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.
Yoxall AT.The principles of radiological protection are summarised and consideration is then given to problems, which may confront the equine practitioner, in the fulfillment of these principles during diagnostic radiography of the limbs, head, and spine of the horse. The place of anaesthesia in such procedures is discussed and the special problems associated with therapeutic radiography of the horse are considered.
Dixon PM, McPherson EA, Muir A.A trotter mare with a history of poor performance was found to have methaemoglobinaemia and haemolytic anaemia associated with decreased erythrocyte glutathione reductase and glutathione levels. The mare's dam, which also had a history of poor performance, was subsequently found to be similarly affected.
Drudge JH, Lyons ET.The critical test is the primary method used for the efficacy evaluation of drugs against the major internal parasites (bots, ascarids, large strongyles, small strongyles, and pinworms) of the horse. The critical test determines: (1) spectrum of activity, (2) effectiveness of removal, (3) pattern of discharge, and (4) physical condition of each species of these parasites. General characteristics of the major parasitisms of the horse are discussed briefly. Criteria of the critical test also are considered including: (1) number of tests, (2) strain variation and drug resistance, (3) selection of...
Goto H, Shimizu K.The first outbreak of equine influenza (EI) infection in Japan was recognized during the period December 1971 to January 1972 [1, 6]. No evidence of the disease had been found before then [2,6]. The etiological agent of this epizootic was identified by hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) and neutralization tests with chicken or ferret antiserum as the subtype 2 of EI virus (6, 7). However, the isolate, A/equine/Tokyo/71 (Tokyo) strain, was not completely identical to the prototypic A/equine/Miami /63 (Miami) strain of the subtype 2, since antibody responses of convalescent horses were 2 to 16 tim...
Mason TA, Maclean AA.Two cases of osteochondrosis dissecans of the head of the humerus in foals are described. The lesions were gross compared with those seen in dogs. Arthrotomy and curettage of the affected area resulted in marked clinical improvement.
Strömberg B, Tufvesson G.Four autologous tendon grafting techniques, bipedicle, pedicle and free grafts of the deep digital flexor tendon and free grafts from the lateral digital extensor tendon were described. The vascularization and remodelling of the transplant and the reactions in the donor, as well as the recipient tendon, were studied by means of microangiographic and histochemical methods. The results indicated that regardless of the technique used the grafts were revascularized and replaced by a highly orientated and organized tendon. The use of free grafts may therefore be worthwhile in treatment of severe te...
Smith JS, Mayhew IG.The sympathetic nervous innervation of the head was surgically transected in the horse, cow, sheep and goat. The site of transection was preganglionic in all 4 species and ganglionic-postganglionic in 2 additional horses. The Horner's syndrome, manifested as a result of the iatrogenic lesion, varied with the species. Ptosis was the most constant sign in all species. Unilateral sweating over the face and proximal neck, particularly at the base of the ear, was the most prominent feature in the horse. The cow revealed distension of vasculature and cutaneous heat of the pinna, and a reduced produc...
Duncan ID, Baker GJ, Heffron CJ, Griffiths IR.The larynges of 6 horses were examined endoscopically and the findings correlated with the gross and histological appearance of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles and their nerve supply. In all cases it appeared that the balance between abductor and adductor muscle groups had been lost due to preferential atrophy of individual muscles or groups of muscles. The laryngeal abnormalities recorded were asymmetry of the larynx with asynchronous left sided abduction and fluttering or trembling of the left vocal cord and arytenoid cartilage. It is suggested that these changes represent the early signs of...
Zakin MM, Peña C, Poskus E, Stewart JM, Paladini AC.The immunological properties of a synthetic human growth hormone fragment comprising the amino acids 73 through 128 and of the homologous natural horse growth fragment formed by amino acids 73 through 123, have been comparatively studied. Antisera obtained in rabbits inoculated with the native human hormone or with the fragments, were used. By hemagglutination experiments both fragments have the same reactivity toward the anti-human growth hormone serum, but complement fixation curves detect the existence of at least two populations of antibodies presumably originated against the sequence 73-1...
Böhm D, Waibl H.Of 28 fractures of the first phalanx 21 were treated with osteosynthesis; one was treated conservatively. 2 to 4 compression screws have been applied, while the distal part of the limb was immobilized by a light cast bandage for 8 days. The implants were removed 2 to 3 months post operationem. All patients are again used in sports.
Sumner-Smith G, Bell M, Manley P, Caddell E, Hoare J.The advances made by the use of a telemetric system in the study of bone strain in a free-moving horse are reported. A rosette strain gauge was bonded to the craniomedial aspect of the metacarpus of the horse. Attachment of a miniature FM transmitter to lead wires facilitated telemetric transmission of of resistance changes which corresponded to limb movement. During 3 different gaits, the trace pattern remained similar, although frequency and amplitude varied. The tracings were similar to those reported in other species in which nontelemetric transmission was used.
Mahoney DF, Wright IG, Frerichs WM, Groenendyk S, O'Sullivan BM, Roberts MC, Waddell AH.A Babesia parasite, isolated from the blood of a horse at Bowral, New South Wales, was identified on the basis of its morphological features, host specificity and serological reactions, as Babesia equi (Laveran 1901). The case was originally reported by Churchill and Best (1976, Aust. vet. J. 52: 487) and is the first record of equine babesiosis in Australia. In preliminary studies, the organism produced only a mild disease in an intact horse, but caused the typical clinical syndrome of acute babesiosis in a splenectomised horse, which died 19 days after the intravenous inoculation of the para...
Gerber JD, Marron AE, Bass EP, Beckenhauer WH.The cell-mediated immune response and antibody response of horses of varying ages and of pregnant horses to equine herpesvirus 1 antigen were examined. Six to eight month old horses showed either no increase or slight increases in anti-equine herpesvirus 1 serum neutralizing antibody following vaccination and revaccination with a modified live equine herpesvirus 1 vaccine. However, these same horses showed a marked increase in the cell-mediated immune response to equine herpesvirus 1 as measured by the lymphocyte transformation test. Eighteen to 21 month old horses showed four to 64-fold incre...
Cazalet E.The paper examines the responsibilities of the veterinary surgeon in relation to the advances more recently made in the field of equine cardiology. Notwithstanding such advances it is stated that the normal established legal principles apply, in particular in relation to the preparation of certificates, namely that the veterinary surgeon must be sufficiently expert to give the opinion sought, that he must make himself fully aware of the purpose for which the certificate is required and that he must make clear the nature and limitations of any examination carried out.
Roberts MC.Progressive leukaemic changes and a persistent anaemia were demonstrated in the blood of a 7 year old gelding, which had shown early signs of lowered performance and unthriftiness, and later developed dependent oedema and became dull and listless. The total leucocyte count, initially within the normal range although reflecting an absolute lymphocytosis, increased fourfold in 6 days from excessive lymphoid production involving predominantly the more immature cell types; lymphoblasts, prolymphocytes and large lymphocytes. The severity of the condition was confirmed by bone marrow biopsy.
Greatorex JC.The clinical manifestations, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of "verminous aneurysm" formation at the root of the cranial mesenteric artery and coeliac artery resulting from Strongylus vulgaris larvae migration are described. Forty-nine of 57 cases were successfully treated with low molecular weight dextran (dextran 70).
Fogarty U, Leadon DP.Blood neutrophils from 10 Thoroughbred and 2 Pony foals were evaluated using in-vitro cellular function tests of chemotaxis, chemiluminescence, phagocytosis and intracellular killing. A comparison of the functional capacities of these cells before and 2-4 days after the ingestion of colostrum indicated an improvement in blood neutrophil chemotaxis and chemiluminescence. Bronchopulmonary lavage was carried out on 9 Thoroughbred and 2 Pony 36-h-old foals. The technique used did not require sedation or anaesthesia. Pulmonary alveolar macrophages were the predominant cell type recovered. When comp...
Beccati F, Nannarone S, Gialletti R, Lotto E, Cercone M, Dante S, Bazzica C, Pepe M.The aim of this study was to evaluate the transabdominal ultrasonography as a tool for predicting the success of abdominocentesis in horses. Patients were included in the study if a complete transabdominal ultrasonography examination and abdominocentesis were performed as part of the clinical work-up. Ultrasonographically, the amount of peritoneal fluid was assessed using a 4-point grading system, as well as the amount of peritoneal fluid collected. A χ(2) or Fischer exact test was performed to test for an association between the ultrasonography findings and fluid retrieved, and between the t...
McCarthy PH.The subcutaneous part of the masseteric ramus of the external carotid artery can be used as a proposed site of pulse-taking in most Thoroughbreds. It is located on the lateral surface of the masseter muscle, and its contour may be visible in association with a summer coat.
Maurer P.The first part of this paper gives a short historical survey of veterinary medicine in India starting from vedic times. The knowledge about hippiatry was highly valued since horses played an important role in warfare. The review of authors and publications on Indian hippiatry and hippology is followed by a synopsis on these traditions in Europe. The second part of this article includes further references and research on the Aśvaśăstra of Nakula and a translation of chapter 4 describing the anatomy of the horse.
van der Kolk JH, Klein WR, van der Putten SW, Mol JA.A thirteen-year-old Dutch warmblooded mare was referred to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine because of a sinusitis. She was thin with a potbellied appearance. Her coat was dull with long wavy hair. Unilateral (left) purulent nasal discharge was evident. A cbc revealed leucopenia (3.9 G.L.-1) and plasma biochemical analysis revealed a plasma glucose concentration of 10.1 mmol.L-1. Thermostable alkaline phosphatase (at 65 degrees C during 2 minutes) could not be demonstrated. Basal plasma cortisol concentration was lowered (114 nmol.L-1) and basal plasma ACTH concentration was highly elevated ...
Scarratt WK, Furr MO, Robertson JL.A pregnant, miniature horse mare had clinical signs of hepatoencephalopathy and concurrent hypocalcemia. The signs included dullness, inappetence, blindness, head pressing, weakness, muscle fasiculations, uveitis, and urinary incontinence. Hepatic dysfunction and hypocalcemia were confirmed by serum biochemical analysis. The mare was treated successfully with a continuous infusion of Ringer solution, calcium gluconate, dextrose, B-complex vitamins, sodium ampicillin, and flunixin meglumine; topical administration of ophthalmic ointments; and decompression of the urinary bladder. Histologic exa...
Shank BR, Ofner CM.Pergolide mesylate (proprietary name Permax) is used to treat equine Cushing's syndrome. Since pergolide mesylate has been removed from the market, the tablets are no longer available. Therefore, pergolide mesylate preparations have to be compounded for veterinary use. Compounded oral liquid formulations have been given arbitrary beyond-use dates of 14 days (aqueous) to 90 days (oil based). The goal of this study was to determine the stability of a 0.2 mg/mL pergolide oral liquid prepared according to a previousy published formulation and stored at room temperature. The sample preparation and ...
Doyle-Jones PS, Sullins KE, Saunders GK.To compare synovial regeneration in the equine carpus after mechanical or CO(2) laser synovectomy. Methods: Arthroscopic partial synovectomy was performed in the radiocarpal and intercarpal joints. Methods: Twelve horses, 3 to 6 years of age, were randomly divided into 3 groups. Methods: The antebrachiocarpal and intercarpal joints in each horse were randomly assigned a treatment such that each horse had one joint treated as a control (arthroscopic lavage), one in which a mechanical or CO(2) laser partial dorsal carpal synovectomy was performed, and one in which a combination of the mechanical...
Katz J, Geer P.An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the serodiagnosis of contagious equine metritis (CEM), a sexually transmitted disease caused by Taylorella equigenitalis. Antigen preparation was simple, and antigens derived from both classical and atypical forms of T. equigenitalis enabled detection of antibody responses elicted in horses experimentally exposed to either form of the bacterium. Sera serially obtained from these horses from 0 to 63 days postexposure were tested by the traditional complement fixation test (CFT) for CEM and with the ELISA, using both antigens separat...
Rutten DR, Chaffaux S, Valon M, Deletang F, De Haas V.In two studies in Holland and France a total of 41 mares found either to be in anoestrus or showing continuous oestrous behaviour during the early part of the covering season were treated with a progesterone releasing intravaginal device. Of the 32 mares in the first study, 24 ovulated after treatment and 11 became pregnant to a covering at the induced oestrus. In the second study all but one of the nine mares showed oestrus, seven ovulated and six became pregnant at the post treatment oestrus. By the end of the covering season 15 of the 21 mares treated for anoestrus and seven of the 11 mares...
Rose RJ.Three of the standard radiographic views of the navicular bone were assessed in normal horses and horses with navicular disease to determine the most effective radiographic positioning. Using the upright pedal view, a pastern angulation of 20 degrees from the vertical produced the optimum result when radiographs were taken using a grid. The best result using the high coronary view was obtained with an anode-film distance of 1 1000 mm, and a tube-head angle of 50 degrees from the vertical. When the special navicular view described by Morgan was examined, the most satisfactory projection was obt...