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.
Riquelme LF, de Araújo VO, da Silva TKF, de Sousa MS, da Silva MA, da Silva WDQ, Lucena RB.Malachra fasciata Jacq. (Malvaceae) is an invasive plant widely found in Northeastern Brazil and has been experimentally demonstrated to cause severe dermatitis in sheep. However, its toxic effects in horses have not previously been documented. This report describes primary photosensitization in four Quarter Horses grazing on a pasture heavily infested with M. fasciata in Paraíba, Brazil. Affected animals developed alopecic, erythematous, crusted, and ulcerated lesions on sun-exposed areas, accompanied by severe pruritus and behavioral signs of distress. Histopathology revealed epidermal ulce...
Goetz M, Cremoux M, Lassalle L, Douet JY.To assess the efficacy and safety of Rose Bengal and green light corneal cross-linking (RGX) as an adjunctive treatment for complicated corneal ulcers and stromal abscesses in horses. Methods: A retrospective analysis included 81 horses (82 eyes) treated with RGX between 2018 and 2024. Cases involved complicated corneal diseases such as melting keratitis, fungal keratitis, deep stromal defects, and stromal abscesses. Treatment consisted of topical or iontophoretic administration of 1% Rose Bengal followed by green light irradiation (550 nm; 150 J/cm) for 10 min. Most procedures (76.8%) w...
D'el Rey Dantas FT, Forni G, Hallowell G, Castagnetti C, Menchetti L, Romito G, Lanci A, Mariella J, Freccero F.Bodyweight, age and breed influence the echocardiographic assessment of foals. There are no echocardiographic studies in Standardbred neonatal foals. Objective: To describe echocardiographic values for selected variables, evaluate intra- and inter-observer variability and assess cardiac changes in the first 5 days of life in healthy Standardbred neonatal foals. Methods: Prospective observational study. Methods: Fifty-six healthy Standardbred neonatal foals were examined by transthoracic echocardiography using standard right parasternal and subcostal views at three time points: in the first 4...
Hämäläinen MJ, Brotherus IL, Wigren HM, Kaimio TE, Suomala H, Olbricht AM, Hänninen LT, Mykkänen AK.Reduced rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep is associated with impaired learning in many species. We developed a reversal learning test (RLT) suitable for field conditions to explore this association in 16 healthy horses. Nocturnal REM-like sleep behavior was recorded five times for 48 h over a six-week period. The horses performed a target training task followed by an RLT using two objects. When the horses reached a predefined frequency of touching the object, the spatial location was reversed. Mean test parameters were statistically analysed using GENLIN models, longitudinal continuous variables...
Khalil WA, Sharf MI, Derbala MK, Alfattah MA, Hassan MAE, Alhujaili W, El-Harairy MA, Abdelnour SA.Oxidative stress is a major contributor to male infertility. Therefore, fortifying assisted reproductive technology with nanotechnology could enhance sperm preservation. Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of myo-inositol nano-emulsion (MINE) supplementation in semen extender on sperm quality, redox balance, semen bacteriology, apoptosis, ultrastructure, and acrosome status of chilled stallion semen. Methods: Semen samples were collected and preserved with 0 (MINE0), 1 (MINE1), and 2 (MINE2) mg of MINE/mL of extender. Results: Results revealed that extender fortified with 1 or 2 ...
Valente TC, Mendes RP, Miguel EL, Rafael LA, Ribeiro GSN, Souza AF, Fonteque JH.Regional intravenous limb perfusion (RILP) is widely used in equine practice for achieving high local antimicrobial concentrations while minimizing systemic exposure. However, certain drugs, including enrofloxacin, have been associated with vascular irritation and thrombosis, and their thrombogenic potential remains poorly characterized. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the thrombogenic potential of enrofloxacin administered via RILP in the cephalic vein of clinically healthy horses. Methods: Ten adult horses underwent RILP in both forelimbs: the right limb received 10 % enrofloxacin (1...
Ramsaran LN, Byron M, Parry S, Lection J, Back B, Grenier J, Cheong SH, Diel de Amorim M.Real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a technique that allows for the semi-quantification of mRNA transcripts present within a tissue of interest. Differences in the relative abundance of mRNA between samples detected by RT-qPCR require normalization with a reference gene or genes whose transcript abundance is stable within the tissue of interest independent of experimental conditions. In the field of equine reproductive studies, ACTB, GAPDH and B2M genes are the most widely used as reference genes for the normalization of RT-qPCR results. However,...
Rychtarova J, Fulka H, Loi P, Fulka J.In the mouse, spermatozoa are highly resistant to DNA damage, even when frozen without cryoprotectants, and can produce offspring when subsequently used for ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection). It is not known whether the same applies to other mammals as well. For example, in the horse, even conventional sperm freezing is still very problematic and frequently leads to sperm immobility. It has, however, never been tested whether sperm immobility also mirrors sperm head DNA damage, and if so, to what extent. In our study, we evaluated the damage to DNA in horse frozen and thawed motile and i...
de Chaisemartin C, Belluco S, Nottrott K.Dental masses such as odontogenic masses, heterotopic polydontia, or ectopic supernumerary teeth have been documented in the equine head. This is the first case report of a large maxillary sinus mass with 3 ectopic teeth in an adult horse. A 14-year-old warmblood gelding was presented for evaluation of chronic right-sided nasal discharge. After imaging exploration, surgery was performed on the standing horse with a conchofrontal sinus trephination and a large maxillary bone (MB) sinusotomy. The examinations revealed a sinusal mass in the right maxillary sinus covered by sinusal mucosa and surr...
Vernaccini M, de Marchi L, Bindi F, Meucci V, Sala G, Cingottini D, Sgorbini M.Antibiotics are essential in veterinary medicine, enhancing animal health and welfare. However, widespread use contributes to resistance, increasing the risk of treatment failure and the transmission to humans. Objective: Analyze antibiotic prescribing practices in an equine internal medicine unit, focusing on factors influencing use, particularly Highest Priority Critically Important Antimicrobials (HPCIAs). Methods: 1315 adult equids, including horses, donkeys and mules, presented for different diseases to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of the University of Pisa from 2011 to 2023. Re...
Latorre N, Gómez-Cuétara C, Cañizares E, Crespo F, Pérez-Aguilera V, Cuerda MI, Laborda-Gomariz JA, Soler AJ, Roldan ERS, Sanchez-Rodriguez A.Evaluating semen quality in Purebred Spanish Horses is essential to determine reproductive potential and optimize assisted reproductive techniques. Objective: This study compared several sperm analysis methods in Purebred Spanish Horses to standardize protocols suitable for both laboratory and field conditions. Methods: Fifteen stallions were evaluated through three ejaculates, analyzing sperm parameters using different techniques. Sperm kinematics was assessed by Sperm Computer Analyzer (SCA-CASA) or iSperm mCASA. Viability was analyzed by eosin-nigrosin-Giemsa (ENG) staining or Hoechst 33258...
Loosley H, Rehbein LS, Lima EMM, Blake R.Elevated pressures beneath training rollers during the Pessoa training aid (PTA) use have been reported, particularly over the thoracic region, which may contribute to back discomfort. Objective: To investigate the effect of different pads on pressures and forces beneath a training roller during lunging with a PTA. Methods: Six clinically sound horses (13.8 ± 5.2 years) were lunged on a 16-m circle in trot and canter using a randomised crossover design under three conditions: no padding (Pad 1), a folded cotton saddle cloth (Pad 2), and a purpose-made roller foam pad (Pad 3). Kinetic data wer...
Danese T, Asti V, Ablondi M, Raspa F, Cavallini D, Valle E.Colic represents one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in equine medicine, with nutritional management recognized as a key modifiable factor influencing postoperative recovery. However, guiding principles for nutritional enteral support in horses after colic remain limited, and current practices are largely empirical. Objective: This scoping review aimed to (1) examine enteral nutritional support protocols reported in literature through a scoping review to map the available evidence on equine clinical nutrition in the context of colic, and (2) propose a physiology-based interpre...
Wickizer LF, Burk SV, Lehman JS.Red maple toxicosis arises when horses consume wilted maple leaves, resulting in methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia due to oxidative damage to erythrocytes. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine how maple species (red versus Freeman maple) and horse characteristics, management, and barn site contributed to in vitro methemoglobin production and hemolysis. Methods: Horse information was obtained through an owner questionnaire. Extracts from red and Freeman maple leaves were separately incubated with washed erythrocytes from each horse (n=120). The in vitro percentage methem...
Mackowski M, Kajdasz A, Laskowska K, Cieslak J.Although serological and genetic studies of equine blood group systems have been conducted for many years, the molecular basis of erythrocyte antigens' variability has remained largely unexplored. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the genetic basis of serological variation within equine blood group K. Using mRNA extracted from peripheral blood samples (n = 100) collected from horses with known serological blood types (Ka or K-), we performed a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS), which revealed a significantly associated region on equine chromosome 2 (ECA2). A detailed analysis ...
Rinnovati R, Meistro F, Ralletti MV, D'Angelo P, Spadari A, Zingariello E, Pollera C, Stancampiano L.In horses, surgical site infections (SSIs) are multifactorial complications influenced by patient-related, procedural, and environmental factors. While perioperative contamination has been extensively studied in the operating theater, the anesthetic induction and recovery environment has received limited attention. The aim of this study was to characterize bacterial contamination within an equine anesthetic induction and recovery stall and to evaluate its spatial and temporal distribution. Environmental samples were collected from four predefined locations within the stall at three time points...
So YM, Kwok WH, Yuen SMS, Wong COL, Ho ENM.Despite the recent success in introducing supramolecular solvents (SUPRAS)-based extraction to drug analysis, its application and robustness in day-to-day regular urine testing have yet to be demonstrated. Moreover, the applicability of SUPRAS in equine doping control testing remains unexplored. In this work, we have successfully developed for the first time a simple, rapid, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly SUPRAS extraction method for analyzing 76 prohibited substances of different classes (selective androgen receptor modulators, hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors...
Aliani C, Lorenzetto Bologna C, Francia P, Bocchi L.Standing equine computed tomography (CT) acquisitions are susceptible to residual postural sway, which can introduce view-inconsistent motion and degrade image quality. External optical tracking based on ChArUco fiducials is a promising, low-cost strategy to enable projection-wise motion compensation, yet quantitative guidance on how camera-marker geometry affects pose-estimation performance remains limited. This CT-motivated benchtop study characterizes how the relative camera-ChArUco configuration influences both the accuracy (bias with respect to ground truth) and the precision (repeatabili...
Lewczuk D, Borowska A, Maśko M, Bagnicka E.: Knowledge of the genetic background of evaluated traits has been the basis for genetic progress in every horse-breeding population and is essential for precise breeding and up-to-date decision-making. The study aimed to estimate the heritability coefficients for field performance traits in mares. : The research was based on 1408 evaluations of mares conducted during the years 2002-2021 in 51 training centers in Poland. The preliminary analyses of the effects, significant for the investigated traits, were obtained using analysis of variance, and these additional data are also presented (SAS p...
DeClue A, Workman K, May-Davis S.To date, radiographically identifying the bony landmarks relevant to diagnosing the complete C6 aplasia of the caudal lamina ventralis (C6 aCLV4) has not been described. Furthermore, a gross study has identified C6 aCLV4 as the main correlation between transposition of the CLV from C6 to C7, where coinciding neck pain was commonly reported. This study aimed to identify C6 aCLV4 in radiographs, where the outcome might benefit equine practitioners in isolating neck pain. Initially, the relevant bony landmarks were radiographically determined from a normal C6 by applying a lateral 30° dorsal-ven...
Tyrnenopoulou P, Kalatzis D, Kiouvrekis Y, Flouraki E, Folias L, Loukopoulos E, Starras A, Chalvatzis P, Tsioli V, Mavrogianni VS, Fthenakis GC.The objective of the present study was to apply supervised Machine Learning to predict severe complications after equine orchiectomy. A dataset of 612 cases of orchiectomies in stallions was used for the development of a computational model, among which in 8.5% of cases severe complications (colic, continued stallion-like behaviour, evisceration, funiculitis, haemorrhage, and scrotal infection) were diagnosed post-orchiectomy. Three supervised Machine Learning tools were employed: Logistic Regression (12 different models evaluated), Random Forest (64 models), and Gradient Boosting (8 models). ...
Gentilini F, Ogundipe TG, Turba ME, Romagnoli N, Lambertini C, Pollera C, Cremonesi P, Stancampiano L.Gastrointestinal nematode infections significantly impact equine health and welfare, with rising anthelmintic resistance demanding alternative control strategies. Emerging evidence suggests that parasitic nematodes harbour distinct microbiomes, potentially influencing host-parasite dynamics and parasite survival. This study aimed to characterize and compare the microbiomes of equine gastrointestinal nematodes and their hosts, focusing on differences in composition, diversity, and core microbiota structure across different intestinal sites, nematode subfamilies, and sexes. Faecal and nematode s...
Turcotte GK, O'Sullivan TL, Spence KL, Winder CB, Greer AL.Biosecurity plays an important role in the prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks in the equine population. With competition organizers responsible for implementing and upholding biosecurity requirements at competitions, it is important to understand the biosecurity landscape at these locations where Ontario horses commonly travel and interact in large group settings. Unassigned: The objective of this study was to describe the perspectives, challenges and experiences of competition organizers of both sanctioned and unsanctioned events in Ontario, Canada regarding implementing e...
Nelson BB, Easley JT.Ventral cervical stabilization remains the primary surgical approach, in general, for horses with spinal cord compression. Advancements in volumetric imaging offer a more comprehensive understanding of central nervous system dysfunction elucidating that other modes of compression exist. Minimally invasive instrumentation and computer-assisted surgery are expanding therapeutic possibilities for cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy, radiculopathy, vertebral fractures, and intracranial or intraspinal masses. Emerging techniques-such as articular process joint fixation, targeted decompression...
Page AE, McPeek JL, McGreevy E, Carattini S, Adam EN.Intra-articular (IA) corticosteroids can cause hyperinsulinemia, which can subsequently increase the risk of laminitis, particularly in horses with insulin dysregulation (ID). Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), a drug class that is being utilised more commonly in horses with insulin dysregulation, could potentially be used to control post-IA corticosteroid hyperinsulinemia. Objective: To determine whether treatment with the SGLT2i drug ertugliflozin decreases hyperinsulinemia following intra-articular corticosteroid administration in metabolically normal horses. Methods: Prosp...
Konstantinović N, Gotić J, Baban M, Csik G, Listeš E, Gagović E, Jurković Žilić D, Arežina I, Šubara G, Čulina FE, Delić N, Višal D....Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) are uncultivable, cell wall-less bacteria that parasitizeon the surface of red blood cells of mammals, potentially causing anemia and other systemic signs. While widely distributed among domestic and wild animals, their occurrence in equids remains poorly understood, and no species has been identified as host-specific to horses or donkeys. This study presents the first systematic survey of hemoplasmas in equids from southeastern Europe and only the second molecularly confirmed case in horses in Europe. A total of 843 equids (817 horses and 26 donkeys) from ...
Loncar KD, Ortis HA, Foss RR.Production of embryos via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a common clinical procedure in equine practice. A recent study indicates that treatment of mares with phenylbutazone paste significantly lowers blastocyst production after ICSI of recovered oocytes. The current study was conducted to determine the effect of different methods of phenylbutazone administration on in vitro embryo production of recovered oocytes in mares. Unassigned: In study 1 (July 29 through September 18, 2024), 14 mares received either oral liquid phenylbutazone once daily for 10 days or no treatment. On the l...
Tramboo SR, Shahardar RA, Allaie IM, Bulbul KH.Benzimidazole (BZ) anthelmintics have been used indiscriminately in equids to control nematode infections throughout the world including India and has led to the development of BZ resistance. In order to determine the current status of BZ resistance in equids of Kashmir against intestinal strongyles (IS), the present study was conducted using faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) and Allele specific PCR (AS-PCR). The study was conducted on ponies from three major tourist destinations of Kashmir viz; Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg in accordance with the WAAVP guidelines. The animals which wer...
Beggan CP, Panizzi L, Oliver LJ.To measure microsphere recovery following needle-through-and-through lavage (NTAT) of the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joint (fetlock) and digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) compared to endoscopic lavage (EL). Methods: Ex vivo experimental study. Methods: Adult equine cadavers immediately following euthanasia (n = 10). Methods: Colored 15 μm microspheres (2 million) were injected into fetlock joints and DFTS. Synovial structures were assigned to NTAT or EL groups. Each lavage was performed using 5 L of 0.9% NaCl, sequentially collecting egress fluid for microsphere quantification. Re...
Luis-Calero M, Marinaro F, Muñoz-García CC, Fernández-Hernández P, Ortiz-Rodríguez JM, Fernández-González R, Pericuesta E, Gutiérrez-Adán A....In vitro embryo production is widely used in equine clinical reproduction; however, its efficiency remains suboptimal due to the undermined developmental competence of in vitro-matured oocytes. In this work, we evaluated the effect of mare preovulatory follicular fluid (PFF) secretome supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM) of equine oocytes recovered post-mortem. Secretome was isolated from PFF and was added to the IVM medium at concentrations of 20 µg/ml (S20) or 40 µg/ml (S40). The percentage of mature oocytes, as well as embryo cleavage, blastocyst development, and gene expr...
