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.
Zhou K, Dong Z, Zhou X, Zhai B, Li B, Zhang J, Cheng F.The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and association of EGUS in horses of different ages, breeds and occupations. Gastroscopies were performed on 395 horses, and gastric ulcers were graded on a scoring system from 0 to 4. The relationship between age, breed, and work, along with the prevalence of gastric ulcers and their influences, were evaluated. The prevalence rate of ulcers in this herd was 78%. Older horses were prone to ulcers in both the glandular and squamous mucosal areas. Across the different jobs surveyed, 60% of the horses had a score of 2 or above. For the horses ...
LeCompte Lazić RA, Nielsen BD, Robison CI, Schott HC, Herdt TH, Larson CK.The 2007 Horse NRC reduced cobalt (Co) requirements from 0.1 ppm to 0.05 ppm in dietary dry matter, though preliminary research suggested increasing dietary-Co enhanced fiber digestion in horses. This study aimed to evaluate fiber digestion with varying dietary Co amounts, as well as to compare serum Co concentrations with dietary Co content. Four geldings (mean body weight [BW] 503 ± 37 kg) were studied in a 4 × 4 Latin square design consisting of four 5-week periods, each comprising a 2-week washout phase followed by a 3-week treatment phase. Supplementing 0.0, 5.6, 16.8, or 28.0 mg of Co ...
Nugent Z, Jensen A, Owen N, Peffers AJ, Moothanchery M, Peffers MJ.Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) is a painful disorder primarily affecting the incisor teeth of horses over 15 years of age. Clinical signs of the disease include prehension problems, halitosis and in severe cases weight loss. The disease predominately affects the reserve crown and presents as a loss of dental tissue and excessive build-up of cementum. Objective: To determine the radiographic scores of horses with EOTRH and age-matched controls and to increase understanding of EOTRH using microCT to compare teeth from horses with EOTRH and age-matched control...
Ha Y, Yi K, Park C, Kim G, Choi D, Lee J, Kim N.This study aimed to measure the whole blood viscosity (WBV) in racehorses using a new viscometer and establish reference values, as well as to investigate the correlation between the WBV and the haematological parameters and serum chemistry. WBV measurements were conducted on 51 Thoroughbred horses using a novel U-shaped scanning capillary-tube viscometer. The reference values for the WBV were determined at various shear rates ranging from 1 s to 1 000 s. Correlation analyses were performed to examine the correlation between the WBV and the haematological and serum chemistry parameters. The fi...
Morales CJ, Costa LRR.Exercise intolerance, chronic cough, and hyperpnea are the clinical hallmarks of equine asthma. Diagnosis of severe equine asthma in horses is multistep; determination of the phenotype will help guide future recommendations. Management of equine asthma is largely reduction/elimination of triggering agents/conditions. Immunosuppressive therapies and bronchodilators are the mainstay of treatment of equine asthma. Rescue therapy with short-acting bronchodilators is the first goal when managing a horse with hyperpnea. The second goal is to control/reduce inflammation and airway remodeling. Immunos...
Ikeda Y, Kuroda T, Mita H, Tamura N, Ohta M.We compared the antihistamine effect of four new antihistamines with olopatadine, which is used to treat equine allergic diseases. Six healthy Thoroughbred horses received oral doses of olopatadine (50 mg), levocetirizine (50 mg), bilastine (200 mg), rupatadine (100 mg), and desloratadine (50 mg) at >2-week intervals. The effects were investigated by measurement of the wheal area induced by histamine intradermal injection, and inhibition rate was compared with positive and negative controls. The maximum wheal inhibition rate (mean ± SD) of olopatadine (85.3% ± 7.7%) was significantly higher ...
Pozor MA, Macpherson ML, Kelleman AA, Smith H, McNaughten JW.This retrospective study aimed to validate the usefulness of spectral Doppler ultrasonography in diagnosing testicular dysfunction in stallions. The first part of the study included a pony stallion with age-related testicular degeneration (18 - 21 yrs. old). Testicular dimensions, spectral Doppler parameters of testicular blood flow, and semen parameters were obtained numerous times from this pony over four consecutive years. While testicular volume decreased dramatically, and the stallion became azoospermic, there were no changes in any of the spectral Doppler parameters of testicular blood f...
Dedecker L, Ceriotti S, Mora-Pereira M, Knych HK, Zuber E, Lascola KM.To describe and compare the pulmonary and plasma pharmacokinetics of different oral formulations of chloramphenicol administered as a single dose to healthy adult horses. Unassigned: A single dose of chloramphenicol was administered to 6 healthy, university-owned fasted adult horses IV (25 mg/kg), orally as commercial tablets (50 mg/kg), or orally or intragastrically as compounded suspension (50 mg/kg), according to a randomized crossover protocol. Plasma was collected 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes and 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours after drug administration. Bronchoalveolar lavage (B...
Story MR, King M, Nout-Lomas YS, Barrett MF, Kawcak C, Frisbie D, McIlwraith CW, Haussler KK.To develop and define a model of acute neck pain in an equine cervical articular process joint (APJ) using recombinant equine IL-1β (reIL-1β). Unassigned: 12 horses in this experimental study received a randomly assigned, unilateral intra-articular injection of 50 ng (n = 6) or 100 ng (n = 6) of reIL-1β and saline (contralateral side as control) into the C5-to-C6 APJ. Blinded ultrasonographic, clinical, and biomechanical parameters were evaluated between 4 hours and 14 days. Unassigned: There was a significant increase in APJ effusion on ultrasonographic examination that peaked at 24 hours ...
Sholty KA, Hecobian A, Sullivan AP, Collett JL, Koch DW, Hackett ES.To evaluate plume composition during simulated diode laser equine upper airway surgery. Unassigned: A 980-nm diode laser fiber was applied in continuous-wave mode in contact with laryngeal and pharyngeal tissues of 6 equine cadaver heads, and resultant plumes were collected for analysis. Measured parameters included the real-time concentration of particulate matter under the size of 2.5 μm (PM2.5), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Unassigned: Visible smoke was encountered during surgical laser application and plume collection. Diode laser medi...
Johnston TJ, Stewart AJ, Dryburgh EL, Bertin FR.Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is diagnosed by measuring the ACTH concentrations. Due to the reported instability of ACTH, it is recommended to transfer centrifuged plasma into cryovials; however, in practice, cryovials are infrequently used, and serum (red-top) tubes are used instead. This study investigated whether this procedure affects ACTH concentrations and the diagnosis of PPID. Unassigned: This was a cohort study. Blood was collected into EDTA tubes from 9 horses with PPID and 7 controls. After centrifugation, plasma was either aliquoted into a cryovial or into a serum tu...
Breen LJ, Stack JD, Gillen AM, Baldwin CM.(1) To evaluate the feasibility of needle tenoscopy of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) using basisesamoid (BS) and proximolateral (PL) approaches in a standing equine cadaver model. (2) To report visualization of intrathecal DFTS anatomy via both approaches. (3) To determine the efficacy of needle scope-guided palmar/plantar annular ligament (PAL) desmotomy. (4) To report any iatrogenic damage associated with the procedure. Methods: Ex vivo experimental. Methods: Ten equine cadaver limbs. Methods: Limbs were placed in a Kimzey leg-saver splint and needle tenoscopy was performed using t...
Maire U, Genton M, Vitte-Rossignol A.A 16-year-old, French saddlebred horse was referred for examination because of colic signs, diagnosed with incarceration of the jejunum in a mesoduodenic rent, and subsequently treated surgically (with an end-to-end anastomosis of the jejunum and an enterotomy of the pelvic flexure). The horse initially recovered without complications; however, on the following day, it exhibited moderate signs of endotoxemia and severe serosanguineous discharge from the abdominal wound. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed substantial peritoneal effusion, necessitating the placement of an abdominal drain. The bl...
Valberg SJ.Although horses most commonly develop exertional rhabdomyolysis, there are numerous causes for nonexertional rhabdomyolysis (nonER) that pose a serious health threat to horses. Their etiologies can be broadly categorized as toxic, genetic, inflammatory/infectious, nutritional, and traumatic and a variety of diagnostic tests are available to discern among them. This study discusses causes of nonER as well as diagnostics and treatments that are specific to each etiology. General treatment of acute rhabdomyolysis is covered in detail in the study in this issue on sporadic and recurrent exertional...
McKenzie E.The equine muscle system is complex and prone to a large range of hereditary and acquired diseases that often have overlapping clinical signs with orthopedic, neurologic, and other disorders. Obtaining a clinical history that fully outlines the client concerns and any known information about the disorder and following with a comprehensive physical examination and screening clinical pathology tests are fundamental to achieve definitive diagnosis. A methodical and comprehensive approach aids accurate diagnosis and development of an optimal treatment and management plan. This article describes th...
Boger BL, Kinsley MA, Yob CJ, Knott LE, Manfredi JM.To determine if equine platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) and, if so, to quantify the amount of Dkk-1 in bovine thrombin (BT)-activated PRP and a control platelet lysate created using a freeze-thaw (FT) method. Unassigned: 10 adult horses were used in this experimental study. Blood was collected and processed in November 2019 and stored at -80 °C until the ELISAs were performed in October of 2023. Blood was collected from each horse, and PRP was created using a commercially available kit. Known concentrations of platelets were activated using BT or by an FT cycle to create...
Palmisano MG, Colmer SF, Saw YL, Xu X, Stefanovski D, Murphy L, Johnson AL.To determine the prevalence of vitamin E deficiency in horses at admission and at the time of discharge. The hypothesis was that vitamin E concentrations would decrease during hospitalization. Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed of client-owned horses admitted as patients or companions through the emergency service at a tertiary referral center. Exclusion criteria included vitamin E supplementation. Whole blood was collected into an additive-free tube at the time of admission for all horses and at discharge if the horse was hospitalized for a minimum of 5 days. Serum vitamin E co...
Dollemore G, McGovern K, Tallon R.Conservative and surgical management of left dorsal displacement and nephrosplenic ligament entrapment of the large colon (NSLE) is well described in horses. Whilst breed factors predispose the development of NSLE, it is unknown if breed affects the likelihood for surgical intervention. Objective: To compare the incidence of surgical intervention and differences in pre-operative parameters between Thoroughbred and non-Thoroughbred horses. The authors hypothesise a higher proportion of Thoroughbreds require surgical intervention. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: Case recor...
Lindqvist A, Nyman G, Rydén A, Wattle O.This study aimed to assess and compare the recovery of ponies and horses following general anesthesia in two different settings: a recovery box with an inflexible, adjustable ceiling, and free recovery without restraints. Our primary objective was to evaluate the effect of adjustable ceilings on the prevention of premature attempts to rise during recovery. The secondary aim was to compare the physiological stress indicators during recovery. Methods: Prospective, randomized, experimental study. Methods: Six healthy ponies and 10 healthy horses. Methods: This study used a crossover design with t...
Ishihara T, Nieves E, Reed R, Hofmeister E.Dobutamine is used to treat hypotension in isoflurane-anaesthetised horses but may produce arrhythmias. Halothane is a volatile anaesthetic that was, historically, widely used in horses, but in one study, 56 of 200 halothane-anaesthetised horses (28%) developed arrhythmias after dobutamine administration. Although isoflurane has largely replaced halothane, it is unknown how isoflurane and dobutamine interact in the development of arrhythmias. Methods: The medical records of horses undergoing general anaesthesia at the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital in 2015 were reviewed ret...
Pusterla N, Barnum S, Lawton K, Craig B, James K.Equid alphaherpesvirus 4 (EqAHV4; Orthoherpesviridae, Varicellovirus equidalpha4; equine rhinopneumonitis virus) has seldom been associated with complications such as abortion and myeloencephalopathy, given the low tendency of this virus to induce viremia. We investigated the frequency of EqAHV4 viremia in horses with fever and respiratory signs. Case selection included all equids with EqAHV4 quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR)-positive nasal secretions (defined as EqAHV4 qPCR-positive cases) submitted to a diagnostic laboratory. Controls consisted of each case submitted before and after each Eq...
Halo M, Kirchner R, Tirpák F, Slanina T, Tokárová K, Kováčik A, Miškeje M, Greń A, Formicki G, Halo M, Madeddu R, Massányi P.The abundance of chemical elements in the blood of horses can indicate the physiological balance, health of animal as well as can be taken as an indicator of environmental pollution. The aim of this work was to analyse haematological, biochemical parameters, TOS, FRAP, SOD, Gpx, TAS and their correlations with concentrations of essential and risk elements in blood of horses stabled in two different locations: The National Stud Farm Topoľčianky (n = 11; 11 stallions, consisting of the breeds 6 Lipizzan, 3 Slovak warmblood, 2 Holsteiner) and Experimental Centre at Institute of Animal Husba...
Pagan JD, Valberg SJ.Many myopathies in horses can be managed by exercise regimes and dietary modifications. This includes modifying the amount of nonstructural carbohydrate, fat, amino acids, vitamin E, and selenium based on the horse's specific myopathy, metabolic status, exercise program, and optimal body weight. Because dietary recommendations differ substantially between myopathies, it is imperative to establish a specific diagnosis. A nutritionist will help practitioners select from the myriad of offered products to ensure a balanced diet. This article provides detailed recommendations for a variety of myopa...
Resetic N, Comino F, Wilmink J, Gorvy DA.To report the management and outcomes of five horses with ear skin defects treated with the use of full-thickness mesh grafts and full-thickness Meek micrografts. Methods: Five horses with acute or granulating pinna skin wounds. Methods: Short case series. Methods: A full-thickness graft was harvested from the pectoral region under general anesthesia. The sheet graft was stretched on a sterile plastic board with the epidermal side facing down. The subcutaneous fat and fascia were removed by sharp dissection. The skin graft was then meshed by hand or using a block mesher, or manually cut into m...
González-Medina S, Hyde C, Chang YM, Piercy RJ.Sycamore tree-derived hypoglycin A (HGA) toxin causes atypical myopathy (AM), an acute, equine pasture-associated rhabdomyolysis but incidence fluctuates. Objective: Investigate whether tree or environmental factors influence HGA concentration in sycamore material and are associated with AM relative risk. Methods: Retrospective and experimental prospective study. Methods: UK sycamore population, seed production and AM incidence data were obtained. HGA concentration was measured in seeds from trees from 10 different central UK locations. The effect of tar spot infection, seed maturity, tree tru...
Webster AP, Price T, Ingersoll T, Suagee-Bedore JK, White RR.Our objectives were to use a quantitative literature review to explore dietary and feed factors influencing apparent total-tract digestibility of dry matter (DMD), crude protein (CPD), neutral detergent fiber (NDFD), ether extract (EED), non-structural carbohydrates (NSCD), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFCD), and residual organic matter (rOMD) in equine diets, and to assess their contributions to digestible energy (DE) supplies. Data from 54 studies were modeled using linear mixed-effect regressions, with publication as a random effect to account for study variability. For each nutrient, five mode...
Hinrichs K, Gleason K, Dobbie T, Felix MR.Transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration (TVA) is being performed frequently in equine practice, to recover oocytes for in vitro embryo production via intracytoplasmic sperm injection. While complications from TVA are rare, one of the most prevalent major complications is formation of an ovarian abscess, which can result in the necessity for euthanasia. The acute-phase serum proteins, fibrinogen and serum amyloid A (SAA), are markers of inflammation that might be of use in diagnosis of ovarian abscess. However, no information is available on the effect of standard TVA on these acute ...
CT arthrography (CTA) for evaluating cartilage defects would be beneficial in clinical practice. Since the contrast medium (CM) volume is often driven by operator experience, the aim was to evaluate the minimum volume of iodinated CM for CTA sufficient to identify iatrogenic cartilage defects in horse fetlock. The study was conducted on ex-vivo 32 distal limbs from adult horses collected at slaughter. Iatrogenic cartilage defects were arthroscopically made on fetlock, at 5 predetermined locations. Subsequently, CT scans were performed, according to the following protocol: precontrast scan, fol...
Wang W, Gibson J, Horsman S, Mikkelsen D, Bertin FR.Altered gut microbiota has been associated with dopaminergic degenerative diseases in people, but studies on horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) are lacking. Objective: Investigate the effect of PPID on fecal microbiota in horses. Methods: Nine horses with PPID and 13 age-matched control horses. Methods: Prospective control study. Fecal samples were collected bimonthly. Microbial analysis used 16S rRNA sequencing to determine the relative abundance at genus and phylum levels, assess alpha and beta diversity and identify core microbiota. Results: Horses with PPID had decrea...
