Omneity® Pellets
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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.
Muscle, tendon, and somatotropin responses to the restriction of muscle blood flow induced by KAATSU-walk training. The efficacy of KAATSU training has been demonstrated in human athletes, both as a therapeutic method as well as a training aid. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of slow walk training combined with restriction of muscle blood flow (KAATSU) on muscle and tendon size. Methods: Six healthy, unfit Standardbred mares performed walking (240 m/min for 10 min and then 5 min recovery) with KAATSU, and 6 mares performed walking without KAATSU. A specially designed elastic cuff1 was placed at the most proximal position of the forelegs and inflated to a pressure of 200-230 mmHg thr...
Method for quantifying net anaerobic power in exercising horses. There is no good method for measuring net anaerobic power in exercising horses to allow accurate estimates of total metabolic power. Objective: The increase in VO2max when breathing hyperoxic (HO) gas should be accompanied by a stoichiometrically equal (in terms of ATP turnover, i.e. energy equivalents) decrease in plasma lactate accumulation rate (Mlactate). Methods: Six 3-year-old Thoroughbreds were trained on an equine treadmill wearing a semi-open flow mask for measurement of VO2. After 4 months the horses ran with reproducible specific VO2max (VO2max/kg bwt). The mask design allowed mixin...
Plasma glutamine concentrations in the horse following feeding and oral glutamine supplementation. Pharmacological benefits of glutamine supplementation have been shown in athletically and clinically stressed human subjects. In the horse, infection and intense exercise have also been shown to significantly decrease plasma glutamine concentrations, but little is known on how best to supplement. Objective: To evaluate whether ingestion of different foodstuffs, with or without L-glutamine (G) or a peptide (Pep) containing 31.5% w/w G in a water-stable form, could affect plasma glutamine concentrations (P-GC). Methods: Nine feeds (molassed sugar beet-pulp (mSB); naked oats (nO); commercial mix ...
Optimal active recovery intensity in standardbreds after submaximal work. A retrospective study concerning spontaneous active recovery intensity, i.e. at a freely chosen speed, after a submaximal exercise in trotters showed that the mean intensity demanded by trainers corresponds to 40-50% of maximal heart rate (max HR; unpublished data). However, in human athletes, optimal active recovery intensity was found to be about 60-70% of max HR. Is the spontaneous recovery optimal after a submaximal exercise in trotters? Objective: To compare different recovery intensities and define the most efficient one. Methods: Thirty-seven trotters performed a standardised exercise t...
Effect of omeprazole on markers of performance in gastric ulcer-free standardbred horses. A large percentage of performance horses develop gastric ulcers and many of those horses are treated with omeprazole. Unfortunately, no data have been published on the effects of the drug on markers of performance in animals without ulcers. Objective: Omeprazole would alter markers of aerobic and anaerobic performance. Methods: Ten unfit, healthy, ulcer free, Standardbred mares were administered either control (CON; oral apple sauce, 20 ml) or omeprazole (OP; oral paste, 4 mg/kg bwt s.i.d.) in a random crossover fashion with the investigators blind to the treatment. Treatments were administere...
Right ventricular pressure dynamics and stress echocardiography in pharmacological and exercise stress testing. There is interest in using pharmacological stress testing (PST) as a substitute for exercise stress testing (EST) to evaluate cardiac function in horses. Objective: To compare the effect of PST and EST on right ventricular pressure dynamics and stress echocardiography. Methods: Five horses completed a PST and EST in a randomised crossover design. High fidelity pressure transducers were placed in the right ventricle. Continuous pressure signals were digitally collected and stored, and dP/dtmax, dP/dtmin and tau calculated from these measurements. ECGs were recorded continuously for 20 h. Echoca...
Kernicterus in a neonatal foal. A 5-day-old Thoroughbred foal was submitted to the necropsy service at the University of Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center. The foal had a clinical history of seizure activity and severe icterus. A complete blood count and serum chemistry analysis indicated that the foal was anemic (hematocrit, 16%), hyperbilirubinemic (45 mg/dl), and hypoglycemic. At necropsy, all tissues were discolored various shades of yellow. Microscopically, there was degeneration and necrosis of cerebral neurons and cerebellar Purkinje cells; severe hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis; and deposition of ...
Validation of a portable equine metabolic measurement system. In equine sports medicine, VO2 has been measured exclusively with stationary systems, in laboratories equipped with a treadmill. Measurement during exercise in field conditions has not previously been reported because of the lack of portable equipment designed for horses. Objective: A commercially available portable metabolic measurement system, based on breath-to-breath gas analysis and flow spirometry, was adapted to the horse's physiology and morphology (Cosmed K4b2 and Equimask) and its validity tested by (1) repeatability of the measures and (2) comparing metabolic data to those obtained ...
Observations on respiratory flow strategies during and after intense treadmill exercise to fatigue in thoroughbred racehorses. Locomotor-respiratory coupled (LRC) breath types are a feature of galloping exercise in horses. Differences in breath type have been demonstrated during exercise in particular the 'big respiratory cycle' (BRC) and 'flow hesitation'. To investigate breath types during recovery and quantitatively investigate BRCs during exercise to understanding the mechanism driving BRCs. Objective: To investigate the occurrence of different breath types during and after intense treadmill exercise, and test the hypothesis that large breaths (BRCs) were a function of respiratory frequency. Methods: Six trained a...
Trot asymmetry in relation to physical performance and metabolism in equine endurance rides. Trot is a symmetric gait and asymmetry might appear or increase during endurance rides due to lameness, pain or excessive fatigue. Objective: To assess whether trot asymmetry increases during endurance competitions, whether it is possible to discriminate between horses with different performance and also its possible relationship with metabolism. Methods: Fifty-eight horses were filmed at trot during the lameness examinations in the vet-gates, before the competition (BCO), and after phases 1 (at 29 km), 2 (at 59 km) and 3 (at the end of the ride, at 80 km) and stride duration (SD) measured in ...
Evaluation of race distance, track surface and season of the year on exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in flat racing thoroughbreds in Brazil. To our knowledge no studies evaluating risk factors to EIPH have been undertaken with such a population of horses in Brazil, which is one of the few countries in the racing community to accept the use of frusemide (FUR) as a prerace medication for bleeders. We also compared national results with those already in the literature. Objective: To verify the influence of variables such as distance of the race, racetrack surface, going and season of the year in the recurrence and severity of EIPH and its effect on the finishing position of flat racing Thoroughbreds in Brazil. Methods: 2118 post race ...
Oral vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress, vitamin and antioxidant status in intensely exercised horses. Vitamin E is the most commonly supplemented antioxidant in horses; however, previous research is not conclusive as to the recommended level for exercising horses. Objective: To evaluate the effects of 3 levels of vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress and vitamin/antioxidant status in intensely exercised horses to determine the optimal level of vitamin E supplementation. Methods: Twelve unfit Standardbreds were divided into 3 groups, supplemented orally with 0 (CON), 5000 (MOD), or 10,000 (HI) iu/day of DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. The 3 x 3 Latin square design consisted of three 4 week...
Raising heels of hind hooves changes the equine coffin, fetlock and hock joint angle: a kinematic evaluation on the treadmill at walk and trot. Raised heels are commonly recommended for various equine orthopaedic conditions. However, the simultaneous effect of raised heels on the different joint angles of the equine hindlimb throughout the motion cycle has not been previously evaluated. Objective: To document the simultaneous effect of raised heels on the joint angles of the equine hindlimb coffin, fetlock and hock joints. Methods: Eight sound, adult, Warmblood horses were evaluated barefoot and with a heel wedge of 8 or 16 degrees, walking and trotting on a horizontal treadmill. Markers placed on the dorsal and cranial aspect of the ...
A comparison of cross-country recovery rates at CCI 2* with and without steeplechase competitions. Short format 3-day events were introduced in 2004. Anecdotal reports suggested that horses were more tired on completion of the cross-country phase of short format events when compared with horses completing the cross-country phase of long format competitions, despite the absence of Phases A, B and C. Objective: To compare the physiological parameters and haematological parameters of horses that had completed the cross-country phase of a short format (SF) and a long format (LF) CCI 2* competition. Methods: During a CCI 2* competition 69 competitors took part in the short format and 74 in the l...
The effect of adrenergic suppression induced by guanabenz administration on exercising thoroughbred horses. Adrenergic activity accompanies intense exercise and mediates physiological and metabolic responses to exercise. Guanabenz, an antihypertensive drug marketed for human usage, depresses brain vasomotor and cardioaccelerator centres, blocks peripherally adrenergic neurons and is reportedly used as a calming agent in horses but little is known of its effects in the species. Objective: To determine if guanabenz induces measurable signs of adrenergic suppression on fit Thoroughbred horses undergoing intense exercise. Methods: In a random crossover design, 12 exercise conditioned Thoroughbred horses...
Correlations between exercising arterial blood gas values, tracheal wash findings and upper respiratory tract abnormalities in horses presented for poor performance. There are limited data on the correlations between arterial blood gas (ABG) values, tracheal wash (TW) cytology and upper respiratory tract (URT) abnormalities. Objective: To identify horses with abnormal exercising ABG, and compare the proportions of horses with abnormal ABG and TW cytology, mucus or URT dysfunction with those with normal ABG results and abnormal TW cytology, mucus or URT dysfunction. Methods: Medical records of 813 horses presenting to the treadmill facility that had a complete treadmill examination, including ABG analysis, TW and URT endoscopy were selected. Diagnoses, ABG ...
Study of gelatin supplemented diet on amino acid homeostasis in the horse. Gelatin supplementation is a common measure in an attempt to assist cartilage repair, but little scientific evidence exists to support its efficacy. Objective: To investigate the effects of gelatin administration on post prandial homeostasis. Methods: Twelve Standardbred horses (mean 404 kg bwt) were fed a hay-concentrate diet supplemented by soy bean meal and oil (control [C], n = 6) or with the addition of 60 g gelatin/day (G, n = 6). The horses were trained by an alternate order of interval and prolonged exercise every second day. The velocities of the treadmill corresponding to 2 and 10 mm...
Effects of chronic acetazolamide administration on fluid flux from the pulmonary vasculature at rest and during exercise in horses. Horses develop high pulmonary pressures during exercise, which force fluid out of pulmonary capillaries. Specific airway diseases in horses, especially those associated with hypoxaemia, hypercapnoea and acidosis may influence pulmonary haemodynamics and pulmonary interstitial fluid equilibrium. Objective: This study was designed to determine fluid flux (J(V-A) l/min) across the lung in exercising horses treated chronically with acetazolamide. Methods: Six horses were exercised on a treadmill until fatigue without (Con) and with chronic carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibition (AczTr) and associated ...
Effects of egg-bar shoes on the 3-dimensional kinematics of the distal forelimb in horses walking on a sand track. Understanding of the biomechanical effects of egg-bar shoes remains incomplete because kinematic studies are usually performed on hard tracks and with skin markers that do not measure the actual 3-dimensional (3D) movements of the 3 digital joints. Objective: To quantify the effects of egg-bar shoes on the 3D kinematics of the distal forelimb in horses walking on a sand track. Methods: Four healthy horses were equipped with ultrasonic markers fixed surgically to the 4 distal segments of the left forelimb. The 3D movements of these segments were recorded while the horses were walking on a sand ...
Influence of training on plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline kinetics in untrained standardbreds. Catecholamines (CAT) play an important role in modulating the response to exercise. But the kinetics of CAT changes during exercise are difficult to study due to their short biological half-life. Objective: Learning about variations in plasma CAT levels during training could furnish new information regarding sweating, redistribution of blood flow and energy metabolism. Methods: Four untrained Standardbreds, adapted to treadmill work, were used to determine the influence of training on plasma adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline (NA) kinetics. Horses underwent a standardised exercise test (SET) on ...
Determination of mechanical loading components of the equine metacarpus from measurements of strain during walking. The mechanical environment of the distal limb is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of many injuries, but has not yet been thoroughly described. Objective: To determine the forces and moments experienced by the metacarpus in vivo during walking and also to assess the effect of some simplifying assumptions used in analysis. Methods: Strains from 8 gauges adhered to the left metacarpus of one horse were recorded in vivo during walking. Two different models - one based upon the mechanical theory of beams and shafts and, the other, based upon a finite element analysis (FEA) - were used to ...
Associations between exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage, right ventricular dimensions and atrioventricular valve regurgitation in conditioned national hunt racehorses. Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) and tricuspid (TR) and mitral valve regurgitation (MR) are conditions with high prevalence in conditioned Thoroughbreds. Stress failure of pulmonary capillaries, leading to EIPH, is most likely when pulmonary vascular pressure is increased, and mitral regurgitation can result in pulmonary venous hypertension. Objective: There might be an association between MR and EIPH and the right ventricle (RV) of horses known to suffer repeated episodes of EIPH, as their hearts would be subject to higher pulmonary vascular pressures and cardiac output during tr...
Effect of corticosteroid and bronchodilator therapy on bronchoalveolar lavage cytology following intrapulmonary blood inoculation. Intrapulmonary blood causes an inflammatory response. Modifying this inflammatory response may be useful in the treatment of exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH). Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 3 treatments, an oral bronchodilator, inhaled steroid and oral steroid in modifying the cellular response to intrapulmonary blood inoculation. Methods: Experimental design was a randomised block divided into 4 experimental segments of 2 weeks. Eight normal horses were randomly assigned to pairs and treatments. Autologous blood was inoculated into the lungs on 4 occasions over an 8 week ...
A nonsurgical method allowing continuous core temperature monitoring in mares for extended periods, including during endurance exercise. Body temperature can be a useful measure of how well the horse responds to thermal challenges of exercise and environment. Currently there is little information available about how body temperature changes throughout an endurance ride, and no nonsurgical methods to evaluate internal temperature of exercising horses during prolonged periods and during long distances. Objective: To develop and test a nonsurgical method, using temperature loggers, of continuously recording internal temperature during exercise and over an extended period. Methods: Loggers were inserted transcervically into the ute...
The effect of gallop training on hoof angle in thoroughbred racehorses. The economic impact of soundness problems in racehorses is very high and low hoof angle at the toe has been associated with a lack of soundness. However, it is not clear what environmental and management factors might contribute to a low hoof angle. Objective: To investigate the hypothesis that the hooves of racehorses become flatter when in gallop training, as well as to determine factors contributing to this trend. Methods: Weekly hoof measurements were taken with a hoof gauge from 45 Thoroughbred racehorses; 4 Thoroughbred show horses kept in consistent conditions and shod by the same farri...
Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage during submaximal exercise. Maximally exercising horses achieve mean pulmonary artery pressures (Ppa(mean)) that exceed the minimum threshold (75 mmHg) estimated for pulmonary capillary rupture and exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH). EIPH is not expected to occur during moderate submaximal exercise (i.e. 40-60% VO2max) since Ppa(mean) remains well below this threshold. Objective: Prolonged submaximal exercise (trotting) would precipitate locomotory respiratory uncoupling and cause EIPH. This would be present as a result of the most negative intrapleural pressures (as estimated by the minimum oesophageal pressu...
Effect of conditioning horses with short intervals at high speed on biochemical variables in blood. There is limited published work on the effect of training using intensive and short intervals of exercise to condition horses for racing. Objective: To examine the effect of conditioning horses 1, 2 or 3 x a week using 2 short fast exercise intervals on blood lactate (LA), plasma ammonia (NH3) and urea (urea) as well as creatine kinase (CK) activity. Methods: Thoroughbreds (age 4-5 years) were conditioned at near maximal speed (12-14 m/sec) over 100 m, on 2 occasions separated by a 10 min period at walk, on dirt track (conditioning exercise; CE) during a 6 week conditioning period (CP). The CE...
Effects of short-term training on insulin sensitivity and skeletal muscle glucose metabolism in standardbred horses. Increased insulin sensitivity occurs after a period of exercise training, but the mechanisms underlying this training-associated increase in insulin action have not been investigated. Objective: To examine the effects of short-term endurance training (7 consecutive days) and a subsequent period of inactivity (5 days) on whole body insulin sensitivity and GLUT-4 protein and the activities of glycogen synthase (GS) and hexokinase (HK) in skeletal muscle. It was hypothesised that training would increase insulin sensitivity in association with increased GLUT-4 protein and activities of GS and HK, ...
Correlation of race earnings with velocity at maximal heart rate during a field exercise test in thoroughbred racehorses. Running ability of Thoroughbred racehorses is correlated with maximal oxygen uptake, and the velocity at maximal oxygen uptake is highly correlated with the velocity at maximal heart rate (VHRmax). Objective: To investigate the relationship between VHRmax and racing performance, expressed as 'peak dollars earned per race start'. Methods: Heart rate (HR) and velocity were recorded in 25 Thoroughbred racehorses during trotting and subsequent fast gallops in the field at velocities of 15-16 m/sec. Velocity was recorded by a global positioning system (GPS). Maximal HR (HRmax) and maximal velocity ...
Is the distribution of selenium and zinc in the sublocations of spermatozoa regulated? In the sperm nuclei, of mammalian species selenium has been found only in the form of sperm nuclei glutathione peroxidase (snGPx) where it is most likely bound to the chromatin of spermatozoa. Over 80% of selenium in sperm is bound to the selenoprotein phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) in the midpiece of rat sperm. Zinc in sperm is mainly contained in the outer dense fiber (ODF) proteins of the flagella of mammalian spermatozoa. In the sperm nuclei, zinc is predominately located in the chromatin to the protamine proteins. In order to investigate if the insertion of zinc...
