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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.
Agreement of a veterinary-specific oscillometric noninvasive arterial blood pressure monitor (SunTech Vet30) with invasive arterial blood pressure in anaesthetised horses. To evaluate agreement between a veterinary-specific oscillometric noninvasive arterial blood pressure monitor and invasive arterial blood pressure (IBP) measurements in anaesthetised horses. Methods: Prospective clinical method-comparison study. Methods: A group of 46 horses undergoing general anaesthesia in dorsal recumbency. Methods: Paired invasive and oscillometric blood pressure measurements were recorded at 15-minute intervals. IBP was measured via a facial artery catheter, and systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP), and mean arterial pressures (MAP) were recorded. Oscillometric measurements we...
A new single-antigen serological test accurately detects horses infected with Streptococcus equi subsp equi. To develop an accurate serological test for detecting horses infected with Streptococcus equi subsp equi (SEE). Unassigned: The study was designed as a prospective experiment. First, 89 proteins either expressed on the surface or secreted by SEE were cloned, expressed in a cell-free culture system, and printed onto a microarray. Microarrays were probed with serum from 30 horses with strangles, 30 horses with no history of infection or immunization against SEE, and 18 horses infected with Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus (SEZ); serum samples were collected between 2020 and 2021 from Texas...
Behaviour and Movement Activity of Stallions and Geldings in Group Housing. There has been little research on the social behaviour of stallions and geldings kept together in group housing systems. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in behaviour and movement activity between stallions and geldings kept together in group housing. Behavioural observations and GPS measurements were conducted in Germany from July to September 2024 in four mixed groups of horses in Germany. The groups comprised 35 animals, 18 stallions and 17 geldings. The horses were observed for three consecutive days over eight hours per day. No injuries or stereotypic behaviours were o...
Synovial fluid oxidative stress index as a biomarker for arthritis severity in thoroughbred racehorses. Arthritis is a major cause of lameness in racehorses. Even when lameness improves, it may recur after training resumes, making it difficult to determine the disease state and when to end treatment. This retrospective observational study examined whether oxidative stress in synovial fluid could assess arthritis status in racehorses. Synovial fluid samples obtained during routine clinical practice from horses with arthritis and control samples obtained from horses without clinical or radiographic evidence of carpal joint disease were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 72 Thoroughbreds in Japan...
Humoral immune response to equine mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs): MHC compatibility has more influence than inflammatory priming or chondrogenic differentiation. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) hold great potential for treating various conditions, but their effectiveness and safety in allogeneic therapies can be affected by the recipient's immune response, among other factors. Allogeneic MSC administration has been associated with immune recognition in different species, including horses. These animals are both veterinary patients and translational models, offering valuable insights into how allogeneic MSCs interact with the immune system in vivo. Factors such as inflammation, chondrogenic differentiation, and major histocompatibility complex (MH...
An Investigation of the Role of Ridden Exercise, Including Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram, in Pre-Purchase Examinations of Sports Horses. Many horses undergo a pre-purchase examination (PPE) prior to acquisition by a new owner; however, despite evidence that lameness and canter dysfunction may only be apparent during ridden exercise, ridden exercises assessing gait quality is not a routine part of PPEs. The objectives were to determine the influence of the results of ridden exercise on decision-making concerning risk assessment for purchase and to establish the long-term performance of horses. Twenty-five sports horses underwent PPEs including ridden exercises to assess gait quality and to apply the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (R...
Validation of an improved insect bite hypersensitivity severity score for allergic equine insect bite hypersensitivity in horses. Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is the most common allergic skin disease in horses, but existing clinical scoring systems lack extensive validation, limiting standardized disease monitoring and therapeutic evaluation. Objective: Develop and validate a standardized, sensitive, and reproducible clinical scoring system for IBH in horses. Methods: Forty-four privately-owned horses with clinically diagnosed IBH examined under field conditions in Switzerland. Methods: In this prospective field validation study, the equine IBH severity score (EqIS) integrates a lesion severity score and an area sc...
Genetic Indicators of Performance Resilience in Barrel Racing Quarter Horses. Resilience, defined as the capacity to maintain consistent performance under variable conditions, has emerged as a relevant breeding objective in livestock systems, yet remains largely unexplored in equine populations. The objectives of this study were to (1) derive indicators of resilience from longitudinal barrel racing time (BRT) records in Brazilian Quarter Horses, (2) estimate genetic parameters for these indicators, and (3) quantify their genetic relationships with BRT and accumulated career earnings (ACE). The dataset comprised BRT records from barrel racing events held between 2010 and...
Detection of ionisable lipids in equine plasma by supported liquid extraction and liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry for doping control of mRNA agents. Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) has emerged as a new class of therapeutic agent with unprecedented potential. In particular, the lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-mRNA formulations enabled safe and effective delivery of mRNA in vivo, leading to the success of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. To control the potential misuse of LNP-mRNA agents in equine sports, a simple and sensitive method has been developed for the detection of ionisable lipids in equine plasma using supported liquid extraction (SLE) followed by liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. To overcome th...
Horses without ocular disease maintain similar electroretinographic responses and peripapillary retinal thicknesses across age groups. To determine the impact of age on equine electroretinography (ERG) parameters and retinal thickness in horses with healthy eyes. We hypothesized that ERG b-wave amplitudes would be significantly lower in older horses and that total retinal thickness would not vary significantly with age. Unassigned: Horses with clinically normal eyes comprising 3 age groups (≤ 10, 11 to 20, and ≥ 21 years) underwent scotopic and photopic ERGs, high-resolution fundus photography, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Electroretinography results were compared between age groups using mean implici...
A Comprehensive Review of the Equine Gut Microbiome in Health and Disease. Molecular microbiology has revolutionized our understanding of the complex host-associated microbiomes required for normative development and physiology. Horses and other members of the family are particularly reliant on the early maturation and lifelong maintenance of an unusually rich hindgut microbiome for optimal digestion and overall health and performance. Research on the equine gut microbiome has accelerated in the past several years, necessitating a renewed appraisal of the field. The present work is a comprehensive and critical review of the literature regarding the bacterial gastroi...
Antibiofilm action of ozonated sunflower oil against bacteria isolated from the uterus of mares susceptible to endometritis. This study aimed to characterize the antibiofilm action of ozone-enriched sunflower oil (O) against pathogens associated with endometritis in mares. Initially, samples from 41 mares with a history of subfertility were stored in BHI broth and 0.9% NaCl solution. The samples underwent microbial culture, identification, and sensitivity testing at LABRAPE-UFRPE, Brazil. Biofilm production was evaluated by the crystal violet method. Subsequently, biofilm-forming bacteria were subjected to the action of different concentrations of ozonated sunflower oil. Of the 21 isolates tested for biofilm produc...
Factors Influencing Equine Embryo Outcomes in OPU‑ICSI Systems: Insights from a Large‑Scale Program in Brazil. Equine OPU‑ICSI supports commercial IVEP, yet substantial variability persists. We retrospectively analyzed a large dataset generated in Brazil spanning Quarter Horses, Warmbloods, and Mangalarga to evaluate whether predictors previously identified in the literature show comparable patterns under distinct ecological and breeding conditions. Overall oocyte and embryo outcomes were aligned with broadly reported trends from previous studies. Oocytes retrieved from estrous mares bearing a dominant follicle exhibited higher maturation and blastocyst rates. Stallion effects segregated into distinc...
Rapid bacterial community profiling of equine faecal, skin, milk and saliva samples using Oxford Nanopore long-read 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The composition of the equine gut microbiome is associated with many aspects of gastrointestinal, respiratory and musculoskeletal health that have been reported in the horse. Scientific studies exploring the microbiome non-intestinal ecological niches in or on horses are lacking. The clinical use of bacterial community profiling in horses is currently limited by cost and by slow analytical workflows. Most equine microbiome studies have relied on 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of bacterial DNA, using high-throughput short-read sequencing technologies. This is often provided by an external servic...
USE OF GUAIFENESIN-KETAMINE-XYLAZINE INFUSION FOR MAINTENANCE OF ANESTHESIA IN CAPTIVE PREZEWALSKI HORSES (EQUUS FERUS PRZEWALSKI ): A CASE SERIES. This case series documents the use of triple drip, a combination of IV guaifenesin, ketamine, and xylazine (GKX) to extend the length of anesthesia in zoo-owned Przewalski horses (). In three separate procedures involving two different animals, GKX was used to prolong and deepen the plane of anesthesia for 90 to 120 min beyond an initial induction dart containing ketamine, butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine. The depth of anesthesia was sufficient to permit surgical excision of SC abscesses and other procedures. Throughout the anesthetic events, the horses breathed spontaneously and maint...
Prevalence and radiographic features of cyst-like lesions in German Warmblood horses presented for pre-purchase examination. Cyst-like lesions (CLLs) are frequently detected during radiographic examinations of equine limbs. They may represent a potential risk factor during pre-purchase examination (PPE) and are of considerable clinical and economic importance, as they may lead to negative purchase decisions. While affected horses may develop lameness, incidental findings have also been reported. The goal of the study was to describe the prevalence, location and radiographic characteristics of CLLs in a group of sound German Warmblood horses. Unassigned: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 3863 German Warmb...
Administration Study of Bedinvetmab, an Antinerve Growth Factor Monoclonal Antibody, in Horses for Doping Control Purposes. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting nerve growth factor (NGF) represent a novel therapeutic approach for managing acute and chronic pain in humans and animals. However, their potential misuse as pain-masking agents in competitive equine sports raises significant welfare and integrity concerns. To enhance understanding of the elimination profile of anti-NGF mAb if misused in horses, this study describes the first administration of bedinvetmab (a canine anti-NGF mAb) in three geldings, establishing its plasma elimination profile following subcutaneous administration. Bedinvetmab plasma concen...
Circulating microRNAs as potential predictive biomarkers of equine metabolic syndrome. Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a complex endocrine disorder characterized by insulin dysregulation (ID), and an increased risk of developing laminitis, often accompanied by generalized or regional adiposity. Despite growing awareness of EMS, early and accurate diagnosis remains challenging. In this pilot study, we investigated changes in the levels of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in plasma samples from horses diagnosed with EMS (n=13), compared to overweight/obese (OW/OB) non-ID horses (n=16) and healthy controls (n=16). Using a targeted OpenArray, followed by a Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's...
Pneumocoele sinus: Computed tomographic findings and surgical approach in a 2-year-old Cob filly. Pneumosinus dilatans and pneumocoele sinus describe abnormal hyperpneumatisation of paranasal sinuses, with the latter being accompanied by thinning of bony walls. Although recognised in human and equine medicine, to the authors' knowledge, this condition's computed tomography (CT) findings and successful surgical approach in horses have not previously been reported in conjunction. Advanced imaging, particularly CT, is pivotal for identifying abnormal sinus expansion and associated nasal obstruction. Methods: Case report. Conclusions: A 2-year-5-month-old Cob filly presented with a 1-month his...
Sixty minutes of daily solitary turnout improved physiological and behavioral indicators of stress and welfare in stall-housed horses. Housing horses in stalls restricts natural roaming behaviors, which in turn increases stress and stereotypic behaviors. Daily turnout for voluntary exercise is common for stress mitigation, but there is no consensus for optimal duration of turnout sessions. Objective: We sought to understand how minimal and moderate-duration daily turnout affects behavioral and physiological stress indicators. Methods: In a Latin-square design, adult Quarter horses (N=11) were allowed 0, 15, or 60 minutes/day of solitary turnout for 12-day periods. In-stall behaviors and 24-hour time budgets were assessed on d...
Case report: exercise-associated sudden death in a Thoroughbred racehorse with cardiac lesions. Exercise-associated sudden death (EASD), defined as acute collapse and death in an apparently healthy racehorse during or within ~1 h after exercise, is currently among the top concerns in the racing industry. Cases of EASD with no cause of death identified at necropsy are frequently presumed to be of cardiac origin. In such cases, in addition to a regular necropsy, a cardiac examination protocol is performed that includes a detailed gross examination and microscopic evaluation of 11 regions of the heart. Very often this protocol is unrewarding because there are no microscopic lesions to expl...
Tick-borne bacterial and protozoal pathogens in horses in Austria – A cross-sectional study on current and past infections and potential risk factors. Tick-borne bacterial and protozoal pathogens are a major threat to equine health worldwide. In Austria, studies on pathogens such as piroplasms, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia spp. in horses are scarce and do not cover the countrywide horse population. To address this, blood samples from horses without prior record of infection with tick-borne pathogens (n = 588) were tested for the presence of Theileria equi, Babesia caballi or A. phagocytophilum DNA by PCR and for specific antibodies against these pathogens and Borrelia burgdorferi with commercially available assays. While no DNA of ...
Mammary neuroendocrine tumor in a mare. A 10-y-old American Paint Horse mare was presented to the Equine Field Services at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (Blacksburg, VA, USA) for evaluation of mastitis and a possible abscess in the right mamma. Histologic evaluation of a mammary biopsy revealed a densely cellular, infiltrative neoplasm with cells arranged in packets supported by thin stroma. In a neuroendocrine immunohistochemistry panel, the neoplastic cells did not immunolabel for neuron-specific enolase or synaptophysin, positively immunolabeled for chromogranin A, and had moderate scattered immunolabeling for ...
Thoroughbred horses susceptible to Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis have elevated skeletal muscle mitochondrial capacities. Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (RER) is a skeletal muscle disease that can intermittently impede careers of equine athletes. Manifesting as episodes of muscular stiffness and degeneration, RER causes lost training and competition days. RER is associated with abnormal intracellular calcium (Ca) regulation. Calcium released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum to initiate contraction may also be transported into mitochondria, which impacts energy production. RER-susceptible horses exhibit down-regulated mitochondrial proteins but upregulated mitochondrial genes. Thus, mitochondrial function may ...
Interleukin 12 on extracellular matrix-related factors and functional characteristics of equine endometrial fibroblasts. Tissue fibrosis is described as the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. This process is associated with inflammation, and the interaction between fibroblasts and immune cells plays a key role, driving the progression of fibrosis. Results of recent study suggest that interleukin (IL)-12 may play a role in the processes associated with the development of fibrosis. This proinflammatory cytokine is synthesized and released by macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine: (i) the expression of IL-12 and its receptor ...
Repeatability and test-retest reliability of thermal and pressure pain threshold testing in healthy thoroughbred horses. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) has been used in horses to assess nociceptive responsiveness but its broader clinical application is limited by variability across anatomical sites, environmental conditions, operator technique, and behavioral endpoints. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, within-session repeatability, and test-retest reliability of thermal threshold (TT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) testing in healthy Thoroughbred horses. Unassigned: Eleven adult Thoroughbred horses (4 mares, 7 geldings; median [IQR] age 6 [5-6] years; body weight 558 ± 47 kg) underwent...
Effects of Nebulized Alpha-2 Macroglobulin in Horses with Lower Airway Inflammation. Equine asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease with limited safe long-term treatments. Alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M), a natural anti-inflammatory protease inhibitor, may provide a novel non-steroidal therapeutic option for horses with lower respiratory tract inflammation. Objective: To characterize the impact of nebulization with alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) on clinical signs, bronchoalveolar lavage cytology, and local and systemic cytokine response in horses with lower respiratory tract inflammation. Methods: Thirteen university-owned horses with lower airway inflammation were randomized...
Spatiotemporal dynamics of equine group formation reveal the gradual emergence of social cohesion. Stable social relationships are essential for horse welfare, yet domestic management often involves regrouping unfamiliar individuals, potentially causing social stress. Fine-scale dynamics of social integration remain poorly quantified due to limitations of observational sampling. Using ultra-wideband real-time positioning, we tracked the development of spatial and social relationships in two newly formed equine groups (n = 19) over 2-12 months. Inter-individual distances decreased significantly, with time spent within 3 m of conspecifics increasing from 1.2 to 27.3% within two months, d...
