site (fourth coccygeal vertebra) and to investigate the tibial periosteum as a donor site with respect to osteogenic potential. Methods: In vitro osteogenic cell culture system. Methods: Eight adult horses. Methods: Cancellous bone or tibial periosteum was aseptically collected and cut into bone chips or periosteal strips of 1 to 2 mm(3) for primary explant cultures. After 2 weeks, primary tissue cultures that yielded a population of osteogenic cells were counted and subcultured ...
Experimental analysis of error sources in fibre type counts of biopsies in horses. The contribution to total variance of different error sources in fibre type counts of equine gluteus medius muscle biopsies was determined to quantify and possibly improve the resolution of the method. Fibre types were defined on the basis of myosin heavy chain immunostaining. Errors were determined at levels: (1) positioning the insertion channel, (2) positioning the needle tip (3) biopsy heterogeneity (4) observer interpretation. Errors at levels 1 and 2 were considerable. Confidence intervals for individual observations were +/- 10-15%. In longitudinal studies a group size of 4 animals is n...
A low-level X chromosome mosaicism in mares, detected by chromosome painting. Fluorescence in situ hybridization with the use of the equine X whole chromosome painting probe was carried out on chromosome spreads originating from three mares with poor reproductive performance (infertility, miscarriage or stillbirth). The numbers of analysed spreads were high (105, 300 and 480) and in all three mares a low frequency of mosaicism was identified. The mares had the following karyotypes: 64,XX/63,X/65,XXX (93.6%/5.7%/0.7%), 64,XX/63,X (98.9%/1.1%) and 64,XX/63,X (94.3%/5.7%). The incidence and importance of the low percentage X chromosome mosaicism are discussed.
[Bacteriological findings for endodontical and apical molar dental diseases in the horse]. In most cases the diagnosis of any molar dental disease in horses is made at an advanced stage, so that permanent restoration of the diseased teeth is not feasible. Complications such as bacteraemia and septicaemia due to infections as a result of dentogenous sinusitis and following dentosurgical procedures have been described in human medicine and in veterinary medicine. Twenty patients were available for examination from the Clinic for Horses of the School of Veterinary Medicine Hannover with molar dental disease in upper or lower jaw. As a result of this disease the infected tooth had to be...
Recovery of live immature cyathostome larvae from the faeces of horses by Baermann technique. It was demonstrated in the present study that a simple Baermann technique using disposable materials, was successful in detecting living, motile cyathostome larvae in the faeces of horses.
