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.
Nitschelm D, van der Horst CJ.It appeared that in mares suffering from endometritis the concentrations of pregnenolone, of the compound "5.4", and of progesterone in the blood during the first 2 days of the heat period were significantly higher than in normal cycling mares, in which the concentrations of all steroids were less than or equal to 1 ng/ml. In five endometritis mares the "5.4" and progesterone concentrations decreased after the first days of the heat period, and at about two days before ovulation the values were comparable to those of normal cycling mares. Eight mares suffering from a severe endometritis did no...
Eales FA.Saffan was injected intravenously on 41 occasions in 11 horses and ponies to investigate its possible use in clinical equine anaesthesia. The optimum dose for induction was 1-90 mg per kg. This dose was divided into two halves, the first half given in five seconds and the second half, containing suxamethonium chloride 0.1 mg per kg, in the next 10 seconds. Induction was associated with excitement for up to 30 secs after the assumption of recumbency. At this dose rate anaesthesia lasted five to eight minutes. Muscle relaxation was poor. Recovery was associated with marked tactile and audible hy...
Cartoni GP, Montanaro M.The results and the improvement of the analytical procedures adopted for the control of doping in horses will be reported. This control has been systematically carried out in Italy for about 10 years in the laboratories of Italian Federation of Sport and Medicine in which the biological samples for the control of doping in various sport activities (football, cycling, athletics etc.) are also examined. In this way it is possible to use the same instruments for all these similar problems and compare the results. The analytical procedure is based on the following steps: 1) Extraction of the sampl...
Robinson NE, Scott JB, Dabney JM, Jones GA.Digital vascular pressures, blood flow, and vascular resistances were measured in 11 control ponies and in 8 animals (7 ponies and 1 horse) affected with laminitis created by feeding a high starch ration. Animals with laminitis had increased digital blood flow, increased arterial, small vein, and large vein pressures, and decreased vascular resistances. Comparison of digital lymph flow rates and protein concentrations in animals with laminitis and control animals revealed no differences. Digital vascular responses of the 2 groups to acetylcholine, epinephrine, histamine, or serotonin also did ...
Thompson DB, Spradborw PB, Studdert M.Some details of the clinical and postmortem findings of an Arab foal that died as a consequence of adenoviral pneumonia superimposed on a combined immunodeficiency disease are provided. The foal was the 17th in a series of similar deaths that occurred on a farm since 1959. An adenovirus, which by haemagglutination inhibition and serum neutralisation tests was antigenically similar to 2 other equine adenoviruses isolated in Australia, was isolated from a nasal swab taken from the foal when it was 23 days of age.
Hillidge CJ.The effects of the analeptic agent, Dopram (doxapram hydrochloride) were investigated in 2 ponies during Immobilon - induced neuroleptanalgesia. Although Dopram was demonstrated to exert a degree of respiratory stimulation, this was concluded to provide no overall advantage. The etorphine-induced hypoxic hypoxia was only partially reversed, and there was additional cardiovascular stimulation, in contrast to the previously reported tendency for arterial blood pressure to return towards conscious control values during the course of action of Immobilon.
Speirs VC, Reynolds WT.The diagnosis and successful surgical treatment of a diaphragmatic hernia in a 12 weeks old standardbred foal are described. The clinical syndrome in horses generally is contrasted with that seen in the foal described in this paper. Some of the factors contributing to the clinical signs are discussed.
Tobin T, Blake JW, Sturma L, Arnett S.Procaine added to whole equine blood or diluted plasma was hydrolyzed with half times of approximately 9 and 12 minutes, respectively, at 37 C. This hydrolytic activity was sensitive to heating and physostigmine, but did not affect procainamide. At pharmacologic concentrations of procaine, the rate of the hydrolytic reaction depended directly on the concentrations of plasma or procaine in the system and was less in whole blood than in plasma. These properties are consistent with hydrolysis being due to plasma esterases operating at less than saturating procaine concentrations. These esterases ...
Snow DH, Guy PS.The use of the technique of percutaneous needle biopsy in obtaining skeletal muscle samples in the horse is described. The biochemical, ultrastructural and histochemical investigations that can be carried out on this biopsy specimen are outlined. Analyses performed on the specimen may be used to obtain information on racing potential and state of fitness. These studies on normal horses will provide information for future investigations into the structural and biochemical alterations in muscle disorders in the equine.
Falco MJ, Whitwell K, Palmer AC.Sixty-seven TB horses in Britain suffering from clinical wobbler disease were divided into 5 groups, based on the presence or absence of pathological lesions and their nature. These groups were compared genetically with a control group of 67 TBs known not to exhibit signs of wobbling. Though analysed for both simple and complex modes of inheritance no evidence of a genetic basis was found in any group. The high breed incidence in TBs may be real or apparent. Considerably more male than female wobblers are reported. Other forms of possibly inherited ataxia in equidae are reviewed and reference ...
Smith HJ.Five of seven ponies whose strongyle worm burdens had previously been removed or markedly reduced by repeated thiabendazole treatments were reinfected with doses ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 small strongyle infective larvae. Reinfection of ponies resulted in the development of clinical signs characterized by abnormal feces, marked loss of weight and delayed shedding of winter hair coats. An abrupt increase in circulating eosinophils occurred during the first three weeks following reinfection. Patent infections developed in all ponies with worm eggs appearing in the feces from 12 to 15 weeks...
Jones DM.A short account of the natural history of the wild Equidae is given as a background to their management in captivity. In general the approach to their husbandry and veterinary care is similar to that for the domestic horse. A mixture of etorphine and acepromazine has been found to be the most effective for handling and conventional methods of anaesthesia can be safely superimposed on these if required. The data collected at Whipsnade on the haematology and biochemistry of these species is summarised in tabular form and an analysis is included of the post-mortem examinations of 105 equine carca...
Morales GA, Wells EA, Angel D.Discovery of two ill horses and three dogs naturally infected with Trypanosoma evansi near an experimental station in the Eastern Plains of Colombia led to a search for reservoir hosts of the parasite. Infection was detected in 8/33 healthy capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), none of the remaining 14 horses, and none of 32 Zebu cattle (Bos indicus), 18 paca (Cuniculus paca) and 20 spiny rats (Proechimys sp.). Contrary to common opinion, the results indicated a carrier state in the capybara. Diagnosis was based on morphology, behaviour in albino rats, and pathogenicity and host range in dome...
Smith HJ.A group of seven ponies naturally infected with large numbers of small strongyles and raised under conditions to minimize reinfection were treated periodically over a three year span with thiabendazole at the rate of 44 mg/kg body weight. Based on the absence of worm eggs in the feces following each treatment, thiabendazole removed the adult strongyles present with a new population subsequently developing by maturation of inhibited larvae. It took as many as four or five treatments to eliminate or reduce significantly the worm burdens present in the ponies under the conditions of this study. S...
Hanák J, Chvátal O, Janda J.Sixty seven thoroughbred race horse of various age categories were examined electrocardiographically by bipolar leak-apex of the heart -- withers; length of training corresponded to the age categories. Basic time and voltage criteria of EKG were statistically evaluated according to electrocardiographic curves: TF = 35.1 = %/- 6.82 pulses per min., time P = 0.16 +/- 0.03 sec., PQ = 0.03 +/- 0.04 sec., QRS = 0.12 +/- +/- 0.01 sec., TQc = 0.50 sec., R = 2.83 +/- 0.63 mV, Q = 0.38 +/- 0.31 mV. Repolarization phase of the chamber complex, mainly the T wave, is the most variable component of the who...
Delbeke FT, Debackere M.It is well known that nikethamide (N,N-diethylnicotinamide, CoramineR) is metabolized very rapidly to nicotinamide. Hence, there is difficulty in proving that nikethamide has been used as a doping substance because nicotinamide is a normal physiological metabolite in the organism as well as a vitamin preparation. However, an intermediate metabolite (N-ethylnicotinamide) was found by us in the urine of horses treated with CoramineR. This was characterized by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and synthesized and identified as being N-ethylnicotinamide. The excretion and metabolism of niketha...
McIlwraith CW, Owen RA, Basrur PK.Cytogenetic and histological studies were carried out on an intersex horse which was diagnosed clinically as a cryptorchid. Surgery confirmed the horse to be a bilateral abdominal cryptorchid and histological examination revealed ovarian tissue associated with the left epididymis. Chromosome analysis of cultured cells from testicular tissue, ovarian tissue and skin revealed 64-XX and 64-XY make-up, the left gonad containing a greater preponderance of XX cells over XY cells. The external characteristics and behaviour of the horse were indistinguishable from that of a "routine" cryptorchid. Othe...
Tobin T, Swerczek TW, Blake JW.This report concerns the detection and acute toxicity of pine oil (a commercially available disinfectant) after intravenous administration in horses. alpha Terpineol was identified as a major constituent of pine oil. alpha Terpineol was recovered from equine tissues by extraction into heptane and detected by gas chromatography, using either flame ionization detection or pentafluoropropionic anhydride derivatization and electron capture detection. After intravenous injection of 0.1 ml/kg, death due to massive pulmonary edema occurred within minutes. In this animal blood and tissue levels of alp...
Calixto-Vega LC, Martínez-Aranzales JR.The existing literature does not contain information about the prevalence of gastric ulcers in mules, and on the potential associations between the presence of ulcers and work load, work type, diet, sex, age and body condition score (BCS). Objective: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with mule gastric ulcer syndrome (MGUS) and evaluate its distribution in both mule squamous gastric disease (MSGD) and mule glandular gastric disease (MGGD) mucosa in a population of mules in Colombia. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional. Methods: A total of 97 clinically healthy mules of diffe...
Iqbal J, Purewal AS, Edington N.The aim of this study was to investigate the role of immediate early gene (gene63) in the pathogenesis of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) acute and latent infections in equine and murine models. EHV-1 gene63 mutant virus (g63mut) along with EHV-1 (Ab4) was used for intracerebral and intranasal infection of 3 and 17-day-old mice. Both viruses were recovered at the same frequency from tissues after infection. Two Welsh ponies were infected via the intranasal route with each of the viruses. Acute infection was monitored by virus isolation from nasal swabs and peripheral blood leukocytes. Six weeks p...
Mastellar SL, Barnes T, Cybulak K, Urschel KL.This study determined splanchnic extraction of phenylalanine at two intakes of threonine. Six Thoroughbred mares were supplemented with isonitrogenous amounts of either threonine or glutamate. Dietary threonine intakes were 119 (+Thr) and 58 (Basal) mg/kg/day, respectively. Each horse received each diet twice and each was studied once with an oral and once with an intravenous (IV) infusion of [1-(13)C]phenylalanine. A 2-h primed, constant IV infusion of [(13)C]sodium bicarbonate and a 4-h primed, constant infusion of [1-(13)C]phenylalanine, either orally or IV, were used to measure isotopic en...
Sugimoto M, Kuwano A, Ikeda S, Kume S, Yoshihara E, Wada S.To examine the distribution of water in hoof wall specimens of horses via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) microscopy and determine changes in water distribution during hydration. Methods: 4 hoof wall specimens (2 obtained from the dorsum and 1 each obtained from the lateral quarter and lateral heel regions) of the stratum medium of healthy hooves of 1 horse. Methods: Equine hoof wall specimens were examined via NMR microscopy. Proton density-weighted 3-D images were acquired. Changes during water absorption were assessed on sequential images. Results: The inner zone of the stratum medium had ...
Tobin T.In general, blood is the only material on which a practical pre-race testing scheme can be based. Blood testing is not as sensitive as urine testing and detects only about 66 per cent of the drugs detectable in urine. Therefore, pre-race blood testing is always performed in conjunction with post race urine testing. Because blood is easily and rapidly drawn, the use of blood samples in all post race testing schemes is recommended. Pre-race testing is also a relatively expensive proposition, but it is the only method which actually prevents the running of an illegally medicated horse.
Minami Y, Yamano S, Kawai M, Hiraga A, Miyata H.To find a new parameter indicating muscle fitness in Thoroughbred horses, we examined time-dependent recovery of glycogen content and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-ATPase activity of skeletal muscle after intensive treadmill running. Two repeated 50-sec running sessions (13 m/sec) were performed on a flat treadmill (approximately 90%VO2max). Muscle samples of the middle gluteal muscle were taken before exercise (pre) and 1 min, 20 min, 60 min, and 24 hr after exercise. Muscle fiber type composition was determined in the pre muscle samples by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal an...
Hillidge CJ, Whitlock TW.Post race endoscopy was carried out on 255 two-year-old quarter horses and exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) was diagnosed in 166 (65 per cent) of them. Visible epistaxis was seen in a higher proportion of geldings than in either mares or stallions. The prevalence of EIPH was similar in mares (73 per cent) and in geldings (74 per cent). A significantly lower prevalence (49 per cent) was noted in stallions (P less than 0.01). It was concluded that a sex variation in the prevalence of EIPH exists in two-year-old quarter horses.
Johnson AL.Four seasonally anestrous mares (Standardbred), housed under a nonstimulatory photoperiod of 8 hours light:16 hours dark, were administered gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in a pulsatile pattern (50 or 250 micrograms of GnRH/hour) for 8 to 18 days during February and March 1985. Treatment with GnRH, irrespective of dose or month, induced an increase in serum luteinizing hormone from a mean pretreatment value typical of anestrus (0.58 +/- 0.02 ng/ml +/- SE) to 10.84 +/- 1.27 ng/ml on day 8 of GnRH treatment. Ovulation in the 4 mares occurred 8.8 +/- 0.7 days after the initiation of pulsat...
Franks PW.A technique was developed using radioactive isotopes as a source of radiation for the treatment of injuries to the superficial and deep flexor tendons and the associated ligaments in the horse. The treatment area was sub-divided so that different dosages could be applied over the limb as necessary. A plaster of Paris impression was taken of the whole area to be treated. In the isotope laboratory a plaster negative was made and loaded with the dose of radioactive isotope. The loaded cast was then strapped to the horse's limb for the calculated time, usually about three days. A total of 42 horse...
Epper P, Glüge S, Vidondo B, Wróbel A, Ott T, Sieme H, Kaeser R, Burger D.To successfully inseminate mares, precise detection of ovulation time is crucial, especially when using frozen-thawed semen. Monitoring body temperature, as has been described in women, could be a noninvasive way to detect ovulation. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the time of ovulation and the variation of body temperature in mares based on automatic continuous measurements during estrus. The experimental group included 21 mares for 70 analyzed estrous cycles. When the mares showed estrous behavior, they were administered intramuscular deslorelin acet...
Sharp DC, Garcia MC, Ginther OJ.Luteinizing hormone (LH) was quantified in pony mares during artificially induced sexual maturation. Ovarian follicular development was also assessed by rectal palpation of the ovaries. With the exception of large periovulatory LH concentrations in two mares that ovulated, LH concentrations were not significantly different in mares undergoing sexual maturation and thus having marked follicular development when compared with mares that were not undergoing sexual maturation and thus did not have marked follicular development. These results indicate a dissociation in time between the onset of fol...
Kondo T, Sato F, Tsuzuki N, Chen CJ, Yamada K.Computed tomographic myelography can be a useful tool for evaluating vertebral canal stenosis. However, an index of spinal cord compression is yet to be established. This observational descriptive study aimed to establish an index for spinal cord compression using computed tomography (CT). Twenty-three Thoroughbred horses (age, 155-717 days; weight, 205-523 kg) with suspected cervical vertebral malformation were subjected to computed tomographic myelography in dorsal recumbency using large-bore gantry CT to define the entire cervical vertebrae from C1 to C7. Subsequently, the height of the sp...
Knych HK, Weiner D, Steinmetz S, Flynn K, McKemie DS.Hydroxyzine is a first-generation antihistamine and cetirizine, a second-generation antihistamine and active metabolite of hydroxyzine. Hydroxyzine is commonly used in performance horses and as such its use in closely regulated; however, there are no published studies suitable for establishing appropriate regulatory recommendations. In the current study, 12 exercised Thoroughbred research horses received a single oral administration of 500 mg of hydroxyzine. Blood and urine samples were collected prior to and up to 96 hr postdrug administration and concentrations of hydroxyzine and cetirizin...