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.
McNeill-Wiest DR, Thompson DL, Wiest JJ.Twelve long-term ovariectomized (OVX) pony mares were used to determine the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) or progesterone (PR) on concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in daily blood samples and after administration of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). All mares were subsequently administered dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to determine if DEX or PR treatment altered the FSH or LH response to this androgen. Daily blood sampling was started on day 1. After a pretreatment injection of GnRH on day 5, four mares were administered DEX at 125 micrograms/kg...
Bonfig H.The purpose of this detailed description of the clinical examination of the colic patient is to arrive at a specific diagnosis. However, this is hardly ever possible, but the practitioner should be in the position to establish the suspicion of an intestinal obstruction or to rule out its presence during the course of the development. Single clinical findings should not be interpreted in isolation but in relation to one another, so that a false diagnosis is not made. All clinical findings should be documented, so that when repeated examinations are carried out, findings can be compared with one...
Swanson CR, Muir WW.The influence of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on the alveolar-arterial O2 tension difference [P(A-a)O2], physiologic right-to-left shunt fraction, physiologic dead space-to-tidal volume ratio, and hemodynamic variables was studied in halothane-anesthetized horses maintained in dorsal recumbency during controlled ventilation. Dobutamine was used to minimize the adverse cardiovascular consequences of PEEP. Six adult horses were anesthetized, using xylazine (2.2 mg/kg of body weight, IM), guaifenesin (50 mg/kg, IV), thiamylal Na (4.4 mg/kg, IV), and halothane (1.5 to 2% inspired) in 10...
Jernigan AD, Wilson RC, Booth NH, Hatch RC, Akbari A.In steers, horses and dogs, the comparative pharmacokinetics of yohimbine were determined using model-independent analysis. The intravenous dose of yohimbine was 0.25 mg/kg of body weight in steers, 0.075 or 0.15 mg/kg in horses, and 0.4 mg/kg in dogs. The mean residence time (+/- SD) of yohimbine was 86.7 +/- 46.2 min in steers, 106.2 +/- 72.1 to 118.7 +/- 35.0 min in horses, and 163.6 +/- 49.7 min in dogs. The mean apparent volume of distribution of yohimbine at steady state was 4.9 +/- 1.4 L/kg for steers, 2.7 +/- 1.0 to 4.6 +/- 1.9 L/kg for horses, and 4.5 +/- 1.8 L/kg for dogs. The total ...
Sojka JE, Adams SB, Lamar CH, Eller LL.Effect of butorphanol, pentazocine, meperidine, and metoclopramide on jejunal and pelvic flexure myoelectric and mechanical activity in 4 female ponies was investigated. The agent to be tested or saline solution was administered IV at the start of a 6-hour recording trial. In the jejunum, duration between activity fronts of regular spiking activity, defined as the length of the migrating myoelectric complex (MMC), was measured. The average duration of the MMC during control trials was 150 +/- 46 minutes. The average duration of the MMC after meperidine, butorphanol, pentazocine, and metoclopra...
Adams SB.Ileus may occur in horses of all ages secondarily to drug administration, colic, exhaustion, peritonitis, or metabolic disorders. Ileus most commonly occurs following abdominal surgery for colic and is a significant cause of postoperative mortality in these horses. The most common clinical signs of ileus are decreased or absent intestinal sounds and gastric reflux. Ileus is treated by eliminating the initiating causes, correcting metabolic imbalances, decompressing distended bowel, providing analgesia, stimulating motility with drugs, and regulating exercise and feed and water intake.
Pfeiffer CJ, Spurlock S, Ball M.Pemphigus foliaceus is an uncommon dermatologic disorder occurring in several species and has been reported in horses during the past decade. An ultrastructural analysis of affected skin of horses presenting to our clinics has revealed early cytopathologic features of pemphigus-like disease, some of which closely resemble pemphigus foliaceus in the human, calve, and guinea pig. Prior to complete acantholysis and bullae formation, the intercellular spaces enlarged, but intercellular bridges and desmosomes remained intact. A novel finding was presence of aggregates of electron dense granular mat...
Hurtig MB, Livesey MA.Two horses were examined because of chronic lameness, which followed arthroscopy in one case, and tendon sheath lavage in a second case. Clinical investigations linked both cases to the use of irrigating fluids containing preservatives. The clinical signs were reproduced in a Shetland pony by injection and lavage of the carpal joints with the same fluid. Lameness was slow in onset and accompanied by profound periarticular fibrosis. Postmortem examination confirmed the presence of a severe, erosive, noninfectious arthritis that may have an immune-mediated component. Clinicians should read produ...
Barker BB, Stannard AA, Maibach HI.Epidermal cell labeling index and cell renewal time were estimated in 8 adult horses, using autoradiography after [3H]thymidine was given intradermally. The mean labeling index was 1.45 +/- 0.47%, and the mean cell renewal time of the viable epidermis was approximately 17 days.
Markel MD, Nunamaker DM, Wheat JD, Sams AE.The stiffness, load to failure, and bending moments of adult intact equine humeri and humeri repaired with 3 fixation techniques were determined in vitro. Bones were tested in axial compression (30 pairs), mediolateral 3-point bending (15 pairs), and caudocranial 3-point bending (15 pairs). An oblique osteotomy of 1 humerus of each pair was performed to simulate the long spiral oblique fractures that occur clinically in horses. Bones were repaired in 3 ways: group 1--nylon band cerclage fixation (20 bones); group 2--multiple intramedullary pinning (20 bones); and group 3--nylon band cerclage f...
Murray MJ, Parker GA, White NA.A 6-month-old Clydesdale filly had chronic abdominal distention and intermittent febrile episodes. Abdominal surgery revealed impaction of the right dorsal colon, which was relieved by evacuation of contents through an enterotomy. Four days after surgery, abdominal distention recurred and progressed. The filly was euthanatized. Necropsy revealed the right dorsal colon to be markedly distended with digesta. Microscopically, there was a marked reduction in myenteric ganglion cells in the right dorsal colon and cecum and mild to moderate reduction of myenteric ganglion cells in the left ventral a...
Stott ML, Osburn BI.Long-term equine lymphocyte cultures were initiated and maintained in continuous culture with medium containing recombinant human interleukin-2. Cultures were successfully maintained with lectin activation signals and recombinant human interleukin-2 or with recombinant human interleukin-2 alone. All cell cultures that were characterized had a T-lymphocyte phenotype and had lectin-dependent or -independent cytotoxicity directed to various cell types. These findings demonstrate that long-term equine T-lymphocytes cultures can be initiated and maintained easily.
Lloyd KC, Koblik P, Ragle C, Wheat JD, Lakritz J.In 4 adult horses, simple, nondisplaced, incomplete fracture of the proximal extremity of the third metacarpal bone (MC3) was identified radiographically only on the dorsopalmar projection. Lameness was slight to moderate. Although nerve blocks of the foot and fetlock did not alter the lameness, high palmar regional nerve block improved the gait in 1 of the 2 horses on which it was performed. Pain on palpation or swollen distal accessory (inferior check) ligament, flexor tendons, and suspensory ligament were not found in any horse. The fracture was localized to the palmar surface of the proxim...
Sairam MR, Yarney TA, Bhargavi GN, Sanford LM.A membrane preparation from the testis of maturing Dorset-Leicester-Suffolk sheep, capable of discriminating pituitary LH (lutropin) from placental gonadotropins human choriogonadotropin (hCG) and equine choriogonadotropin is described. Maximum binding of 125I-oLH (ovine lutropin) to the testicular receptors occurred at 4 degrees C in a rapid manner, attaining equilibrium in 12-16 h. Under such optimal conditions, only unlabeled ovine LH or the structurally identical bovine LH effectively competed for receptor occupation. Other highly purified pituitary LH preparations from rat and human pitui...
Johansson J, von Bahr-Lindström H, Jeck R, Woenckhaus C, Jörnvall H.The primary structure of the mitochondrial form of horse liver aldehyde dehydrogenase has been determined, utilizing peptide analyses and homology with other enzyme forms. The subunit exhibits N-terminal heterogeneity in size similar to that for the corresponding human mitochondrial protein, the longest form having 500 residues. Catalase was identified as a contaminant of the preparations. All four pairs within a set of aldehyde dehydrogenases can now be compared, including the same two species variants (horse and human) for both the cytosolic and mitochondrial enzyme, revealing characteristic...
Manohar M, Goetz TE, Holste LC, Nganwa D.Diaphragmatic O2 and lactate extraction were studied in 10 healthy ponies at rest and during treadmill exercise. The phrenic vein was aseptically catheterized via a lateral thoracotomy 8-35 days before the study. Arterial and phrenic venous blood samples were obtained simultaneously at rest and at 30-s intervals during 4 min of exertion. Three levels of exertion were studied (moderate, 10 mi/h; heavy, 15 mi/h; maximal, 20 mi/h), and a rest period of at least 90 min was allowed between them. Each pony was studied twice at least 2-3 days apart. At rest the diaphragmatic venous PO2, O2 saturation...
Clarke LL, Ganjam VK, Fichtenbaum B, Hatfield D, Garner HE.The effect of feeding frequency and associated meal size on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in seven horses was examined. A daily maintenance ration of hay-grain pellets was provided either as a multiple feeding regimen (MF), in which the ration was divided into six equal portions fed at 4-h intervals, or as a single large feeding (SF) given from 9 A.M. until 11 A.M. Plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone (PAC), cortisol (PCC), protein concentration (TP), packed cell volume (PCV), and serum sodium and potassium were measured serially. To prevent significant RAAS stimulation d...
Muccioli G, Bellussi G, Ghé C, Pagnini G, Di Carlo R.The binding of 125I-labeled ovine prolactin (125I-oPRL) to membranes from different brain regions of pigeon, rabbit, rat, pig, calf, horse, and ewe was studied. The hypothalamus from rabbit, pig, horse, and pigeon showed a low but specific binding for 125I-oPRL clearly different from the other brain regions examined (cortex and cerebellum), whereas in the brain from rat, calf, and ewe the binding was very small and quite uniform in the various regions. Also the membranes from choroid plexus of rabbit, pig, calf, and horse showed an evident specific binding for prolactin. The binding of 125I-oP...
Honnas CM, Snyder JR, Meagher DM, Ragle CA.Traumatic disruption of the suspensory apparatus is a catastrophic injury in the horse. Although this injury has been described in the adult, little information is available in the foal. This paper describes 3 foals with metacarpophalangeal joint instability caused by traumatic disruption of the suspensory apparatus. Two foals had biaxial proximal sesamoid fractures in a single forelimb, and 1 foal had avulsion of the distal sesamoidean ligaments in 1 forelimb plus biaxial proximal sesamoid fractures in the other forelimb. The foals with single forelimb involvement were managed with splints, a...
Reinemeyer CR, Rohrbach BW.A weighted, random sample of 130 horse owners in Tennessee was selected from subscribers to an equine newsletter published by the Agricultural Extension Service. Data about the participants' farms, horses, parasite control practices, and sources of information regarding equine parasite control were obtained through a telephone survey. The response rate was 98%. The typical respondent kept 4 horses on 2 pastures totaling 15 acres, and did not rotate pastures as a parasite control measure. The majority (83%) of horse owners indicated that they administered anthelmintics according to a regular sc...
Kenney DW, Elsner RW, Franklin DL.Bood flow was measured in the external iliac artery of the
horse during standing and walking. The Franklin Doppler
blood flow-telemetry system was used in this study. The transducer was placed on the external iliac artery using a retroperitoneal approach through the vaginal wall.
Dowling BA, Dart AJ, Hodgson DR.A 2-week-old Miniature Horse foal was referred for evaluation and treatment of a luxated right tarsometatarsal joint. Treatment consisted of closed reduction and internal fixation using two partially threaded Steinmann pins placed in normograde fashion through the tuber calcis into the proximal third metatarsus. Traumatic luxation has been reported to occur in the tarsocrural, proximal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints within the equine tarsus. Treatment for luxation of the distal intertarsal joint has not been documented. The treatment method most commonly suggested for tarsal luxation i...
DE SALES JF, JANSEN J.Xenodiagnosis for habronemosis was 96,6% positive in 87 stud horses at Instituto Oswaldo Cuz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July-November, 1944. The A A. were unable to identify the Habronema larvae obtained from parasitider fly maggots. Measurements and drawings of the larvae are presented.
Klein WR, Rutten VP, Steerenberg PA, Ruitenberg EJ.Horses with sarcoids, cows with ocular squamous cell carcinoma and dogs with mammary tumors were treated with intralesional injection of Bacillus Calmette Guérin. This treatment appeared to be effective in most cases of equine sarcoids, in 50 - 60% of the cows with ocular squamous cell carcinoma and was not effective in dogs with mammary tumors.
van der Linde-Sipman JS, Goedegebuure SA, Kroneman J.In this article a description is given of the clinical and postmortem findings of a persistent right aortic arch in association with a persistent left ductus arteriosus and a ventricular septal defect in a horse.
of surveillance testing, April to June 2017International disease occurrence in the second quarter of 2017These are among matters discussed in the most recent quarterly equine disease surveillance report, prepared by Defra, the Animal Health Trust and the British Equine Veterinary Association.
de Souza Garcia AF, Ribeiro G, de Assis Arantes J, Reginato GM, Xavier NV, Carregaro AB, Silva TJF, Grigoletto R, de Freitas SH, Dória RGS.For horses requiring prolonged daily cephalic intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP), the use of a totally implantable catheter (TIC) could be indicated to reduce complications associated with frequent venipuncture or external catheterization. This study aims to evaluate the implantation technique of the TIC in the cephalic vein of horses for IVRLP, describe the complications associated with the device's placement and use, and assess its viability up to 60 days after implantation. Totally implantable catheters, cut to 15 cm (n = 5) and 46 cm (n = 5) in length, were implanted...
Behn C, Bostedt H.Under field conditions, the diagnosis of foal's diseases relies almost exclusively on the physical examination. As the signs of illness in the equine neonate are frequently vage and non-localizing, the diagnosis of diseases may be problematic. This often causes misinterpretations and leads to ineffective prophylaxis and treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of diagnostic ultrasonography of the foal's abdomen under field conditions to provide an optimized technique and to describe the normal findings. Diagnostic ultrasonography of the abdomen was performed after ob...
Tulleners EP.Fifty-seven Standardbred and 44 Thoroughbred racehorses and 1 Thoroughbred polo mare with primary clinical signs of exercise intolerance or respiratory tract noise or combined exercise intolerance and respiratory tract noise were referred for laser correction of epiglottic entrapment. Significantly (P less than 0.001) more Standardbred than Thoroughbred racehorses were affected, compared with the observed hospital population during the same period. At referral, 14 horses did not have evident epiglottic entrapment and were returned to exercise without development of entrapment after treatment, ...
Jaraiz MV, Rodriguez C, San Andres MD, Gonzalez F, San Andres MI.Suxibuzone (SBZ), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was administered to 6 horses at a dose rate of 7.5 mg/kg bwt by intravenous (i.v.) route. Plasma and synovial fluid concentrations of suxibuzone and its main active metabolites, phenylbutazone (PBZ) and oxyphenbutazone (OPBZ), were measured simultaneously by a sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatographic method. The pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by noncompartmental analysis. Plasma SBZ concentrations rapidly decreased and were not detectable beyond 20 min after treatment. The parent drug was not detected in...
Gaughan EM.An accurate and timely diagnosis of the systemic and local tissue influences of a wound are essential to target successful treatment measures and reach the best result for an affected horse. A complete physical examination should be completed for any wounded horse and appropriate systemic therapies instituted. Visual and manipulative examinations aid in the complete understanding of wounded tissues. Imaging and invasive diagnostic techniques also have value in determining the extent of a wound. Considering what tissues are involved from an inside-out perspective can assist in developing a comp...
Clutton RE, Chase-Topping M, Squires R, Lawson H, Minard H, Rose S.The dimensions of anaesthetised hobbled horses during suspension and transfer onto the operating table are unknown. These data are required for the cost-effective construction of equine surgical facilities. Objective: To measure the distance from the toe to dependent back margin (Bsusp) and poll (Psusp) of anaesthetised suspended horses and correlate them with readily obtained measures from standing animals. Methods: Digital photographs of suspended horses were taken in the anaesthesia induction box at a fixed position that allowed trigonometric determination of Bsusp and Psusp. These values w...