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Topic:Equine Science
Equine Science encompasses the study of horses and their management, health, and performance. This field integrates various scientific disciplines such as biology, genetics, nutrition, physiology, and veterinary medicine to understand and improve the well-being and capabilities of horses. Areas of focus include equine anatomy, reproduction, behavior, and disease prevention. Research in equine science aims to enhance horse care, optimize training and performance, and address health challenges. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the diverse aspects of equine science, providing insights into the latest advancements and methodologies in the field.
Differences between horses (Equus caballus) displaying oral and locomotor stereotypies in their responses to a stable mirror. Recent cross-species analyses suggest that the different forms of stereotypic behaviour have heterogeneous causal mechanisms. In ungulates, there are indications that some forms of locomotor stereotypy may be linked to social factors. Using the domestic horse as a model species within this clade, we investigated whether individuals displaying the locomotor stereotypy box-walking (n=6) demonstrated greater responses to a stable mirror, intended to mimic presence of a conspecific, than horses displaying the oral stereotypy crib-biting (n=5) and non-stereotypic horses (n=5). After a 24hr baseline...
Risk factors for horse falls in British jump racing (2010-2023). Horse falls are an important safety and welfare concern in jump racing, as they are associated with an increased risk of equine fatality and injury, as well as jockey injury. Objective: To identify risk factors for horse falls in British jump racing. Methods: Retrospective cohort. Methods: All jump race starts made on British racecourses between January 2010 and April 2023 were considered. Available horse, race, racecourse, trainer and jockey data were collated and combined with faller data recorded in official databases. Horses that were 'brought down' by another horse were not considered a f...
Perineural dexamethasone does not prolong bupivacaine sensory blockade in equine palmar digital nerve blocks: a randomized crossover trial. To determine whether dexamethasone sodium phosphate (dexamethasone SP) prolongs the sensory blockade produced by perineural bupivacaine during medial and lateral palmar digital nerve blocks in horses. Unassigned: 8 healthy adult horses were enrolled in a blinded, randomized 4 X 4 crossover trial. Each horse received 1 of 4 perineural treatments over the palmar digital nerves of the left forelimb: bupivacaine, bupivacaine + dexamethasone SP, dexamethasone SP alone, or saline. A minimum 7-day washout was used between treatments. Mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) was measured at baseline and...
A Global Structural Variation Map Reveals Novel Variants for Body Conformation and Racing Ability in Horses. The selection of horses has been instrumental in shaping long-range mobility, advancing warfare strategies, and diversifying equine phenotypes. However, the structural variants (SVs) favored by this process remain largely unexplored. Utilizing high-fidelity Pacific Biosciences sequencing, we assembled three high-quality horse genomes, incorporating 237 Mb (9.48%) of novel sequences relative to the existing reference genome. These assemblies achieved an average Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs completeness of 95.1%. By employing a graph-based approach, we genotyped 23,163 high-con...
Environmental and genetic effects on measured hock bone proportions in young Polish Warmblood horses undergoing performance test training for breeding horses. The hock bone proportions in young Polish Warmblood horses (69) were studied based on x-ray image measurements done during official breeding horse performance testing. Six measurements were used to identify 4 width and length proportion indices. The radiological examinations were done before and after horse training, which consists of work with or without the rider at walk, trot and canter (40-50min) with some light class (< 100cm) jumping (<12 jumps) 6 days a week. The training effect was investigated using analysis of variance (procedure MIXED, Statistical Analysis System). The statist...
Effects of TECAR Therapy on Body Surface Temperature and Longissimus Dorsi Muscle Tone in Thoroughbred Racehorses: A Pilot Study. Capacitive and resistive electric transfer (TECAR) therapy is increasingly used in equine physiotherapy; however, objective evidence regarding its immediate effects on equine back muscles remains limited. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effects of TECAR therapy on body surface temperature and muscle tone of the longissimus dorsi muscle in Thoroughbred racehorses. A randomized, single-blinded experimental study was conducted in 20 clinically healthy Thoroughbred racehorses aged 2-3 years. Horses were randomly assigned to either a TECAR treatment group ( = 10) or a sham-treatment control ...
Phenotypic Definition Influences Genetic Inference and Predictive Ability for Reining Performance in Quarter Horses Using Random Regression Models. Reining performance is influenced by subjectivity and competition structure, challenging genetic evaluation. This study estimated genetic parameters for reining performance in Brazilian Quarter Horses using random regression models (RRM) and evaluated how alternative phenotypic definitions affect genetic inference and predictive ability. A dataset comprising 21,165 longitudinal records from 1603 horses was analyzed, comparing within-group rank (RANK) and Blom-transformed rank (BLOM). Model comparison indicated that cubic RRM provided the best fit for both phenotypes. Heritability estimates wer...
Effects of IGF1 Knockdown and Overexpression on the Phenotype and Function of Equine Primary Skeletal Muscle Cells. Skeletal muscle serves as the direct executor of movement, and the proliferation and migration capacities of its constituent cells represent the key physiological foundation determining equine endurance and speed. Previous whole-transcriptome analysis has shown that Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 () is significantly upregulated in following racing and is involved in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway; however, its specific regulatory mechanism in equine skeletal muscle cells remains unclear. This study utilized primary equine skeletal muscle cells as a model. By constructing an overexpression plas...
Growth Performance, Milk Productivity, Productive Longevity, and Milk Composition of Mugalzhar Horses. The Mugalzhar horse is an important native breed of Kazakhstan, valued for its adaptability, milk production, and meat productivity under extensive pasture-based management. This study evaluated the relationships among first-lactation milk yield, productive longevity, lifetime milk production, growth, morphometric traits, and milk composition in the Mugalzhar horse breed using data from 100 mares with complete lifetime production records, 108 adult mares and 12 stallions for morphometric evaluation, and 68 foals (35 colts and 33 fillies) for growth analysis. The study was conducted on Mugalzha...
Evaluation of an Immunoturbidometric Assay for Measurement of Total Adiponectin Concentration in Equine Serum Samples. Total adiponectin (TA) is a marker of metabolic health in equids, with values below a critical decision point of < 7.9 μg/mL conferring increased risk of laminitis. Objective: To evaluate an IT assay to measure serum [TA] in equids and to assess its correlation with [high molecular weight adiponectin] (HMWA) measured by ELISA. Methods: Total serum adiponectin concentrations from 207 adult horses were measured using both an IT assay for TA and HMWA using a previously validated ELISA assay. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation and Passing-Bablok regression. Intra- and inter-assa...
The Effects of Cysteamine Zinc Supplementation on Blood Hormones, Intestinal Flora, and Metabolites in Lactating Mares. This study aimed to investigate the effects of cysteamine zinc (CS-Zn) supplementation on blood biochemical indices, blood hormones, fecal fermentation, fecal microbial diversity, and blood metabolites in lactating mares. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture, and fecal samples were collected via rectal sampling before morning tethering on days 30, 60, and 90 of the trial. Fecal samples were analyzed for volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and microbial diversity, while changes in blood biochemical indices, blood hormones, and blood non-targeted metabolomics were also analyzed. The res...
In-Hand Training of Piaffe and Passage with Leg Stimulation: A Literature-Based Biomechanical Argument for Why This Method Fails to Produce True Collection. In-hand training of piaffe and passage via tactile leg stimulation (Handarbeit mit Touchieren) is widely practised in dressage, yet consistently produces horses that elevate their legs without achieving collection - a pattern termed Schenkelgänger (leg-movers) in classical German equitation. Based on published kinetic, kinematic, and electromyographic literature, this review argues that tactile leg stimulation activates the spinal nociceptive withdrawal reflex, an unloading movement mechanistically opposed to the elastic tendon rebound and ventral muscular chain activation that define true co...
Demographic change and selection patterns in thoroughbred racing horses over the 20th century. The Thoroughbred horse is a legacy of centuries of selective breeding for speed, emerging from the admixture of British mares and imported Oriental stallions. While previous work explored its genetic diversity, inbreeding, and selection signatures, the breed demographic and selection dynamics during the 20-century remain poorly understood. Here, we sequenced the genome of Phar Lap, a late-1920s/early-1930s racing champion, and analyzed the largest time-series of Thoroughbred whole-genome sequences, within a global panel of 850 horse genomes. Demographic modeling reveals a marked decline in gen...
Preliminary Metabolomic Analysis: Serum Metabolomic Dynamics During Estrus Synchronization in Kazakh Mares. This study aimed to analyze the differences in serum metabolomes at different stages of estrus synchronization in Kazakh horses, to characterize dynamic changes in serum metabolites during estrus synchronization, and to screen potential metabolic markers and key regulatory pathways. Four sampling stages (M1: intravaginal device insertion; M3: device removal, labeled consistently with the pre-experiment timeline; P: 24 h post-PG injection; L: tertiary follicle emergence) were selected. The research results showed that 37 significantly different metabolites (DAMs) were identified in the M1-vs.-M...
Sequencing and Differential Analysis of miRNA in the Ovaries of Kazakh Horses During Estrus and Anestrus States. To reveal the regulatory role of miRNA in the estrous cycle transition of Kazakh horse ovaries and improve their reproductive efficiency, this study took the ovaries of Kazakh horses in the estrus period (DY group) and the quiescent period (DB group) as research objects. Small RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were used to systematically analyze the expression characteristics and functional pathways of miRNA under the two physiological states. A total of 161 million high-quality miRNA tags were obtained through sequencing. Principal component analysis showed that the intra-group repea...
Anatomical Insights Into the Equine Cervical Intervertebral Foramina: Implications for Veterinary Practice. The equine cervical intervertebral foramina (IVF) represent vital anatomical regions facilitating the passage of spinal nerves and associated vasculature. An in-depth understanding of their anatomy is imperative for the safe implementation of diagnostic and surgical interventions. Despite their clinical significance, anatomical descriptions of the equine cervical IVF remain under-characterised in the existing literature, particularly in relation to the needs of equine veterinary surgeons. Our study provides comprehensive anatomical analysis of the IVF at the cervical vertebral levels C5/C6 and...
Recognition of unfamiliar predators in domestic horses through only visual predator cues. Acoustic, olfactory, and visual predator cues trigger various adaptive responses among a variety of prey species even when they are under human protection since birth. Previous studies have found that domesticated animals show increased vigilance, stress, flight, and aggregation behaviors in response to predation threats. These investigations, however, did not directly test visual threatening cues alone in animals that communicate more with body language than vocalizations while considering individual temperament and social status. The current study aims to address this issue. Eighteen horses ...
Plasma and Urinary Concentrations of Synephrine in Horses Following Controlled Oral Administration. Synephrine is a sympathomimetic alkaloid of regulatory interest in both horse racing and equestrian sports, where feed‑related exposure may lead to its detection in equine blood and urine. This study characterized plasma and urinary concentrations of synephrine in horses following controlled oral administration. Six Thoroughbred horses received single oral doses of 100 mg or 800 mg synephrine, and blood and urine samples were collected sequentially. Each sample was analyzed both before and after β‑glucuronidase hydrolysis, demonstrating that synephrine was present predominantly as conjuga...
Comparison of Rectal and Intraoperative Findings in Horses with Colic. Per rectum examination (PRE) is commonly used in the triage of horses with acute abdominal pain, despite reports of associated risk factors for both horses and personnel, but its diagnostic accuracy is questionable. This multicenter, observational study aimed to evaluate the agreement between PRE findings and surgical findings obtained via exploratory laparotomy in horses with colic. A total of 201 cases from four equine referral hospitals across Europe were included. Rectal findings were categorized as primary (most likely cause of colic) or additional. Agreement with surgical findings was as...
Simple and efficient HPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous extraction and quantification of anthelmintics in equine manure. Anthelmintic treatment is a common practice in horses. The presence of pharmaceutical residues in fields and pastures is well-documented affecting various organisms, like nematodes. This study describes the development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) for extracting and determining the concentrations of four commonly used anthelmintics in horse manure. Manure was initially dried, then spiked with various concentrations (10-10,000 ng) of anthelmintics and extracted using an acetonit...
Identification of a Novel Slow-Gray STX17 Lineage in Japanese Thoroughbreds via a Multi-tiered Copy Number Analysis Workflow. Gray is a dominant coat color phenotype in horses caused by a ~ 4.6 kb tandem triplication within intron 6 of syntaxin 17 (STX17). The copy number variation (CNV) of the duplicated segment influences the graying rate. The rare G2 allele (CNV = 2) is associated with a slower graying rate compared to the common G3 allele (CNV = 3) and is also relevant to melanoma risk. Current assays are limited because long and accurate PCR (LA-PCR) detects only the presence or absence of duplications, while droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) cannot reliably distinguish certain genotypes such as G3/g and ...
Circadian rhythm of heart rate variability in tropical horses: age-associated autonomic alterations and environmental air pollution effects in an urban field setting. Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects autonomic nervous system activity and is influenced by age, environmental conditions, and circadian rhythms. Information regarding these interactions in horses maintained under tropical conditions remains limited. This study aimed to characterize 24-h heart rate (HR) and HRV patterns in horses raised under tropical conditions and to investigate the effects of aging and environmental factors, including air pollution, on autonomic regulation. Unassigned: Fifteen clinically healthy horses aged 4-20 years were allocated to three age groups: 4-7 years, 8-14 yea...
Sperm Energy-restriction and Recovery (SER) enhances equine sperm function and embryo development after ICSI. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are extensively used in domestic animal reproduction; however, improving their efficiency and consistency remains a major challenge for achieving reliable reproductive outcomes. The equine industry faces unique challenges related to sperm capacitation, which limited the success of conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) for many years. Consequently, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) became the most widely used technique for commercial in vitro embryo production. Even though a successful IVF protocol was recently developed, substantial opportunit...
Reply to Henshall et al. Commentary on “MacKechnie-Guire et al. Measuring Noseband Tightness on the Lateral Aspect of the Horse’s Face. Animals 2025, 15, 537”. In a paper published in 2017, Doherty et al [...].
When genes meet money: Genotype-by-prize interaction in Quarter Horses. Barrel racing performance reflects a complex interplay among genetic merit, rider ability, training strategies, and competition-specific conditions. In practice, events differ substantially in their economic scale, and prize money can serve as a proxy for management intensity, rider expertise, and selection pressure. Objective: This study investigated whether economic stratification, represented by total prize money per event, is associated with changes in (co)variance components for barrel racing time in Brazilian Quarter Horses. Methods: A reaction-norm model was implemented using 349,262 ra...
Genetic Indicators of Performance Resilience in Barrel Racing Quarter Horses. Resilience, defined as the capacity to maintain consistent performance under variable conditions, has emerged as a relevant breeding objective in livestock systems, yet remains largely unexplored in equine populations. The objectives of this study were to (1) derive indicators of resilience from longitudinal barrel racing time (BRT) records in Brazilian Quarter Horses, (2) estimate genetic parameters for these indicators, and (3) quantify their genetic relationships with BRT and accumulated career earnings (ACE). The dataset comprised BRT records from barrel racing events held between 2010 and...
Horses without ocular disease maintain similar electroretinographic responses and peripapillary retinal thicknesses across age groups. To determine the impact of age on equine electroretinography (ERG) parameters and retinal thickness in horses with healthy eyes. We hypothesized that ERG b-wave amplitudes would be significantly lower in older horses and that total retinal thickness would not vary significantly with age. Unassigned: Horses with clinically normal eyes comprising 3 age groups (≤ 10, 11 to 20, and ≥ 21 years) underwent scotopic and photopic ERGs, high-resolution fundus photography, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Electroretinography results were compared between age groups using mean implici...
A Comprehensive Review of the Equine Gut Microbiome in Health and Disease. Molecular microbiology has revolutionized our understanding of the complex host-associated microbiomes required for normative development and physiology. Horses and other members of the family are particularly reliant on the early maturation and lifelong maintenance of an unusually rich hindgut microbiome for optimal digestion and overall health and performance. Research on the equine gut microbiome has accelerated in the past several years, necessitating a renewed appraisal of the field. The present work is a comprehensive and critical review of the literature regarding the bacterial gastroi...
