Topic:Equine Health
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.
Physiological adaptations to 6 weeks of high-intensity interval and moderate-intensity continuous training in horses: A randomized crossover study. This study tested the hypothesis that 6 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) would induce greater physiological adaptations than moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in Thoroughbred horses. Seven untrained horses completed two distance-matched treadmill training protocols (three sessions per week) in a randomized crossover design, separated by a three-month washout: MICT (6 min at 70% ) and HIIT (6 × [30 s at 100% with 30 s at 30% ]). Incremental exercise tests were conducted at weeks 0, 3, and 6 to assess exercise performance and physiological responses. M...
Proctectomy with coloanal anastomosis in horses – a cadaveric study. Rectal amputation is a surgical approach indicated for the management of severe rectal lacerations or extensive rectal prolapse when transmural compromise or primary repair is unfeasible. These conditions, although uncommon, present substantial challenges in equine practice due to the anatomical complexity of the pelvic region and the potential for life-threatening complications if not adequately addressed. This study aimed to describe and standardize a reproducible surgical technique for rectal amputation in horse cadavers. Six equine cadavers (mean body mass, 441.83± 66.84 kg) were position...
Equine dental destructive disorders: an epidemiological survey in northern Germany. Destructive lesions of the peripheral and infundibular cementum are increasingly recognized in equine dentistry. While similarities to human caries have been noted, current evidence does not conclusively support this classification. This study aims to assess the prevalence, distribution, and potential risk factors associated with these lesions in a defined horse population. Unassigned: A total of 114 horses from northern Germany underwent standardized oral examination between 2021 and 2023. Clinical data on peripheral and infundibular lesions, diastemata, and influencing factors such as age an...
Short- and Long-Term Outcomes in Horses Following Laparoscopic Nephrosplenic Space Ablation. Left dorsal displacement of the large colon (LDDLC) is a common cause of colic in horses and it is frequently associated with recurrent episodes, with significant implications for horse management, athletic performance, and owner satisfaction. Laparoscopic nephrosplenic space (NSS) ablation is a preventive surgical technique aimed at reducing recurrence in horses with a history of medically or surgically treated LDDLC. This retrospective study evaluated 48 horses that underwent laparoscopic NSS ablation in two Italian Veterinary Teaching Hospitals between 2016 and 2024. Short-term outcomes, in...
A Survey of Trainers on the Health and Welfare of Standardbred Racehorses in Prince Edward Island. The Standardbred racing industry plays an important role in the North American economy and is expected to continue operating and growing. However, public perception is often unfavorable, with increasing concern about the health and welfare of Standardbred racehorses. Despite this, limited research has examined Standardbred well-being. To address this gap, a survey of equine trainers on Prince Edward Island (PEI) was conducted to evaluate key health and welfare issues during racing careers. Results showed that over one quarter of respondents had at least one horse displaying stereotypic behavio...
Effect of palmar digital perineural analgesia (as a model for “nerving”) on forelimb loading over varied surfaces at the walk and trot – a pilot study. Navicular syndrome is characterized by palmar foot pain and is a common cause of lameness in horses. Palmar digital neurectomy (nerving) removes sensation to the heel region of the hoof and may serve as a treatment for navicular-afflicted horses, while analgesia (blocking) results in temporary loss of sensation. Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effect of loss of sensation in the heel on the forelimb area and force while tracking on soft and hard ground at the walk and trot. Methods: Three horses that scored a 0 or 1 on the AAEP lameness scale were fitted to Tekscan...
In vitro anthelmintic activity of extracts and bioactive compounds from Azadirachta indica and Cnidoscolus angustidens on strongyles L3 larvae in horses. Gastrointestinal endoparasitic diseases, particularly those caused by some strongyles, represent one of the main health challenges in equine production. The prolonged use of synthetic anthelmintics has led to the development of resistance, which has prompted the search for more sustainable therapeutic alternatives. However, plant extracts rich in secondary metabolites are emerging as a promising option. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anthelmintic activity of aqueous extracts and bioactive compounds (total phenols and saponins) from Azadirachta indica and Cn...
Markers of bone turnover, parathyroid hormone, calcium, and magnesium concentrations in horses with acute colitis. Hypocalcemia is frequent in horses with colitis. Information on serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations and its association with bone turnover biomarkers in horses with colitis is lacking. We aimed to determine the association between serum bone resorption biomarkers (C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen [CTX-I]) and bone formation (osteocalcin [OCN]) with blood PTH, total calcium (tCa), ionized calcium (iCa), phosphorus (Pi), and total magnesium (tMg) concentrations, and mortality in horses with acute colitis. A total of 163 horses were divided into colitis (n = 127) and healt...
Hemithyroidectomy due to a large, solid follicular thyroid adenoma in a 19-year-old thoroughbred mare. This case report describes the successful hemithyroidectomy of the largest equine solid follicular adenoma described in the veterinary literature to date. A 19-year-old thoroughbred mare was referred to Oakhill Veterinary Centre for the surgical removal of a large, left-sided thyroid gland measuring 26cm in diameter. Pre-operative considerations, the hemithyroidectomy surgical technique as well as the intra- and post-operative complications encountered, are discussed. Following surgery the horse had no long-term complications and continues to thrive four and a half years post-operatively.
The Effect of Lipemia on Insulin and Adiponectin Measurement in Equine Blood Samples. Lipemia is a common comorbidity in horses with obesity or equine metabolic syndrome, but the impact of lipemia on the measurement of insulin and adiponectin has not been evaluated. Objective: To evaluate endogenous and exogenous lipemic interference with equine insulin and adiponectin measurements via several commercial assays. Methods: Endogenous lipemia was evaluated using plasma and serum samples with triglyceride concentrations of 1000 mg/dL (n = 6 each). Sample insulin concentrations were determined via fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA), ELISA, and lateral flow assay (LFA). ...
Ertapenem Pharmacokinetics in Equine Plasma and Synovial Fluid Following a Single Intravenous Dose. This study describes the pharmacokinetics of ertapenem, a carbapenem antimicrobial that has not been previously studied in equids. Administered as a 30 mg/kg intravenous bolus to six healthy horses, serial blood and synovial samples were obtained over 8 h after administration. Pharmacokinetic analysis of plasma and synovial fluid was performed. In plasma, the AUC was 353.10 h × μg/mL (CV = 49.02%), Vss 79.34 mL/kg (CV = 22.85%), CL 84.96 mL/h/kg (CV = 31.31%) and t1/2 2.03 h (CV = 15.32%). In synovial fluid, the AUC was 524.10 h × μg/mL (CV = 16.03...
Verifying thoroughbred racehorse fatalities through Equibase chart review. Equibase (EQB) race charts provide the official record of North American Thoroughbred races and often document catastrophic injury, euthanasia, or equine-ambulance transport. Because chart documentation and regulatory classification differ, fatalities occurring > 72 hours after a race fall outside international regulatory definitions applied by the Equine Injury Database (EID) and may not appear in EID aggregates. EQB charts confirm horse identity, race participation, finishing status, and last recorded start. Horseracing Wrongs (HRW), an advocacy group, publishes horse-level fatality data tha...
Antiparasitic potential of Caesalpinia coriaria: Current evidence and prospects for equine health. Parasitic infections remain a major constraint to equine health and performance, and the worldwide rise of anthelmintic resistance is forcing a shift toward integrated parasite management and new complementary tools. Caesalpinia coriaria (Divi-divi) pods are exceptionally rich in tannins and have been proposed as a potential source of antiparasitic phytochemicals. This review summarizes the current evidence on C. coriaria, focusing on its relevance to equine gastrointestinal helminths. Most available data come from in vitro screening against ruminant nematode models (mainly Haemonchus contortu...
[Equine laryngeal dysplasia – overview of variable clinical presentation based on 6 cases]. Equine laryngeal dysplasia (ELD) is the umbrella term for various malformations of laryngeal structures that arise from the 4th and 6th branchial arches during embryogenesis. The disease is rare and may be subclinical. In symptomatic patients with clinical signs, the clinical presentation is highly variable and is the result of functional limitations of the larynx as well as of the esophageal sphincter. The spectrum of signs may range from respiratory changes such as abnormal respiratory noise, coughing, and at times dyspnea all the way to poor performance, dysphagia, aerophagia, and colic. Th...
The majority of proximal sesamoid and condylar fractures occurred in horses identified as high risk by inertial measurement unit sensors. To determine whether targeted lesion-specific algorithms developed from data collected with accelerometer-based inertial measurement units worn by racing Thoroughbreds could retrospectively identify horses at high risk of incurring forelimb condylar or proximal sesamoid fractures. Unassigned: Fracture-specific algorithms were generated from July 2021 to December 2024 with accelerometer data from 42,623 races by 15,755 horses, including 54 races by 23 horses that subsequently suffered condylar fractures and 90 races by 31 horses that later sustained proximal sesamoid fractures. Fracture-specifi...
Acquired and Degenerative Conditions of the Cervical Vertebral Column in Horses. The cervical vertebral column in horses plays a crucial role in movement, posture, and performance and disorders affecting it can cause pain, ataxia, or lameness. This review discusses major acquired (traumatic, infectious, neoplastic) and degenerative (osteoarthritis, foraminal stenosis, intervertebral disc disease) conditions. Acquired lesions often arise from trauma, bacterial infection, or neoplasia, with clinical signs ranging from neck pain to neurologic deficits. Degenerative disorders, particularly osteoarthritis of articular process joints, are common in the caudal cervical spine and ...
Thoroughbred Geldings’ Career: Influence of Age at the Start of Training and Racing. This retrospective report investigated whether starting racehorses' training and racing early is associated with a less successful and a shorter racing career. The data of 600 Thoroughbred racehorses from the German Racehorse Association's archiving programme were evaluated. The horses were classified into three groups regarding their different ages when starting training and racing: early training (16-24 months old)/early racing (two years old); early training/late racing (>two years old); and late training (25-30 months). Statistical models investigated effects on the horses' length of caree...
Diet composition influences equine large intestinal motility as measured by transcutaneous ultrasound. To quantify gastrointestinal motility at 3 anatomic locations of the large colon in healthy horses fed 2 diets. Unassigned: 12 American Quarter Horses were enrolled in a prospective crossover study. Horses received either a complete pelleted diet fed at 1.35% body weight (BW) per day or Coastal Bermudagrass hay fed at 2% BW with 0.5% to 0.7% BW of complete pelleted feed. Each diet was fed for 13 days prior to motility assessment. Two ultrasonographers recorded the frequency of contractions at the sternal flexure of the large colon, left ventral colon, and cecum for 4 consecutive, 1-minute peri...
Blood and fecal metabolic responses of mature horses fed rhizoma peanut hay. Rhizoma peanut (RP, Arachis glabrata Benth) is an alternative legume forage to alfalfa (ALF, Medicago sativa L.) with less non-structural carbohydrates and crude protein. Yet, metabolic responses to consuming RP hay have never been evaluated in horses. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of feeding RP 'Florigraze' hay on fecal and blood metabolic variables compared to alfalfa 'Legendary XHD' and bermudagrass (BMG, Cynodon dactylon L. 'Coastal') hays fed to maintenance horses. Methods: Six mature Quarter Horse geldings (596±40 kg) were randomly assigned to one ...
Comparison of two doses of lidocaine constant rate infusion on cardiopulmonary function and recovery in isoflurane-anesthetized horses. To compare cardiopulmonary variables and recovery scores in isoflurane-anesthetized horses undergoing arthroscopy using two different intravenous (IV) lidocaine constant rate infusions (CRIs; 50 or 100 μg kg minute) under intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) or spontaneous ventilation (SV). Methods: Prospective, randomized, clinical study. Methods: A group of 30 client-owned horses, 8-156 months old (range), with body masses of 280-550 kg. Methods: Anesthesia protocol consisted of xylazine, ketamine and diazepam, and maintenance with isoflurane and a CRI of dexmedetomidine. All g...
Tissue-Engineered Osteochondral Allograft Versus Fresh Osteochondral Allograft: Comparable Cartilage and Subchondral Bone Repair in a 14-Month Equine Osteochondral Defect Model. Fresh osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation effectively repairs cartilage and subchondral bone; however, the persisting shortage of available donor OCAs and their short shelf-life make scheduling surgeries and meeting patient demand challenging. Attempts have been made to develop tissue-engineered solutions to address the limitations of OCA; nonetheless, these have failed to progress beyond the preclinical stage. Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of a tissue-engineered osteochondral allograft (TE-OCA) as compared with equine OCA in an equine osteochondral defect model. Metho...
Evaluation of computed tomographic anatomy of the foot in Jeju horses. Foot diseases are common causes of lameness in horses. Computed tomography (CT) is a valuable tool for diagnosing musculoskeletal lesions in horses and providing a detailed evaluation of foot diseases. Objective: The objective of this study was to establish reference ranges related to the feet of normal Jeju horses by measuring the angles and length of the hoof, and the Hounsfield Unit (HU) value of soft tissues in the foot. Methods: Sixteen normal Jeju horses (mean age: 4.25 years; mean body weight: 282.06 kg) without lameness were examined using CT. After CT scanning, the angles and lengths ...
Proteomic profiling of equine airway mucus reveals compositional changes in asthmatic phenotypes. Mucus hypersecretion and accumulation are hallmark features of equine asthma (EA), a meaningful respiratory disorder in horses occurring in mild to moderate (MEA) and severe (SEA) forms. Changes of the proteomic composition of airway mucus in EA are poorly understood. Using label-free quantitative liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we analyzed airway mucus from SEA (n = 10), MEA (n = 6), and healthy (n = 8) horses. We identified and quantified 2,275 proteins including gel-forming mucins MUC5AC and MUC5B and membrane-bound mucins MUC1 and MUC4. Compared with healthy controls, ...
A novel oral immunotherapy strategy using transgenic barley induces Culicoides allergen-specific immune responses in horses. Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a seasonal, IgE-mediated allergic dermatitis of horses caused by salivary gland proteins of biting midges ( spp.). Current management relies on relief of clinical signs and on physical protection. In a previous pilot study, healthy horses were fed transgenic barley expressing a allergen via a special spiral bit, which successfully induced allergen-specific antibody responses. Building on this concept, the present study aimed to evaluate a more practical feeding approach, delivering transgenic barley expressing the major allergen Cul o 2p in a feed-compat...
Molecular Identification and Benzimidazole Resistance Analysis of Cyathostomins in Chinese Grazing Horses. This study investigated the cyathostomin species composition, anthelmintic efficacy, and potential resistance-associated mutations in Chinese grazing horses. Fecal samples were collected from 90 adult horses. Fecal egg counts (FECs) were determined using a modified McMaster method. Third stage larvae (L3) cultured from the eggs were identified to species level by PCR amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer-2 (ITS-2). The main species included and spp. However, differences in the relative abundance of less common species, including and , suggests regional variation. A...
Advances in ELISA-based detection of equine leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a globally distributed zoonosis that affects both humans and animals, with being the main causative agent. In horses, the disease is associated with considerable economic losses. The Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) is the reference test for diagnosis but has limitations, emphasizing the need for effective diagnostic alternatives. In this study, was evaluated the use of a recombinant chimera, composed of ErpY-like and LemA proteins, as an antigen for ELISA-based detection of equine leptospirosis. The chimera was successfully expressed, purified and tested on 915 horse ser...
Genomic Epidemiology of Fungi Identified in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid from Asthmatic Horses in the US. Fungal exposure is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma in horses, but the importance of specific fungi is unknown. Geographic variation in equine asthmatic endotypes is suspected and might be related to different fungal exposures due to different climatological and geographical conditions. This study had two objectives: evaluate the effect of the ecoregion upon BALF inflammatory cells and fungal community composition in horses with asthma and evaluate the effect of BALF fungal community composition upon the likelihood of neutrophilic, mastocytic and eosinophilic inflammation in t...
RNA-seq evaluation of equine alveolar macrophages and monocyte-derived macrophages exposed to an inflammatory stimulus (short communication). Macrophage populations in the lung, including resident alveolar macrophages (AMs) and recruited monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs), recognize the inhaled particulates in barn dust that cause severe equine asthma and orchestrate an immune response though the cytokines they produce. Despite their importance, the specific contributions of these macrophage subsets to lower airway inflammation remain poorly understood. This exploratory in vitro study investigated the likely contributions of AMs and MDMs from healthy horses to the early inflammatory response using RNA-seq. If biologically importan...
Nicotinic acid treatment improves the developmental potential of equine oocytes for cloned embryo production. Nicotinic acid (NA) treatment during in vitro maturation (IVM) has been shown to elevate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels and improve oocyte developmental competence. Suboptimal equine oocyte IVM systems currently limit the efficiency of viable embryo in vitro production. This study evaluated NA supplementation during IVM for cloned equine embryo production, using oocytes from abattoir-sourced ovaries and live mares via ovum pick-up (OPU). Abattoir-derived oocytes (n = 694) were treated without or with 50 or 200 μM NA during the 18 h holding period (Pre-IVM). Next, OPU-deriv...
Stress Responses in Dressage Horses: Insights from FEI Noseband Measurements Across National Competition Levels. This pilot study investigated stress-related behaviors in 238 dressage horse-rider combinations competing at national levels from Elementary (A) to Grand Prix (GP). Noseband tightness was assessed on-site using the FEI noseband measuring device (FNMD), and all but two horses complied with FEI regulations. Video-based analysis quantified conflict behaviors including mouth opening, tail swishing, and changes in head-neck position. Because noseband tightness showed minimal variation, no meaningful association with behavioral expression could be determined. In contrast, competition level had a cle...