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.
Hawkins JA, Adams WV, Wilson BH, Issel CJ, Roth EE.The mechanical transmission of equine infectious anemia (EIA) virus by Tabanus fuscicostatus was investigated. In 1 of 7 transmission trials, a single horsefly transmitted EIA virus from an acutely infected pony to a susceptible pony. Groups of horseflies isolated for 3, 10, or 30 minutes before refeeding transmitted EIA virus, whereas those isolated for 4 or 24 hours did not. Data from field studies indicate that the home range or flight distance of horseflies may exceed 4 miles. That information together with our observations suggest that segregation of infected horses (usually defined as at...
Walthall JC, McKenzie RA.Horses grazing manily Cenchrus ciliaris and/or Panicum maximum var. trichoglume pastures on over 30 properties in southern central Queensland developed lesions of osteodystrophia fibrosa. Horses on individual properties in coastal Queensland grazing Setaria anceps, Brachiaria mutica or Pennisetum clandestinum also developed the disease. Ill-thrift, lameness, and fibrous swellings of nasal bones, maxillae and mandibles were observed. Calcium and phosphorus levels of pasture were normal but all the above pasture species contained oxalates which were suspected of causing the disease.
Frerichs WM, Holbrook AA, Allen PC.Twenty Shetland ponies, 6 to 7 months old, were naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes and stomach bots. The ponies were allotted to 2 groups of 10 and were maintained on separate similar pastures that were free of infective larvae at the beginning of the study. The ponies in 1 group were treated monthly for 17 months with a therapeutic dose of a thiabendazole and piperazine mixture; those in the other group were not treated. During the 3rd and 5th months of the experiment, the ponies in the treated group were also given therapeutic doses of dichlorvos to remove bots. Various physi...
Komárek J, Stros K, Sýkora I, Kynclová I, Jadrný L, Selinger P.By means of the Astrup equilibration method the values of the acid-base balance of the blood were determined in 104 cows, 99 horses, 100 pigs, 15 sheep, 20 goats, and in 101 dogs. The pH values of the blood, the partial pressure of CO2, the base excess, the base buffer, the standard bicarbonate, the actual bicarbonate, and the total CO2 were processed statistically and are presented in tables.
Hart LT, Braymer HD, Larson AD, Broussard EA.Equine infectious anemia (EIA) antigen extracted from the spleen of horses infected with EIA virus was purified by pH treatment, (NH4)2SO4 fractionation and affinity chromatography. The homogeneity of the antigen was indicated by sedimentation rate and sedimentation equilibrium experiments. A S20,w of 0.51 was determined and a molecular weight of 7600 was calculated from sedimentation equilibrium analysis. The amino acid composition of the pure antigen indicated the antigen is an acidic protein. Employing radical immunodiffusion (RID) and pure antigen a method for quantitating antigen content ...
Holmes JR.The paper describes the spatial vector changes during ventricular depolarisation in 190 horses using a semi-orthogonal ECG lead system. The replacement of planar vector loops by a plot of 3 parameters to depict the changing spatial vector, with a time base on the X axis, is described and illustrated. Some horses with diastolic murmurs and some with a history of respiratory problems formed 2 distinct groups. As a result of these findings a possible relationship between the vector changes and the anatomical siting of the ventricles is suggested and discussed. Attention is drawn to certain measur...
Milne DW, Turner AS, Gabel AA.In the horse, surgical approaches for plating fractures of the ulna, radius, metacarpus, tibia, and metatarsus involved a single curvilinear skin incision and incision of the superficial fascia in a manner to prevent postoperative dehiscence. The tension side of the bones, as well as location of nerves, arteries, veins, and muscles, were the major determinants in developing these approaches for atraumatic surgery and short operative time.
Zobel G, Kolb FE.Acid phosphatase of erythrocytes of several species was investigated, with three isozymes having been recorded from swine (three types), three (two types) from horse, four (one type) from dog, two (two types) from cat, two (three types) from duck, and two (one type) from fowl. The Michaelis constant of the enzyme varied between 3.5 and 5 X 10(-4) M for the species involved. The species, however, differed slightly for the optimum pH of the enzyme. The average enzymatic activities were (5.68 +/- 0.42 for dog, 4.46 +/- 1.0 for horse, 3.8 +/- 0.24 for swine, 3.72 for cat, 2.5 +/- 0.62 for duck, an...
Cattabiani F, Cabassi E, Allodi C, Gianelli F.The AA. report the results of taxonomic research conducted on the conjunctival sac of 59 horses for identification of the present bacterial flora. In the controlled animals, it was observed, at the level of the considered niche, a community constituted of normal bacterial populations, but not autochtonous in the significance they attributed from DUBOS et al., relative to the characterization of the indigenous microbiota of the intestine. The isolated normal bacterial flora seems to be constituted of: Micrococcus (subgroup 6 of Baird-Parker, M. luteus, Micrococcus spp.) isolated in 49,15% of th...
Greenway JA, Puls R.Clinical sickness was observed in domestic ducks, geese, horses and swine during October 1973. All species showed upper alimentary distress with mortalities occurring in the geese. Barley derived from a common source had been fed. Examination of the barley revealed invasion by Fusarium spp and detection of a high level of dermatitic fusariotoxins.
Damron GW.A survey of horses for gastrointestinal trichomonads was conducted to determine the organism's role in equine diarrhea and to establish its proper identity and morphology. Trichomonads were found by cultural examination of feces of 101 (35%) of 289 apparently healthy horses. At necropsy, trichomonads were cultured from 11 (37%) of another 30 horses which showed no signs of diarrhea at the time of death. In 4 of the 11 horses, colonies of trichomonads numbered 30,000 to 150,000/ml of cecal fluid. Diarrhea was induced in 1 of 6 horses, with the fecal fluid containing 10,000 to 110,000 trichomona...
Strafuss AC.In a review of neoplasm registry records at Kansas State University (1961 through 1971), 58 squamous cell carcinomas were reported in 10 breeds of horses. Mean age of the affected horses was 12.4 years. The head, eye and ocular adnexa accounted for 43.1%, the external male genitalia, 44.8%, and female perineal region, 12.0% of the squamous cell carcinomas, altogether representing 20.2% of 287 neoplasms recorded.
Heyneman RA, Bruyninckx WJ, Vercauteren RE.Two distinct groups of acid phosphatase containing granules were characterized in neutrophils, each group displaying different multiple forms of the enzyme. The heavy granule acid phosphatase showed a lysosomal location. A second lighter group of particles contained a thermolabile, thiol-dependent acid p-nitrophenyl and alpha-naphtylphosphatase, an enzyme clearly different from lysosomal acid phosphatase. Acid phosphatase activity from eosinophil leukocytes appeared to be totally associated with the typical eosinophil granules. On mechanical disruption of these particles, an acid phosphatase w...
Denny HR.Methods of treating fractures of the olecranon in the horse are reviewed. A further 4 cases are recorded in which the fracture was treated by open reduction and fixation with a heavy duty Venable's plate placed on the caudal aspect of the ulna. Three cases had an oblique fracture through the semilunar notch; this was complicated in one by a fracture of the lateral half of the radial head which resulted in subluxation of the radio-humeral joint. The fracture of the radial head was treated by open reduction and fixation with a lag screw. The fourth case had an oblique fracture of the olecranon j...
Fennell C.Skin scrapings from clinical cases of equine skin disorder were examined by culture to determine the micro-organisms involved. In-vitro and in-vivo studies were then made to determine the efficacy of Trichloro-carbanilide as a topical treatment for these cases. The laboratory findings and results of treatment are described, and the value of Trichlorocarbanilide in cases of bacterial, actinomycete and fungal infection assessed.
Hudson NP, Church DB, Trevena J, Nielsen IL, Major D, Hodgson DR.Two Thoroughbred horses were presented with various clinical signs which included sweating, agitation, muscle twitching and synchronous diaphragmatic flutter. These signs were associated with profound hypocalcaemia. A diagnosis of primary hypoparathyroidism was made on the basis of low serum ionised calcium concentration, hyperphosphataemia and markedly reduced serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone concentrations in the presence of normal renal function. Treatment with a combination of intravenous calcium and subsequently oral calcium, magnesium and a vitamin D analogue (dihydrotachysterol)...
MacHarg MA, Foerner JJ, Phillips TN, Barclay WP.The medical management of three horses with simple and strangulating small intestinal obstructions was unsuccessful and was therefore supported by surgical bypasses. Jejunocecostomies were used to treat horses with postoperative paralytic ileus that was unresponsive to medical management. These horses had abdominal pain, gastric distention, heart rate elevations greater than 60/minute, and small intestinal distention on rectal palpation. Two horses experienced weight loss which responded to bypass removal. The bypass effectively decreased the need for intravenous fluid administration and repea...
Srivastava SK, Barnum DA.Lymphocyte stimulation was observed in whole equine blood in the presence of phytohaemagglutinin and M protein extracted from a typical strain of Streptococcus equi. Blood samples were collected from several healthy horses and horse and pony foals and cultured in vitro with varying concentrations of phytohaemagglutinin and M protein for several days. Phytohaemagglutinin was found to induce lymphocyte stimulation in these animals. Highest mean stimulation indices in horse foals (49.3 +/- 24.4) and pony foals (54.7 +/- 32.0) were observed with 0.625 and 1.25 micrograms/mL phytohaemagglutinin, re...
Sivula NJ, Trent AM, Kobluk CN.Nonsurgical correction of a renosplenic entrapment of the large colon was attempted in a mare, using a rolling technique. After correction, the mare had initial improvement in clinical signs, but later developed signs of abdominal discomfort. A ventral midline celiotomy was performed, and a pelvic flexure impaction and large intestinal volvulus were found and corrected.
Andrews FM.A thorough examination of the respiratory system is an important part of the work-up for poor performance in horses. This article provides a systematic approach to field evaluation of horses with poor performance due to respiratory system dysfunction. The information is organized to help the reader evaluate pertinent historical and physical examination findings so that a list of differential diagnoses can be generated. Also, pertinent ancillary diagnostic modalities that can help further characterize and localize causes for respiratory dysfunction in horses presented for poor performance are d...
Brøkner C, Austbø D, Næsset JA, Blache D, Knudsen KE, Hansen HH, Tauson AH.Dietary sugar and starch affect plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. Little information is available about the effect of dietary fibre on plasma glucose and insulin concentration. It is hypothesized that different dietary fibre compositions will alter post-prandial glycaemic- and insulinemic index of test meals. The objective was to measure postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations in horses fed meals of different fibre compositions. Methods: Blood was drawn via jugular vein puncture and the glycaemic and insulinemic index were calculated. Results: The meal effect on glycaemic and ...
Sneddon JC, Van Der Walt J, Mitchell G, Hammer S, Taljaard JJ.We have investigated the change in plasma vasopressin and aldosterone concentrations in Namib (desert-adapted) and in control horses from a subtropical region, during an acute 12% dehydration and during rehydration, while food was available. During dehydration, vasopressin concentrations increased significantly in both groups of horses, but the increase was significantly greater in Namib horses than in control horses. During rehydration, vasopressin levels fell, but fell significantly less in Namib horses. The change in vasopressin concentration correlated significantly with plasma osmolality ...
Ribeiro Neto LM, Salvadori MC, Spinosa HS.As hydrocortisone is an endogenous substance, it is first necessary to establish its normal concentrations so as to be able to control its use in racing animals. This study was designed to establish the hydrocortisone concentrations in post-race urine samples of horses racing in Brazil and also to evaluate the results in relation to the international threshold set for this drug. Urine samples were analysed by HPLC-UV. The results were evaluated according to the concentration range as well as sex and time of sample collection (afternoon or evening races). The results showed a high degree of var...
Bosch G, van Schie MJ, Back W.A keratoma is a rather uncommon disorder of the equine hoof that can lead to lameness. Few quantitative data exist about the prognosis of different treatment regimens. The outcome of 41 cases that were presented to the Department of Equine Sciences in the period 1995-2001 and that were treated according to different regimens was retrospectively evaluated. All horses showed lameness that could be attributed to the keratoma: 23 (56%) were treated surgically using a standardized procedure, while the other 18 (44%) were treated conservatively. Results were based upon 35 horses; 6 were lost to foll...
Sha DH, Mullineaux DR, Clayton HM.Surface markers are usually used to track bone movement. However, skin movement related to the bone has a large effect on the analysis of skeletal kinematics. A 2-dimensional (2D) skin displacement correction model has been successfully developed, but no 3D skin displacement model exists. Objective: To develop a 3-dimensional (3D) skin displacement model for the equine radial segment during trot. Methods: The 3D trajectories of 6 skin-based markers and a bone-fixed triad were captured at trot in 4 horses. Skin displacements in the bone-based coordinate system were calculated using a singular-v...
Medeiros LF, Medeiros LO, Berciano Sanjurjo MA.1. The metabolism in the erythrocytes of thoroughbred horses in a sequential study from umbilical cord to the 1st month was investigated. 2. Emphasis was put on hemolytic period at which: (a). PFK, GSH-Px and GSH play a significant role. (b). There is a lower glucose consumption determined by a decreased activity in several enzymatic steps. (c). Singularly high concentrations of 2-3DPG and ATP were detected. 3. It has been suggested that the metabolic adjustments were achieved by an increased activity of the hexose monophosphate shunt, G-3PD and AK.
Massanyi L, Janisch R.According to the distribution of IMP, three different regions can be recognized on PF of the post-acrosomal plasma membrane of bull, ram, and boar spermatozoa. They are: (1) a region with linear aggregation of IMP, (2) a region with fewer and scattered IMP, and (3) a region with more numerous IMP. In the last two regions IMPs are randomly distributed or a clustering of certain particles is visible. In stallion spermatozoa the last two areas are undistinguishable. There are evident interspecies differences in the arrangement of linear aggregations of IMP which are characteristic for each specie...
Persson SG, Ullberg LE.The rate of disappearance of Evans blue dye from the blood after an intravenous injection was studied in young foals, between 4 and 105 days of age. This was found to be age dependant, especially during the first month, the initial dye disappearance being much faster than in the adult horse. This would mean an overestimation of plasma volume, using the single sampling technique, of about 5% during the first day of life, i.e. negligible from a practical point of view considering the standard error of estimation. The effect of exercise on the venous haematocrit was studied, too, in foals less th...
Tsunoda RH, Serrano-Recalde EC, Arruda RP, Oliveira BMM, Pinto SCC, Celeghini ECC.The aim was to evaluate effects of addition of pentoxifylline to skimmed milk semen extender on uterine inflammatory response. Thirty-six estrous cycles of 15 mares were randomly divided into five groups for artificial insemination (AI): Control: mimicking the AI procedure (n = 7); Extender: deposition of skimmed milk based extender (n = 7); Extender + PTX: skimmed milk based extender plus pentoxifylline (7.18 mM; n = 8); Semen: semen diluted with extender without pentoxifylline (n = 7), and Semen + PTX: semen diluted with extender containing pentoxifylline (n = 7). M...
Klopfenstein Bregger MD, Fürst AE, Kircher PR, Kluge K, Kummer M.To describe minimally-invasive lag screw osteosynthesis combined with external coaptation for the treatment of Salter-Harris type II third metacarpal and third metatarsal bone fractures. Methods: Three foals aged two weeks to four months with a Salter-Harris type II third metacarpal or third metatarsal fracture. Surgery was carried out under general anaesthesia in lateral recumbency. After fracture reduction, the metaphyseal fragment was stabilized with two cortical screws placed in lag fashion under fluoroscopic control. A cast was applied for at least two weeks. Results: All foals had a good...
Giacchi A, McMaster MA.To compare biomechanical characteristics of three-loop pulley (3LP) pattern versus Bunnell technique (BT) using polydioxanone (PDS) suture; to determine the influence of polyester tape (PT) versus PDS on the BT for equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) tenorrhaphy; to compare BT with PT versus 3LP with PDS. Methods: Ex vivo biomechanical study. Methods: Forty equine forelimb SDFT. Methods: Two experiments were performed: (1) 10 SDFT pairs were repaired with 3LP or BT using PDS; (2) 10 SDFT pairs were repaired with PDS or PT using BT. Load at failure, mode of failure, load at 2 mm g...
