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Topic:Equine Medicine
Equine Medicine encompasses the study and application of medical practices specifically related to the health and well-being of horses. This field involves the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and disorders affecting equine species. It covers a wide range of topics, including internal medicine, surgery, reproduction, and pharmacology. Research in equine medicine often focuses on understanding the physiological and pathological processes unique to horses, as well as developing effective therapeutic interventions. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of equine medicine, providing insights into the latest advancements and methodologies in the care and management of horse health.
Transforming retraining: Supporting racehorses to have successful second careers. Optimizing long-term welfare outcomes for Thoroughbred racehorses following retirement from racing is a priority across the global horse racing industry. Following their racing career, horses are required to adapt to a markedly different lifestyle, involving substantial physical, behavioural, and mental adjustment. This study consulted experienced retrainers to identify factors that inform successful retraining and transition of former racehorses to promote positive lifelong outcomes beyond racing. An online survey of 100 global stakeholders experienced in retraining former racehorses explor...
Semi-extensive management system drives lower prevalence of equine orodental disorders. The prevalence of orodental disorders in horses kept under different management systems is lacking. More detailed knowledge is needed to support targeted therapeutic and prophylactic approaches, as these conditions play a crucial role in maintaining equine health and welfare. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of orodental disorders in horses raised, kept, and fed under extensive, semi-extensive, or intensive management systems. Unassigned: Sixty-nine clinically healthy adult crossbred horses with no history of dental treatment were examined, with 23 horses included in each study group...
An experimental multiplex PCR/RT-PCR for detection of the main viruses associated with equine neurological disease. Viral neurological infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in horses worldwide. Herein, we describe an end-point multiplex PCR/RT-PCR for simultaneous and differential detection of major equine encephalitis-related agents: rabies virus (RABV), equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1), alphaviruses [Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) and Madariaga virus (MADV)] and flaviviruses [West Nile virus (WNV), Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), Rocio virus (ROCV) and Japanese encephalitis virus (...
In Vivo Metabolite Formation and In Vitro Cytochrome P450-Mediated Metabolism of Vonoprazan in Horses. Vonoprazan is a potassium-competitive acid blocker with potential for the treatment of equine gastric ulcer syndrome. Vonoprazan metabolic pathways in horses have not been characterized. This study aimed to identify vonoprazan metabolites following oral administration and to determine the metabolic enzymes responsible for their metabolism using in vitro models. Six healthy adult Thoroughbred horses received vonoprazan (0.5 and 1 mg/kg PO) in a randomized crossover design. Plasma concentrations of vonoprazan-N-oxide (M-I) and vonoprazan-nitrone (M-III) were quantified using a validated liquid...
Epidural 0.125% ropivacaine is safe but insufficient for induced tibiotarsal joint pain. Epidural injection of a low concentration of the local anaesthetic ropivacaine produces analgesia without neurological deficits or ileus in people. Objective: To determine if epidural 0.125% ropivacaine mitigates induced hindlimb lameness in horses while preserving neurological function and gastrointestinal (GI) motility. Methods: Randomised, blinded, controlled, crossover study. Methods: Eight healthy, sound horses underwent two treatments in random order, separated by at least 3 weeks: epidural saline or epidural ropivacaine. For each treatment, an epidural catheter was inserted at the fir...
Administration of the Postbiotic Substance 412 to Slovak Warm-Blooded Horses: A Pilot Experiment. Antimicrobial proteinaceous postbiotic substances (PS) and/or bacteriocins can beneficially influence animal health, as previously shown with enterocins from non-autochthonous enterococcal strains. Therefore, the effectiveness of PS 412, produced by our beneficial autochthonous strain EF 412, was assessed in horses. In the pilot experiment, PS 412 was administered to 12 horses of various ages and breeds for 21 days via a small feed ball. Sampling was performed on days 0/1, 21, and 42 (after a 3-week cessation of PS 412). The horses served as their own controls. Although the number of horses w...
Thermographic analysis of chiropractic care on the back health of Mangalarga Marchador horses. Poor saddle fit can cause back pain and lesions in horses, highlighting the need for preventive therapies. Objective: To evaluate the effects of chiropractic treatment on the backs of Mangalarga Marchador horses using infrared thermography to monitor thermal changes associated with saddle-induced overload. Methods: Physiological, environmental, thermographic, and chiropractic parameters were evaluated in 13 horses subjected to a standardized 25-min exercise session. Animals were assigned to either a control group (GC, n = 6) or a chiropractic treatment group (GT, n = 7). Assessments were c...
Histomorphometric and Histochemical Changes in the Mare Tuba Uterina During the Oestrous Cycle and Follicular Cyst Condition. This study evaluated histomorphometric and histochemical changes in the mare tuba uterina during different reproductive stages and under follicular cyst conditions. Forty nonpregnant mares were classified into follicular, luteal, post-ovulation and follicular cyst groups (n = 10/group). Histological evaluation of the isthmus, ampulla and infundibulum was performed using haematoxylin and eosin staining, while periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was used to assess epithelial secretory activity. Morphometric parameters included number of primary mucosal folds, fold length, epithelial height a...
Validation of a handheld smartphone markerless method for quantifying thoracolumbar flexion-extension range of motion in horses at trot. Back pain and poor performance in horses are difficult to assess objectively and thoracolumbar flexion-extension range of motion (FE) is not reliably evaluated by subjective observation alone. A handheld, smartphone-based markerless computer vision system (RealHorse®; RH) may enable objective clinical and field-based FE assessment but requires validation against an established optical motion capture reference system (Qualisys®; QS). Objective: To compare the accuracy and precision of RH relative to QS for measuring FE in horses trotting on a straight line and on a circle. Methods: Cross-sect...
Questionnaire-Based Investigation into Stallion Management Practices in 28 Countries. Modern stud farm practices may limit stallion social contact, with potential welfare and safety implications. Objective: To describe housing, management and safety outcomes for stallions kept at horse breeding operations throughout the world and to assess regional differences. Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed via mailing lists and WhatsApp; 116 complete responses from breeding operations were collected and analysed. The focus was on management of the breeding facility, and stallion welfare indicated by management, handling and housing. Results: Respondents were from Europe (40....
Equine Sarcoid: From BPV-Driven Oncogenesis to Host-Sustained Tumor Persistence. Equine sarcoid is the most common cutaneous neoplasm of equids and represents a distinctive model of virus-associated tumor persistence. Although bovine papillomaviruses, particularly BPV-1 and BPV-2, are recognized as the main etiological agents, viral infection alone does not fully explain the clinical heterogeneity, frequent recurrence, and limited spontaneous regression of these lesions. This review summarizes current evidence on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying equine sarcoid pathogenesis, with emphasis on the interaction between BPV infection, host signaling pathways, tum...
Evaluation of a commercial multiplex immunoassay for assessing uterine inflammation in mares susceptible to persistent breeding-induced endometritis. Persistent breeding-induced endometritis (PBIE) is characterized by a prolonged and dysregulated uterine inflammatory response following breeding. Although inflammatory cytokines are central to the post-breeding immune response, their assessment in the equine uterus has historically relied largely on gene expression analyses. Multiplex immunoassays provide an opportunity to simultaneously quantify multiple cytokine proteins within uterine secretions; however, the application of equine-specific multiplex immunoassays utilizing the Luminex platform to low-volume uterine lavage (LVL) fluid remain...
The effects of diet on the physical characteristics of feces and fiber digestibility in healthy horses. Diet is a known risk factor for colic, but few studies have explored how diet affects fecal characteristics which are often altered in horses with colic. This prospective cross-over study evaluated the effects of two common equine diets on fecal characteristics and fiber digestibility in healthy adult horses. We hypothesized that horses offered a complete pelleted diet would exhibit increased fecal dry matter (DM) and decreased fecal particle size compared to those offered a forage-based diet. Twenty horses at Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine served as subjects in the study....
Quantifying the Equine Pain Response to Paracetamol Administration in Horses With Chronic Lameness Already Receiving Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories. Paracetamol is used in horses alongside non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) for multi-modal analgesia; however to date there are few studies published which have investigated its analgesic effect in the horse. Horses were recruited to this study from a population of geriatric horses at The Horse Trust. Horses were selected based on the following inclusion criteria; documented naturally occurring chronic lameness and being treated with an NSAID at the licensed dose and dosing interval. This population was assessed with a five-point subjective lameness grading system performed live by two...
Wound healing of experimental cutaneous wounds in horses: comparison between a topical formulation containing powdered coconut water and an antimicrobial ointment. Skin wounds in horses often present prolonged healing, stimulating the search for alternative topical therapies. To date, there are no experimental studies in horses evaluating topical formulations containing powdered coconut water. Objective: To compare the early macroscopic and morphometric wound-healing outcomes and the histopathological findings at day 14 in experimental cutaneous wounds in horses treated with a topical formulation containing powdered coconut water versus a reference antimicrobial ointment. Methods: Eight clinically healthy horses received two standardized circular skin wo...
Effect of equine flysheets on fly avoidance behaviours, body temperature, stress level, and heart rate. Flysheet use is common without any published scientific evidence to justify their use. Objective: To demonstrate the effectiveness of flysheets at reducing fly avoidance behaviours and measuring changes in body temperature, heart rate, and cortisol levels. Methods: Ten-week alternating crossover design. Methods: Five horses were enrolled. Flysheets were alternated (ON, OFF) between groups weekly for 10 weeks. Fly avoidance behaviours were recorded for 30 min once weekly. Cortisol samples were collected before flysheet application or removal, and again 10 min later. Star-Oddi data loggers...
Intratracheal Leiomyosarcoma in a 13-Year-Old German Riding Pony Mare. A 13-year-old German Riding Pony mare was referred for evaluation of progressive respiratory noise and mixed dyspnoea, which rapidly deteriorated to respiratory distress. Clinical examination revealed marked rattling inspiratory and expiratory tracheal sounds and severe, rattling, vesicular lung sounds. Arterial blood gas analysis demonstrated moderate hypoxaemia (partial pressure of arterial oxygen 76 mmHg at rest). Upper airway endoscopy identified a pink, cauliflower-like pedunculated mass originating from the dorsal tracheal wall approximately 15 cm cranial to the tracheal bifurcation, cau...
Serum Osteocalcin and CTX-I in Fit-to-Race Thoroughbred Racehorses: Reference Intervals and Associations with Demographic, Training, and Lameness-Related Factors. Musculoskeletal injury remains a major welfare and performance concern in Thoroughbred racing, and biomarkers for early risk stratification are of scientific interest. This multicentre observational cohort study characterised serum concentrations of two bone turnover markers, osteocalcin/BGLAP (OC) and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), in 1359 fit-to-race Thoroughbred racehorses sampled across New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia. Biomarker distributions, population-wide percentile ranges, demographic and training-related associations, and short-term soundness outc...
Efficiency of a Combination of Polyethylene Glycol and Psyllium on the Evacuation of Sand Compared to Established Treatment Regimes in Sand Enteropathy of the Horse. The accumulation of sand in the abdomen is a rising risk for colic in horses. Sand mainly accumulates in the ascending colon in the cranioventral abdomen. Evacuation of sand is facilitated by the application of psyllium supported with a laxative via nasogastric intubation. Laxatives currently used are either sodium sulfate/magnesium sulfate or mineral oil. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of polyethylene glycol, a laxative already used in human medicine for chronic constipation, with that of the above-described, established therapy options. Therefore, 44 horses diagnosed wit...
Pelvic axial rotation in hindlimb lame horses changes after diagnostic analgesia. Visual assessment of mild to moderate hindlimb lameness has low sensitivity and specificity, potentially leading to flawed diagnostic procedures. Pelvic axial rotation (roll) makes the assessment more complex but is also a potential source of information. Objective: To describe pelvic roll patterns in horses with unilateral hindlimb lameness before and after diagnostic analgesia. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Optical motion capture data from 20 horses with unilateral hindlimb lameness before and after successful local analgesia (assessed visually and objectively) were retrospectively ...
Comparison of Fogarty and Vollmar thrombectomy for chronic jugular thrombosis in horses. Chronic jugular vein thrombosis may result in persistent venous obstruction and impaired head drainage. Although surgical thrombectomy is performed in selected cases, experimental comparisons between mechanical techniques for chronic thrombus removal in horses are lacking. Objective: To compare Fogarty catheter thrombectomy alone with a combined Vollmar ring-Fogarty technique for restoration and maintenance of luminal patency in experimentally induced chronic jugular thrombosis. Methods: Randomised in vivo study. Methods: Chronic right jugular thrombosis was induced in 10 healthy adult horses....
Whole-genome characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Equine Rotavirus A isolated from Jeju Island, Korea. Equine Rotavirus A (ERVA) is a major cause of acute diarrhea in neonatal foals, leading to significant economic losses. Genetic variation and global transmission complicate disease control efforts. Objective: To analyze the complete genome of an ERVA strain from Jeju Island, Korea, and assess its genetic and phylogenetic relationships with global ERVA strains. Methods: Twenty-five fecal and swab samples were collected from diarrheic horses in Jeju during spring and summer 2025. Samples were screened using antigen testing and RT-PCR. One PCR-positive, antigen-test-positive sample was selected f...
Horse Anatomy and Art: Carlo Ruini. Carlo Ruini's Dell'Anotomia et dell'infirmità del cavallo (1598) is widely regarded as the first scientific treatise on veterinary anatomy. This paper reviews the historical circumstances of its composition and printing history, the structure and scientific content of its five anatomical books, the long-standing controversy over Ruini's authorship - including the plagiarisms it subsequently suffered - and the disputed attribution of its woodcut illustrations to artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Titian and Agostino Carracci. Ruini's description of the pulmonary circulation is situated within ...
Leptomeningeal dissemination of a poorly differentiated carcinoma involving the trigeminal ganglion in a horse: a case report. Neoplastic conditions involving cranial nerves are uncommon in horses and represent a significant diagnostic challenge. Leptomeningeal dissemination is a recognized mechanism of tumor progression in aggressive neoplasms but is rarely reported in this species. A 15-year-old mixed-breed horse with a history of periocular squamous cell carcinoma treated by enucleation three years earlier developed progressive neurological signs. Initial differential diagnoses included metastatic neoplasia and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. Due to rapid neurological deterioration, euthanasia and necropsy were...
The effect of intravenous fluids administered prior to competition: A randomized clinical. Administration of intravenous fluids prior to competition is common at major equestrian competitions, yet few studies have evaluated the benefits of this practice. Objective: The hypothesis was that pre-ride intravenous fluid therapy would be associated with a lower heart rate and improved laboratory hydration parameters during or after the ride. Methods: 14 client owned horses entered in a 45 km ride in extreme heat and terrain were randomly assigned to receive IV fluids (IVF) or no IV fluids (NIV) the day before the ride. Blood samples and physical examination findings were collected at 6 ti...
Longitudinal, Objective Fan-Beam Computed Tomographic Evaluation of the Distal Third Metacarpal Bone in 31 Non-Lame Showjumpers. Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly used in equine lameness diagnosis, but no objective CT findings have been documented in the fetlock of sport horses. The aim of this study was to describe the pattern and longitudinal changes of densification in the distal third metacarpal bone (McIII) in non-lame showjumpers using CT measurements. Fan-beam CT examination of both metacarpophalangeal regions was performed in 31 non-lame showjumpers in regular work, at four examinations (times 0-3) on 27, 21 and 10 horses, respectively, with a median interval of 10 months. Mean Hounsfield unit (HU) values...
Musculoskeletal examination of the hind limb of the horse. The intention of this tutorial video is to illustrate the methods of examining the hind limb and back of a horse in order to identify abnormalities that may be associated with lameness or disease. Unassigned: An 18-year-old quarter horse stallion was used for examination. Unassigned: The horse was examined for abnormalities using physical examination. Unassigned: The examination of the hind limb and epaxial region of the horse was successfully completed. Unassigned: The techniques described are required to identify abnormalities in the equine hind limb and can be utilized during a lameness exa...
Detection of Cyclosporine in Horse Hair After Ocular Implant Administration. This study describes the detection and temporal distribution of cyclosporine in equine hair following ocular implant administration in a Thoroughbred gelding. Mane hair samples were collected at 172- and 217-day post-implantation and analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) after alkaline hydrolysis and liquid-liquid extraction. The method achieved an estimated limit of detection of 0.1 pg/mg. Cyclosporine was detected in hair at both sampling time points, with segmental analysis revealing distribution patterns consistent with systemic exposure and incorporation ...
Monitoring Estra-4,9-Diene-3,17-Dione Exposure in Equine Hair. This study investigated the incorporation of estra-4,9-diene-3,17-dione (dienedione) and its metabolites into equine hair following exogenous administration and evaluates the potential application of hair analysis for long-term doping surveillance. Mane hair samples were collected from three Thoroughbred castrated horses before and after oral administration of dienedione and from untreated colts for comparison. Dienedione was detected in post-administration hair from all treated horses but was absent in corresponding pre-administration samples. Segmental distribution patterns indicated contrib...
Complications Following Nictitating Membrane Resection in Horses: 92 Eyes (2015-2024). The goal of this retrospective study is to evaluate the complications following nictitating membrane resection in horses with the aim of providing valuable information on the risks of this surgical procedure. Methods: 83 horses (92 eyes). Methods: Medical records for 83 horses that underwent nictitating membrane resection in 92 eyes between February 2015 and June 2024 were reviewed. Horses were included if they had at least 1 month of follow-up data available. Owners were contacted via telephone or email questionnaire to obtain follow-up information. Complications were recorded only when pre...
