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.
HOLLISTER AC, LONGSHORE WA, DEAN BH, STEVENS IM.For the most part, epidemiologic phenomena observed in the outbreak of encephalitis in 1952 accorded with patterns that had been apparent in previous years. Ninety-seven per cent of the 414 laboratory-confirmed cases of western equine and St. Louis encephalitis in humans occurred in the 20 Central Valley counties. The cases of western equine encephalomyelitis in horses were generally scattered over the state. In the Central Valley most of the cases in horses were in animals less than two years of age; elsewhere the incidence was higher in older horses.There were no laboratory-confirmed cases o...
Sibthorpe PEM, Fitzgerald DM, Sillence MN, de Laat MA.Equine insulin dysregulation (ID) is a significant metabolic problem because the hyperinsulinaemia that develops increases the animal's risk of developing laminitis, a debilitating foot condition. The role of gastrointestinal factors, such as incretin hormones, in the pathogenesis of ID and hyperinsulinaemia in horses is poorly understood, particularly in comparison to other species. Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is an intestinotrophic peptide released from L cells in the gastrointestinal tract and is implicated in metabolic dysfunction in other species. The aim of this study in vitro was to...
Mann DN, Hobert KT, Biddle AS, Crossley MS.Cyathostomins are common digestive tract parasites of grazing horses that spread through contact with horse feces. Horse feces are colonized by a variety of organisms, some of which could serve to reduce parasite loads in horse pastures. Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.; Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae (BSFL) could be an ideal candidate for biological control of cyathostomins, due to their near-global distribution, low risk of pathogen transmission, ability to develop on a variety of nutrient-poor substrates (including horse manure), and dramatic effect on microbial communities that cyat...
Woodrow JS, Hopster K, Palmisano M, Payette F, Kulp J, Stefanovski D, Nolen-Walston R.Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a common procedure for evaluation of the equine lower airways. Time to resolution of post-BAL inflammation has not been clearly defined. Objective: Residual inflammation, evident by changes in immune cell populations and inflammatory cytokines, will resolve by 72 hours after BAL. Methods: Six adult, healthy, institution-owned horses. Methods: Randomized, complete cross-over design. Each horse underwent 3 paired BALs, including a baseline and then 48, 72, and 96 hours later, with a 7-day washout between paired BALs. Each sample underwent cytological evaluatio...
Zhong D, Zheng J, Ma Z, Wang Y, Wei J.The prevalence and impact of Getah virus (GETV) are significant concerns in China. GETV can infect a wide range of animals, including horses, pigs, sheep, cattle, birds, and humans, resulting in substantial losses in the livestock and agricultural industries. GETV infection can cause the development of ulcers and inflammation in the mouth and gums of horses, which result in pain and discomfort and lead to symptoms such as reduced appetite, drooling, and difficulty chewing. As a result, there is a pressing need for efficient and rapid disease diagnosis methods. However, the currently available ...
Cocco R, Sechi S, Rizzo M, Arrigo F, Giannetto C, Piccione G, Arfuso F.Due to the paucity of information on circus management effects on the welfare of horses, this study investigated the plasma concentrations of noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin, known to be indices of mental status, as well as the reactive oxygen metabolites (d-Roms) and the biological antioxidant potential (BAP), likely to denote the oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium of organisms, in horses managed in different Italian circuses. For the study, 56 circus horses of different breeds and ages were enrolled and divided into six groups according to the horses' management (circus management, groups...
Sävilammi T, Alakangas RR, Häyrynen T, Uusi-Heikkilä S.Gastrointestinal disorders are common and debilitating in horses, but their diagnosis is often difficult and invasive. Fecal samples offer a non-invasive alternative to assessing the gastrointestinal health of horses by providing information about the gut microbiota and inflammation. In this study, we used 16S sequencing to compare the fecal bacterial diversity and composition of 27 healthy horses and 49 horses diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We also measured fecal calprotectin concentration, a marker of intestinal inflammation, in healthy horses and horses with IBD. We found ...
Bonilla Lemos Pizzi GL, Holz K, Kowalski ÉA, Fonseca Ribeiro P, Blake R, Ferreira Martins C.The esbarrada and volta sobre patas manoeuvres are critical in Criollo horse equestrian activities, yet their kinematics remain largely unexplored. This observational study aimed to kinematically describe the manoeuvres in Criollo breed horses and explore the relationship between static goniometry and dynamics. A 2D kinematic analysis was conducted on 31 Criollo horses performing the manoeuvres using high-speed cameras. Joint angles were measured using static goniometry and analysed in relation to dynamic performance. The esbarrada covered a distance of 4.28 ± 0.99 m in 1.15 ± 0.11 s at a ve...
Laseca N, Molina A, Perdomo-González D, Ziadi C, Azor PJ, Valera M.Vitiligo is a depigmentation autoimmune disorder characterized by the progressive loss of melanocytes leading to the appearance of patchy depigmentation of the skin. The presence of vitiligo in horses is greater in those with grey coats. The aim of this study was therefore to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genomic regions and putative candidate loci associated with vitiligo depigmentation and susceptibility in the Pura Raza Español population. For this purpose, we performed a wssGBLUP (weighted single step genomic best linear unbiased prediction) using data from a ...
Kabir A, Lamichhane B, Habib T, Adams A, El-Sheikh Ali H, Slovis NM, Troedsson MHT, Helmy YA.The equine industry holds substantial economic importance not only in the USA but worldwide. The occurrence of various infectious bacterial diseases in horses can lead to severe health issues, economic losses, and restrictions on horse movement and trade. Effective management and control of these diseases are therefore crucial for the growth and sustainability of the equine industry. While antibiotics constitute the primary treatment strategy for any bacterial infections in horses, developing resistance to clinically important antibiotics poses significant challenges to equine health and welfa...
Maeda M, Abe M, Aoshima K, Kobayashi A, Fukushi H, Kimura T.Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) causes respiratory diseases, abortion, and encephalomyelitis in horses. The EHV-1 immediate-early (IE) protein, essential for viral replication, is transactivated by the binding of a multiprotein complex including the open reading frame 12 (ORF12) and some host factors to the IE promoter region. Promoter-associated non-coding RNAs (pancRNAs), which are transcribed from bidirectional promoters, regulate the transcription of neighboring genes in mammals and pathogens. In this study, we identified a novel pancRNA transcribed from across the areas of the 5'-untranslate...
Giusto G, Gandini M.The return to performance after colic surgery is crucial for competition horses. While studies have investigated racehorse performance following colic surgery by analysing racing participation and earnings, this approach does not apply to showjumping horses, leaving a gap in the literature regarding their objective performance evaluation. Objective: To assess the short- and long-term survival and return to performance in showjumping horses after colic surgery. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records of horses with acute colic requiring surgical treatment were analysed, and...
Kreuzer L, Naber A, Zink R, Millesi E, Palme R, Hediger K, Glenk LM.Research on equine-assisted therapy (EAT) has primarily been centered on human health. Relatively few studies have addressed the impact of EAT on horses. This study sought to monitor four experienced therapy horses' cardiovascular and glucocorticoid activity over the course of standardized EAT sessions designed to support women with intellectual disability. In the control condition, horses completed the EAT protocol solely with the therapist, thereby resembling a training session. Descriptive data analysis revealed higher levels of heart rate during an experimental EAT session and increased sa...
Kannekens-Jager MM, Duim B, der Graaf-van Bloois LV, Zomer AL, Broekhuizen-Stins MJ, Boswinkel M, Wagenaar JA, Broens EM.In 2020 and 2022, nine cases of surgical site infections with a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were diagnosed in horses in an equine referral clinic. Sixteen isolates (horses, n=9; environment, n=3; and staff members, n=4) were analysed retrospectively using Nanopore whole-genome sequencing to investigate the relatedness of two suspected MRSA outbreaks (2020 and 2022). The MRSA isolates belonged to ST398 and ST612. ST398 genomes from 2020 and 2022 formed three phylogenetic clusters. The first ST398 cluster from 2020 consisted of isolates from five horses and one staff membe...
Dwyer J, Roshier AL, Campbell M, Hill B, Freeman SL.Weaning represents one of the most stressful events in the life of a horse, and may have long-term impacts on behaviour. There are a range of approaches used to wean foals from mares, including abrupt and progressive separation methods. There is currently a lack of consensus on how stress and impact are measured. Objective: To conduct a scoping review to identify and chart measures of weaning-related stress on the mare and foal. Methods: Scoping review. Methods: The scoping review was conducted using the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. Systematic searches were conducted in three scientif...
Ferlini Agne G, Adamson K, McGlinchey L, Kravchuk O, Santos L, Schumacher J.Accuracy of a median nerve block is normally assessed by testing skin sensitivity on the medial and dorsal aspects of fetlock and pastern. The present study evaluated subjective and objective analysis of skin surface temperature obtained with two different infrared (IR) thermography cameras (a high-end [FLIR P640] and a smartphone IR thermography device [FLIR One®]) before and after anaesthesia of the median nerve. Thermographic images were obtained at 0, 30, 60 and 90 minutes after performing a median nerve block with 2% mepivacaine hydrochloride. The subjective analysis of thermographic ima...
Hanousek K, Fiske-Jackson A, O'Leary L, Smith RKW.In vivo measurement of limb stiffness and conformation provides a non-invasive proxy assessment of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and suspensory ligament (SL) function. Here, we compared it in fore and hindlimbs and after injury. Objective: To compare the limb stiffness and conformation in forelimbs and hindlimbs, changes with age, and following injury to the SDFT and SL. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Limb stiffness was calculated using floor scales and an electrogoniometer taped to the dorsal fetlock. The fetlock angle and weight were simultaneously recorded five tim...
Bishop RC, Jonk KM, Migliorisi A, Austin SM, Mullins EC, Wilkins PA.Polycythaemia and coagulopathy are identified risk factors for non-survival in critically ill horses. Assessment of coagulation is recommended for critical care monitoring but may be affected by concurrent polycythaemia. Objective: To evaluate the effects of induced polycythaemia on coagulation parameters as measured by a point-of-care viscoelastic coagulation device (VCM Vet™). Methods: Prospective interventional study. Methods: Healthy adult horses (n = 7) were given 6 mcg/kg of phenylephrine IV over 15 min to induce transient polycythaemia. Samples for packed cell volume (PCV), to...
Kim LD, Kreitner K, Scott DM, Seabaugh K, Duncan CG, Magzamen S.Limited research exists on impacts of air pollution on non-human mammals, particularly animal athletes such as Thoroughbred racehorses. Athletes have a greater risk of exposure as heightened exertion and increased airflow carry more pollutants deeper into the respiratory tract. Objective: To provide insights into the impact of ambient air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM), on race speed. Methods: Retrospective observational study. Methods: Data were obtained from The Jockey Club Information Systems, covering 31 407 winning races by Thoroughbred horses in California spannin...
Jacquay ET, Harris PA, Adams AA.It is unknown whether short-term transportation affects endocrine responses similarly in horses with and without insulin dysregulation (ID). Objective: To characterise the effect of short-term transportation on stress parameters and insulin responses to an oral sugar test (OST) in horses with and without ID. Methods: Longitudinal cohort study. Methods: Fourteen adult non-pregnant, non-PPID mares of mixed light breeds were grouped as either ID (n = 7) or non-ID (n = 7) based on endocrine testing. Over 2 weeks, horses were transported once, in groups of 3-4 in a horse trailer on a roun...
Le Breton A, Lewis N.Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are performed worldwide in the equine industry to produce genetically valuable foals. Among them, ovum pick up (OPU) combined with intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can now be more efficient than embryo transfer (ET) under optimal conditions. However, OPU is not a benign procedure for the mare and the process is costly. Improved efficiency is therefore in the interest of everyone, maximizing mare welfare and optimizing economics for the client. One of the key factors of success is the antral follicle count (AFC) at the time of OPU and subsequent...
Haase L, Sedlmayr B, Jung IC, Sedlmayr M, Monett D, Winter J.Existing research agrees that a well-thought design of the user interface is a key point for an mHealth application for animal owners, supporting them obtain information and make decisions regarding their pet's specific situation. However, there is currently a lack of specific advice on the design of such an application. Methods: As part of a user-centered design (UCD) process, a formative, explorative usability test with n = 5 users was conducted for collecting design ideas. The test was conducted for two applications that were already available on the market. Results: The need of supporting ...
St Blanc MP, Mirza MH, Riggs LM, Leise BS.The aim of the study was to evaluate time to closure, bursting pressures and luminal diameters of a single and double-layer end-to-end anastomoses in normal equine descending colon. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Eight adult horses. Methods: Four segments of descending colon from each horse were randomly assigned to a control (n = 8, CON), one-layer (n = 12, group 1; continuous Lembert pattern), or two-layer group (n = 12, group 2; simple continuous oversewn with Cushing pattern). Anastomoses were performed, and time to closure and luminal diameter were measured. Bursting pr...
Ishii H, Shigematsu R, Takemoto S, Ishikawa Y, Mizobe F, Nomura M, Arima D, Kunii H, Yuasa R, Yamanaka T, Tanabe S, Nagata SI, Yamada M, Leung GN. The use of osilodrostat, developed as a medication for Cushing's disease but categorized as an anabolic agent, is banned in horses by both the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities and the Fédération Equestre Internationale. For doping control purposes, elimination profiles of hydrolyzed osilodrostat in horse urine were established and the detectability of free forms of osilodrostat and its major metabolite, mono-hydroxylated osilodrostat (M1c), was investigated. Post-administration urine samples obtained from a gelding and three mares were analyzed to establish the eliminatio...
Ishii H, Shigematsu R, Takemoto S, Ishikawa Y, Mizobe F, Nomura M, Arima D, Kunii H, Yuasa R, Yamanaka T, Tanabe S, Nagata SI, Yamada M, Leung GN.Osilodrostat, used to treat Cushing's disease, exhibits an anabolic effect, leading to its classification as a prohibited substance in horseracing and equestrian sports. This study reports the characterization of osilodrostat metabolites in horse urine and elucidates its metabolic pathways for the first time for doping control purposes. Methods: Osilodrostat was administered nasoesophageally to four thoroughbreds (one gelding and three mares) at a dose of 50 mg each. Potential metabolites were extensively screened via our developed generic approach employing differential analysis to identify m...
Dély S, Gerber V, Peters LM, Sage SE.The presence of fungi in tracheal wash (TW) of horses was recently linked to mild-moderate equine asthma, indicating a possible causal role; however, increased numbers of fungi may also stem from asthma-related alteration of tracheal mucus clearance or from environmental exposure. Our objective was to elucidate the association between the presence of fungi in TW and asthma status while controlling for relevant confounders. We conducted a retrospective case-control study involving 73 horses, including 34 controls and 39 asthmatic cases. Each asthmatic horse was matched with a control from the s...
Pearson EK, Guarino C, Cercone M, Divers T, Lambert J, García-López J, Johnson AL, Engiles JB, Marconi R, Smith J, Brown K, Pinn-Woodcock T.Evaluate the incidence of Borrelia burgdorferi in cases of equine nuchal bursitis (NB) and investigate the relationship between elevated serum outer surface protein A (OspA) antibodies and the molecular identification of B burgdorferi in bursal tissue or synovial fluid. Additionally, describe clinical cases and compare the histologic changes in NB with and without detection of B burgdorferi. Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study (2013 to 2022). Medical records from horses with a diagnosis of NB and B burgdorferi PCR testing on NB tissue or synovial fluid were reviewed. The...
Swanton WE, Johnson R, Zhao Q, Schroeder C.To evaluate sedation and IV xylazine requirements to achieve 45% of baseline head height above ground measurements following oral (PO) administration of 2 trazodone dosages. Methods: 8 healthy, adult mares of various weights and breeds belonging to a university teaching herd were utilized in a blinded, crossover study design. Horses were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 PO treatments: control (no trazodone), trazodone at 3 mg/kg (low dose [LD]), or trazodone at 6 mg/kg (high dose [HD]). Before treatment, cardiac auscultation, EquiSed sedation score, and head height above ground (HHAG; cm) measureme...
Kerley BS, Harris P, Lea K, McClendon M, Adams AA.Forage low in nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) is recommended for insulin dysregulated (ID) horses, indicating the importance of an accurate forage analysis. However, it remains to be fully understood how handling forage samples pre-analysis impacts nutrient values. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of fresh-forage storage-handling methods: microwave-oven (MO; 9kw; 70s then stored at -20℃), room temperature (20℃), 3℃, -20℃, and -80℃. Subsamples collected from a mixed-grass pasture and a ryegrass plot were analyzed for crude protein (CP), water soluble carbohydrat...
