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.
Debord J, Verneuil B, Bollinger JC, Merle L, Dantoine T.The enzymatic hydrolysis of butyrylcholine, catalyzed by horse serum butyrylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8), was studied at 37 degrees C in Tris buffer (pH 7.5) by flow microcalorimetry. A convolution procedure, using the Gamma distribution to represent the impulse response of the calorimeter, was developed to analyze the microcalorimetric curves. After correction for buffer protonation, the hydrolysis reaction was found to be slightly endothermic, with Delta H=+9.8 kJ mol(-1). Enzyme kinetics was studied with both the differential and integrated forms of the Michaelis equation with equivalent res...
Huang X, Xuan X, Verdida RA, Zhang S, Yokoyama N, Xu L, Igarashi I.An immunochromatographic test for the simultaneous detection of Babesia caballi- and B. equi-specific antibodies (BceICT) was developed using a recombinant B. caballi 48-kDa rhoptry protein (rBc48) and a recombinant truncated B. equi merozoite antigen 2 (rEMA-2t). An evaluation of the ability of the BceICT to detect antibodies in sera from uninfected horses and experimentally infected horses showed high sensitivities and specificities of 83.3% (10/12 sera) and 92.9% (52/56 sera), respectively, for the anti-B. caballi antibody and 94.1% (16/17 sera) and 88.2% (45/51 sera), respectively, for the...
van Breda E.This study measured parameters of stress in recreational, trained horses (REC; n = 7) and elite (International Grand Prix level) trained, dressage horses (DRES; n = 5). The training of the DRES horses uses an unnatural head-neck position (Rollkur), whereas in the REC horses such training techniques are not common. The study measured stress by using heart rate variability analysis for 30 min postfeeding in the morning and 30 min postexercise after a morning training session. The study found no significant difference at rest between the REC and DRES horses. During the posttraining measurements, ...
Spadavecchia C, Levionnois O, Kronen PW, Leandri M, Spadavecchia L, Schatzmann U.To investigate effects of isoflurane at approximately the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) on the nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) of the forelimb of ponies as a method for quantifying anesthetic potency. Methods: 7 healthy adult Shetland ponies. Methods: Individual MAC (iMAC) for isoflurane was determined for each pony. Then, effects of isoflurane administered at 0.85, 0.95, and 1.05 iMAC on the NWR were assessed. At each concentration, the NWR threshold was defined electromyographically for the common digital extensor and deltoid muscles by stimulating the digital nerve; additional el...
Carpenter RS, Galuppo LD, Stover SM.To compare variables for screw insertion, pushout strength, and failure modes for a headless tapered compression screw inserted in standard and oversize holes in a simulated lateral condylar fracture model. Methods: 6 pairs of third metacarpal bones from horse cadavers. Methods: Simulated lateral condylar fractures were created, reduced, and stabilized with a headless tapered compression screw by use of a standard or oversize hole. Torque, work, and time for drilling, tapping, and screw insertion were measured during site preparation and screw implantation. Axial load and displacement were mea...
Latorre R, Arencibia A, Gil F, Rivero M, Henry RW, Ramírez G, Váquez JM.To correlate anatomic features of the equine tarsus identified in plastinated sections with images obtained via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: 4 horses. Methods: MRI (1.5-Tesla magnet) of the tarsus was performed on the pelvic limbs of 4 clinically normal horses following euthanasia. After imaging, tarsocrural joint spaces and vasculature were injected with colored latex. Sagittal and transverse sections of the tarsi were plastinated to facilitate interpretation of MR images. Results: Relevant anatomic structures were identified and labeled on the plastinated tissue slices and corr...
Lin YL, Moolenaar H, van Weeren PR, van de Lest CH.To determine the relationship between the output of an electrical treatment device and the effective field strength in the superficial digital flexor tendon of horses. Methods: Cadaver horse forelimbs without visible defects (n = 8) and 1 live pony. Methods: Microcurrents were generated by a microcurrent electrical therapy device and applied in proximodistal, dorsopalmar, and mediolateral directions in the entire forelimbs, dissected tendons, and the pony with various output settings. Corresponding field strengths in the tendons were measured. Results: A linear relationship was detected betwee...
Ho EN, Leung DK, Wan TS, Yu NH.This paper reports two highly efficient liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods for the screening of anabolic steroids, corticosteroids, and acidic drugs for the purpose of doping control in equine sports. Sample extraction was performed using a mixed-mode C8-SCX solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge. The first eluted fraction (acidic/neutral fraction) was base-washed and the resulting organic extract was used for the screening of anabolic steroids and corticosteroids by LC-MS using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in the positive electrospray ionisation (ESI) mode. The rema...
Firth EC.Horses can gallop within hours of birth, and may begin training for athletic competition while still growing. This review cites studies on the effects of exercise on bone, tendon and articular cartilage, as detected by clinical and research imaging techniques, tissue biochemical analysis and microscopy of various kinds. For bone, alterations in bone mineral content, mineral density and the morphology of the mineralized tissue are the most common end-points. Apparent bone density increases slightly after athletic training in the cortex, but substantially in the major load paths of the epiphyses...
Vizcarra JA, Ford JJ.The sperm mobility assay used in the present study measures the rate of sperm penetration in a biologically inert cell-separation solution (Accudenz). When a sample of sperm is overlaid in a cuvette containing Accudenz, sperm penetrate the solution and absorbance of the sample can be measured with a spectrophotometer. This assay has been successfully used to select chicken and turkey semen donors. We validated this assay for semen from boars and stallions. Absorbance was measured after overlaying fresh semen from each species in prefilled cuvettes for 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 40 min. There were n...
Watts AE, Nixon AJ.To (1) describe a caudal approach to equine medial and lateral femorotibial (FT) joints and (2) illustrate the complex anatomic detail of the caudal compartments of the lateral FT joint. Methods: Prospective experimental study. Methods: Cadaveric equine hindlimbs (n = 36; 26 horses) and 6 horses (11 hind limbs). Methods: Stifles (n = 8) were dissected and 10 FT joints were injected with silicone. Arthroscopic exploration (n = 29) was performed, followed by dissection to determine sites and structures penetrated during entry. Results: A more caudal approach to the caudal pouch of the medial FT ...
Meschan EM, Peham C, Schobesberger H, Licka TF.As there is no statistical evidence that saddle fit influences the load exerted on a horse's back, this study was performed to assess the hypothesis that the width of the tree significantly alters the pressure distribution on the back beneath the saddle. Nineteen sound horses were ridden at walk and trot on a treadmill with three saddles differing only in tree width. Kinetic data were recorded by a sensor mat. A minimum of 14 motion cycles were used in each trial. The saddles were classified into four groups depending on fit. For each horse, the saddle with the lowest overall force (LOF) was d...
Jose-Cunilleras E, Hinchcliff KW, Lacombe VA, Sams RA, Kohn CW, Taylor LE, Devor ST.Fatiguing exercise substantially decreases muscle glycogen concentration in horses, impairing athletic performance in subsequent exercise bouts. Our objective was to determine the effect of ingestion of starch-rich meals after exercise on whole body glucose kinetics and muscle glycogen replenishment. In a randomized, cross-over study seven horses with exercise-induced muscle glycogen depletion were either not fed for 8 h, fed half of the daily energy requirements ( approximately 15 Mcal DE) as hay, or fed an isocaloric amount of corn 15 min and 4 h after exercise. Starch-rich meals fed after e...
Roberto da Costa RP, Ferreira-Dias G, Mateus L, Korzekwa A, Andronowska A, Platek R, Skarzynski DJ.Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in angiogenesis and in the regulation of the blood flow. This study was carried out to investigate (i) the effects of endogenous estrogens and progestins and exogenous progesterone (P(4)) (5 ng/ml or 1 microg/ml) or estradiol 17beta (E(2)beta) (50 pg/ml or 1 microg/ml) on in vitro endometrial NO synthesis; (ii) the presence of different isoforms of NO synthase; (iii) and their relationship to microvascular density in the equine endometrium during the estrous cycle. NOS expression was also evaluated in the myometrium. Expression of endothelial and induc...
Breathnach CC, Sturgill-Wright T, Stiltner JL, Adams AA, Lunn DP, Horohov DW.The increased vulnerability of foals to specific pathogens such as Rhodococcus equi is believed to reflect an innate immunodeficiency, the nature of which remains poorly understood. Previous studies have demonstrated that neonates of many species fail to mount potent Th1 responses. The current research investigates the ability of circulating and pulmonary lymphocytes of developing foals to produce interferon gamma (IFNgamma). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were prepared from up to 10 horse foals at regular intervals throughout the first 6 months of life. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)...
Pagl R, Aurich JE, Müller-Schlösser F, Kankofer M, Aurich C.A problem of semen extenders based on milk or egg yolk is the fact that these biological products consist of a variety of substances. Extenders containing only components with clearly protective effects on spermatozoa would thus be an advantage. In this study, we have compared the effects of an extender containing defined caseinates and whey proteins only (EquiPro, defined milk protein extender) with skim milk extender on equine spermatozoa during cooled storage. The defined milk protein extender was used with and without the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). In a second experiment, semen w...
Leeb T, Vogl C, Zhu B, de Jong PJ, Binns MM, Chowdhary BP, Scharfe M, Jarek M, Nordsiek G, Schrader F, Blöcker H.In an effort to increase the density of sequence-based markers for the horse genome we generated 9473 BAC end sequences (BESs) from the CHORI-241 BAC library with an average read length of 677 bp. BLASTN searches with the BESs revealed 4036 meaningful hits (E <or= 10(-5)) in the human genome that provide useful markers for the human-horse comparative map. The 4036 BLASTN hits allowed the anchoring of 3079 BAC clones to the human genome, on average one corresponding equine BAC clone per megabase of human DNA. We used the BLASTN anchored BESs for an in silico prediction of the gene content an...
Mordovskaia VI, Krivoshapkin VG, Pogozheva AV, Baĭkov VG.The gas chromatography method the fat acid content of the young Yakut horse meat fat tissue lipids was studied in relation to the age group, various parts of the body and anatomic topographic location of the fat/It was determined that the of sixth-month young horse is the source of the PUFA omega-3 that allows to recommend horse meat as a dietary product for atherosclerosis prevention. By medial chain fat content the lipids of the 6 month young horses are close to the lipids of milk fat.
Komosa M, Moliński K, Godynicki S.Horses bred nowadays are characterized by high variability of the body build. The variability concerns exterior features and skeleton features. From among the skeleton parts the skull is an element influenced by selection and environmental adaptation. The aim of these investigations was to find whether cranial traits exhibit variability in relation to the body build of horses. To do this, metric parameters of skulls of 43 horses used in the investigations were analysed with various statistical techniques. On the basis of ANOVA, Principal Components Analysis and Canonical Discriminant Analysis ...
Perrocheau M, Boutreux V, Chadi S, Mata X, Decaunes P, Raudsepp T, Durkin K, Incarnato D, Iannuzzi L, Lear TL, Hirota K, Hasegawa T, Zhu B, de Jong P....A medium-density map of the horse genome (Equus caballus) was constructed using genes evenly distributed over the human genome. Three hundred and twenty-three exonic primer pairs were used to screen the INRA and the CHORI-241 equine BAC libraries by polymerase chain reaction and by filter hybridization respectively. Two hundred and thirty-seven BACs containing equine gene orthologues, confirmed by sequencing, were isolated. The BACs were localized to horse chromosomes by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Overall, 165 genes were assigned to the equine genomic map by radiation hybrid (RH...
Satoła A, Łuszczyński J, Petrych W, Satoła K.Knowledge of the body weight of horses permits breeders to provide appropriate feeding and care regimen and allows veterinarians to monitor the animals' health. It is not always possible to perform an accurate measurement of the body weight of horses using horse weighbridges, and therefore, new body weight formulas based on biometric measurements are required. The objective of this study is to develop and validate models for estimating body weight in Icelandic foals using machine learning methods. The study was conducted using 312 data records of body measurements on 24 Icelandic foals (12 col...
Eggleston-Stott ML, Delvalle A, Dileanis S, Wictum E, Bowling AT.The equine dinucleotide microsatellite HMS7 is part of a microsatellite panel utilized in a parentage verification programme at the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (Davis, California, USA). Apparent non-Mendelian inheritance was noted when a Quarter Horse mare was excluded as the parent of two offspring based on analysis of the HMS7 locus. The mare's DNA type qualified her as a parent of the offspring at an additional 20 microsatellite loci. The three animals appeared homozygous for HMS7 with each possessing an allele different from that of the other two animals. Polymerase chain reaction prime...
Zarucco L, Swanstrom MD, Driessen B, Hawkins D, Hubbard M, Steffey EP, Stover SM.To develop and test an experimental model for in vivo short-term recording of peak isometric forces of the digital flexor muscles in the forelimb of adult horses. Methods: In vivo experimental study. Methods: Four healthy, anesthetized, adult Thoroughbred horses (3 to 7 years old; 527 +/- 87 kg) Methods: In dorsal recumbency, ulnar and median nerves were exposed and instrumented with insulated bipolar cuff stimulation electrodes for later connection to an electrical stimulator. In left lateral recumbency, a biplanar fixator was applied to the right humerus and a custom-made, rigid, aluminum fr...
González G, Ventura R, Smith AK, de la Torre R, Segura J.A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) procedure for the detection of seventeen non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in equine plasma and urine samples is described. The extraction of the compounds from the biological matrix was performed at acidic pH (2-3) with diethyl ether. Ethereal extracts were washed with a saturated solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate (urine) or treated with a solid mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate (plasma). The ethereal extracts were dried and derivatized by incubation at 60 degrees C with methyl iodide in acetone in the pre...
Andrews FM, Nadeau JA, Saabye L, Saxton AM.To measure total body water (TBW) content in horses, using deuterium oxide (D2O) dilution. Methods: Six 8- to 10-year-old healthy untrained mixed-breed horses, weighing (mean +/-SD) 503.4 +/- 64.0 kg. Methods: After a 12-hour nonfeeding period, 6 horses were given D2O (0.14 g/kg of body weight) via nasogastric tube. Blood samples were collected from a preplaced indwelling jugular vein catheter prior to and 1 to 8, 10, 12, 14, and 24 hours after administration of D2O. Blood samples were centrifuged immediately, and plasma was collected and stored at -70 C until analysis. The D2O content in plas...
Heinz H, Marquardt J, Schuberth HJ, Adolf GR, Leibold W.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and polymorphonuclear neutrophilic granulocytes (PMN) as well as embryonic equine dermal fibroblasts and the equine fibroblast line E. Derm which were used as controls, were treated with recombinant equine interferon-beta 1 (rEqIFN-beta 1) in vitro which induced the expression of different proteins in these cells. A 74 kDa protein was induced in PBMC and an 82 kDa protein was additionally found in the equine fibroblast E. Derm cell line following treatment with rEqFN-beta 1. Both proteins reacted with anti-mouse and anti-human Mx protein antisera in im...
Journal of biomechanicsNovember 27, 2021
Volume 130 110888 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110888
Shaffer SK, Shelly K, Garcia TC, Samol MA, Hill AE, Fyhrie DP, Stover SM.Proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) fractures in racehorses are likely fatigue fractures that occur due to repetitive loads and stress remodeling. The loading circumstances that may induce damage in the PSBs are not well understood. The goal of this study was to determine in three-dimensions, PSB motions relative to the opposing metacarpal condyle during simulated mid-stance loads. Seven equine cadaveric forelimbs were axially loaded in a material testing system to simulate standing and mid-stance walk, trot, and gallop load conditions (1.8-10.5 kN). Joint angles were determined by tracking the posit...
Marycz K, Pielok A, Kornicka-Garbowska K.Laminitis is a life threating, extremely painful and frequently recurrent disease of horses which affects hoof structure. It results from the disruption of blood flow to the laminae, contributing to laminitis and in severe separation of bone from the hoof capsule. Still, the pathophysiology of the disease remains unclear, mainly due to its complexity. In the light of the presented data, in the extremally difficult process of tissue structure restoration after disruption, a novel type of progenitor cells may be involved. Herein, we isolated and performed the initial characterization of stem pro...
Ross MW, Rutkowski JA, Cullen KK.The myoelectric activity of the cecum and right ventral colon (RVC) was studied in 4 female ponies. Eight, bipolar Ag-AgCl electrodes were sequentially placed on the seromuscular layer of the cecum (6 electrodes) and RVC (2 electrodes), and recordings were begun 14 days after surgery. The myoelectric activity for each pony was recorded during 12, 60-minute recording sessions done during the interdigestive period (3 to 7 hours after the morning feeding). Coordinated series of spike bursts were recognized as independent motility patterns in the cecum and in the RVC. Local haustra-haustra myoelec...
Siegers E, van den Broek J, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan M, Munsters C.Young Friesian stallions have to complete a 10-week training program (70-day test) for acceptance as a breeding stallion. Part one of this study showed that the 70-day test was too intense and led to reduced fitness. In the present (part two) study, the effects of an adapted training program were studied. Training frequency and minutes of cantering per week were lowered compared with part one. The external workload (EW) of sixteen stallions (3.4 ± 0.8 years) was monitored during the 6-weeks before testing (preparation period) as well as during the 70-day test. Standardized exercise tests (SET...
Potter SJ, Bamford NJ, Baskerville CL, Harris PA, Bailey SR.Ponies and some horse breeds such as Andalusians exhibit an 'easy keeper' phenotype and tend to become obese more readily than other breeds such as Standardbreds. Various hypotheses have been proposed, including differences in appetite or metabolic efficiency. This study aimed to investigate the effect of breed on nutrient digestibility. Ponies, Standardbreds and Andalusian horses were adapted to consuming either a control fibre-based diet ( = 9), a hypercaloric cereal-rich diet ( = 12) or a hypercaloric fat-rich diet ( = 12) over 20 weeks. Total faecal collection was performed over 24 h to de...
Davies HM.To confirm that the midshaft dorsal cortex of the third metacarpal bone experienced higher compressive strains during fast exercise than the medial or lateral cortices, and that the strain peak occurred earlier in the hoof-down phase of the stride on the dorsal cortex than the medial or lateral cortices. Methods: Observations of a single horse. Methods: Strains were collected from a single, sound, 3-year-old Thoroughbred mare during treadmill exercise from rosette strain gauges implanted onto the medial, lateral and dorsal surfaces of the midshaft of the right cannon bone, simultaneously with ...
Avanzi BR, Ramos Rdos S, Araujo GH, Fioratti EG, Trinca LA, Dell'Aqua JA, Melo E Oña CM, Zahn FS, Martin I, Alvarenga MA, Papa FO.The purpose of the present study was to compare two protocols for equine frozen semen programs using either postovulation insemination or fixed-time insemination (FT), evaluating both pregnancy rates and intrauterine fluid (IUF) accumulation after artificial insemination with semen obtained from either highly or poorly fertile stallions. Six ejaculates from two stallions (n = 12) were processed. After thawing, semen samples were evaluated by computerized semen analysis. Fifteen mares (30 cycles) were inseminated with frozen semen from highly fertile stallion A, and 14 mares (28 cycles) were in...
Schade J, de Souza AF, Vincensi LC, Fonteque JH.The objective of this study was to assess the influence of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint angle on the transversal area (TA) and mean echogenicity (ME) of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and suspensory ligament (SL) in gaited horses. Ultrasound images were obtained from 50 healthy adult horses of the Mangalarga Marchador (MM; n=25) and Campeiro (n=25) breeds. Static and dynamic angles of the MCP joint were measured from photographs and video recordings. Higher ME values were evinced for the SL only in the group with the smaller dynamic angles of the MCP joint in the MM horses...
Wagner ML, Raudsepp T, Goh G, Agarwala R, Schaffer AA, Dranchak PK, Brinkmeyer-Langford C, Skow LC, Chowdhary BP, Mickelson JR.A comparative approach that utilizes information from more densely mapped or sequenced genomes is a proven and efficient means to increase our knowledge of the structure of the horse genome. Human chromosome 2 (HSA2), the second largest human chromosome, comprising 243 Mb, and containing 1246 known genes, corresponds to all or parts of three equine chromosomes. This report describes the assignment of 140 new markers (78 genes and 62 microsatellites) to the equine radiation hybrid (RH) map, and the anchoring of 24 of these markers to horse chromosomes by FISH. The updated equine RH maps for ECA...
Broad TE, Ede AJ, Forrest JW, Lewis PE, Phua SH, Pugh PA.DNA repeats, revealed initially by digestion of horse DNA with restriction enzymes, were cloned and characterized by cross-hybridization studies and nucleotide sequencing. The Sau-like family of tandem repeats contained two classes of repetitive elements with unit repeats of about 80 bp that shared no sequence similarity. Both unit repeats were present, frequently in tandem, in cloned segments of horse DNA of less than 600 bp. Evidence is presented, based on their ladderlike patterns of hybridization to horse DNA and their high level of similarity to published sequences of satellites from equi...
Choi YH, Love LB, Varner DD, Hinrichs K.This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of initial cumulus morphology (expanded or compact) and duration of in vitro maturation (24, 30 or 42 h) on the developmental competence of equine oocytes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The effect of manipulation temperature (room temperature vs 37 degrees C) at the time of ICSI and concentration of glucose (0.55 vs 5.5 mM) during embryo culture was also investigated. The nuclear maturation rates of expanded (Ex) oocytes were significantly (P < 0.001) higher than those of compact (Cp) oocytes at all maturation times (61-72 vs 23-2...
Ikinger CM, Baldamus J, Spiller A.Human interactions with horses entail certain risks. Although the acceptance and use of protective gear is increasing, a high number of incidents and very low or inconsistent voluntary use of safety equipment are reported. While past studies have examined factors influencing the use of safety gear, they have explored neither their influence on the overall safety behavior, nor their relative influence in relation to each other. The aim of the present study is to fill this gap. We conducted an online survey with 2572 participants. By means of a subsequent multiple regression analysis, we explore...
Livesey JH, Evans MJ, Mulligan R, Donald RA.To further elucidate the interaction of CRH, AVP and cortisol in the control of ACTH secretion, we used an in vitro perifusion model with dispersed equine anterior pituitary cells. To approximate the in vivo milieu in the horse, CRH was perifused continuously (at 0, 2 and 20 pmol/L) and 5-min pulses of AVP (0, 1, 3 and 10 nmol/L) were given every 30 min in the presence of 0 or 100 nmol/L cortisol. Total (baseline + incremental) ACTH secretion increased as both the CRH (p<0.001) and the AVP (p<0.001) concentration increased and interaction between CRH and AVP was significant (p=0.042). Co...
Helal IE, Misumi K, Tateno O, Kodama T, Ishimaru M, Yamamoto J, Miyakoshi D, Fujiki M.To evaluate changes in serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) concentrations in response to exercise in horses. Methods: 15 horses in experiment 1 and 27 horses in experiment 2. Methods: In experiment 1, 15 Thoroughbreds free of orthopedic disease underwent a standardized exercise protocol. Running velocity and heart rate (HR) were recorded, and blood samples were collected immediately before (baseline) and 1, 5, and 24 hours after a single episode of exercise. In experiment 2, 27 horses underwent 9 stages of a training program in which each stage consisted of 4 to 8 consecutive dail...
Cook WR, Mills DS.The study tested the null hypothesis that if a horse is ridden in a snaffle bridle and then a crossunder bitless bridle, there will be no change in its behaviour. It was predicted that there would be change and that behaviour would improve when bitless. Four horses, none of which had ever been ridden in a crossunder bitless bridle, were ridden through two 4 min, exercise tests, first bitted then bitless. An independent judge marked the 27 phases of each test on a 10 point scale and comments and scores were recorded on a video soundtrack. The results refuted the null hypothesis and upheld the p...
McGreevy PD, Nicol CJ.Crib-biting is a common oral stereotype. Because of perceived deleterious effects on the health and appearance of subjects the prevention of crib-biting is regularly attempted. The resourcefulness of horses in satisfying their motivation to perform this behaviour often frustrates owners' efforts at prevention. This paper reviews the efficacy and observable consequences of attempting to prevent crib-biting by a variety of methods. These include attempts to prevent the grasping of objects, to interfere with air-engulfing and to introduce punishment for grasping and neck-flexion. Other approaches...
Macdonald AA, Chavatte P, Fowden AL.Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the microstructure of the maternal and fetal placenta from 25 pregnant ponies (Equus caballus) throughout the second half of gestation. Samples of placenta, 2-6 cm(2)in area, were collected from the antimesometrial region of the pregnant horn at 105 days (n=1), 165-219 days (n=5), 260 days (n=3), 270-277 days (n=3), 313-337 days (n=11) and immediately after spontaneous delivery at term (n=2). The maternal microcaruncle appears to be created from a clustering of about 16 uterine crypts encapsulated in a connective tissue sheath. There is a gestat...
Kingston JK, Geor RJ, McCutcheon LJ.To compare dew-point hygrometry, direct sweat collection, and measurement of body water loss as methods for determination of sweating rate (SR) in exercising horses. Methods: 6 exercise-trained Thoroughbreds. Methods: SR was measured in 6 horses exercising at 40% of the speed that elicited maximum oxygen consumption for 45 km, with a 15-minute rest at the end of each 15-km phase. Each horse completed 2 exercise trials. Dew-point hygrometry, as a method of local SR determination, was validated in vitro by measurement of rate of evaporative water loss. During exercise, local SR was determined ev...
Steinfort S, Röcken M, Vogelsberg J, Failing K, Staszyk C.Equine periodontal disease in horses has long been recognized as a painful disease, leading to a poor condition. The disease is widespread and attracts growing attention in equine dental medicine. The understanding of the underlying etiological and pathological mechanisms of equine periodontal disease is necessary to develop effective prophylactic and treatment options. As a first step, a thorough description of the histological features of the healthy equine gingiva is required. Specimens were taken from six horses (3 mares, 3 geldings, age: 0.5-26 years). The animals were euthanized for reas...
da Costa RP, Branco V, Pessa P, Silva JR, Ferreira-Dias G.Steroid hormones act via specific receptors, and these play an important physiological role in the ovary. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cellular distribution of progesterone receptors and their staining intensity in different equine luteal structures during the breeding season, as well as their relationship to luteal cell composition, cell proliferation pattern and plasma progesterone (P4) concentration. There was an increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in large luteal cells from the corpus hemorrhagicum (CH) to mid-luteal phase, followed by a decr...
Diaz L, Gormley MA, Coleman A, Sepanski A, Corley H, Perez A, Litwin AH.The implementation of equine-assisted services (EAS) during treatment for psychological disorders has been frequently documented; however, little is known about the effect of EAS on outcomes for populations with substance use disorder (SUD). The purpose of this scoping review was to synthesize existing literature reporting the effects of EAS when incorporated into SUD treatment. This review followed guidelines in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist for scoping reviews. A search of four databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycINFO, the Cumulative Ind...
Seeherman HJ, Morris EA.This paper describes the methodology necessary to perform a clinical exercise test and the expected variability in an individual horse's exercise test measurements based on comparing the results of two repetitions of the test with six horses. The exercise test measurements were obtained with an open flow respiratory gas analysis system, fast time response lactate analyser and an on-board heart rate monitor during an incremental inclined treadmill exercise test. With the exception of peak venous lactate concentration (LACpeak), the results indicate that the mean variability in peak oxygen consu...
Lorenzo-Figueras M, Preston T, Ott EA, Merritt AM.To evaluate the effect of ingestion of a high-carbohydrate versus a high-fat meal on relaxation of the proximal portion of the stomach and subsequent gastric emptying in horses. Methods: 6 healthy adult horses. Methods: The study consisted of 2 phases. In phase I, horses were offered a high-fat (8% fat) or a high-carbohydrate (3% fat) pelleted meal (0.5 g/kg) of identical volume, caloric density, and protein content. In phase II, meals consisted of a commercial sweet feed meal (0.5 g/kg) or this meal supplemented with corn oil (12.3% fat) or an isocaloric amount of glucose (2.9% fat). Proximal...
Eydt C, Geburek F, Schröck C, Hambruch N, Rohn K, Pfarrer C, Staszyk C.Aspiration of equine sternal bone marrow is required for the cultivation of bone marrow-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) for regenerative therapies. For bone marrow aspiration as well as for MSC cultivation, there is a need to optimize techniques and protocols to enhance MSC harvest at minimized culture times. In a comparative study bone marrow aspirates from sternebra 4 and 5 were collected at two different positions within the sternebrae, either from 10 mm or from 30 mm dorsal from the ventral margin of the sternebrae. Accuracy of the puncture depth was confirmed by ...
