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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.
Intrahost Selection Pressure Drives Equine Arteritis Virus Evolution during Persistent Infection in the Stallion Reproductive Tract. Equine arteritis virus (EAV) is the causative agent of equine viral arteritis (EVA), a reproductive and respiratory disease of horses. Following natural infection, 10 to 70% of infected stallions can become carriers of EAV and continue to shed virus in the semen. In this study, sequential viruses isolated from nasal secretions, buffy coat cells, and semen of seven experimentally infected and two naturally infected EAV carrier stallions were deep sequenced to elucidate the intrahost microevolutionary process after a single transmission event. Analysis of variants from nasal secretions and buffy...
Identification and validation of genetic variants predictive of gait in standardbred horses. Several horse breeds have been specifically selected for the ability to exhibit alternative patterns of locomotion, or gaits. A premature stop codon in the gene DMRT3 is permissive for "gaitedness" across breeds. However, this mutation is nearly fixed in both American Standardbred trotters and pacers, which perform a diagonal and lateral gait, respectively, during harness racing. This suggests that modifying alleles must influence the preferred gait at racing speeds in these populations. A genome-wide association analysis for the ability to pace was performed in 542 Standardbred horses (n = 17...
Arthrographic Study of the Communication between the Tarsal Joints in Crioulo Horses. The aim of the present study is to assess an arthrographic technique based on the access to the equine tarsus via distal intertarsal and on the existence and frequency of communication between distal and tarsocrural joints in the tarsus of Crioulo horses. Methods: Fifty Crioulo horses of both sexes from 3 to 8 years old were included in the experiment. Animals with radiographic signs of tarsal osteoarthritis and joint space loss were excluded from the experiment. Contrast was injected in the distal intertarsal joint and radiographs were taken at two different times - Time 0 (after contra...
Histopathological lesions in reproductive organs, distal spinal cord and peripheral nerves of horses naturally infected with Trypanosoma equiperdum. Dourine, a venereal transmitted trypanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma equiperdum, has different clinical signs related to the reproductive and nervous system. Pathologic tissue changes associated with the disease are poorly described. The present study describes the histopathological lesions in naturally T. equiperdum-infected horses in the chronical stage of dourine. Results: Four chronically dourine diseased horses underwent a post-mortem examination. They were Woo test negative, but CATT/T. evansi positive, had a low packed cell volume (PCV) and exhibited obvious clinical signs of dourine. P...
The Evolution of a Single Toe in Horses: Causes, Consequences, and the Way Forward. Horses are a classic example of macroevolution in three major traits-large body size, tall-crowned teeth (hypsodonty), and a single toe (monodactyly)-but how and why monodactyly evolved is still poorly understood. Existing hypotheses usually connect digit reduction in horses to the spread and eventual dominance of open-habitat grasslands, which took over from forests during the Cenozoic; digit reduction has been argued to be an adaptation for speed, locomotor economy, stability, and/or increased body size. In this review, we assess the evidence for these (not necessarily mutually exclusive) hy...
Surgical correction of a meningoencephalocele in a thoroughbred filly. To describe the surgical correction of a closed meningoencephalocele in a thoroughbred filly. Methods: Case report. Methods: One thoroughbred filly, 1.5 months old at the time of surgery. Methods: A meningoencephalocele was identified at birth and diagnosed with radiography and MRI. The abnormal tissue was excised and submitted for histopathology, the dura was closed, and the defect in the skull was corrected with a titanium mesh. Results: Histopathology confirmed the presence of neural parenchyma consisting of neurons and glial cells. The filly remained without neurologic deficits 7 month...
Update on Surgical Treatment of Wobblers. Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM) represents the most significant disease of the spinal cord in horses for which surgical treatment is described. Current surgical methods used include ventral interbody fusion with kerf cut cylinders and dorsal laminectomy. Polyaxial pedicle screw and rod constructs and ventral locking compression plating have been introduced in the treatment of equine CVCM and present promising alternative approaches to achieve ventral interbody fusion. Advancements in diagnostic imaging and endoscopy of the cervical vertebral canal may improve reliable preopera...
Feral horses’ (Equus ferus caballus) behavior toward dying and dead conspecifics. In the rapidly expanding field of comparative thanatology, reports from a wide range of taxa suggest that some aspects of a concept of death may be shared by many non-human species. In horses, there are only a few anecdotal reports on behaviors toward dead conspecifics, mostly concerning domestic individuals. Here, we describe the case of a 2-month-old, free-ranging male foal that died around 12 h after being found severely injured due to a presumed wolf attack, focusing on other individuals' reactions to the dying foal. We also placed camera traps near horse carcasses to investigate reaction...
Genomic measures of inbreeding in the Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotter and their associations with known QTL for reproduction and health traits. Since the 1950s, the Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded trotter (NSCT) has been intensively selected for harness racing performance. As a result, the racing performance of the NSCT has improved remarkably; however, this improved racing performance has also been accompanied by a gradual increase in inbreeding level. Inbreeding in NSCT has historically been monitored by using traditional methods that are based on pedigree analysis, but with recent advancements in genomics, the NSCT industry has shown interest in adopting molecular approaches for the selection and maintenance of this breed. Consequent...
Prevalence of Strongylus vulgaris in horses after ten years of prescription usage of anthelmintics in Sweden. Strongylus vulgaris is considered the most pathogenic nematode parasite of the horse. Frequent deworming programs since the 1970s have reduced the prevalence of S. vulgaris to low levels, but to the price of widespread benzimidazole resistance in the small strongyles (cyathostominae) and ivermectin resistance especially in the equine roundworm Parascaris spp. To slow down the progression of anthelmintic resistance in Sweden, horse anthelmintics were made prescription only medicine in 2007 and selective therapy principles were introduced. This means that only individuals with high egg excretion...
Prevalence of Strongylus vulgaris in horses after ten years of prescription usage of anthelmintics in Sweden. Strongylus vulgaris is considered the most pathogenic nematode parasite of the horse. Frequent deworming programs since the 1970s have reduced the prevalence of S. vulgaris to low levels, but to the price of widespread benzimidazole resistance in the small strongyles (cyathostominae) and ivermectin resistance especially in the equine roundworm Parascaris spp. To slow down the progression of anthelmintic resistance in Sweden, horse anthelmintics were made prescription only medicine in 2007 and selective therapy principles were introduced. This means that only individuals with high egg excretion...
Standing Needle Arthroscopy of the Metacarpophalangeal and Metatarsophalangeal Joint for Removal of Dorsal Osteochondral Fragmentation in 21 Horses. The aim of this study was to report the technique, experience and outcome of standing arthroscopic removal of dorsal osteochondral fragmentation of the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joint using a 1.2-mm needle arthroscope. Methods: This was a prospective clinical study. Methods: All horses referred for standing arthroscopic removal of dorsoproximal first phalanx fragments or fragments embedded in the distal aspect of the synovial plica were included. Relevant information from the cases was recorded. Follow-up was obtained by a telephone questionnaire. Results: Twenty-...
The influence of impact surface on head kinematics and brain tissue response during impacts with equestrian helmets. Current equestrian standards employ a drop test to a rigid steel anvil. However, falls in equestrian sports often result in impacts with soft ground. The purpose of this study was to compare head kinematics and brain tissue response associated with surfaces impacted during equestrian accidents and corresponding helmet certification tests. A helmeted Hybrid III headform was dropped freely onto three different anvils (steel, turf and sand) at three impact locations. Peak linear acceleration, rotational acceleration and impact duration of the headform were measured. Resulting accelerations served...
Estimation of Live Weight by Body Measurements in the Miranda Donkey Breed. The use of the measurement of heart girth (HG), in locations where a scale is not available, with the application of weight estimation formulas or special weight tapes, is well established as a practical and accurate way to estimate the live weight (LW). Although several studies were performed to correlate donkey body measurements and LW, none of these was done in the large frame European donkey breeds. When using smaller frame breeds formulas, the tendency was to underestimate the live weight of larger frame breeds. The sample used in this study consisted of 65 Miranda breed donkeys, with age...
Lingual Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Two Horses. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common malignant neoplasms in horses, but lingual SCC has seldom been reported. On separate occasions, a 12-year-old American Quarter Horse mare and an 18-year-old American Saddlebred stallion were presented to the Auburn University Large Animal Teaching Hospital for evaluation of weight loss, dysphagia, and ptyalism. Evaluation of each horse included physical examination, skull radiographs, oral examination, complete blood count and serum biochemistry profile, endoscopic evaluation of the mouth, and biopsy of tissue from a lesion found on the t...
Responding to Risk: Regulation or Prohibition? New Zealand Media Reporting of Thoroughbred Jumps Racing 2016-2018. Jumps racing involves a higher risk of accident and fatality than flat racing. The wide accessibility of media, combined with alternate views regarding the place of animals in society, raises the question of the acceptability of the continuation of jumps racing. Racing data and media articles from Newztext and Google news search were collected for the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 jumps racing seasons, during which the fatality rate was 5.8 per 1000 starters. Jumps racing articles comprised 3.4% of all race reporting, and the volume of discussion about jumps racing was minimal (2.9% of jumps race ar...
Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma evansi Infection in Equines of North and North Western States of India. Trypanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma evansi, commonly known as "surra," is a wasting disease affecting equids, camels, cattle, as well as several other domestic and wild animals. No systematic information is available on disease pattern in equines for development of control and treatment strategies in endemic areas in India. The present study was undertaken with a comprehensive plan to screen large population of equines using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to obtain epidemiological information on "surra" in different agro-climatic zones of India. A total of 6455 serum samples were ...
Owner-Reported Clinical Signs and Management-Related Factors in Horses Radiographed for Intestinal Sand Accumulation. Clinical problems related to intestinal sand accumulation in horses are common in certain geographic areas, but the clinical signs appear nonspecific and the course of the accumulation remains somewhat obscure. This study examined the association between the presence and size of intestinal sand accumulations and owner-reported clinical signs, management, and feeding practices, as well as behavioral patterns in horses with radiographic diagnosis of sand accumulation. Owners of the horses filled in an online questionnaire. A total of 447 responses met the inclusion criteria. The size of the sand...
Fatal pulmonary hemorrhage in a horse during bronchoalveolar lavage – single case report. Pulmonary hemorrhage is a rare cause of death in horses. Hemorrhage within the respiratory tract has many causes, including mycosis of the guttural pouch, invasive procedures causing serious trauma to nasal conchae, or lung biopsy. We report on a rare case of a fatal pulmonary hemorrhage in a horse after a severe cough during bronchoalveolar lavage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of spontaneous hemorrhage in a horse during bronchoalveolar lavage. Methods: A 21-year-old mare which belonged to the didactic herd of The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine underwent BAL procedure...
Arthrodesis of the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints to treat osteoarthritis in 17 horses. To describe arthrodesis of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) or metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint with a locking compression plate (LCP) and a metallic tension band and report the outcome of horses treated for osteoarthritis (OA) with this technique. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Seventeen horses with OA of the MCP or MTP joint treated with arthrodesis. Methods: Medical records (2004-2017) of horses treated for OA with arthrodesis of the MCP or MTP joint with an LCP and metallic tension band were reviewed. Preoperative variables included age, sex, breed, affected limb, and lameness gr...
The Effect of Goldfish (Carassius auratus) on Water Quality in Horse Stock Tanks. Goldfish (Carassius auratus) have been reported as a method to keep water tanks clean; however, little information exists on this approach. The objectives were to evaluate the efficacy of goldfish on maintaining water quality in tanks and to evaluate the frequency that this method is used. The first objective was completed during June through October 2017 in St. Paul, MN, using plastic and metal 379 L stock tanks, each with and without goldfish in a drylot that housed six adult horses. The stocking rate was 5 goldfish per tank. Daily readings of total dissolved solids (TDS) and water turbidit...
What makes a fertile sperm? Unique molecular attributes of stallion fertility. Stallions experience lower per-cycle conception rates compared to other livestock species, largely because they are selected for breeding based on athletic prowess and not reproductive fitness. Mares are seasonal breeders, and pregnancies cannot be detected until 10-14 days post cover via transrectal ultrasonography. This means the detection of stallion fertility fluctuations is delayed by at least 2 weeks, which within the short breeding season employed by the thoroughbred horse breeding industry, can prove quite costly. For these reasons, there is increased demand for robust laboratory assay...
Chemical Analysis of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) and Its Effects on Redox Status and on Reproductive Biology in Stallions †. The present study was conducted to assess the chemical composition of Yellow Maca () and its biological activity on stallions following oral administration of hypocotyl powder. Maca was subjected to methanolic extraction and the chemical analysis was carried out by LC-MS-QTOF (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry). Our results showed that Maca contains some effective antioxidants, a high percentage of glucosinolates, and other important components with a high antioxidant capacity. To evaluate the plant biological activity in stallions fed with Maca powder for 60 days, the redox status and s...
Heart Rate Monitoring in Mangalarga Marchador Horses During a Field Marcha Test. Measurement of heart rate (HR) and velocity before, during, and after training exercises under field conditions indicates health and fitness level and intensity of imposed physical effort and allows rapid adjustments in training and nutritional protocols, improving welfare of athletic horses. The aim of this study was to monitor HR of Mangalarga Marchador horses during a marcha field test. Fifteen Mangalarga Marchador horses were evaluated during an aerobic exercise (marcha) for 40 minutes using a HR monitor system with GPS (Polar RS800CX-G3). Results were analyzed through Polar ProTrainer 5 ...
Paper spray high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry for quantitation of voriconazole in equine tears. Paper spray high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry is a fast and versatile analysis method. This ambient ionization technique enables the quantitation of xenobiotics in complex biological matrices without chromatography or conventional sample extraction. The simplicity, rapidity, and affordability of the paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) method make the technique especially attractive for clinical investigations where fast and affordable sample analysis is crucial. A new PS-MS method for the quantitation of voriconazole in equine tears was developed and validated. For a concentration r...
The Effect of a 160-Kilometer Competitive Endurance Ride on Inflammatory Marker mRNA Expression in Horses. Previous work to evaluate various risk factors for failure to complete competitive endurance rides has examined clinicopathologic parameters, measurements of inflammation, and speed. Here, inflammatory markers were measured before, during, and after a long-distance, competitive endurance ride to examine the intraride dynamics of inflammatory marker expression and attempt to correlate those findings with whether a horse completed or failed to complete the ride. A total of 77 horses entered into the 2018 Tevis Cup Ride in California were enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood samples for mRNA i...
Standing Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment of a Rare Case of Uterine Adenocarcinoma in an 18-Year-Old Mare. An 18-year-old French Trotter mare was presented to the Clinique Equine, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, for exploration of a 3-month-duration vaginal bleeding. A transrectal ultrasound examination identified a mass within the right uterine horn wall, which had been suspected during transrectal palpation. It was described as a firm heterogeneous intramural mass (7 × 12 cm) in the right uterine horn, located few centimeters cranially to the bifurcation. Hysteroscopy confirmed the ulcerated and irregular shape of the mass. A standing hand-assisted flank laparoscopy was performed to ca...
Isolation and characterization of equine influenza virus (H3N8) from an equine influenza outbreak in Malaysia in 2015. Equine influenza is a major cause of respiratory infections in horses and can spread rapidly despite the availability of commercial vaccines. In this study, we carried out molecular characterization of Equine Influenza Virus (EIV) isolated from the Malaysian outbreak in 2015 by sequencing of the HA and NA gene segments using Sanger sequencing. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of HA and NA were compared with representative Florida clade 1 and clade 2 strains using phylogenetic analysis. The Florida clade 1 viruses identified in this outbreak revealed numerous amino acid substitutions in ...
Transfusion With 2 L of Hyperimmune Plasma is Superior to Transfusion of 1 L or Less for Protecting Foals Against Subclinical Pneumonia Attributed to Rhodococcus equi. Transfusing foals with Rhodococcus equi hyperimmune plasma (REHIP) is a standard practice at many horse-breeding farms to help prevent R. equi pneumonia. At many large breeding farms, pneumonia is most commonly recognized as subclinical based on thoracic ultrasonography findings. The efficacy of REHIP transfusion and the impact of the volume of plasma transfused for reducing the cumulative incidence of subclinical R. equi pneumonia are unknown. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among foals born and residing through weaning at a large breeding farm. Foals were transfused with either ...
The Molecular Detection of Equine Herpesviruses 2 and 5 in Genital Swabs From Clinically Normal Thoroughbred Mares in South Korea. Equine herpesvirus (EHV) 2 and equine herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5) have been getting attention as potential causative pathogens of reproductive disorders in horses. Equine herpesviruses 2 and 5 are widespread among horses and have been detected in various samples including nasal swabs, blood, and ocular swabs. However, the detection of these pathogens in genital swabs has not been determined. The aims of this study were to determine the positive rate of EHV-2 and EHV-5 DNA in genital swabs taken from clinically normal mares and to define the genetic diversity of these EHV-2 and EHV-5 DNA sequences by...
