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.
Herr S, Huchzermeyer HF, Te Brugge LA, Williamson CC, Roos JA, Schiele GJ.The same techniques may be used in the complement fixation test (CFT) for the serological diagnosis of bovine brucellosis, Johne's disease (paratuberculosis), dourine, equine piroplasmosis and Q fever (caused by Coxiella burnetii). The reproducibility of results is excellent, falling for the most part within the twofold range and never exceeding the fourfold range. Agreement with other laboratories is excellent (i.e. within twofold) in the case of brucellosis and equine piroplasmosis antibody titres. A good correlation between the occurrence of the disease and serological reactions is found on...
Christensen JM, Blythe LL, Craig AM.Phenylbutazone was administered to six Thoroughbred horses in a cross-over study in which the horses received cimetidine pretreatment or no cimetidine pretreatment. Blood samples were collected at various times for 48 h after phenylbutazone administration and the plasma was analysed for phenylbutazone. Cimetidine pretreatment elevated phenylbutazone plasma concentrations during the first 8 h after phenylbutazone administration. The absorption rate, maximum phenylbutazone plasma concentrations and AUC were significantly greater with cimetidine pretreatment. The half-life of phenylbutazone did n...
Paquette B.Equine infectious anemia in Canada was reviewed for the period January 1976 to December 1981. The human and ecological factors prevailing in Canada are deemed instrumental with respect to the evolution of the disease. The natural spread of the disease on a large scale has not been influenced by the Federal program. Reactors with signs of the disease are important for it's propagation. The author underlines the necessity of cooperation with private practising veterinarians to control it.
Brown AE, Hansen PJ, Asbury AC.Uterine flushings collected from mares before and after bacterial-induced inflammation were assayed for ability to opsonize Streptococcus zooepidemicus for phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Opsonization was measured as the peak phagocytic rate of bacteria preincubated with uterine flushings relative to the peak phagocytic rate of unopsonized bacteria. Flushings from four mares with noninfected uteri were unable to opsonize bacteria regardless of whether uteri were flushed at estrus or on day 10 postovulation. In a second experiment, 7 X 10(9) live S. zooepidemicus were inoculated i...
Webb AI, Daniel RT, Miller HS, Kosch PC.The capability of a transconjunctival oxygen monitoring system to provide an accurate and reliable means of observing arterial oxygenation trends was evaluated in 12 horse and pony foals between 5 and 20 days of age. Ten of the foals were anesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen and nitrous oxide, and 2 foals were conscious. Inspired oxygen concentration was manipulated by differing proportions of oxygen and nitrous oxide in the fresh gas supplied to the breathing circuit. With arterial oxygen tension values ranging from less than 20 to greater than 400 mm of Hg, all foals had significant positi...
Nap RC, Wouda W, Firth EC, Dik K, von Dijk P.The case of a horse affected with frontal sinusitis, in which neurological complications occurred following trepanation, is reported. The previous history of the animal as well as the clinical, radiological and pathological findings are discussed.
Garris GI, Scotland K.Cattle, sheep, goats and horses were examined for ticks. Over 95% of Holstein cross-breeds, 28% of sheep (local mixed breeds) and 18% of goats (local mixed breeds) examined from 18 August to 4 September 1983 were infested with the southern cattle tick, Boophilus microplus Canestrini. About 90 and 17% of the horses examined were infested with the tropical horse tick, Anocentor nitens Neumann, and the tropical bont tick, Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius, respectively. The tropical bont tick was found infesting 10% of cattle in the Gros Islet area of St. Lucia. The tropical bont tick was also found...
Sweeney CR, Beech J, Roby KA.Of tracheobronchial aspirates from 50 clinically healthy Thoroughbred racehorses, 4 (8%) had aerobic bacteria with recognized pathogenicity, 12 (24%) contained transient bacterial isolates, and 37 (74%) had no bacterial growth. Of tracheobronchial aspirates from 36 pastured, nonracing racehorses, 3 (8%) had bacteria with recognized pathogenicity, 23 (64%) contained transient bacteria, and 10 (28%) had no bacterial growth. Anaerobes were not isolated from 12 of 12 pastured horses. Transient bacteria were isolated more often in the pastured horses.
Coyne CP, Hornof WJ, Kelly AB, O'Brien TR, DeNardo SJ.Two methods were analyzed for the rapid extraction of equine fibrinogen from fresh plasma, using ammonium sulfate-sodium phosphate buffer. Fibrinogen from each of these 2 methods was then radiolabeled with 125I (half-life = 60.2 days, gamma = 35 keV), using monochloroiodine reagent. Mean protein-bound activity was 98.5% and mean clottable radioactivity was 94.1%. Radiolabeled fibrinogen administered IV to 15 horses had an overall mean (+/- SD) plasma half-life of 4.95 +/- 0.44 days.
Rothwell TL, Merritt GC, Middleton DJ, Rose RJ.The research article describes the possibility of a horse affected by pemphigus foliaceus, a type of uncommon skin disease that is normally observed in humans, characterized by shallow erosions, scales, […]
Maczulak AE, Dawson KA, Baker JP.A total of 114 bacterial isolates were obtained from the cecal contents of two mature cecally fistulated horses on a habitat-simulating medium containing 40% energy-depleted cecal fluid. Of these isolates, 108 were maintained in pure cultures and were tentatively grouped on the basis of cell morphology and physiological characteristics. Gram-negative rods (50.9%), gram-positive rods (22.8%), and gram-positive cocci (21.9%) represented the largest groups isolated from these animals. Fifty isolates were tested for their ability to grow in media containing urea, ammonia, peptones, or amino acids ...
Raeside JI, Renaud RL.Isolation of 3 beta-hydroxy-5,7-androstadien-17-one, as a major component of steroids extracted from vein blood of the fetal gonads of the horse, supports the proposed role for the compound as a precursor for equilin formation in the placenta of the mare. The 5,7-diene was extracted from blood collected from gonadal veins of fetal ovaries and testes in situ, and from a fetal testis connected to an artery in the neck region of the mare. Perfusion of fetal gonads in the laboratory was carried out to allow longer periods of collection. In addition, isolated cell preparations from a fetal testis w...
Hyland JH, MacLean AA, Robertson-Smith GR, Jeffcott LB, Stewart GA.The removal of one of twin embryos was attempted by infusion of 24% (w/v) saline into the gestation sac in 2 mares by laparotomy. The treatment was successful in one mare (Case 1) and the untreated embryo remained viable. However, neither foetus survived in the second mare (Case 2). Plasma oestrone sulphate (E1S) concentrations fell immediately after treatment in both mares but recovered to approximately 50% of pretreatment levels in Case 1. In Case 2 plasma E1S concentrations declined steadily and were less than 1 ng/ml within 6 days of treatment. These preliminary results suggest that the me...
von Fellenberg R, Kohler L, Grünig G, Pellegrini A.Neutral neutrophil protease, elastase activities, and cytosol protease inhibitors of these enzymes of horses and man were compared. Human neutrophils had 5 times the elastase activity of equine neutrophils, and neutral protease activity was approximately 50% greater in human neutrophils than that in equine neutrophils. Cytosol inhibitors for elastase and neutral proteases were not found in human neutrophils, whereas large amounts were found in equine neutrophils. Using fibrinogen-agarose electrophoresis, 4 cytosol inhibitors of different enzyme specificities were detected. These cytosol inhibi...
Dalin G, Jeffcott LB.Gait analysis can play an important role in exercise physiology, racetrack ergonomics, lameness prophylaxis, and assessment of performance potential in racehorses. This article concentrates on the methods used for gait analysis and considers some basic data on the different gaits of the horse.
Bayly WM.A training program is designed with the aim of developing the specific physiologic capabilities required to perform a certain type of exercise. Such capabilities involve the psychologic familiarity with, and acceptance of, the required tasks, the development of the neuromuscular coordination to perform these tasks optimally, and the utilization of energy by the working muscles. This article presents some basic principles for the design of training programs and offers ideas on how these principles may be applied to the conditioning of horses.
Hodgson DR.This article provides an overview of the characteristics of skeletal muscle, with an emphasis on equine skeletal muscle. A discussion of many of the adaptive processes that can occur in this tissue in response to altered states of physical activity is also included.
Semrad SD, Hardee GE, Hardee MM, Moore JN.The pharmacokinetics and inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in conscious horses given various dosages of flunixin meglumine were studied. Plasma concentrations of flunixin were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and serum thromboxane B2 and 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha were quantitated by radioimmunoassay. Within the dosage range studied, linear pharmacokinetics were achieved. After IV administration of flunixin (1.1 mg/kg, 0.25 mg/kg, 0.1 mg/kg), significant suppression of serum thromboxane generation persisted for 12, 4, and 3 hours, respectively. Repeated administration...
Thornton JR.In the athletic horse, an exercise test may be required to measure the adaptation of the animal to a specific training program; to modify the training program in response to the progress achieved; to investigate the reasons for failure to perform at the expected level; and to form part of an overall clinical examination of a horse with a specific disability. This article includes information on the scope and form of an exercise test, the parameters measured during the test and their interpretation, treadmill and track tests, and the clinical applications of exercise tests.
Marcus LC, Patterson MM, Gilfillan RE, Urband PH.Twelve of 50 randomly selected horses from areas endemic for Borrelia burgdorferi had indirect fluorescent antibody titers of 1:8 to 1:2,048 against B burgdorferi. One of 50 horses from nonendemic areas had a titer of 1:8. This difference in the number of horses seropositive for B burgdorferi (P less than 0.002) and our finding that seropositive horses did not have agglutinating antibodies against potentially cross-reacting Leptospira spp indicated that horses in endemic areas were exposed to B burgdorferi and that the spirochete induced an antibody response in the horses.
Ayres JW, Pearson EG, Riebold TW, Chang SF.The pharmacokinetics of theophylline and dyphylline were determined after IV administration in horses. In a preliminary experiment, the usual human dosage (milligram per kilogram) of each drug was given to 1 horse. Results were used to calculate dosages for a cross-over study, using 6 horses for each drug. Theophylline plasma concentrations decreased triexponentially in 5 of 6 healthy horses after IV infusion of 10 mg of aminophylline/kg of body weight for 16 to 32 minutes. In the 6 horses, total body elimination rate constants were variable, and the half-life of theophylline was 9.7 to 19.3 h...
Robinson NE.The primary function of the equine respiratory system is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide at a rate that is matched to metabolism. Gas exchange requires ventilation, distribution of gas within the lung, perfusion of blood through pulmonary capillaries, matching of ventilation and blood flow, diffusion of gases between air and blood, and transport of gases to and from the muscles. In this article, the author reviews what is known about each of these processes in the resting and exercising horse.
Genetzky RM, Hagemoser WA.Two mature horses were examined for changes in laboratory and physical findings after experimentally induced bladder rupture. The postrupture laboratory diagnostic changes, which provide valuable information for a correct diagnosis are described. Hematology, serum and peritoneal fluid sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, creatinine, urea nitrogen, albumin and peritoneal fluid components were measured and evaluated versus time. Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia occurred, as well as increased concentrations of peritoneal fluid potassium and inorganic phosphorus. In addition, peritoneal fluid cre...
Manohar M, Goetz TE.Blood flow to the brain, kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas, and small intestine was studied in 8 healthy ponies while awake (control) and during 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 minimal alveolar concentrations (MAC) of anesthesia produced, using halothane vaporized in oxygen. During the anesthesia steps, intermittent positive-pressure ventilation was used to ensure isocapnia. Organ blood flow was determined with 15-micron (diameter) radionuclide-labeled microspheres, after allowing 30 minutes of equilibration at each of the 3 preestablished end-tidal halothane concentrations. The sequence of 1.0, 1.5, and 2....
Ogilvie GK, Engelking LR, Anwer MS.Ten horses, a pony, and 13 cats were used to evaluate base-line blood ammonia, bilirubin, and urea nitrogen concentrations and to determine The effects of prolonged cold storage (-20 degrees C) before assay. Base-line plasma ammonia concentrations in cats (0.992 +/- 0.083 [SE] micrograms/ml) did not change significantly after 48 hours of storage (0.871 +/- 0.073 micrograms/ml); however, they were increased 4.2- and 13-fold after 168 and 216 hours of storage, respectively. In contrast to base-line plasma-ammonia values in cats, those of horses were significantly (0.265 +/- 0.044 micrograms/ml) ...
Hampson BA, de Laat MA, Mills PC, Pollitt CC.To determine the effect of various environmental conditions on the degree of hydration in hoof wall horn tissue from feral horses and investigate the effect of short-term foot soaking on moisture content in hoof wall and sole tissue in domestic horses. Methods: 40 feral horses from 3 environments (wet and boggy [n = 10], partially flooded [20], and constantly dry desert [10]) and 6 nonferal Quarter Horses. Methods: The percentage of moisture content of hoof wall samples from feral horses was measured in vitro. In a separate evaluation, the percentage of moisture content of hoof wall and sole t...
Khan A, Mushtaq MH, Ahmad MUD, Nazir J, Fatima Z, Khan A, Farooqi SH.EI in non-vaccinated population causes disruption and economic losses. To identify the risk factors associated with the EI epidemics in equids in Pakistan, a 1:1 matched case control study was conducted during 2015-2016. Including a total of 197 laboratory confirmed cases and negative controls, matched on the basis of geography, time of sampling, specie and age. A piloted questionnaire was used to collect data regarding risk factors associated with the occurrence of EI in face to face interviews. Conditional logistic regression was performed to analyze the data. A total of 16 out of 23 variabl...
O'Callaghan MW, Sanderson GN.A method for performing bronchography in standing nonanaesthetized horses was developed. Bronchography was performed by insufflating the previously intubated trachea with a mixture of 120 to 200 g of finely powdered barium sulphate mixed with 3 to 7 g of powdered methyl cellulose. The mixture was delivered from an ether vaporiser into which compressed air was blown. Premedication with atropine sulphate immediately before insufflation minimised bronchoconstriction. Satisfactory bronchograms with contrast visible down to the seventh and eighth bronchial divisions were obtained in 80 per cent of ...
Liu L, Castillo-Olivares J, Davis-Poynter NJ, Baule C, Xia H, Belák S.Samples from horses experimentally infected with the "large plaque variant (LP3A+)" of equine arteritis virus were analysed. These included 182 nasal swabs collected from day 1 to 14 post-infection (p.i.), and 21 virus isolates obtained from white blood cells of animals that showed a prolonged viraemia between days 30 to 72 p.i. In order to determine the genetic stability of the virus and particularly to characterise the genetic variants found during the prolonged viraemia, partial sequences of open reading frame 5 (ORF5) encoding glycoprotein 5 (GP5) were generated. Viruses with amino acid su...
Crowell CN, Fenton JM, Perry EB.Gustatory and olfactory changes have been reported during gestation in multiple species. However, few data are available regarding feeding preferences in gestating mares. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of oil-based palatants on feeding behavior in late term gestating mares. Late-term gestating mares (n = 5) and reproductively sound, open mares (n = 4) were evaluated via paired preference testing during the final 120 days of gestation. Oil-based flavors (corn oil, anise, and apple) were topically applied to a basal pelleted diet (0.375 ml/0.23 kg). Diets were offe...
Muñoz A, Esgueva M, Gómez-Díez M, Serrano-Caballero JM, Castejón-Riber C, Serrano-Rodríguez JM.Changes in blood pressure (BP) during acute hypertension in response to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) have not been investigated in normotensive horses. In this study, six healthy horses were subjected to five trials, consisting in a treadmill exercise workload of 8 m/s for 1 min, 2 h after oral administration (PO) of placebo (0 mg/kg), enalapril (2.0 mg/kg), quinapril (1.0 mg/kg), ramipril (0.2 mg/kg) or benazepril (0.5 mg/kg). Serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity was measured and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were recorded...
Zweers AD, Dik KJ.The radiographic diagnostic value of Rose's palmaroproximal-dorsodistal ('skyline') projection and Oxspring's dorsopalmar projection of the equine navicular bone were compared, by examining radiographs of 102 navicular bones originating from 66 randomly selected horses with clinical evidence of lameness located in the navicular area. In 27 navicular bones essential information was obtained from the skyline view, 15 independently of Oxspring's projection and 12 in addition to this view. For 11 navicular studies the D.P. projection was the most important diagnostic view. In the other 64 navicula...
Thompson DL, Reville SI, Derrick DJ, Walker MP.Eight seasonally anestrous mares were administered intravaginal polyurethane sponges on December 15 and then weekly thereafter until February 1. Control mares received no sponges or genital contact. Sponge insertion caused an immediate surge in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations in jugular plasma in 50% of treated mares whereas no control mares had surges in FSH (P less than .05). The effect of treatment on luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations was much less dramatic and only three treated mares appeared to have positive responses. Sponge-treated mares exhibited positive respo...
Bertuglia A, Pagliara E, Manca F, Pozzolo P, Mannelli A.The objective of this study was to report recovery time, retirement rate, racing performance, and presence of compensation pattern after musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) in Standardbred racehorses (STBRs). This is a retrospective single open-cohort study, enrolling 356 STBRs in training in a single racetrack. Musculoskeletal injury was defined as any training-related injury after which the horse did not train for at least 15 days. The first and second MSIs encountered during the horse's racing career were considered. Medical records, training logbooks, and racing data were reviewed to determin...
Henderson KM, Eayrs K.To develop a means of determining pregnancy status in horses based on measuring serum oestrone sulphate (OS) concentrations using a rapid lateral flow immunoassay, and to determine the assay's effectiveness using a visual end-point. Methods: Serum samples from mares >100 days post-mating (n=701) were assayed using a nitrocellulose membrane-based lateral flow immunoassay device. The device was developed using membrane-bound 1,3,5 (10)-estratrien-3-ol-17-one conjugated to bovine serum albumin as the capture antigen, and an OS-detection monoclonal antibody coupled to colloidal gold as the visi...
Emmerich IU.In 2014, no new active pharmaceutical ingredients were released on the German market for horses and food producing animals. One established veterinary active pharmaceutical ingredient is avaibable for an additional species. The analgetic buprenorphine (Buprenodale® Multidose) has additionally been authorized for horses. Furthermore, four new preparations with a new pharmaceutical form, one drug with a new formulation, new galenics and a new indication, respectively, have recently been released to the market. Furthermore, the prostaglandin F2α analoque luprostiol is available again.