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.
Kaminski M, Metenier L, Sykiotis M, Ryder OA, Demontoy MC.1. Among several species of Equidae only E. przewalskii possesses a serum esterase identical with that of E. caballus. 2. The esterases of Hemionidae differ slightly from that of domestic horse by electrophoretic migration and by antigenic structure. 3. Zebras (grevyi, burchelli) appear devoid of this component but Z. hartmannae possesses an esterase of high enzymatic activity, differing notably from that of horse by electrophoretic and antigenic properties.
Dixon JB, Allan D, West CR.Data are presented on lymphocyte transformation by phytohaemagglutinin in 20 normal horses. The logarithms of transformation ratios were found to have an approximately normal distribution, giving (for the transformation ratios themselves) a geometric mean of 23.6, a range of 1.92 to 97.3, and an estimated 95 per cent tolerance interval of 1.1 to 488. Analysis of variance on the logarithms of the transformation ratios gave a coefficient of variation of 140 per cent of the transformation ratios themselves for the variation between horses; whereas the coefficient of variation between duplicate sa...
Foote RH.Several inherited conditions associated with testicular defects, abnormal spermatogenesis and morphologically abnormal sperm have been found. These usually are controlled by single gene pairs. A notable exception is testicular size, with heritability in young bulls ranging from .42 to .88. Testicular size directly affects sperm output potential. The major contributor to variation in semen quality is the environment. Environmental effects may be temporary or permanent. Permanent effects occurring during prenatal and prepubertal periods and temporary or permanent factors acting after spermatogen...
Smith DF.The pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation and medical management of the horse with intestinal obstruction is outlined. Emphasis is on early and accurate determination of the need for surgery and on providing optimal preoperative medical support.
Sandberg K, Juneja RK.Evidence for close linkage between the structural loci for albumin and Gc protein in the horse was presented. A recombination frequency (c) of 0.009 +/- 0.006 (95% confidence limits: 0.001 less than c less than 0.032) was estimated. These results were based on a study of a large sire family comprising 223 offspring from informative matings. No evidence of linkage disequilibrium was observed in one horse population studied.
Villar E, Calvo P, Cabezas JA.1. Peripheral blood serum alpha-L-fucosidases have been studied from various mammalian species: Sus scropha var domestica L. (pig), Capra hircus L. (goat), Bos taurus L. (bull, races Morucha and Charolais), Equus caballus L. (horse) and Equus asinus L. (donkey). 2. Fluorimetric and spectrophotometric procedures were used for determination of alpha-L-fucosidases. 3. alpha-L-Fucosidases were more active towards fluorescent substrates than towards chromogenic substrates. 4. pH optima values of the enzymes are: (A) 5.5 for sera from all above-mentioned species when fluorescent substrates were empl...
McPherson EA, Lawson GH, Murphy JR, Nicholson JM, Fraser JA, Breeze RG, Pirie HM.Mean normal values for PaO, and max A Ppl for horses were determined. Using 2 standard deviations below (Pa0,) and above (max A Ppl) the mean normal values as a guide, horses affected with COPD were satisfactorily distinguished from other horses in a series of 100 animals. The frequency of occurrence of 20 different clinical parameters in affected, not affected and possibly affected horses was examined statistically. Poor work performance and a history of previous febrile illness occurred more often in COPD horses than in others. The presence of a chronic cough, dyspnoea, double expiratory eff...
Robinson NE, Sorenson PR.We studied collateral flow resistance in exsanguinated, excised lower lobes and accessory lobes of dog and horse lungs, respectively. A double lumen catheter obstructed a peripheral airway isolating a segment of the lobe. Oxygen flowed into the segment via a rotameter which measured flow (Vcoll) while the inner catheter recorded segment pressure (Ps). Gas delivered into the segment flowed out via collateral channels. Collateral flow resistance was calculated as (Ps - PL)/Vcoll, where PL = static transpulmonary pressure. Rcoll at PL = 20, 10, and 5 cm H2O averaged 0.24, 1.25, and 2.65 cmH2O.ml-...
Tauffkirchen E.Neurodevelopmental treatment according to Dr. K. and B. Bobath can be supplemented by hippotherapy. At proper control and guidance, an improvement in posture tone, inhibition of pathological movement patterns, facilitation of normal automatical reactions and the promotion of sensorimotor perceptions is achieved. By adjustment to the swaying movements of the horse, the child feels how to retain straightening alignment, symmetry and balance. By pleasure in this therapy, the child can be motivated to satisfactory cooperation and accepts the therapy horse as its friend. The results of hippotherapy...
Gahne B, Juneja RK.Cattle and horse plasma samples of known post-albumin types were radiolabelled with 14C-vitamin D3. These samples were then analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by autoradiography. The patterns observed were identical to those of post-albumin variants. The polymorphic post-albumin protein of cattle and horse was thus identified as the vitamin D binding protein and homologous to the Gc protein of human plasma.
Snyder SP, England JJ, McChesney AE.Five of six immunodeficient Arabian foals that died of adenoviral infection were found to be infected with an intestinal coccidian of the genus Cryptosporidium. Various developmental stages of the organism were found in the microvillous border of the intestinal mucosa. The foals had diarrhea but it was not possible to separate the effects of the cryptosporidial infection from those of the concomitant adenoviral enteritis.
Malhotra DV, Banerjee DP, Gautam OP.The prevalence of Babesia equi infection in north west India was assessed by means of the capillary tube agglutination (CA) test. The particulate antigen used in the test was potent and no cross reaction with other related haemaprotozoa was observed. The serological survey showed that from 323 horses from 3 localities there was an overall incidence of 50.1 per cent. In Haryana the incidence was 38.3 per cent in the 196 horses tested, in Uttar Pradesh it was 47.2 per cent from 72 animals and in Rajasthan it was 96.4 per cent from 55 horses.
Graham EF, Crabo BG, Pace MM.From the studies cited it was concluded that short and long term preservation of stallion semen has encountered major obstacles. Fertilizing capacity of extended or extended and cooled spermatozoa has been impaired. With the hydrogen ion extenders, the fertility was depressed either with or without glycerol when the semen was inseminated immediately after extension. With the cream-gel extender, fertility was not impaired when inseminated immediately after extension, but was impaired after storage at 5 C for 24 hr or in the presence of glycerol. The fertilizing capacity of extended frozen sperm...
Rejnö S, Strömberg B.An investigation was made of the pathology of osteochondritis dissecans of young foals and horses with clinical signs of the lesion. A randomly selected material of fetuses and young foals without clinical signs was also examined. It was demonstrated that osteochondritis dissecans is primarily a cartilaginous disease, as previously described in pigs and dogs. Thickening, disturbance of endochondral ossification, degeneration and necrosis of the cartilage were the four main features of osteochondritis dissecans. Cracks and fissures occurred in the degenerated and necrotic parts of the cartilage...
Lewis J, Poland J.The ability of erythromycin in liquid medium to suppress the growth of eight species of acholeplasma and of 13 species of mycoplasma was tested. The Acholeplasma spp and two glycolytic Mycoplasma spp from horses--a slow glucose-metabolising (SGM) mycoplasma and a strain N3, related to M mycoides--were sensitive to erythromycin. Thus the growth of acholeplasmas can be suppressed when attempts are made to isolate pathogens from the porcine respiratory tract, but, in the case of horses, erythromycin would suppress not only Acholeplasma spp but also two Mycoplasma spp of unknown pathogenicity in t...
Fisher RA, Scott AM.A new method for separating the isozymes of horse serum esterase is described. The improved resolution has enabled us to detect several previously undescribed phenotypes. This method has also been used to detect two different apparently 'silent' alleles.
Attenburrow DP.The development of a radio-stethoscope for horses is described. The equipment consisted of a sound transducer applied to the skin adjacent to the trachea and a radio transmitter attached to the saddle. The signals emitted were detected by telemetry and recorded on a magnetic tape-recorder. The recorder incorporated a monitor earphone so that sounds could be reproduced at the time of recording. The frequency response obtainable ranged from a few Hz to 4 KHz. This technique provided an objective means of studying the respiratory sounds generated during exercise although absolute values could not...
Cybinski DH, St George TD, Paull NI.Neutralising antibody to Akabane virus was shown to develop in cattle in northern Australia throughout the year and also on the east coast of New South Wales in the summer during 1975/1976. Other species found to have antibody to Akabane virus were buffaloes, horses, camels and sheep, but no antibody was found in domestic chickens, ducks, wallabies or man. The biting midge Culicoides brevitarsis has been detected in all the major areas where antibody was demonstrated in this study.
Bergan T, Versland I.To be active, antimicrobials must reach the bacteria in the infectious foci in adequate concentrations. Direct measurements of levels in the various foci are difficult to perform, but a number of animal models with artificial extravascular foci have been developed. In many ways, the physiology of pigs resemble that of humans. Consequently, it was thought that pigs might also parallel humans in the handling of penicillins. General pharmacokinetics of ampicillin and flucloxacillin and the penetration of the substances to subcutaneously implanted teflon tistisue chambers were investigated. Ampici...
Allen GP, Cohen JC, Randall CC, O'Callaghan DJ.The replication of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and type 3 (EHV-3) was unimpeded in three different cell types-equine epithelial cells, equine fibroblasts, and mouse fibroblasts-which had been blocked in their capacity to synthesize host DNA by 2.5 mM hydroxyurea (HU) or 2 mM thymidine (TdR). The rate of DNA synthesis in uninfected or equine herpesvirus-infected cells in the presence of HU or TdR was measured by pulse-labeling cell samples with a labeled DNA precursor at different times after infection. DNA synthesis in uninfected cultures was completely inhibited by both compounds. Howev...
Shehata R.The anatomy and histology of the male uterus were studied in the donkey and the horse. In the former it was found complete and long, while in the latter it was incomplete or absent. Some variations met with are described. A new concept of "internal male hermaphroditism' is presented and two types are differentiated.
Dorrego A, Serres C, Cruz-Lopez F.Taylorella equigenitalis has long been recognised as a causative agent of contagious equine metritis, but practitioners may be less familiar with Taylorella asinigenitalis, which has been identified more recently. Here, Abel Dorrego, Consuelo Serres and Fatima Cruz-Lopez of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid describe T asinigenitalis and report the findings of a survey they carried out in donkeys in Spain.
Regodon S, Franco A, Lignereux Y, Redondo E.A technique is described for catheterisation of the ventricular recess within the olfactory bulb of the horse. Twelve adult horses were used. The olfactory recess is in the frontal region, 42 +/- 3 mm below the skin, on the line joining the supraorbital foramina, and approximately 18 +/- 2 mm from the midline. The approach is relatively easy under normal experimental conditions.
Schultheiss PC, Collins JK, Carman J.An indirect immunoperoxidase (IP) procedure using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex detection technique was developed to detect viral equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) antigen in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from aborted equine fetuses. The procedure was applied to liver, lung, and other tissues from 20 cases of confirmed or suspected EHV-1-induced abortions. Specific staining was observed in tissue sections from EHV-1-infected fetuses. Positive IP staining was present in tissues of 7 cases that were also positive by fluorescent antibody (FA) and virus isolation (VI) and that had typ...
Peel AJ, Bouts T, Flach E, Rivers S, Routh A.Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), also known as Equine Cushing's disease, is most often diagnosed in older horses and ponies. To the authors' knowledge, there have been no reports of its diagnosis in captive nondomestic equids. A 13-yr old onager (Equus hemionus onager) at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Whipsnade Zoo showed clinical signs suggestive of PPID, including hirsutism, fat redistribution, weight loss, laminitis, and chronic infections. A dexamethasone suppression test was performed to confirm PPID. Subsequently, adenomatous hyperplasia and microadenoma of the pars...
Menzies R.The oral examination is performed in equids to assess and monitor oral health status, provide diagnoses, and determine efficacy of treatments. While there is currently insufficient scientific material of adequate quality to enable evidence-based medicine in equine dentistry, this by no means negates the clinician's responsibility to provide oral health care in a scientific and ethical manner. To do so requires that the clinician be knowledgable and skilled in dentistry and general medicine, that each case upholds the principles of scientific method, and that data is gathered and appraised in a...
Sanchez LC, Giguère S, Javsicas LH, Bier J, Walrond CJ, Womble AY.Gastric tonometry is commonly used in humans as an assessment of intestinal mucosal perfusion. Values in healthy foals are currently unknown. Objective: Age, enteral feeding, and omeprazole administration would significantly alter gastric tonometry measurements in neonatal foals. Methods: Nine clinically normal foals were used to assess the effect of age and feeding, and 8 similar foals were used to assess the effect of omeprazole. Methods: At 1, 7, and 14 days of age, gastric intramucosal PCO2 (PgCO2) and arterial blood gas samples were obtained at baseline, immediately after feeding milk, an...
Schade SM, Arnoczky SP, Bowker RM.To describe the intra-osseous microvasculature of the distal phalanx of the equine forelimb with regard to its potential clinical relevance. Methods: Eleven clinically normal equine forelimbs were used from six adult horses (range: 4 to 18 years old) euthanatized for reasons unrelated to lameness. In each limb the median artery was catheterized at the level of the carpus and India ink was injected under constant manual pressure. The limbs were frozen and 5 mm thick sections of the foot were cut in the sagittal, coronal, or transverse planes on a band saw. The sections were fixed in 10% formali...
Jacobs CC, Stefanovski D, Southwood LL.To determine whether perioperative variables can be used to differentiate a medical vs a surgical reason for postoperative reflux (POR) after small intestinal (SI) surgery in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Horses >1 year of age that recovered from SI surgery and had POR. Methods: Medical records of horses that underwent SI surgery and developed POR from 2009-2015 were reviewed. Surgical reasons for POR were defined as an anastomosis complication, mechanical obstruction, or nonviable intestine identified at repeat celiotomy/necropsy. A medical reason for POR was presumed wh...
Blake KR, Affolter VK, Lowenstine LJ, Vilches-Moure JG, le Jeune SS.A 10-year-old Lipizzaner stallion was evaluated over the course of 1.5 years because of intermittent, recurrent colic. Results: The horse was initially treated medically for gastric ulcers; dietary changes were made, and a deworming protocol was instituted, without resolution of colic episodes. Subsequently, the horse underwent exploratory celiotomy and a large colon volvulus was identified with diffuse colonic wall thickening. A pelvic flexure biopsy sample was submitted for histologic examination, which revealed lymphocytic (CD3-positive T cells) myenteric ganglionitis (MG). The horse develo...
Collins CW, Monfort SL, Vick MM, Wolfe BA, Weiss RB, Keefer CL, Songsasen N.To date, there has been limited research on manipulation of the estrous cycle in endangered equids. The objectives of this study were to assess the efficacy of using combinations of: (a) oral altrenogest and PGF2α, and (b) injectable altrenogest and PGF2α for manipulation of ovarian activity in Przewalski's mares. Reproductive cycles were monitored by assessing follicular changes with rectal ultrasound and changes in urinary steroid hormones. In Study 1, five cycling mares were treated with oral altrenogest (n=11 cycles) for 14 days. In Study 2, cycling mares were treated with oral altrenoge...
Offord S, Tulloch LK, Franklin SH, Tremaine WH, Woodford NS, Allen KJ.The laryngeal tie-forward (LTF) procedure has been shown to move the larynx rostrally and dorsally whilst repositioning the basihyoid bone caudally and dorsally. Other studies have shown that the position of the hyoid bones influences the size of the nasopharynx. The effect of the LTF procedure on the size of the nasopharynx is unknown. It was hypothesised that the LTF procedure would result in a decrease in dorsoventral nasopharyngeal diameter. Twenty-five thoroughbred horses which underwent LTF with or without soft palate cautery (LTF±SPC) for treatment of dorsal displacement of the soft pa...
Anderson WI, De Lahunta A, Vesely KR, Tucker GW.Infarction of the pons and rostral medulla secondary to arteriolar thrombosis was documented histologically in a 17-year-old mixed-Arabian female horse. Clinically, the animal experienced a sudden onset of a head tilt and subsequent non-controllable seizures. There was no historical, clinical or histological evidence to suggest the presence of infection of Equine Herpesvirus-1 or the feeding of corn contaminated by Fusarium moniliforme.
McGlinchey L, Hanson RR, Boone LH, Rosanowski SM, Coleridge M, Souza C, Munsterman AS.To compare the bursting strength and failure mode of ventral midline celiotomy closed with a simple continuous suture pattern with 1 of 2 knot combinations, a novel self-locking knot combination of a forwarder start with an Aberdeen end knot (F-A) and a traditional combination of a surgeon's start with a surgeon's end knot (S-S). Methods: Ex vivo experimental. Methods: Equine cadavers (n = 14). Methods: A 20-cm ventral midline celiotomy was created in 14 equine cadavers. Horses were assigned to celiotomy closure with an F-A or S-S knot combination. Prior to closure, a 200-L inflatable blad...
Hébert L, Cauchard J, Doligez P, Quitard L, Laugier C, Petry S.There is great concern about the potential pathogen contamination of horse manure compost spread in the same fields horses graze in. To ensure that pathogen destruction occurs, temperatures need to be sufficiently high during composting. Here, we investigated the survival rate of two marker organisms, Rhodococcus equi and Parascaris equorum eggs, exposed to temperatures potentially encountered during horse manure composting. Our results show that the time required to achieve a 1 log10 reduction in R. equi population (D-value) are 17.1 h (+/-1.47) at 45 degrees C, 8.6 h (+/-0.28) at 50 degrees ...
Appolonova SA, Baranov PA, Mesonzhnik NV, Brazhnikova DO, Rodchenkov GM.A method is described for the determination of mesocarb abuse in equestrian sport by combining gradient liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Mesocarb was administrated orally to two horses at a dose of 50 µg/kg. Urine samples were collected up to 120 h post administration. Hydrolyzed and conjugated urine fractions were handled using liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). The identity of the parent drug and metabolites was confirmed using liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Mesocarb and seven metabolites were detected in horse...
Hennessy SE, Cudmore L, Jackson LP, Vasey JR, Russell T.To (1) develop an arthroscopic approach to the subextensorius recess of the lateral femorotibial (LFT) joint in foals and (2) report its use in foals with LFT joint sepsis. Methods: (1) Anatomic study and (2) retrospective case series. Methods: (1) Cadaveric hind limbs (n = 32 foals) to delineate the anatomy of the subextensorius recess; 13 foal limbs for cadaver surgery to assess the approach to the subextensorius recess; and (2) foals (n = 8) with LFT joint sepsis. Methods: (1) The LFT joint was distended and examined ultrasonographically. Dissection was used to document periarticular landma...
Hyde KA, Altman A, Banasek R, Gastal MO, Gastal EL.Hay wastage when feeding round bales due to contamination, deterioration, and animal refusal can accrue large financial losses for farmers. The present study investigated the efficiency of the conventional Tombstone-style feeder system compared to the Hay Saver feeder system to reduce hay wastage in feeding round hay bales. Mares were distributed equally into two groups, Tombstone and Hay Saver, and fed six bales per group over 48 days. Hay wastage was collected daily, dried, and weighed, while the mares were weighed weekly. Overall, the Hay Saver feeder showed less hay wastage, higher mean ma...
Wulster KB.This article discusses the basis of image formation of radiography, scintigraphy, PET, computed tomography (fan beam and cone beam), and magnetic resonance as it relates to imaging of musculoskeletal injury in the sport horse. The benefits and drawbacks of each modality are discussed with particular emphasis on sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of identification of subchondral bone injury. Examples of straightforward as well as confounding lesions are provided, emphasizing the need for appropriate clinical workup and diagnostic analgesia, where appropriate.
