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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.
Corneal esthesiometry in the healthy horse. To determine corneal sensitivity in healthy adult horses in order to establish reference values. Methods: One hundred eyes of 50 healthy adult horses. Methods: Corneal sensitivity was determined by evaluating the corneal touch threshold (CTT) in five different corneal regions using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. Results: Comparing CTT values (in mm filament length) of the five prescribed corneal regions revealed regional variations in corneal sensitivity, with the central region (21.15 +/- 6.23 mm) being the most sensitive, followed by the nasal (20.75 +/- 5.14 mm), temporal (20.70 +/- 5.37 mm...
Development and comparison of in vivo and in vitro models for endometritis in cows and mares. In order to investigate pathogenic mechanisms of acute endometritis in cows and mares, we established an in vivo model in both species. Based on the results of an in vitro transmigration system, human recombinant interleukin-8 (rhIL-8; 1.25 microg per mare and 5 microg per cow in 50 ml phosphate-buffered saline) was used to attract polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes (PMNs) into the uteri. Peak numbers of uterine neutrophils were attracted after 6h, in both cows and mares. On average, mares responded more sensitively than cows, with 15 times higher numbers of rhIL-8-attracted uterine neu...
Ontogeny of uteroplacental progestagen production in pregnant mares during the second half of gestation. In pregnant mares during late gestation, little, if any, progesterone (P4) is found in the maternal circulation. Hence, quiescence of the equine uterus is believed to be maintained by metabolites of pregnenolone and P4 known as progestagens, which are produced by the uteroplacental tissues. However, little is known about the ontogeny, distribution, or actual rates of uteroplacental progestagen production in pregnant mares and their fetuses during the second half of pregnancy. Therefore, the present study measured the rates of uteroplacental uptake and output of eight specific progestagens in c...
An introductory survey of helminth control practices in south africa and anthelmintic resistance on Thoroughbred stud farms in the Western Cape Province. Fifty-one per cent of 110 questionnaires, designed for obtaining information on helminth control practices and management on Thoroughbred stud farms in South Africa, were completed by farmers during 2000. The number of horses per farm included in the questionnaire survey ranged from 15 to 410. Foals, yearlings and adult horses were treated with anthelmintics at a mean of 7.3 +/- 3.0, 6.6 +/- 2.7 and 5.3 +/- 2.3 times per year, respectively. An average of 3.4 different drugs were used annually, with ivermectin being used bymost farmers during 1997-2000. On 43% of farms the weights of horses wer...
Cytoskeleton and chromatin reorganization in horse oocytes following intracytoplasmic sperm injection: patterns associated with normal and defective fertilization. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the method of choice for fertilizing horse oocytes in vitro. Nevertheless, for reasons that are not yet clear, embryo development rates are low. The aims of this study were to examine cytoskeletal and chromatin reorganization in horse oocytes fertilized by ICSI or activated parthenogenetically. Additional oocytes were injected with a sperm labeled with a mitochondrion-specific vital dye to help identify the contribution of the sperm to zygotic structures, in particular the centrosome. Oocytes were fixed at set intervals after sperm injection and exami...
Flash electroretinography in standing horses using the DTL microfiber electrode. The goal of our study was the evaluation of a practical method for the recording of flash electroretinograms (ERGs) in sedated, standing horses with the DTL microfiber electrode. Methods: The horses were sedated intravenously with detomidine hydrochloride (0.015 mg/kg). The pupil was dilated and the auriculopalpebral nerve was blocked. The ERGs were recorded with the active electrode on the cornea (DTL), the reference electrode near the lateral canthus, and the ground electrode over the occipital bone. The light intensities of the white strobe light were 0.03 cd x s/m2 (scotopic) and 3 cd x s/...
Effect of daily clenbuterol and exogenous melatonin treatment on body fat, serum leptin and the expression of seasonal anestrus in the mare. A small percentage of mature mares continue to exhibit estrous cyclicity during the non-breeding season which is of interest because of the importance of timing of the breeding season to the equine breeding industry. Previously, it was demonstrated that the continuation of estrous cycles was more likely to occur in mature than young mares. Additionally, an apparent association exists between elevated body fat and increased circulating concentrations of leptin, and the occurrence of estrous cycles during the non-breeding season. Two experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that pharmac...
Genetic relationship between Mongolian and Norwegian horses? Human populations of Central Asian origin have contributed genetic material to northern European populations. It is likely that migrating humans carried livestock to ensure food and ease transportation. Thus, eastern genes could also have dispersed to northern European livestock populations. Using microsatellite data, we here report that the essentially different genetic distances DA and (deltamu)2 and their corresponding phylogenetic trees show close associations between the Mongolian native horse and northern European horse breeds. The genetic distances between the northern European breeds a...
Matrix-assisted laser-desorption time-of flight ionisation and high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation mass spectral analyses of two glycosylated recombinant epoetins. Mass spectrometric analyses of the recombinant proteins in Eprex and Aranesp were undertaken with the goal of producing reference mass spectra and evaluating strategies to improve its applicability as a method for equine and canine doping control of these substances. A simple, low chemical noise deglycosylation reaction removed microheterogeneity due to post-translational carbohydrate attachment and both proteins were detectable using MALDI-TOF-MS. Deglycosylated human erythropoietin (hEPO) was also detected using HPLC-ESI-MS. This is the first time that spectra of deglycosylated Eprex and Ara...
Use of an isolated intestinal circuit to evaluate the effect of ischemia and reperfusion on mucosal permeability of the equine jejunum. To evaluate the efficacy of an isolated perfusion circuit and the effect of ischemia-reperfusion on mucosal permeability of the jejunum. Methods: In vitro study of intestinal mucosal permeability. Methods: Twelve healthy adult horses. Methods: A control segment of jejunum was placed in an isolated perfusion circuit for 240 minutes and mucosal permeability was measured. After detecting no deleterious effects of the isolated system on the control intestine, low flow ischemia was created in experimental segments for 20, 40, 60 and 90 minutes followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion and mucosal perme...
Activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in reproductive tissues of the stallion and effects of angiotensin II on sperm motility. A testis-specific isoform of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has been identified in a number of mammalian species. The purpose of this study was to characterize the activity of ACE in equine spermatozoa, seminal plasma, and testis. Activity of ACE was determined in seminal plasma, ejaculated and epididymal spermatozoa from mature stallions as well as from pre- and postpubertal testis. The effect of addition of angiotensin II on equine sperm motility was also evaluated. The activity of ACE in detergent extracted sperm plasma membrane was approximately 13-fold higher than that detected in se...
Study of crib-biting and gastric inflammation and ulceration in young horses. Nineteen young horses that had recently started to perform the stereotypy of crib-biting were compared with 16 non-stereotypic horses for 14 weeks. After initial observations of their behaviour and an endoscopic examination of the condition of their stomachs, the horses were randomly allocated to a control or an antacid diet At the start of the trial, the stomachs of the crib-biting foals were significantly more ulcerated and inflamed than the stomachs of the normal foals. In addition, the faecal pH of the crib-biting foals (6.05) was significantly lower than that of the normal foals (6.58). T...
The influence of ageing and exercise on tendon growth and degeneration–hypotheses for the initiation and prevention of strain-induced tendinopathies. Strain-induced tendinopathy is a common injury in both human and equine athletes, with increasing incidence associated with greater involvement in sport and an increasingly aged population. This paper reviews our studies on the abundant non-collagenous protein, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), in equine tendons. Its variation between tendon type and site, age and exercise has provided an insight into how age and exercise influence tendon growth and maturation. Tendons can be broadly divided into two types, reflecting their different matrix composition and function: the energy-storin...
Seasonal serum concentrations of melatonin in cycling and noncycling mares. To determine whether secretory patterns of melatonin change throughout the seasons in mares, blood samples were drawn byvenipuncture from nine mares at noon and midnight for five successive days at monthly intervals from August through July at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. In addition, during September, December, March, and June, blood samples were drawn from indwelling catheters at 2-h intervals for 48 or 72 h. Mares were predominantly Quarter Horses weighing approximately 450 kg and ranged from 3 to 12 yr of age. Mares were housed in outdoor paddocks with three-sided run-in she...
Stable isotope (13C, 15N and 34S) analysis of the hair of modern humans and their domestic animals. Relationships between dietary status and recent migration were examined by delta(13)C, delta(15)N and delta(34)S analysis of hair samples from 43 modern humans living in a rural community in SW England. The isotopic content of 38 'local' hair samples was compared with that of five recently arrived individuals (from Canada, Chile, Germany and the USA). Hair samples from domestic animals (i.e. mainly cats, dogs, cows and horses) were analysed to examine the difference in delta(13)C, delta(15)N and delta(34)S values between herbivores and carnivores. Generally, modern human hair data from the tri...
Comparative mapping in equids: the asine X chromosome is rearranged compared to horse and Hartmann’s mountain zebra. The X chromosomes of the extant equids, in general, share morphology and banding pattern similarities. However, the donkey X is, in part, an exception because of significantly different centromeric index and variant banding patterns in the pericentromeric region. To verify the underlying molecular basis of this difference, twelve equine BAC clones were FISH mapped to donkey (EAS) and Hartmann's mountain zebra (EZH) metaphase spreads. Loci from the terminal region of Xp and distal to terminal regions of the Xq showed the same order and relative position in all three species, implying cross-spec...
Effects of initial handling and training on autonomic nervous function in young Thoroughbreds. To determine the effects of initial handling and training on autonomic nervous functions in young Thoroughbreds. Methods: 63 healthy Thoroughbreds. Methods: All horses were trained to be handled and initially ridden in September of the yearling year and then trained until the following April by conventional training regimens. To obtain the heart rate (HR), electrocardiograms were recorded in the stable before initial handling and training and following 7 months of training; variations in HR were then evaluated from the power spectrum in terms of the low frequency (LF; 0.01 to 0.07 Hz) power an...
History of Lipizzan horse maternal lines as revealed by mtDNA analysis. Sequencing of the mtDNA control region (385 or 695 bp) of 212 Lipizzans from eight studs revealed 37 haplotypes. Distribution of haplotypes among studs was biased, including many private haplotypes but only one haplotype was present in all the studs. According to historical data, numerous Lipizzan maternal lines originating from founder mares of different breeds have been established during the breed's history, so the broad genetic base of the Lipizzan maternal lines was expected. A comparison of Lipizzan sequences with 136 sequences of domestic- and wild-horses from GenBank showed a clusterin...
Effects of weight carrying, exercise and a myo-anabolic supplement on growth and muscle. Weight training is commonly used by human athletes to increase strength and fitness. This study was performed to examine the effect of weight-carrying and nutritional supplementation on muscle development and growth in young horses. This study examined the effect of weight-carrying and nutritional supplementation on muscle development and growth. Seventeen horses were divided into 3 groups: controls exercised in a free-flow exerciser, a weight group that performed the same exercise, carrying progressively increasing weight up to 45 kg, and a weight-supplement group, that also received a myo-an...
Metabolic responses to submaximal field exercise tests and relationships with racing performance in pacing Standardbreds. This study was undertaken to invesigate the application of submaximal field tests in assessment of performance. A submaximal field exercise test consisting of 2 bouts of pacing for 1600 m, with 5 min rest or walking between runs was performed on Standardbred racehorses at 2 training centres (A and B). Performance indices were compiled for each horse: number of race starts, number of race wins, number of race placings (1, 2 or 3), and lifetime earnings. Regression analysis was conducted to describe the relationship between plasma lactate concentrations and speed for tests one, 2 and pooled resu...
Jumping characteristics of naïve foals: lead changes and description of temporal and linear parameters. The selection of foals as future showjumpers remains a subjective process based on qualitative parameters; and hence, frequently suffers from disparity in the criteria used by experts in the field. A detailed biomechanical description of foals while jumping would be most helpful in providing a better basis for the accurate assessment of their future athletic ability. The Qualisys Pro Reflex system was used to capture 3-dimensional kinematics of 41 Dutch Warmblood foals age 6 months free jumping a vertical fence, preceded by a cross pole fence. The left lead was the most preferred lead for both...
Plasma lactate and uric acid responses to racing in pacing Standardbreds and relationships with performance. Relationships between racing performance and plasma lactate and uric acid concentrations after racing were investigated in pacing Standardbred racehorses. The study was undertaken in order to better understand factors that limit racing performance. Twenty horses were tested after races of 1760 m and 28 horses after races over 2160 m. Blood samples were taken 30-60 min before and 8 and 30 min after a race. There were no significant differences between the race distances for prerace and 8 min postrace plasma lactates. Significant low correlations were obtained for plasma lactate concentration 8 ...
Effect of trotting speed, load and incline on hindlimb stance-phase kinematics. The objective was to understand how the stance-phase kinematics of the hindlimb of trotting horses change with speed under 3 conditions (level, loaded and incline), to compare our results with the predictions of the spring-mass model and to help focus our future studies of muscle function. Video recordings were made of 5 Arabian horses trotting on a treadmill. Five consecutive strides were digitised and averaged for each trial. The angle-time diagrams were qualitatively similar to those reported previously. As speed increases, the range of motion of the hindlimb increases, as predicted by the ...
Hindlimb net joint energies during swing phase as a function of trotting velocity. Net joint powers and energies have been described in walking horses during the swing phase of the stride in the fore- and hindlimb (Clayton et al. 2001). During trotting, swing phase net joint powers have been described in the forelimb but not in the hindlimb. The effects of velocity on power profiles and energy patterns are important in relation to locomotor energetics. The objective of this study was to evaluate velocity-dependent changes in hindlimb net energy profiles of the swing phase during trotting. Inverse dynamic analysis was used to calculate net joint energies at the hindlimb joint...
Training-induced alterations in glucose metabolism during moderate-intensity exercise. In several species, physical conditioning (training) provokes a large shift in substrate utilisation during submaximal exercise. Few studies in horses have quantitatively examined these effects. Therefore, the effects of exercise training on plasma glucose kinetics during submaximal exercise were examined in 7 horses (5 Thoroughbred, 2 Standardbred; age 3-9 years) that had been paddock-rested for at least 6 months. Two days after determination of maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max), horses ran on a treadmill (4 degree incline) at 55% of VO2max (UT) for 60 min or until fatigue and then completed ...
Equine endurance exercise alters serum branched-chain amino acid and alanine concentrations. Six 2-year-old Arabian horses were used to determine whether 60 km prolonged endurance exercise (approximately 4 h) alters amino acid concentrations in serum and muscle, and the time required for serum amino acid concentrations to return to basal resting values. Blood and muscle samples were collected throughout exercise and during a 3 day recovery period. Isoleucine concentration in muscle tended to increase and leucine and valine did not change due to exercise. Serum alanine concentrations did not increase immediately after exercise, but increased at 24, 48 and 72 h postexercise. Serum isole...
Early evaluation of dressage ability in different breeds. Dressage is one of the Olympic equestrian sports practiced in several countries using different horse breeds. Specific characteristics of the walk, trot and canter are required for dressage. It has been assumed that some of these traits could be selected for genetically and contribute to dressage performance. The purpose of this study was to compare the walk, trot and conformation characteristics in young horses of different breeds used for dressage. A total of 142 horses age 3 years were classified into 3 groups of breeds (German, French and Spanish saddle horses) and tested using the same pr...
