Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
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.
Oxidative Stress and Immunomarkers in Equine Dermal Melanomatosis: Single-Case Comparison with Healthy Individual. Dermal melanomatosis is a common tumor in grey horses, characterized by cutaneous/subcutaneous lesions with metastatic potential. While clinically well-described, oxidative stress involvement remains poorly understood. This case report compared oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzymes' activities in total protein extracts from melanomatosis lesions (grey horse) versus healthy control skin (black horse), alongside histopathology and immunohistochemistry, to correlate oxidative imbalance and tumor behavior. Melanomatosis tissue exhibited decreased antioxidant defenses confirmed by catala...
Effect of neonatal rib fracture repair on racing and sales performance in Thoroughbreds. The racing outcome of horses that have undergone surgical repair of neonatal rib fractures is not well documented. Objective: To evaluate the impact of surgical repair of neonatal rib fractures on subsequent sales and racing performance in Thoroughbreds. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Medical records of neonatal Thoroughbreds that underwent surgical repair of rib fractures at a referral hospital between 2014 and 2025 were reviewed. Sales and racing data were obtained from publicly available databases. Outcomes assessed included sale price at weanling and yearling sales, total ca...
Somatic cell nuclear transfer as a complementary tool for genetic conservation of the Peruvian Paso horse. The Peruvian Paso horse, a breed of national significance in Peru known for its unique gait, has been selectively bred for nearly 500 years and now faces potential risks due to reduced genetic diversity. To investigate the potential of somatic cell nuclear transfer to enhance genetic conservation strategies, a program was initiated to produce cloned Peruvian Paso foals. Skin biopsies from a highly awarded stallion with exceptional breed-defining traits were used as the source of donor somatic cells. Of the 15 cloned embryos reconstructed, seven blastocysts were produced, and five were transfer...
Differences between horses (Equus caballus) displaying oral and locomotor stereotypies in their responses to a stable mirror. Recent cross-species analyses suggest that the different forms of stereotypic behaviour have heterogeneous causal mechanisms. In ungulates, there are indications that some forms of locomotor stereotypy may be linked to social factors. Using the domestic horse as a model species within this clade, we investigated whether individuals displaying the locomotor stereotypy box-walking (n=6) demonstrated greater responses to a stable mirror, intended to mimic presence of a conspecific, than horses displaying the oral stereotypy crib-biting (n=5) and non-stereotypic horses (n=5). After a 24hr baseline...
Combined effects of pre-freeze cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin and post-thaw pentoxifylline on the functional longevity of cryopreserved stallion sperm. Cryopreservation causes structural and metabolic damage to stallion spermatozoa, impairing post-thaw functional competence. Objective: This study evaluated whether cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) supplementation before freezing, combined with pentoxifylline (PTX) after thawing, improves the functional quality, oxidative status, mitochondrial activity, and preliminary fertility outcomes of cryopreserved stallion semen. Methods: Semen from twelve stallions was assigned to four CLC concentrations (0, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg), frozen, thawed, and divided into subgroups with or without PTX supplemen...
Efficiency of transvaginal oocyte aspiration (TVA), post-mortem ovary harvest (OH), and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) in a Quarter Horse mare population in North America. In a clinical setting, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)-derived equine blastocysts can be obtained either by transvaginal oocyte aspiration (TVA) or post-mortem ovary harvest (OH). Most peer-reviewed retrospective reports have described the suitability of these techniques for obtaining blastocysts, pregnancies, and live foals, particularly in Warmblood horse populations in Europe. In this study, retrospective data from Quarter Horse client-owned mares subjected to TVA-ICSI (n = 105; 151 cycles) or OH-ICSI (n = 42) at an academic institution in North America between 2023 and 2025...
Perineural dexamethasone does not prolong bupivacaine sensory blockade in equine palmar digital nerve blocks: a randomized crossover trial. To determine whether dexamethasone sodium phosphate (dexamethasone SP) prolongs the sensory blockade produced by perineural bupivacaine during medial and lateral palmar digital nerve blocks in horses. Unassigned: 8 healthy adult horses were enrolled in a blinded, randomized 4 X 4 crossover trial. Each horse received 1 of 4 perineural treatments over the palmar digital nerves of the left forelimb: bupivacaine, bupivacaine + dexamethasone SP, dexamethasone SP alone, or saline. A minimum 7-day washout was used between treatments. Mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) was measured at baseline and...
A Global Structural Variation Map Reveals Novel Variants for Body Conformation and Racing Ability in Horses. The selection of horses has been instrumental in shaping long-range mobility, advancing warfare strategies, and diversifying equine phenotypes. However, the structural variants (SVs) favored by this process remain largely unexplored. Utilizing high-fidelity Pacific Biosciences sequencing, we assembled three high-quality horse genomes, incorporating 237 Mb (9.48%) of novel sequences relative to the existing reference genome. These assemblies achieved an average Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs completeness of 95.1%. By employing a graph-based approach, we genotyped 23,163 high-con...
Equine infectious anemia virus Mat protein serves as a Tat cofactor to facilitate viral transcription. Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is a member of the genus of the family and serves as an important model for studying lentiviral pathogenesis. A novel EIAV-encoded protein, designated Mat, was previously identified in our laboratory, yet its biological functions remained unclear. Here, we demonstrate that disruption of Mat moderately reduced EIAV replication in equine monocyte-derived macrophages, and this defect was restored when Mat was supplied in . Further analyses revealed that Mat exhibits nuclear localization and enhances Tat-mediated transcriptional activation of the long termin...
SURVIVAL ON THE MARGINS: NICHE PARTITIONING AND DENSITY-DEPENDENT SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF EQUINE CYATHOSTOMINS. Habitat preferences of gastrointestinal nematodes are well-documented in small hosts, but equine cyathostomin diversity has largely been characterized only at farm or regional levels. While organ-level site preferences are known, within-organ spatial distributions remain unexplored. We investigated the longitudinal and radial distribution of adult cyathostomins within the large-intestinal lumen. Intact large intestines from 5 Shetland ponies were frozen post-necropsy and transected into 4-cm sections. Three micro-habitat samples (2.5 cm diameter) were collected per section. We recovered 2,444 ...
Risk factors for horse falls in British jump racing (2010-2023). Horse falls are an important safety and welfare concern in jump racing, as they are associated with an increased risk of equine fatality and injury, as well as jockey injury. Objective: To identify risk factors for horse falls in British jump racing. Methods: Retrospective cohort. Methods: All jump race starts made on British racecourses between January 2010 and April 2023 were considered. Available horse, race, racecourse, trainer and jockey data were collated and combined with faller data recorded in official databases. Horses that were 'brought down' by another horse were not considered a f...
Plasma Homocysteine Concentrations in Horses with Left-Sided Valvular Heart Disease. In human medicine, homocysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid, is used as a biomarker reflecting endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, thrombogenesis, oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease. An automated enzyme-cycling assay for homocysteine, established for humans, has been validated and reference ranges have been created for horses. In this study the homocysteine assay was further evaluated by assessing short-term stability (whole blood and plasma samples stored at 4 °C and room temperature for 24 h), long-term stability (two years), the effect of different anticoagulants (lithium h...
Bacteremia in horses undergoing routine dental prophylaxis: Before, during, and after the procedure. Transient bacteremia after dental procedures is well-documented in the literature, but the prevalence and clinical significance in horses remains largely unexplored. Objective: To assess whether routine dental prophylaxis in clinically healthy horses is associated with detection of bacteria in blood, using culture and 16S rDNA sequencing. Our central hypothesis is that a percentage of horses would demonstrate detectable but transient bacteremia in the immediate post-procedural period following dental prophylaxis. Methods: Prospective, observational study. Methods: Venous blood samples from 20 ...
Environmental and genetic effects on measured hock bone proportions in young Polish Warmblood horses undergoing performance test training for breeding horses. The hock bone proportions in young Polish Warmblood horses (69) were studied based on x-ray image measurements done during official breeding horse performance testing. Six measurements were used to identify 4 width and length proportion indices. The radiological examinations were done before and after horse training, which consists of work with or without the rider at walk, trot and canter (40-50min) with some light class (< 100cm) jumping (<12 jumps) 6 days a week. The training effect was investigated using analysis of variance (procedure MIXED, Statistical Analysis System). The statist...
Three-year evaluation of anthelmintic treatment efficacy against equine strongyles in France using FECRT. Reduced anthelmintic efficacy against strongyles in equids is a widespread concern, but up-to-date field data are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate, over a three-year period, the efficacy of the anthelmintic (AH) molecules available in France (fenbendazole, pyrantel, ivermectin and moxidectin) against strongyles in equids using faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs). A total of 104 complete FECRTs (i.e., required sample size reached) were conducted in 98 groups, involving 749 equids kept in 70 facilities. Fenbendazole-resistant populations were detected in 8/9 groups (89%) from ...
Effects of equine sperm incubation under capacitation-supporting conditions on homologous and heterologous ICSI outcomes. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in horses has become sufficiently efficient to be considered for clinical and commercial application; however, several factors influencing its efficiency remain poorly understood. This study evaluated whether incubating equine sperm under capacitating conditions induces capacitation-associated changes and affects embryo development following homologous equine ICSI, as well as oocyte activation, early cleavage, and 5-methylcytosine (5 mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) levels following heterologous ICSI using bovine oocytes. Equine spermatozoa were ...
Effects of TECAR Therapy on Body Surface Temperature and Longissimus Dorsi Muscle Tone in Thoroughbred Racehorses: A Pilot Study. Capacitive and resistive electric transfer (TECAR) therapy is increasingly used in equine physiotherapy; however, objective evidence regarding its immediate effects on equine back muscles remains limited. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effects of TECAR therapy on body surface temperature and muscle tone of the longissimus dorsi muscle in Thoroughbred racehorses. A randomized, single-blinded experimental study was conducted in 20 clinically healthy Thoroughbred racehorses aged 2-3 years. Horses were randomly assigned to either a TECAR treatment group ( = 10) or a sham-treatment control ...
Development and validation of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of twenty-five steroids in equine serum. Steroids are potential biomarkers for monitoring equine pregnancy. However, immunoassays currently used for their quantification suffer from cross-reactivity and limited specificity, thus requiring more accurate methods. This study reports the development and validation of a robust liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous quantification of 25 steroids covering the main biosynthetic pathways of progestogens, corticosteroids, androgens, and estrogens. Steroids were extracted by protein precipitation followed by evaporation, derivatization, and reconstitut...
Vasopressin stimulation testing in hospitalized foals. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal gland axis (HPAA) dysfunction impairs survival and can be diagnosed with an arginine vasopressin (AVP) stimulation test. Objective: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol response to an AVP stimulation test will be attenuated in hospitalized foals compared to healthy foals and associated with severity of disease. Methods: Fifteen healthy and 45 hospitalized foals: 19 septic, 26 sick non-septic (SNS). Methods: A prospective, observational case-control design was utilized to assess HPAA function and compare corticotropin-releasing hormone, ACTH, and cortis...
An observational study evaluating the environmental impact of equine arthroscopy. Human pressures on Earth's life‒support systems have exceeded multiple planetary boundaries, highlighting the need for sectors, including veterinary healthcare, to reduce environmental impacts. Methods: A prospective convenience sample of 10 horses undergoing arthroscopy at a UK equine hospital between January and March 2025 was studied. Data were collected on anaesthesia, volatile capture, pharmaceuticals, single-use consumables, waste, building energy and travel by horses and staff. Carbon emissions (kgCOe) were calculated using published conversion factors. A hybrid methodology combined b...
Effect of lingual gauze swab placement and light exclusion on pulse oximeter agreement with arterial haemoglobin-oxygen saturation derived from blood-gas analysis in healthy anaesthetised horses. To compare peripheral arterial haemoglobin-oxygen saturation values obtained using pulse oximetry (SpO) with and without a lingual gauze swab under ambient light and light-exclusion conditions, with arterial haemoglobin-oxygen saturation derived from arterial blood-gas analysis (SaO). Methods: Prospective method-comparison study. Methods: A group of 60 healthy adult horses undergoing elective general anaesthesia. Methods: In American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification I-II horses, SpO readings were obtained under six conditions during anaesthesia: no swab, no swa...
High-Throughput Equine Plasma Profiling Using Laser-Assisted Rapid Evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectrometry. Remnants of erythrocyte removal from blood constitute therapeutic plasma-a water-based solution containing mainly platelets, extracellular vesicles (EVs), protein and lipid complexes and ions. Plasma-based therapies, including their use to accelerate wound healing in human and animal patients, are increasingly gaining prominence in regenerative medicine; however, methods for the optimal preparation of individual plasma are still under development. Rapid and accurate analysis of plasma composition is essential for the development of therapeutic applications and for ensuring the quality of plasm...
Phenotypic Definition Influences Genetic Inference and Predictive Ability for Reining Performance in Quarter Horses Using Random Regression Models. Reining performance is influenced by subjectivity and competition structure, challenging genetic evaluation. This study estimated genetic parameters for reining performance in Brazilian Quarter Horses using random regression models (RRM) and evaluated how alternative phenotypic definitions affect genetic inference and predictive ability. A dataset comprising 21,165 longitudinal records from 1603 horses was analyzed, comparing within-group rank (RANK) and Blom-transformed rank (BLOM). Model comparison indicated that cubic RRM provided the best fit for both phenotypes. Heritability estimates wer...
Evaluation of an Immunoturbidometric Assay for Measurement of Total Adiponectin Concentration in Equine Serum Samples. Total adiponectin (TA) is a marker of metabolic health in equids, with values below a critical decision point of < 7.9 μg/mL conferring increased risk of laminitis. Objective: To evaluate an IT assay to measure serum [TA] in equids and to assess its correlation with [high molecular weight adiponectin] (HMWA) measured by ELISA. Methods: Total serum adiponectin concentrations from 207 adult horses were measured using both an IT assay for TA and HMWA using a previously validated ELISA assay. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation and Passing-Bablok regression. Intra- and inter-assa...
Growth Performance, Milk Productivity, Productive Longevity, and Milk Composition of Mugalzhar Horses. The Mugalzhar horse is an important native breed of Kazakhstan, valued for its adaptability, milk production, and meat productivity under extensive pasture-based management. This study evaluated the relationships among first-lactation milk yield, productive longevity, lifetime milk production, growth, morphometric traits, and milk composition in the Mugalzhar horse breed using data from 100 mares with complete lifetime production records, 108 adult mares and 12 stallions for morphometric evaluation, and 68 foals (35 colts and 33 fillies) for growth analysis. The study was conducted on Mugalzha...
Penile and preputial pythiosis in Saudi Arabian horses: clinicopathological features and surgical outcomes. Pythiosis, caused by , is a chronic granulomatous disease of horses characterized by invasive, ulcerative, and pyogranulomatous cutaneous lesions. Involvement of the external genitalia is uncommon and remains poorly characterized, particularly regarding environmental exposure and treatment outcomes. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological pattern, clinicopathological features, diagnostic findings, and surgical outcomes of penile and preputial genital pythiosis in a hospital-presented horse cohort. Unassigned: A retrospective study was conducted on 123 horses presented with cutaneous u...
Unveiling wolf dietary specialization on free ranging horses using forensic genetics and field monitoring. Wolves occasionally specialize on free-ranging horses when they are abundant and alternative prey is scarce, potentially reducing horse productivity, triggering conflicts with owners, and hampering conservation of both species. Yet, ecological and demographic impacts of wolf predation on horses remain poorly understood. We investigated wolf-horse interactions in NW Portugal by combining wolf monitoring, diet analysis, spatial overlap between wolf and horse activity areas, and horse pedigree reconstruction from genetically identified individuals recovered from wolf scat remains, feeding sites a...
Clinical and pathologic findings of splenic tumours in four horses: a case series. Splenic tumours are rare in horses, with limited published literature consisting primarily of individual case reports and one hepato-splenic lymphoma case series. This case series analyses the clinical presentation, diagnostic findings and clinical outcomes of four cases of splenic neoplasia that presented to a university referral hospital over a three year period (2022-2025). Methods: Presented are two cases of primary splenic lymphoma, and two cases of metastatic melanoma. Three cases (75%) presented with chronic, non-specific clinical signs including weight loss, colic and ventral oedema. O...
Evaluation of the Brix refractometer for diagnosing the failure of transfer of passive immunity in 12-h-old foals. Failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) is the most important cause of sepsis and mortality in neonatal foals. Unassigned: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the digital Brix refractometer for the diagnosis of FTPI in 12-h-old foals. Unassigned: Cross-sectional, diagnostic accuracy study. Unassigned: Jugular blood samples were collected from 124 foals at 12 ± 0.5 h after birth. IgG concentrations were estimated using a digital Brix refractometer and measured using the radial immunodiffusion test (RID). Correlation coefficients were calculated between serum Brix percentages...
