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.
Allen WR, Pashen RL.The blastomeres of 192- to 8-cell embryos recovered surgically 1-3 days after ovulation from 23 Pony mares were mechanically separated and inserted, in various combinations, into evacuated pig zonae pellucidae to make 27 'half' and 17 'quarter' micromanipulated embryos. These were embedded in agar and cultured in vivo in the ligated oviducts of ewes for 3.5-5 days to allow development to the late morula/early blastocyst stage. Subsequent surgical or non-surgical transfer of 13 'half' and 17 'quarter' embryos to mares resulted in 10 established pregnancies, including 2 monozygotic pairs. Surgic...
Taverne MA.For the past few years, two-dimensional diagnostic ultrasound methods have become available to veterinary medicine. In particular, linear-array real-time ultrasound would appear to be a very suitable diagnostic tool in the examination of the female genital organs of domestic mammals. The principles of this technique and the equipment available are described, and particular attention is paid to the method by which a diagnosis of pregnancy may be established in various animal species. In dogs and goats shaving will have to be done before the sound-transmitting/receiving transducer can be placed ...
The Journal of hygieneJune 1, 1984
Volume 92, Issue 3 365-375 doi: 10.1017/s0022172400064585
Gray SJ.Faecal samples from 110 horses, 115 pigs, 111 sheep and 123 cows were examined for the presence of Aeromonas hydrophila, which was also sought in the available drinking water. The overall faecal rate was 11.8%, but significantly more bovine than other samples were found to be positive. There was significant association between the isolation of A. hydrophila from all animal faeces and its presence in drinking water, but this was not found when individual animal groups were analysed separately. An enrichment technique increased the total number of isolates by 77.1%. Strains of differing origins ...
Hart PJ, Squires EL, Imel KJ, Nett TM.Seasonal changes in the hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis were investigated using tissue from 49 light-horse mares, of mixed breeding. Hypothalamic and pituitary tissues were collected at 5 intervals throughout the years 1981 and 1982, representing midbreeding season (July, n = 10), transition out of the breeding season (October, n = 11), midanestrus (December, n = 8), transition into the breeding season (March, n = 10), and again in the following midbreeding season (July, n = 10). The hypothalamic region was dissected into preoptic area, body and median eminence. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (G...
Heffner HE, Heffner RS.The idea that large mammals localize sounds more accurately than small mammals has been noted frequently and is usually explained by reference to their large interaural distance and the correspondingly broad binaural time (delta t) and spectral (delta fi) differences between their two ears. Sound-localization thresholds for single clicks and 100-ms noise bursts were determined for horses, and the magnitude of the binaural time (delta t) and spectral (delta fi) cues for sound direction were measured on a horse. Although horses have relatively large interaural distances and physically broad bina...
Smith KM, Barber SM.A two year old Thoroughbred gelding, presented with guttural pouch hemorrhage, had the internal and external carotid arteries ligated. Guttural pouch mycosis was detected on endoscopic examination. After one month of topical antifungal therapy, the horse was returned and euthanized because of recurrent epistaxis. A bacterial infection of the guttural pouch with associated ulceration and hemorrhage from the maxillary artery was found at necropsy.A two year old grade gelding had ulceration and hemorrhage from the external carotid artery. Utilizing balloon-tipped catheters and arterial ligation, ...
Bertram TA, Jensen AE.Morphology and function of equine neutrophils were evaluated after combination with contagious equine metritis organism (CEMO) or 1 of 2 CEMO lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The 2 LPS (LPS-a; LPS-p) isolated from the CEMO contained 14- and 16-carbon fatty acids, ketodeoxyoctanate, hexose, and heptose, but were morphologically distinct. Neutrophils exposed to LPS had fewer granules, whereas those exposed to CEMO had more granules than did the controls (phosphate-buffered saline solution). Neutrophil iodination was significantly increased with 10 and 25 micrograms of LPS-a, but not significantly alte...
Fatemi-Nainie S, Anderson LW, Cheevers WP.MC-1 is an equine sarcoid-derived cell line which spontaneously releases a retrovirus possessing genomic sequence homology with an inducible endogenous retrovirus of normal equine cells. A complete characterization of MC-1 tumor cells was undertaken, including morphology, growth kinetics, and saturation density, selective growth in semisolid media, uptake of 2-deoxyglucose, and tumorigenicity in athymic nude mice. MC-1 cells, in contrast to normal equine dermal fibroblasts, exhibit all of the characteristics of malignantly transformed cells.
Beech J, Aguirre G, Gross S.Nuclear cataracts were found in 2 groups of related Morgan horses. The cataracts were finely reticulated central spherical translucencies that sometimes extended to the region of the posterior "Y" suture. The cataracts were not associated with other ocular defects and did not impair vision. In 1 group of 8 horses, 5 were affected; in the other group, 6 of 8 were affected. Although a pattern of inheritance could not be determined, the familial distribution of the cataracts supported the conclusion that the defect was a heritable disorder.
Bernard-Strother S, Mansmann RA, Beckstead C.A 6-month-old Quarter Horse colt, with severe left foreleg lameness of 6 weeks' duration, had swelling of the distal interphalangeal joint and a smaller-than-normal left front foot. Radiographs revealed a nondisplaced, midsagittal, intraarticular fracture of P3, which was treated with an eggbar shoe with 2 quarter clips, and stall rest for 10 weeks. The colt was sound after 10 weeks.
Gonchar MV, Lavrenova GI, Rudenskaia GN, Gaĭda AV, Stepanov VM.Using ion-exchange and affinity chromatography and isoelectrofocusing, eight forms of pepsin with pI 1.6, 1.8, 2.1, 2.3, 2.6, 2.8, 3.2 and 3.6, were isolated from horse gastric juice. The molecular weights, amino acid composition, N-terminal sequence and functional activity of these multiple forms were determined. Partial primary structure of tryptic peptides of pepsin with pI 2.3 was investigated. The analyzed partial sequences of the forms with pI 1.8, 2.1, 2.3, and 2.6 have identical structures which differ from the amino acid sequence of pepsin with pI 3.2 by four substituents. In terms of...
Cranley JC.This research article investigates the varying challenges that have arisen in accurately diagnosing equine hydatidosis, a disease in horses, during post-mortem examinations. The paper focuses on the possible influence of […]
Belford CJ, Lumsden JH.This report is an assessment of clinical chemistry dry reagent methodology for veterinary use. A portable reflectance photometer and dry reagent strips were used to measure canine whole blood hemoglobin, and total bilirubin, glucose, cholesterol, creatinine and urea in canine, bovine, equine and feline sera. Creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase were assayed in canine, bovine and equine sera. The following aspects of performance are reported: within run variation determined on canine samples, between run variation using a commercial control, correlations between dry reagent and wet reagent...
Van Amstel SR, Ross M, van den Bergh SS.A case of maduromycosis mycetoma caused by Madurella mycetomatis is reported. The horse presented with multiple subcutaneous swelling over the right scapula. There were no discharging fistulae present. Macroscopically the lesion contained a black granular material embedded in a granulomatous mass. Microscopically large numbers of microcolonies were present containing segmented hyphae. No typical chlamydospores were observed. Cultures yielded a fungus identified as Madurella mycetomatis. Treatment consisted of surgical excision and local treatment with thiabendazole powder.
McGill CA, Bolton JR.Partial pyloric obstruction causing gastric retention is described in 2 young female horses. Gastric retention was confirmed by contrast radiography of the upper gastrointestinal tract. In both horses a large mass was palpated in the wall of the pyloric antrum at exploratory laparotomy. Post-mortem examination of the first case confirmed that this mass was associated with chronic gastric ulceration. Gastric ulceration was not confirmed in the second case but this horse recovered after the pylorus and duodenum were bypassed by gastro-jejunostomy.
Goodrowe KL, Heath E.Bielanski and Kaczmarski (1979) reported the presence of microtubules in the neck region of mature stallion spermatozoa. It was hypothesized that these microtubules are derived from the manchette (a microtubular organelle present during spermiogenesis). In order to test this hypothesis, testes from 15 mature stallions were collected, perfused with 2% phosphate-buffered glutaraldehyde, and prepared for transmission electron microscopy. Spermatozoa from the caudae epididymides of each stallion were prepared in a similar manner. Spermiogenesis was observed in general, and the presence of a microt...
May SA, Hooke RE, Lees P.The presence, in equine synovial fluid, of inhibitors of interleukin-1 (IL-1) activity has been investigated by means of an assay involving IL-1-mediated production of PGE2 by synovial cells. Inhibitors of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta were identified in normal synovial fluid and synovial fluid from two horses with early joint disease. Inhibitors of IL-1 alpha were also present in synovial fluid from two horses with long-standing joint disease. However, IL-1 beta inhibitory activity was not present in fluid from the horses with more chronic joint disease. The effect appeared to be specific for IL-1...
Cook G, Papich MG, Roberts MC, Bowman KF.To determine the i.v. pharmacokinetics of cisapride and measure systemic absorption after rectal administration. Methods: 5 healthy adult mares (380 to 610 kg). Methods: Cisapride was administered, i.v., at a dosage of 0.1 mg/kg of body weight. In the same horses, after a 1-week washout period, cisapride was administered rectally at a dosage of 1 mg/kg by mixing crushed tablets with propylene glycol and administering the mixture into the rectum. After each drug administration, a series of blood samples were collected. Plasma was obtained and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography t...
Pihl TH, Jacobsen S, Olsen DT, Højrup P, Grosche A, Freeman DE, Andersen PH, Houen G.OBJECTIVE To purify and characterize equine vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) from equine serum and to evaluate plasma concentrations of VDBP in healthy horses and horses with gastrointestinal injury or disease. ANIMALS 13 healthy laboratory animals (8 mice and 5 rabbits), 61 healthy horses, 12 horses with experimentally induced intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (IR), and 59 horses with acute gastrointestinal diseases. PROCEDURES VDBP was purified from serum of 2 healthy horses, and recombinant equine VDBP was obtained through a commercial service. Equine VDBP was characterized by mass spectr...
Suarez-Fuentes DG, Caston SS, Tatarniuk DM, Kersh KD, Ferrero NR.Contaminated or septic navicular bursitis has been reported to have a guarded prognosis after surgical treatment with navicular bursotomy only. In our experience, the use of navicular bursotomy for the treatment of this disease in combination with systemic and local delivery of antimicrobials can provide a good prognosis, even in horses with chronic disease. Objective: To report the outcome of horses undergoing navicular bursotomy for the treatment of contaminated or septic navicular bursitis. Methods: Descriptive case series. Methods: Navicular bursotomy was performed in combination with syst...
Liggett AD, Weiss R, Blue JL.Myospherulosis was diagnosed in a mature pony. Several parent bodies containing many spherules were observed microscopically in biopsy material from an area of cellulitis. The spherules are altered red blood cells that form as the result of prolonged contact with necrotic fat or petrolatum-based ointments. These structures must be differentiated from fungal elements. The recommended treatment is surgical excision.
Vermedal H, Strand E.To report dynamic laryngeal collapse (DLC) associated with poll flexion as a potential complication of the laryngeal tie-forward procedure (LTFP) in harness racehorses. Methods: Short case series. Methods: Three harness racehorses. Methods: Preoperative and postoperative medical records of all harness racehorses that underwent the LTFP were reviewed, as were high-speed treadmill videoendoscopy recordings of 35 horses that returned for upper airway evaluation postoperatively. Results: One standardbred and two Norwegian coldblooded trotters in which dorsal displacement of the soft palate had bee...
Martin GS, Strand E, Kearney MT.To determine the relationship between prediction errors of a regression model of racing finish times and earnings or finish position; the relationship between standardized finish times, determined by use of this model, and earnings or finish position; and whether this model was valid when applied to data for horses that underwent surgical treatment. Methods: Survey. Methods: Records of 6,700 healthy Thoroughbreds racing in Louisiana and of 31 Thoroughbreds with idiopathic left laryngeal hemiplegia that underwent surgical treatment. Methods: Predicted and standardized finish times were calculat...
Barber SM, Panizzi L, Lang HM.To evaluate arthrodesis as a treatment for carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis (CMC-OA). Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n=12) with CMC-OA. Methods: Arthrodesis was facilitated by insertion and fanning of a drill bit into the CMC joint at several (3-5) locations in 15 limbs. Follow-up radiographs were obtained for 7 horses (9 limbs). Outcome was determined by telephone survey of owners based on postoperative pain, return to use, appearance of the limb, and success of treatment. Results: Postoperative pain was slight or moderate in 10 of 12 (83%) horses during the first 30 days, and 11 ...
Timoney PJ.The usefulness of the double immunodiffusion test for the diagnosis of louping ill infection was investigated. Whereas louping ill viral antigen was not detected in brain material from field cases of the infection, its presence was readily confirmed in suckling mouse brain isolates of the virus. The double immunodiffusion test was found to be unreliable as a serological test for the retrospective diagnosis of louping ill infection in the horse.
Miller JR, Blake JW, Tobin T.An electron capturing derivative of apomorphine was prepared by incubating the drug with heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HFBA), triethylamine and heat. Mass spectral analysis suggests that HFBA reacts with both phenolic hydroxyl groups on apomorphine to give a derivative detectable at low picogram levels. This method is sufficiently sensitive for pharmacokinetic studies in the horse and is likely applicable to other dopaminergic analogues of apomorphine.
Teuscher C, Kenney RM, Cummings MR, Catten M.In this study, 2 stallions were immunised with their own spermatozoa to ascertain whether an antisperm autoantibody response could be mounted. The results demonstrated that the stallion can recognise and respond to sperm autoantigens by producing circulating antisperm antibodies, primarily of the IgG class. Such autoantibodies appeared 2-4 weeks after inoculation and persisted for 6-20 weeks. Immunochemical characterisation by western blot identified two major sperm autoantigens, with molecular weights of 70 kD and 62 kD. Control pony stallions immunised with adjuvants alone failed to exhibit ...
Stephen J, Harty M, Hollis A, Yeomans J, Corley K.An 11-year-old mare presented 36 hours after foaling with a ruptured bladder. Uroperitoneum was diagnosed on ultrasound and from the creatinine concentration of the peritoneal fluid. Bladder endoscopy demonstrated tissue necrosis and a rent in the dorsocranial aspect of the bladder. Following stabilisation, including abdominal drainage and lavage, the mare was taken to standing surgery. Under continuous sedation and epidural anaesthesia, and after surgical preparation, a Balfour retractor was placed in the vagina. Using sterile lubricant and moderate force, it was possible to insert a hand int...
Blanco MA, Di Rado FN, Peterson MM.Turfgrass in equine sports has clear advantages over other types of reinforcement but adds complexity to the management. This study investigates factors that influence the turfgrass' surface performance and how the use of a drainage package and a geotextile reinforcement affect quantitative measurements of turfgrass. The measurements are made using affordable, lightweight testing tools that are readily available or easily constructed. Eight boxes with turfgrass over a mix of the arena with peat at a consistent depth were tested for volumetric moisture content (VMC %) with time-domain reflectom...
Schoonover MJ, Whitfield CT, Young JM, Sippel KM, Payton ME.OBJECTIVE To determine effects for 2 IV regional limb perfusion (IVRLP) protocols involving tiludronate on lameness of horses with navicular syndrome. ANIMALS 15 horses with bilateral forelimb navicular syndrome. PROCEDURES Shoeing and anti-inflammatory injection into the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) of both forelimbs (day 0) were performed on all horses. On day 14, horses received 1 of 3 IVRLPs consisting of 0.1 mg of tiludronate/kg (low-dose tiludronate [LDT]; n = 5), 0.2 mg of tiludronate/kg (high-dose tiludronate [HDT]; 5), or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (placebo; 5); treatments wer...
Kraus BL, Kirker-Head CA, Kraus KH, Jakowski RM, Steckel RR.The vascular and microvascular anatomy of the equine deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) within the digital sheath was studied by injecting the vasculature with either colored latex or barium sulphate for radiographic, microangiographic, histologic, and computed tomographic (CT) evaluation. Consecutive 4-mm thick two-dimensional CT slice data were reconstructed to 3-dimensional volumetric images to enhance spatial evaluation of the blood supply. Gross dissection and angiographic studies identified three major vascular sources. Above the fetlock, the DDFT was supplied by either a branch of the me...
Tryland M.In December 1801, the first vaccination against smallpox in Norway took place. Vaccine material came from Denmark, England, Ireland, and other countries; it was also obtained from a few local cowpox cases. What mattered was the effect, not the origin. Several reports indicate that variola virus itself, the cause of smallpox, was also used for human vaccination after passages through cows and horses. A vaccine institute for production of vaccine in calves was established in Kristiania in 1891. Cowpox was once a rare disease in cattle, but a total of 70,985 bovine cases were reported between 188...
