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.
Mermod L, Hoppeler H, Kayar SR, Straub R, Weibel ER.Muscle samples were taken from the superficial part of the semitendinosus muscle of four standardbred horses to compare the effects of three different fixation procedures on fiber size and capillarity. Infiltration fixation in an extended position of the muscle was compared to immersion fixation and infiltration fixation in a flexed position of the limb. The capillary length density was used to estimate muscle capillarity. Infiltration fixation was found to be a viable alternative to perfusion fixation of muscles for morphometry of fiber size and capillary length density allowing muscle tissue...
Cribb PH.Forty-five horses were maintained on halothane or isoflurane anesthesia for at least 90 minutes and received positive pressure ventilation after the first 30 minutes of anesthesia. Parameters monitored included end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (ETPCO2), arterial blood pressure, and arterial blood gases and pH. There was a statistically significant correlation between end-tidal carbon dioxide and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) for both halothane and isoflurane anesthesia. There was no significant correlation between end-tidal carbon dioxide and either body weigh...
Schorr G.Serum iron concentration and iron-binding capacity were determined in 34 respectively 35 clinically healthy horses of different sex, with the age of 3 to 21 years. In the Warm blooded horse, the Half bred, the Haflinger horse, the Heavy horse and the Arabian Haflinger the mean serum iron concentration amounted to 253 +/- 66 micrograms/dl, 202 +/- 87 micrograms/dl, 166 +/- 67 micrograms/dl, 183 micrograms/dl and 366 micrograms/dl, while the iron-binding capacity in the Warm blooded horse, the Half bred, the Haflinger horse, the Thoroughbred, the Heavy horse and the Arabian Haflinger ran up to 4...
Martínez R, Godoy A, Naretto E, White A.1. Packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma catecholamines, cortisol and glucose were determined in blood samples obtained from race horses, after competition. 2. All these parameters were higher than basals but catecholamines increased 6-7 times while cortisol was enhanced only by 25%. 3. The increase of glucose and PCV was related to the rise of catecholamines. 4. In samples withdrawn after overnight stress caused by change of horseshoes, it was not possible to find values from basal values significantly different. 5. Influence of nervous temperament was observed only in the higher hematocrit fou...
Bermudez V, Miller RB, Johnson W, Rosendal S, Ruhnke L.The growth of Mycoplasma equigenitalium and Mycoplasma subdolum from specimens collected from the clitoral fossa of each of four Standardbred mares was not diminished by freezing of the specimens in liquid nitrogen (-196 degrees C) for up to 30 days when compared to samples cultured immediately.
Kersjes AW, Bras GE, Németh F, van der Velden MA, Firth EC.This retrospective study presents the results of surgical treatment of obstructive colic in horses operated in the last decade (1976-1985). The overall short-term recovery rate (i.e. discharged from hospital) was 51% of cases presented for surgery, and 68% of cases which were considered to be amenable to surgical therapy. For long-term results (6 months-8 years follow up) these percentages must be reduced by about 15% due to mortality after discharge. Special attention has been given to surgery of the ileum, which is often involved in strangulation or obturation, and accounts for about 26% of ...
Erickson HH, Sexton WL, Erickson BK, Coffman JR.The recognition of the horse as a natural athlete has led to increased interest in equine sports medicine, exercise physiology, new training methods, and factors improving the performance of horses (Engelhardt, 1977; Milne et al., 1977; Bayly et al., 1983b; Persson et al., 1983). A considerable amount of research has been performed in recent years in order to describe the physiological responses of the horse to exercise and training (for reviews see Engelhardt, 1977; Physick-Sheard, 1985; Rose, 1985). Most of these studies, however, have examined the effects of acute exercise training rather t...
Angelos J, Oppenheim Y, Rebhun W, Mohammed H, Antczak DF.The relationship between breed and the risk of developing sarcoid tumours or uveitis of unknown etiology was evaluated in a retrospective study of 16242 equine cases admitted between 1975 and 1987 to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine Large Animal Hospital, and 3198 equine tissue samples sent to the New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory between 1977 and 1987. Of 120 sarcoid cases from the Large Animal Hospital, sarcoids were twice as likely to develop in Quarter Horses (odds ratio, OR = 1.8, P less than 0.05) relative to Thoroughbreds and less than half as likely to de...
Bostedt H.A clinical study about the effects of a beta 2-mimetic agent (Clenbuterol) in mares with pregnancy disorders or disorders during the periparturient period (n = 34) is reported. In general, a single dose of 0.3 mg Clenbuterol given i.v. induces sufficient tocolysis. Subsequent doses or follow-up treatment depend upon individual development during dystocia, indication of treatment and clinical preparturient status (dorsoflexio uteri ante partum, abortus imminens, preparturient labor pains).
Cabañes FJ, Abarca L, Bragulat MR, Bruguera T.A phaeohyphomycotic infection caused by Alternaria alternata is reported in a 5-month-old Spanish mare. The diagnosis was made by direct microscopic examination and by repeated isolation of the fungus in culture. This is the first documented case to be reported in Spain.
Fritsch R, Hausmann R.In 26 horses measurings of blood pressure, using the Dinamap 1255 research monitor, were performed and compared for accuracy with blood pressure values obtained by direct measurement in the arteria carotis. It was found that oscillometrically ascertained initial blood values in standing horses have a sufficient correlation to initial blood pressure values obtained by direct measurement. But every blood pressure change is registered too late, when using the oscillometric blood pressure apparatus. This temporal delay becomes unacceptable, when a considerable increase in blood pressure occurs. A ...
Hinrichs K, Sertich PL, Solorzano NM, Caldwell LA.An immediate, qualitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for progesterone was evaluated for use in determining the day of ovulation in an equine embryo transfer program. Plasma samples were collected from 27 mares from the third day of estrus to the second day of diestrus for 50 cycles. Ovulation was detected by ultrasound examination per rectum. Plasma progesterone concentrations were estimated using the qualitative assay to detect the time of the rise in progesterone after ovulation. Qualitative scores were compared to progesterone concentrations for the same samples as measured b...
Doran R, Allen D, Gordon B.Ovarian granulosa theca cell tumours were removed surgically in 10 mares. Stapling instruments were used to facilitate haemostasis of the ovarian pedicle in five out of 10 cases and as a sole method of haemostasis in the remaining five cases. Postoperative haemorrhage from the ovarian pedicle was suspected in only one case. All cases survived long term follow-up from six months to four years. Results from this series of cases indicate that stapling instruments provide a rapid, easy and efficient means of ligating ovarian pedicles when performing ovariectomy in the mare.
Landgren GL, Gillespie JR, Fedde MR, Jones BW, Pieschl RL, Wagner PD.We studied mechanisms of O2 transport in 6 adult (2-5 year old) horses at rest and during steady-state exercise on a treadmill (0% slope) at 12 m/s (a submaximal gallop). Oxygen consumption was measured using an open-flow system. Arterial and mixed venous blood samples were simultaneously obtained for measurement of O2 content and hemoglobin concentration. VO2 increased from 1.5 +/- 0.2 L/min at rest to 46.2 +/- 4.8 L/min during exercise. HR increased from a resting value of 36.9 +/- 2.5 bpm to 196.5 +/- 10.9 bpm and the arterio-venous O2 content difference (a-v O2) increased from 4.2 +/- 0.8 ...
Cohen D, Bosler EM, Bernard W, Meirs D, Eisner R, Schulze TL.A serologic survey of horses in the New Jersey-Pennsylvania area demonstrated that about 10% (6.2-14.2%) have significant levels of serum antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi. However, in a highly endemic area of central New Jersey, up to 60% of the mares and yearlings samples on one farm were seropositive. In 1983, sera from this same farm exhibited only 12% positives in mares and 35% positives in yearlings. Longitudinal studies of paired sera obtained from individual yearlings over a 6-month period in 1985 showed that 34% of them declined during the period. A new clinical syndrome associated wit...
Toutain PL, Oukessou M, Autefage A, Alvinerie M.Using a specific high-performance liquid chromatographic technique, plasma hydrocortisone values were measured hourly in 6 horses and every 10 minutes in 4 horses over 24 hours. Both circadian and episodic variation was observed. The mean plasma hydrocortisone concentration was a maximum of 58.8 +/- 9.54 ng/ml at 9.19 +/- 0.59 hr and a minimum of 27.85 +/- 6.85 g/ml at 21.19 +/- 0.59 hr. The number of episodes of secretion was 10.0 +/- 1.41; the mean amplitude and duration of peak were 26.21 +/- 3.71 ng/ml and 105.25 +/- 21.24 min respectively.
Pause B, Nolte I, Geiss V, Mayer H, Lasch HG.A thoroughbred horse, suffering from intermittent lameness was treated with streptokinase, urokinase and warfarin. The appearing fibrinolytic changes in coagulation were exhibited in a resonance thrombogram. In attendant coagulation studies fibrinogen- and fibrin-degradation products were demonstrated. The stallion does not show any lameness since the end of the treatment and is standing in a breeding station since March 1988.
Ralston SL.A survey was taken of dietary management and training schedules of 54 horses competing in two 160 km endurance races. A total of 52 owners, representing 54 horses, responded to a questionnaire distributed prior to the races. Diet and training schedules were compared between horses that successfully completed the races and those that were eliminated for metabolic reasons. Horses that completed the races were 11.5 +/- 4 years old, weighed 429 +/- 4.5 kg and were ridden 61 +/- 32 km a week when training. Feed intake was reported as "free choice hay or pasture" by 34 of the respondents. Dry matter...
Cochaux P, Van Sande J, Swillens S, Dumont JE.The characteristics of the iodide-induced inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation in dog thyroid slices have been previously described [Van Sande, J., Cochaux, P. and Dumont, J. E. (1985) Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 40, 181-192]. In the present study we investigated the characteristics of the iodide-induced inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity in dog and horse thyroid. The inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation by iodide in stimulated horse thyroid slices was similar to that observed in dog thyroid slices. The inhibition was observed in slices stimulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone, cholera tox...
Jaussaud P, Courtot D, Guyot JL, Paris J.The main metabolite of flunixin, a hydroxylated product, has been identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and 1H NMR spectroscopy in equine urine and plasma. The method also permits the qualitative monitoring of the urinary elimination of the drug and its metabolite. The two products are detected up to 175 and 54 h, respectively, after a single intravenous administration at the dose of 1 mg/kg. Simultaneous detection of the two compounds increases the reliability of anti-doping control analysis.
Chottard G, Michelon M, Hervé M, Hervé G.Complex formation between horse heart ferricytochrome c and large three-dimensional polyanions has been investigated, in order to study the influence of surface electrostatic interactions on the structural and redox properties of cytochrome c. Cytochrome c binds the large heteropolytungstates (NaSb9W21O86)18- and (KAs4W40O140)27- with a 1/1 polyanion/cytochrome c ratio, and the smaller ion (SiW11O39)8- with a 2/1 ratio. Upon complexation, cytochrome c undergoes structural changes that are dependent on the size and charge of the polyanion, and on the pH and ionic strength of the medium. Three d...
Berghuis GA.The conception rates of semen intended for shipment and those of recently obtained semen are compared in the present paper. Conception rates using recently obtained semen were significantly superior to those obtained with semen intended for shipment. A number of factors to which this difference could be due are briefly discussed.
Sillerud CL, Bey RF, Ball M, Bistner SI.After the observation of 2 horses with uveitis on a horse farm in the Minnesota River valley, 100 horses from this geographic area were given ophthalmologic examinations and were evaluated serologically for leptospirosis. A statistically significant (P less than 0.001) association was observed between the finding of antibodies against Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona and uveitis.
Wyatt CR, Magnuson NS, Perryman LE.Six monoclonal antibodies, designated EqT2, EqT3, EqT6, EqT7, EqT12, and EqT13, which identify T lymphocyte antigens present at different stages of T cell maturation were used to examine T lymphocyte development in foals with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Flow microfluorimetry demonstrated the presence of EqT12+ and EqT13+ prothymocytes and a few phenotypically mature EqT2+ and EqT3+ thymocytes within the thymic remnants of SCID foals. However, very few EqT6+ and EqT7+ resident cortical thymocytes were detected. The near absence of EqT6+ and EqT7+ cortical thymocytes was confirmed b...
Payne SL, Fang FD, Liu CP, Dhruva BR, Rwambo P, Issel CJ, Montelaro RC.The extent and nature of genomic variation among nine antigenically distinct EIAV isolates recovered during sequential clinical episodes from two experimentally infected ponies were examined by restriction fragment analysis and nucleotide sequencing. Only minor variations in restriction enzyme patterns were observed among the viral genomes. In contrast, env gene sequences of four isolates from one pony revealed numerous clustered base substitutions. Divergence in env gene nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences between pairs of virus isolates ranged from 0.62 to 3.4% env gene mutation rate...
Steffey EP, Hodgson DS, Dunlop CI, Miller MF, Woliner MJ, Heath RB, Grandy J.Hemodynamic and respiratory effects of 5 h of unvarying 1.57%, end-tidal (1.2 MAC) isoflurane in O2 anesthesia were characterized in ten left laterally recumbent horses. Compared to base line values at 30 min of constant dose isoflurane, cardiac output, hematocrit, total plasma solids, PaCO2, and peak inspired gas flow progressively and significantly (P less than 0.05) increased over the course of study. Arterial blood pressure increased (P less than 0.05) during the first 2 h of constant dose of isoflurane then decreased and remained near base line values. Inspiratory time progressively decre...
van Dijk J.Jan van Dijk, RCVS specialist in veterinary parasitology, describes how data can be used to both increase understanding of trends in equine helminth abundance and drive better treatment of individual horses.
Alberti E, Stucchi L, Lo Feudo CM, Ferrucci F, Zucca E.Pulmonary artery stiffness (PAS) is an index of pulmonary artery elasticity that permits to evaluate the pulmonary vascular bed in humans. It can early detect an increase in pulmonary artery stiffness as a consequence of remodeling of the vessel wall caused by chronic pulmonary and congenital heart diseases. This remodeling can occur also in horses with chronic respiratory diseases. Thus, PAS could be a useful echocardiographic parameter also in horses. However, in literature, there are no studies regarding PAS in horses. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of PAS in horses. F...
Bartmann CP, Schiemann V.Diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy have offered an advance in equine fertility diagnostic and equine fertility surgery. A distension of the uterine cavity and an establishment of a continuous intrauterine pressure are basic requirements for complete visualisation of intrauterine structures and safe and efficient surgical procedures. Superelevated pressure and resorption of distension media may result in fatal complications. Intrauterine pressure was monitored in 28 healthy di- or anestrus mares during hysteroscopy via a transcervically inserted catheter. Mares were sedated with xylazine and...
Irwin DH, Howell DW."Cube colic" is described and vain attempts to cause the problem on an experimental basis are recorded. It is concluded that not all horses are susceptible to cube colic and if colic occurs in horses being fed on cubes, it is not necessarily due to feeding of cubes. Nomenclature of bowel disorders is considered.
Rodriguez ML, McConnell I, Lamont J, Campbell J, FitzGerald SP.A generic, rapid and sensitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test has been developed which allows large-scale simultaneous testing of synthetic corticosteroids viz., flumethasone, dexamethasone and betamethasone. This assay can be directly applied to diluted urine samples (1 + 9) without hydrolysis of glucuronide or sulfate conjugates or any other treatment of samples. The polyclonal antibody was obtained by immunizing sheep with a flumethasone derivative linked to human serum albumin. This polyclonal antibody displayed high-reactivity with several synthetic corticosteroids whilst ...
Smith AV, Wilson C, McComb K, Proops L.In the original publication, data availability text was incorrectly published. The correct text should read as below.
Koterba AM, Drummond WH, Kosch P.The basic concepts of diagnosis and treatment in the abnormal neonatal foal are presented. Methods of restraint, sedation, and general nursing care are discussed, as well as more specific techniques of respiratory and circulatory system support.
Hildebrand SV, Arpin D, Cardinet G.Biopsy specimens of the cutaneous omobrachialis muscle were obtained from 10 horses with a problem of myositis from mild exercise. One horse had been evaluated previously and malignant hyperthermia-like contractures developed in its muscle biopsy specimen during the contracture test. In this study, the halothane-caffeine contracture test and histologic and histochemical evaluations were performed on muscle biopsy specimens. In the contracture test, no muscle biopsy specimen developed contracture in the presence of 2 or 4% halothane alone. The mean (+/- SEM) caffeine-specific concentration in t...
Gasthuys F, de Moor A, Parmentier D.Haemodynamic and respiratory responses to halothane were investigated in dorsally recumbent, ventilated ponies during 2 hours. Normocapnia was maintained using intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Compared to the base line values at 30 minutes of constant dose halothane, no significant changes in heart rate, systemic blood pressure, cardiac output, cardiac index, stroke volume and left ventricle work were observed during a 2 hours anaesthesia. Arterial oxygenation increased initially (greater than 300 mm Hg) but tended to decrease non-significantly during the rest of the anaesthesia. Bl...
Belz JP, Glatzel PS.Because of the mare's ability to conceive very soon post partum a thoroughly performed control of the puerperal period is of particular importance. Cytological examinations of uterine content and histological examinations of uterine biopsy specimens provide more detailed information than microbiological examinations of uterine swabs. Uterine content and uterus biopsy specimens of 55 mares were examined histologically on days 3, 6 and 9 post partum. We observed a heavy polymorphonuclear reaction of the endometrium following disturbed puerperal processes especially in cases of retained placenta....
van Amstel SR, Reyers F, Colly PA.Variable results were obtained when the starch digestion test was carried out on a suspected case of malassimilation in a horse. In order to re-evaluate this test, 15 starch digestion tests were carried out using 4 horses. Results showed a marked variation in the increase in plasma glucose levels between individual horses and especially between poor and good condition horses when the dose of starch was based on body mass. Results also suggest that a fixed dose of starch may give more consistent results.
Summers PM, Wells KE, Adkins KF.The features of an ossifying ameloblastoma in a 5-year-old gelding are described. The tumour developed in the angle of the right mandible and microscopically consisted of multiple follicles and islands of epithelial tissue adjacent to which were trabeculae of bone, osteoid and compact collagenous tissue.
Splitter GA, Incefy G, Iwata T, McGuire TC.Arabian horses with severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) were evaluated for thymic hormone activities using thymic extracts and sera. Extracts prepared from thymus of SCID horses were able to increase the number of spleen cells responding to sheep red blood cells in irradiated, bone marrow-reconstituted mice. In addition, ultrafiltrates prepared from sera of these immunodeficient horses, which contained material with molecular weight of less than 50,000 Daltons could (a) induce a population of human bone marrow precursor cells to differentiate into cells bearing SRBC receptors and f...
Ketzner KM, Stewart AA, Byron CR, Stewart M, Gaughan EM, Vanharreveld PD, Lillich JD.Describe the use of a phalangeal cast as treatment for wounds in the pastern and foot region of horses. Secondly, to evaluate the healing and soundness of horses treated with phalangeal casts. Methods: Retrospective study of 49 horses. Procedures Medical records of 49 horses that were treated with a phalangeal cast for 50 cases of wounds in the pastern and foot region at equine referral hospitals from 1995 to 2006 were reviewed and follow-up information was obtained. Results: Treatment consisted of wound debridement, lavage, wound closure (28 wounds), cast application and antibiotics (84%). At...
Delbeke FT, Landuyt J, Debackere M.Concentrations of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) alclofenac were determined by a sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic procedure in plasma and urine of horses following oral administration of a dose of 3 g. In plasma, alclofenac was present in detectable concentrations for 72 h. The plasma disposition in individual horses was best described by a bi-compartmental model with two successive rate constants ka1 = 0.05 +/- 0.06 h-1 and ka2 = 0.06 +/- 0.01 h-1. Alclofenac half-lives t1/2 alpha and t1/2 beta were 1.0 +/- 0.8 h and 6.9 +/- 1.5 h, respectively. Maximal conc...
Tschudi P.The cardiac arrhythmias, classified in disturbances of impulse formation and conduction disturbances, their genesis and clinical significance are described and illustrated with electrocardiograms, registered with the bipolar chest leads.