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.
Hill G, Atkins R, Littlejohn A, Kruger JM, Bowles F.A robust low cost portable radiotelemetry system is described for the horse and its method of operation and advantages briefly discussed. The equipment consisted of 2 electrodes forming a bipolar lead, a transmitter, a receiver and a writing device. The sitting, application and immobilising of the electrodes was a most important factor in obtaining good quality recordings. ECGs were recorded at all paces and also while jumping and the results proved satisfactory.
Moorthy AR, Spradbrow PB, Eisler ME.Vaginal swabs from 19 mares and penile swabs from 4 stallions were cultured for mycoplasmas. A single semen sample from one of the stallions was also examined. Twelve vaginal swabs and 2 penile swabs yielded mycoplasmas. Ten of the positive vaginal swabs were from mares with vaginitis, or with a history of failure of conception. Two were from apparently healthy mares, but one had been served by an infected stallion. One positive penile swab was from a stallion with ulcerative lesions and the other from a stallion with breeding difficulties. All 14 strains of mycoplasma utilised arginine, and t...
Amann RP, Bowen JM, Pickett BW, Berndtson WE, Stashak RS, Voss JL.Twenty stallions were used to determine if the anthelmintic cambendazole affected seminal characteristics, spermatogenesis, concentration of testosterone in blood serum, or weights of the reproductive orgrans. With minor exceptions, significant differences were not found between values for 10 control and 10 stallions treated with a single oral dose (40 mg/kg body weight) of cambendazole. The treatment did not affect reproductive function and it was concluded that the drug should have no effect on the fertility of stallions.
Adrian M, Grant B, Ratzlaff M, Ray J, Boulton C.Electrogoniometry was used qualitively and quantitatively to assess the movements of the normal and pathologic metacarpophalangeal joints of selected horses. A total of 4 Thoroughbreds, 1 normal and 3 with clinical and radiographic changes in the metacarpophalangeal joints of 1 limb, were evaluated at the walk and trot. Goniograms of the affected joints were compared with those of the normal horse and the normal contralateral metacarpophangeal joint. Qualitative asymmetry was recognized on the goniograms, and the ranges of motion were quantified and related to the clinical and radiologic obser...
Scheel J, Duswald KH, Ring J, Seifert J, Scholz S, Brendel W.Eight mongrel dogs received a standard daily i.v. infusion of 20 mg/kg b.w. deaggregated horse-anti-dog-lymphocyte-globulin (ALG) and additional prednisolone (1 mg/kg b.w. daily i.v.) over a maximum period of 82 days following pretreatment with deaggregated normal horse IgG. No sensitization against horse protein was observed during therapy of afterwards as proved by lack of humoral antibodies against horse antigens, maintained lymphopenia, good compatibility, longterm prolongation of xenogeneic skin graft survival (85.6+/-20.6 days, n=8' untreated controls 12.5+/-1.3 days, n=4) and longterm s...
Orzan F, Angelini P, Oglietti J, Leachman RD, Cooley DA.Two cases of horseshoe lung are described; one was suspected and the other was diagnosed preoperatively. Both underwent successful surgical treatment. The embryology of this anomaly is briefly reviewed with reference to the closely related scimitar syndrome (anomalous venous return of right lung to inferior atriocaval junction). Diagnostic studies are discussed with stress on the need for a thorough functional evaluation of both the heart and lungs before the surgical indication is made.
Knight AP.Dysphagia developed in a 2-year-old Quarter Horse filly following an incident in which it fell over backward while exercising on a mechanical horse walker. Hyperextension of the neck at this time apparently caused unilateral rupture of the longus capitis (rectus capitis ventralis major) and the rectus capitis ventralis minor muscles at their insertion. An existing mycotic lesion involving the dorsomedial wall of the left guttural pouch may have weakened the area of insertion of the involved muscles. Tearing of the tendinous insertion of these muscles caused damage to the IX, X, and XI cranial ...
Littlejohn A, Kruger JM, Bowles F.The relationship of velocity (v) to heart rate (HR)and of kinetic energy (KE) to heart rate, were investigated in 6 normal horses and in 6 horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary, disease (COPD). Radiotelemetry was used to determine the heart rate while subjects were ridden on a 400m track. Velocity was measured by stop-watch between 2 markers 50 m apart at the end of the track. Kinetic energy was calculated from the formula KE =1/2 Mv2, where M = mass of horse, rider, saddle and bridle (KG) and V = velocity (metres per second). In all subjects, the relationship of velocity to heart rate was...
Sato K, Miyake M, Yoshikawa T, Kambegawa A.Concentrations of progesterone and oestrogens were determined by radioimmunoassay in the peripheral blood of 22 Percheron and Breton breed mares from the 6th day of oestrus to the 150th day of pregnancy. Periodical variation patterns for the mean values of oestrone, oestradiol 17beta and total oestrogens in the cycling mares were found, with two peaks on the third day before and the 15th day after ovulation, and one depression on the 6th day of oestrus. In pregnant mares, the concentrations of oestrone and oestradiol 17beta increased rapidly (P less than 0.05) after Day 105 of gestation. Proge...
Evenberg A, Meyer H, Verheij HM, de Haas GH.Two phospholipases A2 (EC 3.1.1.4) with different isoelectric points have been isolated from horse pancreas in high yield (880 mg/kg tissue). From pancreatic juice the more acidic species was isolated as the sole phospholipase A2. Upon tryptic activation the zymogens release a hepta- and pentapeptide, respectively from the N-terminal part of the protein giving rise to the formation of one single enzyme with a specific activity higher than that of pancreatic phospholipases A2 from other mammalian species. Horse phospholipase A2 differs from the porcine and bovine enzymes with respect to amino a...
Colles CM, Jeffcott LB.Much has been written on laminitis and its treatment over the past 200 years. This article makes a brief review of the practical essentials of the disease and considers some of the recent trends in therapy. Knowledge of the pathogenesis and aetiology of equine laminitis is still very incomplete but recent work in the United States by Coffman and his colleagues has been particularly productive.
Schubert B.Some chromatographic procedures, which can be used to detect and determine certain corticosteroids in samples from race horses, are described. These procedures include thin-layer, gas and high pressure liquid chromatography.
Allsup TN.This paper deals with some recent developments in the air transportation of cattle, sheep, pigs and horses and comments on the factors involved which influence the results.
Hall-Patch PK, Orton RG, Sampson JH.A description is given of trail and endurance riding in the UK as controlled by the Endurance Horse and Pony Society. Veterinary involvement and responsibility are described and measures for their satisfactory execution discussed. Opportunities and need for research into the problems arising are mentioned.
Rose RJ.Complications from neurectomy have been well known for many years. A 16-year-old mare suffered bilateral luxation of the coffin joints following palmar neurectomy and was destroyed. Autopsy showed complete rupture of the deep flexor tendons, and the supporting ligaments of the coffin joints. Arthritis of the coffin joints, with erosion of articular cartilage was evident.
Panitz E.Ethyl-6-ethoxybenzothiazole-2-carbamate (Sch 18099) was evaluated for efficacy against natural helminth infections in ponies, pigs, lambs and chickens. Sixteen critical trials were conducted in ponies at dosages of 15 to 150 mg/kg. At 15 mg/kg, efficacy against adult and larval Oxyuris equi was 100% and 91% and against small strongyles it was 98%. Efficacy levels were 95% against Strongylus vulgaris and S. edentatus at the 20 mg/kg dosage. In two trials at 100 mg/kg efficacy against Parascaris equorum was 77%. No efficacy was observed against Gastrophilus spp. or Anoplocephala spp. In swine si...
Kawata H, Kishimoto H, Iwai S, Ishimaru K, Saito T, Kayatani F, Inamura N, Hamamichi Y, Kawada Y, Nasuno S, Maekawa S.We assessed the effect of reconstructing the pulmonary artery during arterial switch surgery for transposition of the great arteries on late pulmonary stenosis. Sixty-five patients who underwent Lecompte procedure between September 1991 and December 2006 were divided, by the procedure used chronologically to reconstruct the pulmonary artery, into group XP (single pantaloon patch with equine pericardium, n = 11), group P (direct reconstruction, n = 47), and group AP (single pantaloon patch with fresh autopericardium, n = 7). Outcome and pulmonary stenosis on the most recent ultrasound cardiogra...
Väihkönen LK, Ojala M, Pösö AR.In red blood cell membranes, the activity of the main lactate carrier, H+-monocarboxylate co-transporter (MCT), varies interindividually and its distribution is bimodal. To show the repeatability of MCT activity, 2 to 5 blood samples were taken, at an interval of approximately 1 year, from 51 Standardbred horses, age 2 weeks-8 years, for a total of 128 observations. The horses could be divided into low (LT) and high (HT) lactate transport activity groups. Age significantly affected (P<0.05) MCT activity such that activity was highest in foals, reached a nadir at 2-3 years, and tended to inc...
Svalastoga E.Microangiographical investigations of the navicular bone in horses with navicular disease show, compared to similar investigations of normal navicular bones, that, in general, the vascular pattern is preserved but the vessels are dilated with "pooling" of the contrast medium subchondrally under facies flexoria. Similar changes may be observed in cases of human arthrosis. The present investigation therefore supports the view that navicular disease is a disease which resembles arthrosis.
Initial treatment of colic is aimed at maintaining hydration and acid-base balance, controlling pain and reestablishing peristalsis. A poor response to medical treatment in the first 12-18 hours suggests the need for laparotomy. Other indications for surgery include: rising pulse rate, exceeding 60/minute for several hours; congested mucosae; delayed capillary refill; silent abdomen; gastric reflux; distended or displaced loops of bowel on rectal examination; intractable pain; and adverse laboratory findings. Postoperative care should consist of hand-walking for 30 days, followed by confinemen...
Rapoff AJ, Markel MD, Vanderby R.By use of wire ropes as the transosseous component, an external skeletal fixator for the repair of long bone fractures in horses and cattle has been designed and tested in axial compression. Theoretical methods were used in the design process to size fixator components; however, our results suggest that conventional methods of analyzing the displacement of the transosseous component may not apply to wire ropes. Large pretensions in the wire ropes are necessary to obtain functional stiffnesses for fracture fixation. Therefore, a method was sought for terminating the ropes so that an appropriate...
Sugiura T, Nakajima H.An indirect hemagglutination was developed for the diagnosis of equine infectious anemia using sheep red blood cells coated with group specific virus antigen which had been highly purified by affinity chromatography. The presence of indirect hemagglutination antibodies was demonstrated in horses with equine infectious anemia since the cells were specifically agglutinated by all the serum samples obtained from experimentally infected horses. Antibodies appeared within 35 days after inoculation, and development of which coincided well with that of precipitating and complement fixing antibodies. ...
Viscardi V, Jorge ML, Silva KM, Sad EP, Fonseca AB, Alencar NX, Lessa DA.Collection of fluid from the lower respiratory tract (LRT) plays an important role in both the pathophysiological investigation and diagnosis of respiratory tract disease. Enzymes such as ALP are, among others, indicators of cell damage or death, type II pneumocyte proliferation, and neutrophil invasion, and have been useful as biomarkers of respiratory disease in other species. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine and compare tracheal wash (TW) ALP activity in healthy horses and horses with LRT inflammation (LRTI) determined by TW cytology profile. Methods: Tracheal washes we...
Wilkołek P, Szczepanik M, Rodzik B, Sitkowski W, Pluta M, Taszkun I, Gołyński M.Intradermal tests (IDTs) and measurement of specific immunoglobulin E class (sIgE) levels in sera are the most common and reliable methods used in allergological clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to explore the sensitization of pollen allergy in atopic horses with pollinosis and to assess the diagnostic value of the multiple allergen simultaneous tests (MASTs) compared with that of the IDT. Twenty-one Malopolski horses with typical skin hypersensitivity symptoms during pollen seasons were enrolled. Intradermal tests were performed, and allergen-specific IgE concentrations in ser...
Kirkland KD, Fales WH, Blanchard TL, Youngquist RS, Hurtgen JP.Five isolants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa collected from clinical cases of equine genital infection and one standard strain of P. aeruginosa were exposed to various concentrations of ethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (tris buffer pH 8) and EDTA-tris lysozyme. Colony forming units of the isolants and minimal inhibitory concentrations for 11 antimicrobial agents were determined with each isolant before and after exposure to the EDTA solutions. Decreased cellular viability was found with all six isolants after exposure to the EDTA-tris solutions. Reversal...
Bennet ED, Parkin TDH.Racehorse training and racing schedules in many parts of the United States and Canada were interrupted or otherwise reduced during the first three to six months of 2020. This was an indirect consequence of mitigations to prevent the spread of the pandemic virus COVID-19. Data from the Equine Injury Database, a census-level survey of all race starts made in the USA and Canada, were used to analyse the incidence of fatalities in 2009-2022 among three age cohorts of racehorses within each year. There was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of musculoskeletal fatalities among 2-y...
Jenner F, Närväinen J, de Ruijter-Villani M, Stout TA, van Weeren PR, Brama P.Equine embryogenesis post implantation is not well studied, and only two-dimensional illustrations are available. A thorough appreciation of the complex three-dimensional relationship between tissues and organs and their development is, however, crucial for understanding physiological and pathological mechanisms. Objective: The goals were 2-fold: 1) to establish a freely accessible online atlas as a reference tool for the scientific and pedagogic communities; and 2) to create a framework for integration of data with known spatiotemporal distribution, such as gene expression or cell lineage. Me...
Krause HD, Sieme H, Merkt H, Bader H, Wöckener A.A reduction in the motility of the spermatozoa in stallion semen stored in pellet form for 23 years in liquid nitrogen at -196 degrees C could not be seen after thawing. The insemination of a mare with this semen resulted in a normal pregnancy. A normally developed, healthy male foal was born after a gestational period of 321 days.