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Topic:Equine Research
Equine biomechanics involves the study of the mechanical principles that govern the movement and structure of horses. This field examines the anatomical and physiological aspects that contribute to locomotion, including gait patterns, joint function, and muscle dynamics. Researchers utilize advanced technologies such as motion capture and force plate analysis to assess the efficiency and performance of equine movement. Understanding biomechanics aids in optimizing training regimens, improving performance, and preventing injuries. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the mechanics of equine movement, its applications in sports and rehabilitation, and its impact on overall equine health.
Derivation of Equine Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells via the Neural Crest Pathway and Characterisation by Immunophenotype and Tri-Lineage Differentiation. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) hold promise for treating different equine conditions but enter senescence during culture. Using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to derive MSC-like cells (iMSCs) can increase cell availability and diminish the need for invasive and repeated tissue harvesting. While human iMSCs are intensively studied, research on equine iMSCs (eqiMSCs) is very limited and has focused on strategies for spontaneous differentiation to obtain these cells. The aim of this study was to obtain MSC-like cells from equine iPSCs (eqiPSCs) by directing their differentiation vi...
Use of Intraperitoneal Lidocaine in Horses Undergoing Laparotomy for Colic. Perioperative lidocaine is widely used in horses with acute abdomen for its analgesic, prokinetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-endotoxic effects, although evidence of its visceral analgesic efficacy remains inconclusive. Given the potential of alternative routes of administration for local anaesthetics, this prospective, randomised, unblinded clinical trial evaluated whether intraperitoneal (IP) lidocaine improves early postoperative recovery, including recovery from anaesthesia and the first 24 h after laparotomy for colic. A Multifactorial Numerical Rating Composite Pain Scale for equines wa...
Industry Perceptions of Thoroughbred Racehorse Emotions and Quality of Life: Implications for the Development of an Equine Quality of Life Assessment Tool. Understanding how horses experience their lives is essential for improving their welfare, particularly in high-performance industries such as horseracing. Quality of Life (QoL) frameworks highlight the balance between positive and negative experiences over time, yet there is limited evidence on how racing professionals assess horse emotions and QoL, especially positive emotional states. This study reports findings from an international online survey of 230 racing industry participants. It explored confidence in assessing racehorse emotions, the perceived importance of emotional state for perfo...
Ovarian follicle dynamics in the plains zebra (Equus quagga). Understanding follicular dynamics during the estrous cycle is essential for developing breeding programs and assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in any species. In this context, knowledge of follicular dynamics and related uterine changes in the plains zebra (Equus quagga) is essential to increase the declining population of this vital African species and to provide comparative insights into more endangered zebra species. Likely due to the difficulty of handling these wild species, no detailed reproductive study using ultrasonography has been performed in any zebra. Therefore, the presen...
Use of strain and shear wave elastography in the ultrasonographic evaluation of the intermediate patellar ligament in horses: comparison and consistency of data. The clinical significance and ultrasonographic features of intermediate patellar ligament (IPL) desmopathy in horses are still debated and considered nonspecific. Elastosonography allows assessment of tissue elasticity in response to an external stimulus. The aim of the study was to describe the elastosonographic characteristics of the equine IPL, evaluate the feasibility of both strain (SE) and two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE), and assess the consistency of the data obtained from these techniques. 20 adult horses of mixed breed, sex and athletic use were selected and allocated...
Farm Atmosphere: Calm Attention and Mobility Characterise Positive Horse Welfare. On-farm welfare assessment of equines is a challenge given the large diversity of management practices, especially in terms of housing and activities. In our study, we tested time budget measures as a complementary tool to more conventional welfare indicators (e.g., stereotypic behaviours, ear position while foraging, neck shape). We observed 174 horses living in eight facilities (in their home environment) for which data on management practices and welfare were available. Time budget was assessed using the scan sampling method (1 min scan sampling over 30 min; 33 scans), while welfare assessm...
Myofascial trigger points as a primary cause of equine lameness: a biomechanical, neurophysiological, and fascial review. Equine lameness diagnosis is dominated by a joint- and tendon-centric paradigm. The standard diagnostic algorithm relies on gait observation, perineural and intrasynovial anesthesia, and cross-sectional imaging. It is directed almost exclusively at skeletal and articular structures. Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are hypersensitive, hyperirritable loci within taut bands of skeletal muscle. They produce local and referred pain on compression or contraction. In horses, MTrPs are a clinically relevant but systematically overlooked source of primary lameness. This review synthesises evidence fr...
Comparison of Two Different Finite Element Modeling Pipelines for Virtual Mechanical Testing of The Distal Third Metacarpal Bone In Thoroughbred Racehorses. Condylar stress fracture of the third metacarpal bone (MC3) in Thoroughbred racehorses is a common catastrophic injury and identification of horses at heightened risk remains subjective. Standing computed tomography (sCT) is a practical screening tool that enables patient-specific finite element analysis (FEA) of the distal MC3 and prediction of subchondral bone strain, as a potential objective classifier of racehorses at heightened risk. The goal of this study was to compare two independently developed sCT-based subject-specific FEA pipelines for virtual mechanical testing of the distal MC3. ...
Effects of supplementing concentrates with different energy levels on growth performance, blood indicators, and fecal microbiota of Mongolian horses in late gestation. Horse breeding and management have a globally extensive history, with horses serving vital roles in transportation, warfare, agriculture, and cultural activities. In China, particularly in Inner Mongolia, the horse industry faces challenges such as harsh winters and limited nutritional research for local breeds, especially during late gestation. This critical period is essential for fetal development and maternal health, and inadequate nutrition can lead to complications like nutritional abortions and poor foal growth. Similar issues exist worldwide in cold climates or regions with seasonal pa...
Effects of acupuncture on stride, speed, and heart rate variability in Thoroughbred racehorses. Thoroughbred racehorses are at increased risk of injury during race preparations and trials, primarily due to intensive workloads that predispose them to musculoskeletal injuries. Evaluating clinical interventions to improve health and prevent injury is essential for addressing animal welfare concerns. This study investigated the medium-term effects of acupuncture on stride, speed and cardiac autonomic regulation (assessed via heart rate variability [HRV]), in Thoroughbred flat racehorses. This prospective, randomised, parallel-group study included an intervention and a control group. Thirty T...
Radiographic and Morphological Prevalence of Dorsopalmar Hoof Distortions in in Brazilian High-Performance Racehorses. Although racehorses represent a dominant segment in equine industry, there are growing concerns regarding injury prevention, with hoof conformation increasingly recognized as a contributing factor. Objective: To morphologically and radiographically evaluate the forelimb digits of racehorses at the São Paulo Jockey Club in order to determine the prevalence of dorsopalmar hoof distortions and to compare morphological and radiographic methods for assessing the hoof-pastern axis. Methods: The forelimb digits of 59 thoroughbred horses aged 3 to 4 years were evaluated using standardized photographi...
Synchronization dynamics between rider and saddle motion across gaits revealed by IMU analysis. Effective rider-horse coordination is essential for performance and welfare, yet objective, field-based quantification of rider-saddle synchronization across gaits remains limited. Objective: To quantify dynamic synchronization between rider motion and saddle motion (as a proxy for horse trunk oscillations) across walk, trot, and canter using a minimal inertial measurement unit (IMU) setup, and to determine whether synchronization differs between rider body segments. Methods: Two experienced riders (8-20 years riding experience) rode their own or familiar warmblood horses (n = 2; age 6-14 year...
The effect of dynamic mobilization exercises and therapeutic trunk exercises on superficial epaxial and hypaxial muscle activity in horses. Equine back rehabilitation commonly integrates dynamic mobilization exercises (DME), including DME to the chest (DMEChest) and DME to the hip (DMEHip), and therapeutic trunk (TTE) exercises, including pelvic rounding (Rounding), and lateral tail pulls (LatTail). However, limited evidence supports their use for selectively activating trunk muscles. Objective: To quantify and compare superficial epaxial and hypaxial muscle activity during selected DMEs and TTEs using surface electromyography (sEMG). Increased muscle activity was hypothesized across exercises, specifically in external abdominal o...
Pharmacokinetics of Diclazuril in the Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid of Healthy Adult Horses After a Single Oral Dose Administered as a Pelleted Topdressing. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis can cause acute infections with rapid onset of neurologic signs, necessitating immediate empiric therapy with antiprotozoal medication. The objective of the study was to identify when concentrations of diclazuril reached the MIC of Sarcocystis neurona in CSF (1 ng/mL) of healthy adult horses after a single oral dose. Six healthy adult horses were used. Blood and CSF were collected from indwelling intravenous jugular catheters and intrathecal catheters in the lumbosacral space prior to drug administration and then at 1-, 4-, 8-, 12-, 16-, 24-, 48-, 72-, 96-,...
Proteomic signatures of equine dental tooth tissues in ageing and disease. Ageing and dental disease in horses lead to structural and functional deterioration of dental tissues, yet their molecular signatures remain poorly characterised. Understanding how these processes alter the protein composition of enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp is essential for improving equine oral health and identifying biomarkers of degeneration. Objective: To characterise the proteomic profiles of equine dental tissues and determine age- and disease-associated changes, with the aim of identifying proteins consistently altered across conditions. Methods: Ex vivo proteomic study. Methods: ...
Clinical Outcomes Following Intra-Articular Administration of Autologous Muscle-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Horses with Chronic Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Open-Label Study. Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are increasingly investigated as intra-articular therapies for equine osteoarthritis (OA), although most studies have focused on allogeneic or combination-based approaches. Evidence supporting the use of autologous MSCs as a stand-alone treatment remains limited. The present study evaluated the safety and clinical evolution following intra-articular administration of autologous muscle-derived MSCs (mdMSCs) in horses with naturally occurring chronic OA. Thirteen horses with confirmed clinical disease were included. Each affected joint received a single inje...
Macroscale and microscale mechanical and biochemical properties of the equine superficial digital flexor tendon are regionally dependent. To examine regional mechanical and biochemical differences across the length of the equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT). Unassigned: Equine SDFTs were collected postmortem from 9 donors and divided into proximal, middle, and distal regions based on the location of the musculotendinous and osteotendinous junctions. Tensile testing was performed on samples to obtain macroscale mechanical properties, and atomic force microscopy was done to obtain microscale mechanical properties. Biochemical assays and histological staining were done to assess glycosaminoglycan (GAG), collagen, and DN...
LC-HRMS detection of three ionizable lipids in equine plasma: surrogate markers for long-term LNP-mediated gene-doping surveillance. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are essential delivery vehicles for messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based therapies. However, their potential misuse as gene-doping agents in horse racing and equestrian sports necessitates robust analytical surveillance. This study presents a highly sensitive, Orbitrap technology-driven liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) method for the simultaneous detection of three clinically relevant ionizable lipids: ALC-0315, SM-102, and DLin-MC3-DMA (MC3), which are critical components of approved RNA therapeutics and vaccines. Following a modi...
Structural Features of the Equine Small Intestinal Mesenteric Attachment Predisposing to Rupture. Rupture of equine small intestine with formation of a pouch of ingesta within the mesentery has been reported in clinical colic cases. Multiple ex-vivo studies using anastomosed jejunum observed rupture into the mesentery, distant to the anastomosis. Both scenarios suggest the jejunum is predisposed to rupture at the mesenteric attachment. The aim of the study is to 1) document the location at which equine jejunal segments rupture when subjected to high intraluminal pressures, 2) identify predisposing anatomical features that may confer weakness at the point of rupture and 3) demonstrate jejun...
Evaluating hormonal levels in plasma and saliva as temperament indicators in horses. Assessing the temperament of horses is important to ensure their welfare, management, and safety. This study evaluated the plasma-saliva relationships for cortisol, oxytocin, and serotonin, and explored their associations with temperament traits in 40 horses using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Significant correlations were observed between cortisol (r = 0.441) and oxytocin (r = 0.587) concentrations, whereas serotonin showed a weak correlation (r = 0.133). Bland-Altman analysis revealed acceptable agreement for cortisol but substantial individual variability for oxytocin, despite its str...
Vaginal host-microbe signatures linked to placental outcomes in mares. Ascending placentitis is a leading cause of late-term pregnancy loss in mares. Although pathogens are presumed to ascend from the caudal reproductive tract, the association between the vaginal microbiome and placentitis has not been systematically examined. Objective: To characterise microbial and host gene expression in the equine vagina during gestation and to identify taxa or transcripts that were associated with the presence of an abnormal placenta at birth. Methods: Prospective, paired observational study. Methods: Vaginal wall swabs were collected from 49 multiparous Thoroughbred mares a...
Air pollution exposure during training impairs performance in Thoroughbred racehorses. Ambient air pollution contributes substantially to human morbidity and mortality, and athletes are recognised as a particularly vulnerable group. However, little is known about the impact of air pollution on equine athletes. Objective: To explore the relationship between air pollution exposure during the pre-competition training period and race day performance among Thoroughbred racehorses that competed on California racetracks. Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study. Methods: For each winning horse, pollutant exposure during the 21-day pre-competition training period was assigned using d...
Lacrimal caruncula thermography overestimates rectal temperature in horses: Influence of camera type and measurement distance. Rectal temperature (RT) is the gold standard for assessing body temperature in horses, but handling and welfare concerns limit its use. Thermography of the lacrimal caruncula (LC) has been proposed as a noncontact alternative, although its accuracy may be influenced by device characteristics and measurement distance. Objective: To evaluate agreement between LC thermography and RT in horses, compare two infrared thermal cameras and determine the effect of camera-to-subject distance on measurement bias and variability. Methods: LC temperature was recorded at 0.5, 1 and 2 using two cameras (IR Fl...
Insights from healthy mares reveal that mammalian uteri harbor a diverse virome. The Earth's estimated 10 virions, primarily phages, significantly impact microbial ecosystems. Despite their abundance, viromes remain relatively understudied-particularly in domestic animals. While recent studies have described a dynamic commensal microbiome in mammalian uteri, no research has yet characterized the commensal virome in a mammalian uterus. In this study, we report for the first time the presence of a sparse, but diverse native virome in the equine uterus. The resulting virome database consists of 513 non-redundant viral genomes (> 2 kb). Taxonomic annotations revealed the...
Long-Read Sequencing for Species-Level Resolution of the Equine Gut Microbiota Reveals the Need for Improved Databases. Differences in gut microbiota composition related to diet have been reported in horses, but characterization of specific microbial taxa remains limited, particularly at the species level. The objective of this study was to use long-read sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to provide additional taxonomic insight into the intestinal microbiota in horses. Fecal samples were collected from 12 horses on pasture and from 6 of them after switching to a hay diet. Sequencing yielded low read counts per sample, and the analysis failed to detect statistical differences in alpha- and beta-diversity among diet...
The impact of barefoot racing in young Swedish trotters on career length. In several European countries, racing without shoes, i.e., barefoot, is a common strategy in trotting races to improve the speed of the horse. Why some trotters can race barefoot without damage to the hoof from excessive wear and others cannot, has been shown to partly be explained by differences in hoof composition. In particular, durable hind hooves are believed to be important to sustain racing without shoes. Also, variation in the proportion of the races the horse races with barefoot hind hooves, has been shown to be affected by genetic differences in Swedish Standardbred trotters (SB) and...
A novel flowable calcium silicate cement for endodontic therapy in equine teeth. Equine endodontic treatment for apical infections is performed infrequently due to anatomical and accessibility challenges of equine cheek teeth. However, the alternative of extraction is not without risk and lifelong implications for the horse. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), a calcium silicate cement (CSC), has been used successfully in human dentistry for decades. MTA and other CSCs demonstrate excellent biocompatibility with favourable antimicrobial and physicochemical properties. These characteristics may support their application as an alternative filling material when used in equine e...
FGF2, LIF, and IGF1 supplementation during in vitro maturation or culture improves equine ICSI embryo development in an age-dependent manner. Ovum pickup (OPU) combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has reshaped equine assisted reproduction, enabling embryo production from mares and stallions with constrained breeding opportunities; however, limited efficiency of in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro culture (IVC) continues to hinder embryo production. Growth factor supplementation with fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) in combination (FLI) has been shown to enhance oocyte and embryo developmental competence in several species. Objective: This...
Sensitive and selective quantification of elcatonin in equine plasma and urine using LC-FAIMS-MS/MS. The use of drugs for enhancing bone strength is prohibited under international regulations governing horse racing and equestrian sports. Elcatonin, a synthetic peptide with analgesic and bone-strengthening properties, is routinely monitored for compliance. However, its cyclic structure and high molecular weight hinder reliable detection. In this study, we developed and validated a sensitive liquid chromatography-high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantifying elcatonin in equine plasma and urine. Sample preparation was optimised via weak...
Telomere-to-telomere Genome Assembly of Equus kiang (Tibetan wild donkey). The Tibetan wild donkey (Equus kiang) is an endemic equid species inhabiting the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, exhibiting remarkable chromosomal diversity within the Equus genus. Here we present a chromosome-level, telomere-to-telomere genome assembly for E. kiang generated using Illumina short reads, PacBio HiFi long reads, and Hi-C sequencing data. The final assembly spans 4.02 Gb and comprises 27 pseudochromosomes. Specifically, 8 chromosomes are gapless, 8 chromosomes have one gap, 7 chromosomes have 2-4 gaps, and the remaining 4 chromosomes have five or more gaps. Benchmarking Universal Single...
