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.
McGuire TR, Weitkamp LR.The equine transferrin F variant is distinguishable into two types, F1 and F2, on alkaline polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Gene frequencies in 63 related Thoroughbreds are 0.39 and 0.19 for TfF1 and TfF2, respectively. In contrast the frequencies for these two alleles in 375 related Standardbreds is 0.00 and 0.59.
Slocombe JO, McCraw BM.Trials were conducted in ponies to evaluate the efficacy of pyrantel pamoate (Strongid-T(R)) and two newer anthelmintics not yet commercially available, nitramisole and avermectin B(1)a, against migrating Strongylus vulgaris larvae. Ponies were removed from their mares within 24-48 hr after birth and reared in isolation, worm free. Between six and 14 weeks of age they were infected with 2000 or 2500 infective S. vulgaris larvae. Subsequently, they were monitored daily for clinical signs until the experiment terminated at 28 days postinfection. All ponies showed increased body temperature and r...
Sahu SP, Pierson RE, Dardiri AH.Actively growing culture of contagious equine metritis (CEM) bacteria or infective exudate (or both) were inoculated intrauterine in pony mares. A direct relationship was observed between (i) appearance and duration of cervicitis and vaginitis and (ii) vaginal exudate. Clinical signs appeared 1 to 3 days after mares were inoculated and lasted 7 to 23 days. In the acute phase of infection, all uterine and cervical samples yielded CEM bacteria. In the asymptomatic stage of infection, CEM bacteria were not isolated from uterine and cervical samples; however, in 33%, 28%, and 20% of the pony mares...
Tisserand JL, Boulard F, Deponge P.We studied a caecum-cannulated pony fed hay libitum in order to determine the mineral elements likely to cause deficiencies which decrease microbial activity in the caecum. During four successive 1-month periods, we observed the effects of adding 50 mg of iron, 1 mg of cobalt, 40 mg of copper and 200 mg of zinc, respectively. Except for the introduction of zinc, which greatly diminishes cellulolytic activity measured with the nylon bag technique, there was no significant modification in that activity as shown by pH, NH3-nitrogen, total nitrogen and volatile fatty acid production (table 1). It ...
Woolcock JB, Mutimer MD, Farmer AM.Using a selective medium, the epidemiology of Corynebacterium equi in horses was studied. Twelve horse studs in different geographical locations were investigated. In addition, a group of horses was monitored over a period of time to determine whether faecal carriage of C equi is constant or intermittent. It was found that C equi could be recovered from every property tested and from all horse breeds. The organism was found in mares, stallions, yearlings and two year olds, and foals aged from 10 days to several months. It appears that C equi is widespread and that its occurrence is not related...
Nyaga PN, Wiggins AD, Priester WA.Three hundred and sixty cases of diagnosed equine influenza reported to the Veterinary
Medical Data Program (VMDP) of the National Cancer Institute, U.S.A., were tested for the
independent effects of age, breed and sex, relative to a reference clinic-hospital population of 84,562
equine patients. Horses of age category 2-6 months showed a significant risk above unity for
infection with equine influenza virus whereas, horses in age category 7-10 yr showed a significant,
low and sparing risk. Horses under two months or over 10 years, as well as those in ages from 6
months to 7 yr had non-s...
Braend M, Romagnoli A.Starch gel electrophoresis of 55 donkey serum samples revealed three prealbumin (Pr) phenotypes temporarily designated Pr M, Pr MT and Pr T. The distribution was in agreement with a genetic theory of two codominant alleles of frequencies, PrM = 0.87 and PrT - 0.13. Variation was also observed for proteins migrating with the same rate as the Xh zones in the horse.
Houpt KA, Wolski TR.The dominance hierarchy of a herd of 10 Thoroughbred mares was determined twice, at an interval of 18 months, using paired feeding tests. Each mare's rank was correlated significantly between the 2 tests. This indicated that the hierarchy within the herd was stable. The offspring of dominant and subordinate mares were also tested for dominance in their own age groups. The offspring of dominant mares tended to be near the top of the hierarchy while those of middle and low ranking mares were not consistently found in the middle or bottom of their own hierarchies. Paired feeding tests were carrie...
Clayton HM, Duncan JL, Dargie JD.The mechanisms involved in the pathophysiological disturbances associated with the presence of mature Parascaris equorum in the small intestine were investigated with radioisotopic techniques. The results suggested that, compared with worm-free controls, infected foals had a reduction in gut motility, an increase in the body solids ratio, a lowering of the body pool of albumin and a decreased ability to incorporate dietary methionine into plasma protein.
Gronwall R, Engelking LR, Noonan N.Biliary excretion of bilirubin, including the conjugate composition, was studied during feeding and during a 2.5-day fast of three pony mares with chronic external biliary (T-tube) fistulas. Fasting bilirubin excretion (1.96 +/- 0.74 microgram/min/kg of body weight), after establishing a new steady state, was not different from excretion during feeding (1.99 +/- 0.45 microgram/min/kg). Hyperbilirubinemia of fasting resulted from a reduced removal of plasma bilirubin rather than from an increased input of bilirubin into the plasma. Relative plasma excretion of the individual conjugate fractions...
Meuten DJ, Kociba G, Threlfall WR, Nogode LA.Serum alkaline phosphatase was measured in ten mares during various stages of gestation. No significant change in serum alkaline phosphatase activity was detected during pregnancy. These data suggest that interpretation of serum alkaline phosphatase in horses can be made independently of their pregnancy status.
Orsini JA, Taylor JI.Enflurane, a new volatile anesthetic agent, was compared with halothane as components of a commonly used clinical anesthetic regime in the pony. Enflurane provides satisfactory general anesthesia when administered at a maintenance concentration of approximately 1.5-2.5%, in combination with a 1:1 nitrous oxide-oxygen mixture. With both agents cardiac rhythm and pulse were stable, however significant arterial hypotension occurred, especially during and following induction, being anesthetic concentration dependent. Hypoventilation was induced by both agents, there being no significant quantitati...
Murphy JR, McPherson EA, Dixon PM.The effects of the bronchodilator drugs, atropine, isoprenaline and terbutaline, on normal horses and on horses affected with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), were assessed by pulmonary function tests and clinical examination. Normal horses were not affected but COPD horses responded by a marked decrease in intrathoracic pressure, a decrease in respiratory rate, an initial decrease followed by an increase in arterial oxygen partial pressure and clinical improvement after treatment with all 3 drugs. These changes were temporary.
Kings MA, de Weck AL.Pharmacological histamine releasing agents, such as compound 48/80, poly-L-lysine, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH; beta 1-24 available commercially as Synacthen), catecholamines, purine bases, etc., are well known to induce histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells and mast cells of other species; and to a lesser extent from peripheral blood leucocytes. It is reported in this paper that several of these potent histamine-releasing agents induce little or no histamine release from horse leucocytes. In particular the calcium ionophore A 23187 induced no histamine release. On the other ...
Macleod AJ, Drummond O.Foetal and new born bovine sera, horse serum, human serum and human plasma, and protein solutions prepared from the by-products of human plasma fractionation have been analysed. Foetal bovine sera were found to have lower total protein (g/l) and % of gamma-globulin than the other sera studied while the potassium (mmol/1) was higher. Protease inhibitors could be detected in all specimens tested.
Eustachiewicz R, Flieger S, Boratyński Z, Sławomirski J.The material for the study was taken from 2 spinal cords of sexually mature horses. Preparations obtained from this material were stained according to Nissl and with the use of cresyl violet. The nucleus dorsalis of the horse extends from the 8th cervical neuromere to the 3rd lumbar neuromere of the spinal cord. The cells which form this nucleus lie in the grey matter of the spinal cord, dorsolaterally of the central canal. The nucleus dorsalis is made out of large and medium-size round and oval cells. The characteristic feature of the structure and configuration of this nucleus in the horse i...
Turner WH, Pickard DJ.A new haemolysin from Staphylococcus aureus produced opaque zones of haemolysis on horse blood agar but did not lyse equine erythrocytes suspended in phosphate-buffered saline. The haemolysin was not neutralized by normal rabbit serum and was distinct from alpha-, beta- and delta-haemolysins as well as human leucocidin. Partially purified preparations produced erythema when injected intradermally into rabbit skin.
Keeler RF, Balls LD, Shupe JL, Crowe MW.Cows, ewes, and mares varied considerably in susceptibility to toxicoses from the oral administration of the piperidine alkaloid, coniine. Cows were most susceptible and ewes least. Only calves had teratogenic effects from maternal administration of coniine during gestation; lambs and foals were apparently resistant. Results suggest that the marked differences between cattle and sheep are probably not due to variation in gut absorption or rumen metabolism.
Enbergs H.Measuring serum or plasma levels of progesterone can be used to determine if conception has occurred in horses. If the mare's progesterone level is below 2 ng/ml 18 days after mating has occurred, conception has not taken place. This method can be used as an addunct to genital examination, and it can be used to determine if hormonal irregularities are present in mares who have not been able to conceive.
Greaves HE, Porter MB, Sharp DC.Long-term ovariectomized Pony mares were treated with oestradiol (0.2-5.0 mg; i.m.) at 12 h intervals for 10 days. Blood samples were collected by jugular venepuncture three times a day throughout the experiment and additional blood samples were collected at 15 min intervals for 12 h on days 0 and 10 (sampling periods 1 and 2, respectively). There were significant effects of oestradiol treatment (P < 0.05) and oestradiol treatment x day (P < 0.0001) on the mean LH concentrations each day. Regression analysis of LH time trends each day indicates that there is heterogeneity (P < 0.001) ...
Bousum PC.There is no simple recipe for designing a multifaceted practice. However, keys to any design are the devotion of the people involved and proper positioning of such people in the organization. Anyone designing such a practice also must pay keen attention to details and a keep a finger constantly on the pulse of the business to ensure that it maintains a sound financial footing and a consistent vision. Little money is made from savings or pushing financials. Profits come mainly through building additional sales, maintaining a clear vision, and making shrewd investments. Like for every small busi...
Adair HS, Duncan RB, Toal RL.A 3-year-old Appaloosa stallion with a 4 cm x 4 cm x 2.5 cm mass protruding from his nasal bone was evaluated. Radiographs revealed an osseous mass, with a radiopaque outer margin and several radiolucent areas within the body of the mass. The mass was surgically removed and evaluated histopathologically. The histopathological diagnosis was osteochondroma. This case represent the first reported occurrence of an osteochondroma arising from intramembraneous bone in the horse.
Gothe R.This paper gives a survey on biology and ecology of equine tapeworms as well as on pathogenesis, clinics, diagnosis, therapy, and prophylaxis of tapeworm infections.
Soma LR, Uboh CE, Nann L, Gerber AL.The administration of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or 'milk shakes' to Standardbred horses before racing is widespread. This study analysed nonrace day (CTL) and prerace venous acid-base values from Standardbred horses racing in Pennsylvania (PA) and New Jersey (NJ). Mean +/- s.d. CTL bicarbonate (HCO3) and base excess (BE) values, for a group of horses stabled during the 1993 racing season at Pocono Downs, Pennsylvania, were 28.6 +/- 1.9 and 2.6 +/- 1.7 mmol/l, respectively. In the same population of horses, mean +/- s.d. values for prerace HCO3- and BE values were 33.1 +/- 2.8 and 7.0 +/- 2.3...
Dillon AM, Heath MF.Protein tyrosine phosphorylation (PTP) in thrombin- and platelet-activating factor (PAF)-stimulated equine platelet activation was investigated in the absence and presence of 2 protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors (PTKIs), methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate (MDHC) and genistein. Washed equine platelets aggregated irreversibly in response to thrombin or PAF in an agonist concentration dependent fashion. MDHC produced an MDHC concentration and time dependent inhibitory effect on rate and extent of thrombin- and PAF-induced aggregations, whereas the effect of genistein on the same parameters was only ge...
Kirker-Head CA, Fackelman GE.Four long bone fractures with a short distal fragment were repaired with a cobra head bone plate alone (2 cattle) or in combination with a straight, broad dynamic compression plate (2 horses). Three fractures were of the distal femur (1 horse, 2 cattle) and one was of the distal radius (1 horse). The long-term outcome of the three femoral fractures was soundness in one case and mild lameness in two. Although satisfactory bone healing progressed in the horse with the radial fracture, laminitis in the contralateral forelimb necessitated euthanasia at week 6.
Denoix JM.The structural morphology of the mandibula is presented and correlated to various types of mastication in several Mammalian species. The latter include: Carnivores (Dog, Cat, Cheetah, Lion); Omnivores (Man, Chimpanzee, Hog); Herbivores (Horse, Ox, Goat, Camel, Rabbit). While the mandibula is studied as a composite unit, a more analytical, segmental approach has been included, and both are illustrated by X-rays. The aspects presented underline the distribution as well as the local modifications of compact bone, and in addition, the arrangement and the development of spongy bone trabeculae. A pr...
Gardelle O, Feige K, Geissbühler U, Geyer H, Schmucker N, Sydler T, Kaser-Hotz B.For the past 2 years computed tomography is used at the Veterinary School, University of Zürich. This new imaging modality enables the detection of abnormalities occurring in small and large animals which were previously not visible with imaging techniques. Subjects of this study were a foal and a small pony, both with suspected head trauma. Routine radiography could not explain any of the neurological deficiencies. In the first case a basilar skull fracture along with a focal brain hemorrhage was detected, in the second case multiple basilar skull fractures were seen. The computed tomographi...
Yu DT, Gale RP, Kacena A, Pearson CM.Rosette formation between human lymphocytes and horse red blood cells could be promoted by a low pH medium, overnight incubation and a temperature of 4 degrees C. The percent of sheep, horse and human rosette-forming cells in the peripheral blood were 71.7 +/- 1.8, 30.5 +/- 2.8 and 28.3 +/- 3.4 respectively. However, their percentages in thymuses were 97.1 +/- 1.1, 91.4 +/- 2.4 and 89.0 +/- 3.4. Using preparations of isolated subpopulations, it was observed that the horse and human red cell rosette-forming cells were probably also "early" sheep red cell rosette-forming cells. Rosette formation...
Whiteley HE, Sundberg JP.A group of spontaneously occurring animal papillomas which were negative or positive for papillomavirus group-specific antigen were examined with a battery of biotinylated lectins including Con A, WGA, succinylated-WGA, PNA and UEA-I. Canine papillomas, equine papillomas, white-tailed deer fibromas, mule deer fibromas, and bovine fibropapillomas were examined. Each lectin had a specific staining pattern. No obvious differences in staining patterns between normal skin, viral antigen-positive and -negative neoplasms were identified. This may be due to the well-differentiated and organized nature...
Zertuche JM, Brown MP, Gronwall R, Merritt K.Pharmacokinetic values for flunixin meglumine (1 mg/kg of body weight) and phenylbutazone (4 mg/kg) dosages were determined after a single IV injection with and without concurrent intragastric administration of probenecid (50 mg/kg) in 6 healthy mares. Significant difference was not apparent in the pharmacokinetic values of flunixin meglumine with and without concurrent probenecid administration. Significant (P less than or equal to 0.05) increase was evident in the 12-hour mean concentration of phenylbutazone (11.45 +/- 1.66 micrograms/ml without probenecid; 14.56 +/- 1.20 micrograms/ml with ...
Dunlop CI, Hodgson DS, Watson JW, Gillespie JR, Steffey EP, Jackson AC.High frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) is a recently developed mode of ventilation that delivers small tidal volumes at frequencies greater than 60 cycles per min via an injection catheter to the animal's airway. The construction of a high frequency jet ventilator suitable for use in adult horses is described. The effectiveness of this ventilator in maintaining normal arterial blood-gas tension was evaluated in five healthy adult horses. The horses were anaesthetised with intravenous acetylpromazine, guaifenesin, and thiamylal, positioned in lateral recumbency and baseline measurements were mad...
Doughty A, Cross N, Robins A, Phillips CJ.There are ethical concerns regarding the loss of horses from various equine industries and their corresponding slaughter. However, to date, no empirical evidence regarding the extent of this loss, nor of the condition of horses involved, exists within Australia. Objective: To determine the approximate ages, brand type and condition of feet of horses relinquished to an export abattoir in Australia. Methods: Data were collected from 340 horses processed at an Australian abattoir from November 2007-January 2008. Foot abnormalities, injuries and hoof indicators of overgrown and untrimmed hooves we...
Wiśniewska A, Janczarek I, Wilk I, Tkaczyk E, Mierzicka M, Stanley CR, Górecka-Bruzda A.The authors wish to make the following correction to this paper [...].
Horteloup MP, Threlfall WR, Funk JA.The horse early conception factor (ECF) test is designed for qualitative determination of the ECF glycoprotein in the mare that has conceived. The objectives of this study were to determine the performance of the horse ECF test for the detection of the non-pregnant mare, and to determine the agreement among subjects or "readers" regarding the interpretation of the test. Blood samples from 60 mares were collected on Days 0, 5, 8, 11 and 18 following ovulation. Pregnancy status diagnosed with the ECF test was compared (2 x 2 table) to pregnancy status diagnosed by palpation per rectum and ultras...