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.
Garcia EIC, Elghandour MMMY, Khusro A, Alcala-Canto Y, Tirado-González DN, Barbabosa-Pliego A, Salem AZM.Oxidative stress is the excess generation of free radicals and/or a decrease in the response of the antioxidant system. It is known to cause damage to the equine health by unbalancing the stable molecules. The dietary supplementation of vitamins E, C, and β-carotene cause beneficial effect on horses' health. These supplements could transform free radicals into the stable radicals, thereby showing importance in the prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress. Adding vitamins E, C, and β-carotene to the horses' diets in stressful conditions could decrease the production of free rad...
Hardeman AM, Egenvall A, Serra Bragança FM, Swagemakers JH, Koene MHW, Roepstorff L, van Weeren R, Byström A.Quantitative gait analysis offers objective information to support clinical decision-making during lameness workups including advantages in terms of documentation, communication, education, and avoidance of expectation bias. Nevertheless, hardly any data exist comparing outcome of subjective scoring with the output of objective gait analysis systems. Objective: To investigate between- and within-veterinarian agreement on primary lame limb and lameness grade, and to determine relationships between subjective lameness grade and quantitative data, focusing on differences between (1) veterinarians...
Karagianni AE, Kurian D, Cillán-Garcia E, Eaton SL, Wishart TM, Pirie RS.Neutrophilic airway inflammation is highly prevalent in racehorses in training, with the term mild to moderate equine asthma (MMEA) being applied to the majority of such cases. Our proposed study is largely derived from the strong association between MMEA in racehorses and their entry into a race training program. The objectives of this study are to characterise the effect of training on the local pulmonary immune system by defining the gene and protein expression of tracheal wash (TW) derived samples from Thoroughbred racehorses prior to and following commencement of race training. Multiomics...
Maia BT, Vendruscolo CDP, de Souza AF, Zoppa ALDV.The neurovascular bundle of the equine distal cannon can dynamically vary with limb position, and this can affect the performance of low 4- or 6-point block. This study aims to identify and describe the anatomical position and variations of the lateral and medial palmar/plantar nerve at the metacarpal/metatarsal distal level in horses by ultrasonography. Eight mares underwent ultrasound examination on the lateral and medial palmar/plantar sides of the metacarpus/metatarsus. Images were obtained for measurements of the cross-sectional area of the nerve, distances between the nerve and the skin ...
Hermans H, Lloyd-Edwards RA, Ferrão-van Sommeren AJH, Tersmette AA, Schouten JCM, Serra Bragança FM, van Loon JPAM.In standing ophthalmic surgery in horses, a retrobulbar nerve block (RNB) is often placed blindly for anesthesia and akinesia. The ultrasound (US)-guided RNB may have fewer complications, but the two techniques have only been compared once in equine cadavers. This study compares the techniques for success and complication rates and analyzes the effect of training on US guidance. Twenty-two equine cadavers were divided into three groups: blind RNBs were performed bilaterally in eight cadavers, US-guided RNBs were performed bilaterally in seven cadavers, and after US-guided training, blind RNBs ...
Gastal MO, Pastorello M, Godoi DB, Gastal EL.The aim of this study was to compare the dominant follicle (DF) and gonadotropin dynamics for 9 days before ovulation in postpartum lactating (PP Lactating) versus non-postpartum cycling (N-PP Cycling) mares. Every PP Lactating mare on the day of parturition was paired with a N-PP Cycling mare, and the data analyses considered the partum-ovulation interval (POI) and the postpartum interovulatory interval (PPIOI) in PP Lactating mares and two interovulatory intervals in N-PP Cycling mares. The results of the present study revealed several novel and unique aspects of DF development and FSH and L...
Furtado T, King M, Perkins E, McGowan C, Chubbock S, Hannelly E, Rogers J, Pinchbeck G.Equestrian grazing management is a poorly researched area, despite potentially significant environmental impacts. This study explored keepers' use of alternative grazing systems in the care of UK horses, donkeys and mules through an internet survey. The survey was available during the summer of 2020 and comprised closed and open questions, which were analysed with descriptive statistics and iterative thematic analysis, respectively. A total of 758 responses was incorporated into the analysis; the most popular system used were tracks (56.5%), Equicentral (19%), "other" (e.g., non-grass turnout)...
Norton NM, Santschi E, Fischer KJ.The etiology of subchondral bone cysts (SBCs) is not fully understood. Mechanical trauma and fluid pressure are two mechanisms believed to cause their formation and growth. The equine stifle joint provides a natural animal model for studying SBCs. Computed tomography images of an extended yearling cadaveric stifle joint were segmented using ScanIP to isolate bones and relevant soft tissues. Three model geometries were created to simulate cyst sizes of approximately 0.03 cm (C1), 0.5 cm (C2), and 1 cm (C3). A uniform pressure resulting in 3000Â N force was applied at the proximal end of the fem...
Sroka L, Müller C, Hass ML, These A, Aboling S, Vervuert I.Senecio jacobaea contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can induce severe hepatic intoxication in horses, either acute when ingested in high amounts or chronic when consumed over a long period. The aim of this study was to determine horses' rejection behaviour towards the presence of Senecio jacobaea in hay when fed ad libitum. We hypothesized that adult horses can sort Senecio jacobaea out of the contaminated hay when hay is fed ad libitum. Six warmblood geldings with a mean (±SD) age of 15 ± 2 years were included. In a randomized study, Senecio jacobaea contaminated hay (5% or 10% con...
Schoen LM, Al Naem M, Röcken M, Geburek F.Lacerations of the axillary region occur frequently in horses. Typical complications caused by entrapment of air in the wound during locomotion are subcutaneous emphysema, with consecutive pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax. In this case report, the clinical, radiographic and laboratory diagnosis and management of these complications after an axillary laceration that finally resulted in pneumoperitoneum are described. A 1-year-old Hannoveranian was presented with a pre-existing axillary laceration of unknown duration and subcutaneous emphysema in the surrounding tissue. Due to extensive tissue...
Waller P, Lomnicka I, Lucas C, Johnson S, Dirikolu L.The number of publications for most common drug violations in racehorses is limited. This study reports the most common medication violations in racehorses at four major racetracks in Louisiana between 2016 and 2020. During this 5-year period, 27,237 blood samples and 25,672 urine samples collected during the course of normal race meeting activities were analysed by initial screening procedure utilizing Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Following initial screening, suspect samples were subject to quantitative or semi- quantitative confirmation analysis by LC-MS/MS. The total ...
Morrell JM, Rocha A.One of the most commonly encountered challenges in equine breeding is endometritis, which can be difficult to resolve and causes considerable economic losses to the industry. It is a multifactorial condition, developing as an exaggerated form of the normal physiological response to breeding. Seminal plasma proteins, spermatozoa, bacteria and debris initiate an inflammatory response; the resulting fluid and neutrophils are then cleared from the uterus along with the debris. However, in some mares, the response is prolonged or exaggerated, with much fluid formation and neutrophil infiltration le...
Hwang H, Dong HJ, Han J, Cho S, Kim Y, Lee I.Gastric ulcer is one of the prevalent diseases in racehorses. However, it has not been recognized as important in Korea, and drugs used to treat gastric ulcers are included in the doping test list, so they are not allowed to be administered to racehorses in training. Objective: This study was performed 1) to investigate the prevalence and the severity of gastric ulcers in Thoroughbred racehorses in Korea, 2) to confirm the therapeutic effect of ranitidine and omeprazole, and 3) to compare the efficacy between ranitidine and omeprazole. Methods: Forty-nine horses were randomly recruited, and ga...
Lanier CJ, Taintor JS, Christopherson PW, Spangler EA.Acidemia in sick or injured horses is often due to lactic acid accumulation. Alterations in platelet function and hemostasis are among numerous deleterious effects caused by decreased physiologic pH. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effect of hyperlactatemia and resultant acidemia on platelet aggregation in equine whole blood using impedance aggregometry. Methods: Platelet aggregation was measured using the Multiplate analyzer in whole blood from 34 healthy horses at baseline and after in vitro addition of lactic acid to adjust the pH. Platelet aggregation of each sample was quantified by t...
Oliveira FAS, Castro RJS, de Oliveira JF, Barreto FM, Farias MPO, Marinho GLOC, Soares MJDS, Silva-Júnior A, Schwarz DGG.In Brazil, the horse is frequently used in cultural activities, sports, and in rural and urban work, implementing the economy in different social classes. Among the diseases in horses with zoonotic potential, rabies has been neglected in the country, increasing the risk of spreading the disease across borders. The present study evaluated the spatiotemporal distribution and temporal trend of rabies in horses in Brazil between 2010 and 2019. During this period, 1290 cases of rabies were detected in horses in Brazil, mainly in the states of São Paulo (21.7%) and Mato Grosso (13.3%). However, Esp...
Neto da Silva AC, Costa AL, Teixeira A, Alpoim-Moreira J, Fernandes C, Fradinho MJ, Rebordão MR, Silva E, Ferreira da Silva J, Bliebernicht M....In older mares, increasing collagen fibers (fibrosis) in the endometrium and oviduct predisposes to sub-fertility and infertility. In this study, (i) gene transcription of collagen (qPCR: COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1, COL5A1); (ii) total collagen protein (hydroxyproline); (iii) collagen distribution (Picrosirius red staining; polarized light microscopy); and (iv) microvascular density (Periodic acid-Schiff staining), were evaluated in mares' placenta, and related to mares age, and placenta and neonate weights. Samples were collected from the gravid horn, non-gravid horn, and body of the placenta fro...
Jelinski MD, Schreiner B, Neale A, Townsend HGG.A workforce survey of private veterinary practices in western Canada was conducted in 2020. Data were obtained on 526 practices (response rate = 39.5%) and 1445 individual veterinary practitioners. Overall, 68.4% of practitioners identified as female, with 4 times as many females as males comprising the youngest age cohorts (26 to 35 y) of the profession. The majority of practices (67.9%) were companion animal, followed by mixed animal (21.9%) and food animal (10.2%). Most females (77.2%) and males (57.8%) were engaged in companion animal practice, whereas 23.5% of males and 6.0% of females we...
Bergmann W, de Lest CV, Plomp S, Vernooij JCM, Wijnberg ID, Back W, Gröne A, Delany MW, Caliskan N, Tryfonidou MA, Grinwis GCM.Gross morphology of healthy and degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs) is largely similar in horses as in dogs and humans. For further comparison, the biochemical composition and the histological and biochemical changes with age and degeneration were analyzed in 41 warmblood horses. From 33 horses, 139 discs and 2 fetal vertebral columns were evaluated and scored histologically. From 13 horses, 73 IVDs were assessed for hydration, DNA, glycosaminoglycans, total collagen, hydroxyl-lysyl-pyridinoline, hydroxylysine, and advanced glycation end-product (AGE) content. From 7 horses, 20 discs were ...
Chambers TM.Horses are the third major mammalian species, along with humans and swine, long known to be subject to acute upper respiratory disease from influenza A virus infection. The viruses responsible are subtype H7N7, which is believed extinct, and H3N8, which circulates worldwide. The equine influenza lineages are clearly divergent from avian influenza lineages of the same subtypes. Their genetic evolution and potential for interspecies transmission, as well as clinical features and epidemiology, are discussed. Equine influenza is spread internationally and vaccination is central to control efforts....
Mohammed R, Nader SM, Hamza DA, Sabry MA.Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic mycozoonosis of global significance in a wide variety of host species. In equines, cryptococcosis is uncommon, and sporadic cases have been reported with rhinitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, and meningitis. Cryptococcus spp. represents a potential risk for immunosuppressed and healthy persons. In Egypt, epidemiological data on cryptococcal infection in horses are limited. The current study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of Cryptococcus spp. in horses and its possible role in the epidemiology of such disease in Egypt. A total of 223 samples was colle...
Avellar HK, Lutter JD, Ganta CK, Beard W, Smith JR, Jonnalagadda N, Peloquin S, Kang Q, Ayub K.Septic arthritis is considered a medical emergency. Disease following bacterial colonization can lead to significant morbidity and mortality and requires costly treatment. Antimicrobial properties of regenerative therapies, including mesenchymal stromal cells and platelet products, have been researched extensively in human medicine. Although fewer studies have been conducted in veterinary species, they have shown promising results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate bacterial suppression by equine platelet lysate (EPL) and adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) in vitro. We hy...
Fanelli D, Tesi M, Ingallinesi M, Camillo F, Panzani D.This study retrospectively analysed the effects of different environmental factors such as the photoperiod, temperature/humidity index of 19Â years of a commercial embryo transfer programme performed in central Italy. From 340 donors of different breeds and aged between 2 and 25Â years, 576 embryos of an excellent or good quality were obtained by uterine flushing on days 7-8 after ovulation. The embryos were transferred to 259 recipients, aged between 2 and 16Â years, and belonging to different breeds. Both the donors and the recipients were employed for several cycles/years. At the time of tr...
Lindroth KM, Dicksved J, Vervuert I, Müller CE.Free faecal liquid (FFL) is a condition in horses characterised by two-phase (one solid and one liquid) separation of faeces. Causes of the condition are unknown, but disturbed hindgut fermentation has been suggested as it may alter biochemical composition and appearance of faeces in equines. However, information on faecal composition in horses with FFL is scarce. Faecal chemical composition (dry matter, osmolality, ash, macro minerals, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and pH) and physical characteristics (free liquid, sand, water holding capacity and particle size distribution) were compared in...
Sterkenburgh T, Schulz-Kornas E, Nowak M, Staszyk C.Equine mastication, as well as dental wear patterns, is highly important for the development of treatments in equine dentistry. During the last decades, the stress and strain distributions of equine teeth have been successfully simulated using finite element analysis. Yet, to date, there is no simulation available for dental tooth wear in equines. In this study, we developed a simplified two-dimensional computer simulation of dental wear. It provides a first tentative explanation for the development of the marked physiological inclination of the occlusal surface and for pathological conditions...
Cozzi MC, Valiati P, Longeri M, Ferreira C, Abreu Ferreira S.The Lusitano Horse (LH) originates from Portugal, but is reared worldwide. Since 1994, the University of Milan has routinely tested the LHs bred in Italy for parentage control. This study aims to assess the genetic variability of the LH reared in Italy using 16 microsatellites markers. Moreover, the genetic variability changes over the years in the total population (n.384) and in unrelated horses (n.47) were evaluated. Horses were grouped according to their date of birth (1975-1990, 1991-2000, 2001-2010, 2010-2019). Standard genetic diversity parameters, including observed (Ho) and expected (H...
Hewetson M, Tallon R.This narrative review explores the etiopathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of ESGD (equine squamous gastric disease) and discusses the impact of this commonly encountered condition on the equine industry. ESGD refers specifically to peptic injury of the squamous mucosa of the stomach. Prevalence is highest in performance horses, but the disease has been documented across many breeds and ages, including in feral horses and foals. The pathogenesis of ESGD is well understood. Intensive management and exercise are important factors that contribute to a disruption of the normal st...
Logan AA, Nielsen BD, Hallock DB, Robison CI, Popovich JM.A current trend in equine research is technology development to minimize the subjective nature of gait analysis. One such technology is the Tekscan Hoof System, which records force and area loaded by the hooves during motion. The objective of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability of the Tekscan Hoof System between two sessions, and the recordings within those sessions. Four mature Standardbred geldings wore Tekscan Hoof System sensors on both front hooves, secured by glue-on shoes (SoundHorse Technologies). Horses were exercised in AM and PM sessions. In each session, horses ...
Weese JS, Anderson ME, Lowe A, Monteith GJ.This study was designed to evaluate whether Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG (LGG), an extensively studied probiotic organism in humans, can colonize the intestines of adult horses and foals. Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG was administered to adult horses at doses of 1 x 10(9) CFU/50kg bodyweight (BW)/day (group 1, 7 horses), 1 x 10(10) colony forming units/ 50kg BW/day (group 2, 7 horses) and 5 x 10(10) colony forming units/50kg BW/day (group 3, 7 horses) for 5 d. Foals received 2 x 10(10) colony forming units/50kg BW/day (group 1, 7 foals) or 1 x 10(11) colony forming units/50kg BW/day (...
Westbury HA.The author provides an account of the discovery of a previously undescribed disease of horses and a description of the studies involved in determining the aetiology of the disease. The causative virus, now named Hendra virus (HeV), is the reference virus for a proposed new genus within the virus family Paramyxoviridae. The virus is a lethal zoonotic agent able to cause natural disease in humans and horses and experimentally induced disease in cats, guinea-pigs and mice. The virus also naturally infects species of the family Megachiroptera, mainly subclinically, and such animals are the natural...
Pedersen PJ, Kanters JK, Buhl R, Klaerke DA.Cardiac repolarization, measured as QT and Tpeak to Tend (TpTe) intervals on the ECG, is important, as irregularities caused by diseases, ventricular hypertrophy, drugs and genetic defects can trigger arrhythmias which predispose human patients to syncope and sudden cardiac death. In horses, repolarization is not well described and therefore QT analysis cannot yet be used diagnostically. Therefore, we sought to describe reference values for the normal QT and TpTe intervals in Standardbreds and to determine the best method for heart rate (HR) correction. Methods: 30 Standardbreds. Methods: QT a...
Cowley S, Bowman B, Lawrance M.There is increasing concern in Australia about safety in the thoroughbred racing industry, but there has been no reported analysis of injury data. This review analyses injury and workers' compensation data recorded in Victoria. On the basis of the results, it is recommended that the injury and incident data collection systems are improved such that they are not only more complete but also accumulate more detailed information about the location of an incident or injury event, the activity at the time of the incident or injury event, and factors that may have influenced the occurrence.
Hammond SA, Cook SJ, Falo LD, Issel CJ, Montelaro RC.Immunization regimens that induce a broadly reactive cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) response specific for lentiviral antigens have emerged as the leading candidates in efficacy trials conducted in both animal modelshumans. To date, lentivirus vaccination strategies have overlooked one such immunization strategy, namely the use of particulate antigens. To evaluate the efficacy of targeting antigen into the phagocytic pathway to elicit a cell-mediated immune response to lentiviral antigens, we initiated the first study of a particulate-based vaccination protocol using a large animal model system. ...
Lindner A, Mosen H, Kissenbeck S, Fuhrmann H, Sallmann HP.The velocity at which blood lactate concentration ([LA]) of 4 mmol/L is reached (v(4)) is widely used to determine fitness, but there are few published data on using [LA] as a guide for the exercise speed for training in horses. In this study, the effect of 3 conditioning programs with [LA] guided exercise speeds on v(4), v(200) (speed at a heart rate of 200 beats/min), blood [LA], plasma FFA ([FFA]), and alanine concentrations ([alanine]), before and after exercise, as well as heart rate during exercise, of horses was examined. Six 2-yr-old Haflinger stallions underwent an initial treadmill-b...
Rapson JL, Schott HC, Nielsen BD, McCutcheon LJ, Harris PA, Geor RJ.Age and diet may affect insulin sensitivity (SI) but these factors have received limited investigation in horses. Objective: To measure minimal model parameters during an insulin-modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGTT) after adaptation to a forage only diet (HAY) or forage supplemented with either starch/sugar-rich (SS) or oil/fibre-rich (FF) concentrate feeds; and to assess glucose and insulin responses to a standardised meal challenge (SMC, 4Â g/kg BW of SS) after diet adaptation in adult and aged mares. Methods: Latin square design with eight adult (5-12Â yea...
Priyanka G, Anil Kumar B, Lakshman M, Manvitha V, Kala Kumar B.Ashwagandha ( L. Dunal.) is an important "" of Ayurveda. The roots are extensively used as an adaptogen and for different health issues. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-stimulating effects of Ashwagandha are well-documented. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ashwagandha root extract as an adaptogen against various types of stress in horses. A total of 24 Kathiawari horses were selected and randomly divided into four groups. All the horses were provided with normal feed and water . Group 1 (G1) was treated as the control group, and the horses were given a n...
Neild D, Chaves G, Flores M, Mora N, Beconi M, Agüero A.The aim of the study was to evaluate equine sperm membrane integrity using the hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test and to correlate this test with different sperm parameters in raw and frozen thawed semen. The HOS solutions were made with fructose, sucrose, lactose and sodium citrate each at 300, 150, 100, 50 and 25 mosm. Maximum numbers of swollen spermatozoa were observed in solutions of fructose, sucrose and lactose each at 100, 50 and 25 mosm. Correlations between progressive motility, morphologically normal spermatozoa and the HOS test were r = 0.75 and r = 0.51 in raw semen and r = 0.26 and ...
Riemersma DJ, van den Bogert AJ, Jansen MO, Schamhardt HC.Strains in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor muscle (inferior check ligament [ICL]) and the interosseus medius muscle (suspensory ligament [SL]) in the right forelimb of 5 ponies were measured using mercury-in-silastic strain gauges a few hours after implantation. Tendon strains were recorded at the walk with normal flat shoes, egg-bar shoes, a 7 degrees increased hoof angle accomplished by application of a heel-wedge and a 7 degrees decreased hoof angle using a toe-wedge, consecutively. Ground reactio...
Forster HV, Bisgard GE, Rasmussen B, Orr JA, Buss DD, Manohar M.The present study was designed to provide further insight into the role of the carotid and aortic chemoreceptors in ventilatory (VE) acclimatization during sojourn at altitude. Measurements were made: 1) on 10 ponies near sea level (SL, 740 Torr) under normal conditions, 2) on 6 of these at SL following chemoreceptor denervation (CD), and 3) subsequently on all 10 during 4 days of hypobaric hypoxia (PaO2 = 40-47 Torr). CD resulteo in hypoventilation at SL (deltaPaCO2 = d8 Torr, P less than 0.05), and it prevented hyperventilation normally observed with injection of NaCN and acute exposure to h...
Gemensky-Metzler AJ, Wilkie DA, Kowalski JJ, Schmall LM, Willis AM, Yamagata M.To determine effects of topical antimicrobial and antimicrobial-corticosteroid preparations on the ocular flora of horses. animals: 40 horses. Methods: One eye was treated 3 times daily for 2 weeks with one of the following ointments: (1) neomycin-bacitracin-polymyxin B, (2) 0.6% prednisolone-0.3% gentamicin, (3) neomycin-polymyxin B-0.05% dexamethasone, or (4) treated (artificial tears) control. Contralateral eyes of treated control eyes served as untreated control eyes. Corneal and conjunctival specimens for bacterial and fungal cultures were collected prior to initiation of treatment, after...
Kitamura N, Yamada J, Calingasan NY, Yamashita T.Endocrine cells immunoreactive for somatostatin, gastrin, glicentin, glucagon, secretin, cholecystokinin, motilin and neurotensin were identified immunocytochemically in the gastrointestinal mucosa of the horse. Somatostatin-, glicentin- and glucagon-immunoreactive cells were very numerous in the cardiac and fundic regions of the stomach, whereas most gastrin-immunoreactive cells were confined to the pyloric region. Somatostatin-immunoreactive cells also were detected in all portions of the small intestine while gastrin-immunoreactive cells were confined exclusively to the upper portion and gl...
Liuti T, Smith S, Dixon PM.Equine maxillary cheek teeth apical infections are a significant disorder because of frequent spread of infection to the supporting bones. The accuracy of computed tomographic imaging (CT) of this disorder has not been fully assessed. Objective: To compare the radiographic and CT findings in horses diagnosed with maxillary cheek teeth apical infections with pathological findings in the extracted teeth to assess the accuracy of these imaging techniques. Methods: Observational clinical study. Methods: Thirty-two maxillary cheek teeth (in 29 horses) diagnosed with apical infections by clinical, r...
Nyaoke AC, Navarro MA, Beingesser J, Uzal FA.A 14-y-old bay Quarter Horse gelding was presented with progressive neurologic signs, elevated rectal temperature, and icterus for 3 d prior to death. Postmortem examination revealed icterus, large amounts of serosanguineous fluid in the abdominal cavity, widespread petechiae and ecchymoses in several organs, and a large, pale, and well-demarcated focus of necrosis in the liver. Histologically, there was coagulative necrosis surrounded by a rim of inflammatory cells and large numbers of gram-positive rods, which were identified as Clostridium novyi by immunohistochemistry. Liver samples tested...
Bouwman FG, van Ginneken MM, Noben JP, Royackers E, de Graaf-Roelfsema E, Wijnberg ID, van der Kolk JH, Mariman EC, van Breda E.The major aim of the present study was to investigate the proteome of standardbred horses at different stages of training and intensified training. We searched for biomarkers using small skeletal muscle biopsies of live animals. 2D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were successfully applied to investigate training-induced differential expression of equine muscle biopsy proteins. Despite the poor resolution of the equine genome and proteome, we were able to identify the proteins of 20 differential spots representing 16 different proteins. Evaluation of those proteins complies with adapt...
Graham R, McManus P.Changing social values and new technologies have contributed to increasing media attention and debate about the acceptable use of animals in sport. This paper focuses on the use of the whip in thoroughbred horse racing. Those who defend its use argue it is a necessary tool needed for safety, correction and encouragement, and that it does not cause the horse any pain. For those who oppose its use, it is an instrument of cruelty. Media framing is employed to unpack the discourses played out in print and social media in the UK (2011) and Australia (2009) during key periods of the whip debate foll...
Bertuglia A, Bullone M, Rossotto F, Gasparini M.There is a substantial paucity of studies concerning musculoskeletal injuries in harness Standardbred racehorses. Specifically, little is known about the epidemiology of exercise-related musculoskeletal injuries. Most studies on this subject involve Thoroughbred racehorses, whose biomechanics and racing speed differ from Standardbred, making comparisons difficult. Here, a population of Standardbred racehorses trained at the same racecourse was studied over four years and a classification system for exercise-related musculoskeletal injuries was designed. The incidence rates of musculoskeletal i...
Korthagen NM, Brommer H, Hermsen G, Plomp SGM, Melsom G, Coeleveld K, Mastbergen SC, Weinans H, van Buul W, van Weeren PR.Cartilage repair remains a major challenge and treatment of (osteo)chondral defects generally results in poor quality fibrous repair tissue. Our approach aims to address some of the major biomechanical issues encountered in scaffold-based cartilage repair, such as insufficient stiffness of the scaffolds, step formation at the interface with the native tissue and inadequate integration with the original tissue. Two osteochondral defects were created on the medial femoral trochlear ridge in each stifle of six Shetland ponies. The defects were filled with a bi-layered implant consisting of a poly...
Bordin AI, Huber L, Sanz MG, Cohen ND.Pneumonia in foals caused by the bacterium Rhodococcus equi has a worldwide distribution and is a common cause of disease and death for foals. The purpose of this narrative review was to summarise recent developments pertaining to the epidemiology, immune responses, treatment, and prevention of rhodococcal pneumonia of foals. Screening tests have been used to implement earlier detection and treatment of foals with presumed subclinical R. equi pneumonia to reduce mortality and severity of disease. Unfortunately, this practice has been linked to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant R. equi i...
Whitwell KE, Blunden AS.In 1988 an outbreak of the paralytic form of Equid herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection occurred on a stud farm and several animals died. This provided an opportunity to perform detailed pathological investigations to gain insights into the pathogenesis of this spontaneous disease. Two paretic mares, three foals, an aborted foetus and its non-paretic dam were examined. The endotheliotropism of the virus was clearly demonstrated by the use of an indirect immunoperoxidase (IP) stain. At autopsy, evidence of viral infection was widespread in the foetus and foals, but limited or absent in the mare...
Hada T, Onaka T, Takahashi T, Hiraga A, Yagi K.This study investigated the effects of novelty stress on neuroendocrine activities and running performance in Thoroughbred horses. First, to examine the neuroendocrine responses to novelty stress, we exposed horses to two types of novel environmental stimuli (audiovisual or novel field stimuli). After the stimuli, plasma concentrations of vasopressin, catecholamines and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), as well as heart rates, were significantly increased in each experiment. Second, we investigated neuroendocrine activities during incremental exercise. Plasma concentrations of vasopressin, catechola...
McCutcheon LJ, Geor RJ, Hinchcliff KW.The effect of warm-up exercise on energy metabolism and muscle glycogenolysis during sprint exercise (Spr) was examined in six fit Standardbred horses exercised at 115% of maximal O(2) consumption (VO(2 max)) until fatigued, 5 min after each of three protocols: 1) no warm-up (NWU); 2) 10 min at 50% of VO(2 max) [low-intensity warm-up (LWU)]; and 3) 7 min at 50% VO(2 max) followed by 45-s intervals at 80, 90, and 100% VO(2 max) [high-intensity warm-up (HWU)]. Warm-up increased (P < 0.0001) muscle temperature (T(m)) at the onset of Spr in LWU (38.3 +/- 0.2 degrees C) and HWU (40.0 +/- 0. 3 de...
Hare JE, Viel L.Horses are known to acquire small airway disease (SAD), an allergen-induced naturally occurring syndrome of reversible obstructive lung disease accompanied by airway hyperresponsiveness and increased inflammatory cell numbers on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). This disorder has received scant attention in young racehorses. The purpose of the present report was to examine the effect of BAL eosinophilia in young racehorses on clinical examination, BAL, hematology, airway responsiveness, and on pulmonary function at rest and after a standardized exercise challenge. Five (3 males, 2 females; age 2.6...
Zsoldos RR, Kotschwar AB, Kotschwar A, Groesel M, Licka T, Peham C.Skeletal muscle activity can be concentric or eccentric, anisometric or isometric and correlation of the equine splenius muscle activity with the movement of its effector joints at walk and trot has not yet been fully characterised. Objective: Investigating activity of the splenius muscle together with kinematics of head and cranial neck at walk and trot. Methods: Kinematics and surface electromyography were measured in 6 horses (8-20-years-old, 450-700 kg) without signs of neck pain. Markers were placed on left and right crista facialis, and on left and right cervical vertebrae 1 and 3. Head ...
Olitsky PK, Cox HR, Syverton JT.We have studied certain properties, additional to those previously described (3), of the virus of vesicular stomatitis of horses, and of the characteristic biological reactions of the virus of equine encephalomyelitis. It has been found that the virus of stomatitis, ordinarily dermotropic, can acquire neurotropism and the neurotropic encephalomyelitis virus can, in turn, be rendered dermotropic in its action. The neurotropism in both instances is associated with definite, although not pronounced, viscerotropism. Both viruses can bring about a similar infection in the white mouse, rat, guinea p...
Lanz S, Brunner A, Graubner C, Marti E, Gerber V.Genetic and epidemiologic evidence suggests that in horses, as in other species, different manifestations of hypersensitivity may occur together. Objective: Horses affected with insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) show airway hyperreactivity (AH) to inhaled histamine, even in the absence of overt clinical signs of equine asthma (EA). Methods: Twenty-two healthy controls (group C), 24 horses suffering from IBH alone (group IBH), and 23 horses suffering from IBH and EA (group IBH/EA). Methods: The clinical histories were assessed using 2 standardized questionnaires, the Horse Owner Assessed Respi...
Peek SF, Semrad S, McGuirk SM, Riseberg A, Slack JA, Marques F, Coombs D, Lien L, Keuler N, Darien BJ.This prospective study compared survival rates of critically ill and septic foals receiving 1 of 2 different types of commercial equine plasma and analyzed admission variables as possible predictors of survival. Standardized clinical, hematologic, biochemical, and hemostatic admission data were collected and foals received either conventional commercially available hyperimmune equine plasma or equine plasma specifically rich in antiendotoxin antibodies in a double-blinded, coded fashion. Sepsis was defined as true bacteremia or sepsis score >11. Overall survival rate to discharge was 72% (4...
