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.
Kimura J, Hirano Y, Takemoto S, Nambo Y, Ishinazaka T, Himeno R, Mishima T, Tsumagari S, Yokota H.The equine ovary has a very unique structure in terms of its extreme large size, the presence of the ovulation fossa and the inverted location of its cortex and medulla. In the previous study, it was recognized that the application of three-dimensional internal structure microscopy (3D-ISM) to observe the mare ovary is very effective. Three-dimensional reconstruction of serially sliced images made by 3D-ISM was successful in this study with the aid of the sophisticated image processing technique. The rotation of the reconstructed ovary has been carried out with and without the application of t...
Huchzermeyer S, Wehrend A, Bostedt H.The cervix provides an effective, morphological barrier between the uterus and the outside world. The aim of this study was to characterize the epithelial morphology and the vascular structures of the equine cervix along the longitudinal and horizontal axis in more detail by light microscopy. For this purpose, cervical tissue specimens that had been removed from five different regions along the caudocranial axis of 10 genitally healthy mares were available. The histological staining was carried out with haematoxylin-eosin, azan according to Heidenhain, periodic acid-Schiff reaction and resorci...
Carmalt JL, Townsend HG, Janzen ED, Cymbaluk NE.To investigate the effect of routine dental floating on weight gain, body condition score, feed digestibility, and fecal particle size in pregnant mares fed various diets. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods: 56 pregnant mares. Methods: Mares were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 feed groups (n = 14 mares/group). All horses were sedated and an oral examination was performed, after which dental floating was performed on 7 horses in each group. Body weight was measured, and a body condition score was assigned before and at various times for 24 weeks after dental floating. Feed dig...
Hinrichs K, Choi YH, Love LB, Varner DD, Love CC, Walckenaer BE.We evaluated the relationship of initial chromatin configuration to time of oocyte recovery and to nuclear maturation after culture in horse oocytes having compact (Cp) and expanded (Ex) cumuli. In addition, we evaluated the effect of oocyte type, time of recovery, and duration of culture on blastocyst development after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. In oocytes collected within 1 h of slaughter, fibrillar and intermediate chromatin configurations were more prevalent in Cp than in Ex oocytes (68% and 12%, respectively). In Cp oocytes collected after a 5- to 9-h delay, the proportions in the ...
Aleman M, Lecouteur RA, Nieto JE, Williams DC, Stanke NJ, Shelton GD.Sarcoplasmic masses in humans have been associated with various myopathies, although the significance remains elusive. Similar structures have also been observed in equine muscle. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of such structures in normal and abnormal equine muscle, and to characterize these structures using histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and morphometric analyses. The histological and histochemical appearance was similar to that of human sarcoplasmic masses with a central or subsarcolemmal distribution. Of interest was a predilection ...
Hubert JD, Beadle RE, Norwood G.The molecular basis of the pathophysiology of anhidrosis is still not well understood. Therefore, treatments are more often based on clinical impressions than on scientific fact. Treatment options for this condition will improve only when more is known about the molecular events that cause anhidrosis, especially as they relate to beta2-receptor dysfunction and stimulus-secretion coupling in the sweat glands of affected horses. Although this additional information is being attained, sound environmental management will continue to be a very important aspect of the treatment of horses affected wi...
Evans TJ.Ergopeptine alkaloid exposure is common in pregnant mares. Many mares live in geographic areas where Neotyphodium coenophialum-infected tall fescue is the dominant grass in pastures and hay. A variety of grasses and cereal grains can be infected by Claviceps purpurea, and fungal sclerotia can contaminate forage and especially ground and pelleted feed. An understanding of the endocrine alterations associated with ergopeptine alkaloid exposure during pregnancy is necessary for the diagnosis of potential exposure to these compounds and for eective prophylaxis and therapy.
Bobbert MF, Santamaría S.The purpose of the present study was to gain more insight into the contribution of the forelimbs and hindlimbs of the horse to energy changes during the push-off for a jump. For this purpose, we collected kinematic data at 240 Hz from 23 5-year-old Warmbloods (average mass: 595 kg) performing free jumps over a 1.15 m high fence. From these data, we calculated the changes in mechanical energy and the changes in limb length and joint angles. The force carried by the forelimbs and the amount of energy stored was estimated from the distance between elbow and hoof, assuming that this part of the le...
Gross DK, Stover SM, Hill AE, Gardner IA.To assess the accuracy and reliability of a visual method of evaluating horseshoe characteristics. Methods: 1,199 Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Characteristics of 1 forelimb horseshoe were visually assessed on horses immediately prior to racing by 5 field observers at 5 major racetracks in California. Characteristics evaluated included horseshoe type; toe grab height; and the presence of a rim, pad, and heel traction devices. Sensitivity and specificity for observer assessment of horseshoe characteristics were calculated by comparing observer assessments to a postmortem laboratory standard...
De Stoppelaire GH, Gillespie TW, Brock JC, Tobin GA.The effects of grazing by feral horses on vegetation and dune topography at Assateague Island National Seashore were investigated using color-infrared imagery, lidar surveys, and field measurements. Five pairs of fenced and unfenced plots (300 m2) established in 1993 on sand flats and small dunes with similar elevation, topography, and vegetation cover were used for this study. Color-infrared imagery from 1998 and field measurements from 2001 indicated that there was a significant difference in vegetation cover between the fenced and unfenced plot-pairs over the study period. Fenced plots cont...
Amann RP.Apparent fertility of a male or group of females is considered frequently by veterinarians or animal scientists. Unfortunately, concepts of experimental design and statistics impacting validity and interpretation of values for average pregnancy rate frequently are ignored. The magnitude of this problem was documented by examination of published papers; 51 of 67 (76%) were considered flawed for one or more reasons. The discussion considers why: (a) conclusions from most published fertility studies reporting no significant difference due to treatment(s) are suspect, because too few males and/or ...
De Cock HE, Affolter VK, Wisner ER, Ferraro GL, MacLachlan NJ.A condition characterized by progressive swelling, hyperkeratosis, and fibrosis of the distal limbs has been recognized in Shire, Clydesdale, and Belgian draft horses. This chronic progressive disease starts at an early age, progresses throughout the life of the horse, and often ends in disfigurement and disability of the limbs that inevitably leads to the horse's premature death. This study was undertaken to better characterize this disease. Results: Six affected horses were donated for diagnostic workup. A detailed clinical, radiologic, gross, and histologic description is given in this repo...
Morel MC, Newcombe JR, Swindlehurst JC.Numerous and conflicting reports exist regarding factors that may effect mare reproductive performance, in particular multiple ovulation (MO) and its consequences. Sequential ultrasonic examination was used to monitor 3075 ovulations in 1581 mainly Thoroughbred mares to ascertain: whether increasing age is associated with an increase in MO; whether this is counteracted by an increase in embryo mortality (EM) prior to Day 13; and whether this embryonic loss may be associated with small-for-age embryonic vesicles (Days 13/14). Overall ovulation rate was 1.31, MO occurring in 29.3% of cycles. MO ...
Albrizio M, Guaricci AC, Maritato F, Sciorsci RL, Mari G, Calamita G, Lacalandra GM, Aiudi GG, Minoia R, Dell'Aquila ME, Minoia P.The development of fertilizing ability in sperm cells is associated with changes in the plasma membrane. However, to date the exact nature of sequentially activated primary receptors and channels and the signal transduction pathways derived from these remains elusive. We analyzed the expression and localization of the mu-opioid receptor in equine spermatozoa. A transcript corresponding to the third extracellular loop that selectively binds mu agonists was amplified, sequenced and compared with the known sequences in humans, rats and cattle. The amplification product showed a high degree of nuc...
Payne RC, Veenman P, Wilson AM.Muscles have two major roles in locomotion: to generate force and to absorb/generate power (do work). Economical force generation is achieved by short-fibred pennate muscle while the maximum power output of a muscle is architecture independent. In this study we tested the hypothesis that there is an anatomical and structural separation between the force-generating anti-gravity muscles and the propulsive (limb/trunk moving) muscles of the equine forelimb. Muscle mass and fascicle length measurements were made on the thoracic limb extrinsic muscles of six fresh horse cadavers. Physiological cros...
Boyde A, Firth EC.We describe morphological aspects of the articular calcified cartilage mineralizing front 'tidemark' in the distal joint surface of the third metacarpal bone from 14 horses. Compositional backscattered electron scanning electron microscopy and confocal scanning light microscopy were conducted on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-embedded medio-lateral slices. After maceration, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the calcified cartilage surface in the 'wedges' intervening between the slices. An anatomically reproducible clustering of canals in the calcified cartilage was found at o...
Palencia P, Quiroz-Rothe E, Rivero JL.Equine motor neuron disease (EMND) is a neurodegenerative disorder similar to the sporadic form of human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This study was conducted to quantify myofiber plasticity in response to EMND. Deep M. gluteus medius biopsy samples from eight horses with an ante mortem diagnosis of EMND, which in five cases was later confirmed by post mortem examination of spinal cord and peripheral nerves, were examined by combined methodologies of electrophoresis of myosin heavy chains (MyHC), muscle enzymes and substrate biochemistry, immunohistochemistry of MyHCs and sarcoendoplasmic Ca...
Dixon PM, Andrew R, Brannon H, Burgess R, Gibson A, Little JC, Orange B, Ross L, Rudolph T, Shaw DJ.A survey of 854 horse owners, trainers and equestrian managers in 10 regions of Great Britain and Ireland showed that 83 per cent provided their horses with routine prophylactic dental care at fixed intervals, including 49 per cent at intervals of 12 months and 30 per cent at intervals of six months; a further 10 per cent provided it only when they felt it was required and 7 per cent did not provide it at all. Overall, 44 per cent of the owners had their horse's wolf teeth (first premolar) extracted routinely; when prophylactic dentistry was provided, it was carried out solely by equine dental...
Human movement scienceDecember 14, 2004
Volume 23, Issue 5 663-671 doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2004.10.006
Peham C, Licka T, Schobesberger H, Meschan E.The aim of this study was to show that the motion pattern of a well-ridden horse varies less than the motion pattern of an unridden horse. In order to do so, we recorded the motion of two markers, one attached to the dorsal spinous processus of lumbar vertebra L4, the other to the right fore hoof. In total, we measured 21 horses in trot, ridden and unridden, with a fitting and with a non-fitting saddle. After breaking down the entire time series of the three-dimensional motion of the markers into their respective motion cycles, we computed a measure of motion pattern variability for the motion...
Khlifaoui M, Battut I, Bruyas JF, Chatagnon G, Trimeche A, Tainturier D.The cryoprotective effect of l-glutamine and an approach of its mechanism of action, in preserving motility of stallion spermatozoa during the freezing-thawing process, were studied. In Experiment 1, thirty-six ejaculates were collected from six stallions (two good, two middle, and two of poor sperm freezability) and were diluted with 10 different freezing media derived from INRA 82 medium supplemented with 20 mM HEPES and 2% (v/v) centrifuged egg yolk (BM). After thawing, sperm motility was evaluated by a computer-assisted semen motility analyser. The effects of glutamine and glycerol at diff...
Saint-Dizier M, Foulon-Gauze F, Lecompte F, Combarnous Y, Chopineau M.Pituitary equine luteinizing hormone (eLH) and fetal chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) have identical polypeptidic chains, but different linked carbohydrates. In equine tissues, eCG and eLH bind only to the LH/CG receptor (eLH/CG-R) and have no FSH activity. However, radio-receptor assays on equine luteal or testicular tissues have shown that eCG binds to the eLH/CG-R with only 2-4% of the binding activity of eLH. In order to study the structure-function relationship of eLH and eCG in a homologous system, we undertook the cloning and functional expression of the eLH/CG-R. Based on sequence homolog...
Burn JF, Portus B, Brockington C.The equine carpus has a well-defined limit to joint extension at approximately 180 degrees . During locomotion however, the carpus hyperextends during stance phase. Hyperextension is resisted by the carpal bones and ligaments, and it has been proposed that large increased hyperextension might relate to potentially damaging stress levels in the carpus. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between peak hyperextension of the carpus (PCE) and speed during locomotion on the level and on an incline. Five Thoroughbred horses were exercised on a treadmill at speeds between 1.8 and...
Hausberger M, Bruderer C, Le Scolan N, Pierre JS.The aim of the present study was to broach the question of the relative influence of different genetic and environmental factors on different temperament/personality traits of horses (Equus caballus). The researchers submitted 702 horses to standardized experimental tests and investigated 9 factors, either genetic or environmental. Genetic factors, such as sire or breed, seemed to influence more neophobic reactions, whereas environmental factors, such as the type of work, seemed to play a more dominant role in reactions to social separation or learning abilities. Additive effects were evident,...
Franklin SH, Price C, Burn JF.To develop the technique of respiratory sound analysis for the diagnosis of dorsal displacement of the equine soft palate. Objective: To show that 1) the displaced soft palate can spontaneously vibrate in the presence of expiratory airflow; 2) the observed frequency of vibration can be detected in respiratory sound recordings; and 3) the frequency of vibrations measured in cadaveric specimens are similar to those obtained from audio spectra in exercising horses with DDSP. Methods: Palatal movements and respiratory sounds were recorded from artificially ventilated cadaveric heads. The fundament...
Pinchbeck GL, Clegg PD, Proudman CJ, Morgan KL, French NP.Equine fatalities during racing continue to be a major welfare concern and falls at fences are responsible for a proportion of all equine fatalities recorded on racecourses. Objective: To identify and quantify risk factors for horse falls in National Hunt (NH) racing and to report the frequency of falling and falling-associated fatalities. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 2879 horse starts in hurdle and steeplechase races on 6 UK racecourses. Any horse that suffered a fall at a steeplechase or hurdle fence during the race was defined as a case. Data were obtained by intervi...
Staszyk C, Gasse H.The periodontal ligament (PDL) of the hypsodont cheek teeth of the horse meets specific requirements of tooth support: (1) to fix the tooth; (2) to withstand pressure and tension during the laterolateral mastication movement; (3) to restore the original tooth position. These requirements are assumed to be met by the periodontal collagen fiber apparatus and by the vascular system. Distinct fibro-vascular arrangements are described here in order to reveal the structural prerequisites for these distinct functions. Methods: Specimens from nine horses were processed for (1) collagen labeling with f...
Donaldson MC, Holter AM, Neuhoff S, Arnosky JA, Simpson BW, Vernon K, Blob RW, DesJardins JD.Although horseback riding is a well-established means of rehabilitation therapy for a variety of human patients, there are few data on the biomechanical relationships between horse and rider during such hippotherapy. We simultaneously tracked the movements of a horse with several different novice riders, under conditions similar to hippotherapy, to evaluate whether horses pass the same motion to different riders while being lead at a walk. Riders were outfitted with a goniometric data collection system that recorded the angles of flexion and extension and lateral bending of the thoracic and lu...
Okuda Y, Moe HH, Moe KK, Shimizu Y, Nishioka K, Shimogiri T, Mannen H, Kanemaki M, Kunieda T.Myanmar native horses are small horses used mainly for drafting carts or carriages in rural areas and packing loads in mountainy areas. In the present study, we investigated genotype distributions and allele frequencies of the LCORL/NCAPG, MSTN and DMRT3 genes, which are associated with body composition and locomotion traits of horses, in seven local populations of Myanmar native horses. The genotyping result of LCORL/NCAPG showed that allele frequencies of C allele associated with higher withers height ranged from 0.08 to 0.27, and 0.13 in average. For MSTN, allele frequencies of C allele ass...
Zoller JL, Cavinder CA, Sigler D, Tedeschi LO, Harlin J.Maintaining optimal body condition is an important concern for horse owners and managers as it can affect reproductive efficiency, athletic ability, and overall health of the horse; however, information regarding dietary requirements to maintain or alter BCS in the horse is limited. A recently developed model had high accuracy in predicting the energy required to alter BCS in the horse. However, the model was restricted to sedentary mares, while many horses are subject to physical work. The objective of this study was to expand the scope of that model to include exercising horses by incorporat...
Wright AL, Earley ET, Austin C, Arora M.Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) is a common, painful and poorly understood disease. Enamel, dentin and cementum accumulate both essential and toxic trace elements during mineralization. Characterization of the spatial accumulation pattern of trace elements may provide insight into the role that toxic elements play and inform biological processes affecting these hard dental tissues for future research. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to map the distribution of multiple trace elements and heavy metals across equin...
Pearce SG, Boure LP, Bolger A, Thomason JJ, Dobson H.To determine the conformational changes in the distal forelimb of horses following heel elevation of 15 degrees and greater. An experimental study with repeated, within-horse measurements. Methods: Five clinically normal, mixed-breed horses were used to determine distal forelimb conformation following heel elevation from 0 to 45 degrees in 15 degree increments. Data were also compared to conformation of the limb in a Kimzey splint. Conformation was determined using lateral to medial radiographic projections. Conformation parameters assessed included measurement of apparent lengths of digital f...
Ross DJ, Roberts JL.Equine calming products (ECPs) are often used by horse owners to alter or mitigate unwanted or dangerous behaviors in various situations. Little scientific research to date examines horse owners' knowledge surrounding these products. The objective of this pilot survey was to determine horse owners' use and perceptions of ECPs. For convenience, a survey was distributed to riding club members, livery yards, and riding instructors in the North of Scotland, UK, to ascertain the following information; the number of horse owners and caretakers who use an ECP, whether the product was considered to be...
Garner HE, Hahn AW, Salem C, Coffman JR, Hutcheson DP, Johnson JH.Acute laminitis-hypertension was produced experimentally by carbohydrate overloading of the gastrointestinal tract in 8 horses, and the resulting hemodynamic changes were measured. Statistically significant (P less than 0.01) increases in cardiac output, left ventricular ejection rate, heart rate, and arterial pressure were related to statistically nonsignificant changes in peripheral resistance and a delayed (Obel grade 3 plus 24 hours) decrease in plasma volume. When compared with control values, the doubling of cardiac output and left ventricular ejection rate simultaneous with little or no...
Robinson JA, Naylor JM, Crichlow EC.The use of electromyography (EMG) as a diagnostic aid for equine hyperkalemic periodic paresis (EHPP) was investigated in seven affected and seven control horses. Affected horses were confirmed positive for EHPP either by elevated serum potassium concentration with clinical signs of myotonia, or by inducing hyperkalemia and clinical signs using oral potassium chloride challenge. All horses were asymptomatic at the time EMG was performed, using bipolar fine wire needle electrodes. The myopotentials were recorded on magnetic tape and displayed on paper charts for analysis. Insertional and restin...
Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Conturba B, Alberti E, Zucca E, Ferrucci F.Equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) may require prolonged treatments with acid suppressants; therefore, interest in nutraceutical supplements with anti-ulcerogenic properties has increased. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of Trophogast pellet for the treatment of ESGD in endurance horses. Methods: Fifteen endurance horses were included based on their gastroscopic examination and randomly assigned to a treatment group, receiving Trophogast pellet for 30 days together with management changes, or to a control group, only subjected to management modifications. At the end of treatmen...
Mampe JR, Tatarniuk DM, Suarez-Fuentes DG, Kraus KH. The aim of this study was to to determine the comparative stiffness following repair of an axial sagittal fracture model in equine distal sesamoid bones using either a single 3.5-mm or 4.5-mm cortical bone screw placed in lag fashion. Methods: The present study was an biomechanical study. Results: The mean (±standard deviation) stiffness value for the 4.5-mm screw-bone construct (522.49 N/mm ± 168.21) was significantly greater than the 3.5-mm screw-bone construct (408.46 N/mm ± 131.13) ( = 0.047). This represents a 28% difference in mean stiffness. Conclusions: ...
Weijs W, Dingboom E, van Ginkel F.The contribution to total variance of different error sources in fibre type counts of equine gluteus medius muscle biopsies was determined to quantify and possibly improve the resolution of the method. Fibre types were defined on the basis of myosin heavy chain immunostaining. Errors were determined at levels: (1) positioning the insertion channel, (2) positioning the needle tip (3) biopsy heterogeneity (4) observer interpretation. Errors at levels 1 and 2 were considerable. Confidence intervals for individual observations were +/- 10-15%. In longitudinal studies a group size of 4 animals is n...
Müller-Schöttle F, Bogusz A, Grötzinger J, Herrler A, Krusche CA, Beier-Hellwig K, Beier HM.After its original description as a steroid-dependent protein in the rabbit uterus, uteroglobin became one of the best characterized proteins. However, detailed knowledge of its physiological role remains an enigma. In this study we investigate how its structure is phylogenetically conserved in the horse compared to other mammalian species. Northern blot analysis showed that in horses, the main expression of uteroglobin appears in lung, uterus, and prostate tissues. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the dimeric form of uteroglobin is found predominantly in biological compartments. Using ...
Zellmann P, Ribitsch I, Handschuh S, Peham C.We developed a finite element model (FEM) of the equine stifle joint to identify pressure peaks and simulate translocation and deformation of the menisci. A series of sectional magnetic resonance images (1.5 T) of the stifle joint of a 23 year old Shetland pony gelding served as basis for image segmentation. Based on the 3D polygon models of femur, tibia, articular cartilages, menisci, collateral ligaments and the meniscotibial ligaments, an FEM model was generated. Tissue material properties were assigned based on data from human (Open knee(s) project) and bovine femoro-tibial joint available...
Latorre R, Rodríguez MJ.The importance of correlating anatomical studies with diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in practice has long been recognised. Such studies in the horse have, until recently, lagged behind this discipline in human medicine and surgery. Clinical techniques by which this correlation is achieved include radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. This review presents published literature on the subject and, in addition, describes the part played by plastination, a recently developed technique for the preservation of biological specimens. In this, tissue fluids ...
Cloteau C, Dervilly G, Loup B, Delcourt V, Kaabia Z, Bagilet F, Groseille G, Dauriac K, Fisher S, Popot MA, Garcia P, Le Bizec B, Bailly-Chouriberry L.Despite their ban, Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) are considered as the most important threat for equine doping purposes. In the context of controlling such practices in horse racing, metabolomics has emerged as a promising alternative strategy to study the effect of a substance on metabolism and to discover new relevant biomarkers of effect. Based on the monitoring of 4 metabolomics derived candidate biomarkers in urine, a prediction model to screen for testosterone esters abuse was previously developed. The present work focuses on assessing the robustness of the associated method and def...
Fayrer-Hosken RA, Hill NS, Heusner GL, Traylor-Wiggins W, Turner K.Ergot alkaloids cause a range of pathological conditions in mares. There is no evaluation of the effects of ergot alkaloids from endophyte-infected tall fescue on the stallion breeding soundness examination spermiogram. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ergot alkaloids from endophyte-infected tall fescue on the stallion's reproductive functions. Methods: Crossover toxicology experiment. Methods: Six stallions were fed either toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue seed or a nontoxic endophyte tall fescue seed (Flecha AR-542, MaxQ). The fescue seed content was...
Stevenson RA, Hartley CA, Huang JA, Studdert MJ, Crabb BS, Warner S.Equine rhinitis A virus (ERAV) is an important respiratory pathogen of horses and is of additional interest because of its close relationship and common classification with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). As is the case with FMDV, the VP1 capsid protein of ERAV has been shown to be a target of neutralizing antibodies. In FMDV VP1, such antibodies commonly recognize linear epitopes present in the betaG-betaH loop region. To map linear B cell epitopes in ERAV VP1, overlapping fragments spanning its length were expressed in Escherichia coli as glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins....
Heck RW, McKeever KH, Alway SE, Auge WK, Whitehead R, Bertone AL, Lombardo JA.The purpose of this study was to determine whether 8 wk of progressive resistance exercise training would produce increases in strength and changes in foreleg muscle characteristics indicative of hypertrophy in ponies. Two mature 3- to 6-yr-old, male ponies (188 +/- 16 kg) were taught to carry sheets of lead over their saddle region (wither) while walking on a level treadmill at 1.9 m.s-1. This initial familiarization period was followed by 8 wk of training (3 d per wk), in which the ponies performed a series of progressive sets of weight carrying to fatigue. Each workout started with a 2-min ...
Guan F, Uboh CE, Soma LR, Robinson M, Maylin GA, Li X.Dermorphin is a unique opioid peptide that is 30-40 times more potent than morphine. It was misused and went undetected in horse racing until 2011 when intelligence obtained from a few North American race tracks suggested its use. To prevent such misuse, a reliable analytical method became necessary for detection and identification of dermorphin in post-race horse samples. This paper describes the first liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for such a purpose. Equine plasma and urine samples were pre-treated with ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid and urea prior to so...
Corado CR, McKemie DS, Knych HK.Dextromethorphan is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) non-competitive antagonist commonly used in human medicine as an antitussive. Dextromethorphan is metabolized in humans by cytochrome P450 2D6 into dextrorphan, which is reported to be more potent than the parent compound. The goal of this study is to describe the metabolism of and determine the pharmacokinetics of dextromethorphan and its major metabolites following oral administration to horses. A total of 23 horses received a single oral dose of 2 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected at time 0 and at various times up to 96 h post drug ad...
Costa MF, Carmona AK, Alves MF, Ryan TM, Davies HM, Anderson GA, Slocombe RF.Angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) is a key regulator of blood pressure, electrolytes and fluid homeostasis through conversion of angiotensin I into angiotensin II. Recently, a genetic polymorphism of the ACE gene, which accounts for 47% of the variation of ACE activity in blood, has been advocated as a biomarker of athletic aptitude. Different methods of analysis and determination of ACE activity in plasma have been used in human and equine research without a consensus of a "gold standard" method. Different methods have often been used interchangeably or cited as being comparable in the ex...
Alberghina D, Piccione G, Amorini AM, D'Urso S, Longo S, Picardi M, Tavazzi B, Lazzarino G.This study was designed to examine the influence of sub-maximal exercise on purine and pyrimidine catabolism in horses. Ten horses were initially trained for 12 weeks at the end of which they underwent a standardized exercise test (SET); venous blood samples were taken at rest, 5 and 30 min after the SET. Six untrained healthy horses, from which a blood withdrawal was taken at rest, were used as the control group. Samples were analyzed by HPLC for the simultaneous determination of uric acid, uridine, β-pseudouridine and creatinine in plasma. Glucose and lactate were measured in blood. Trained...
Fürst A, Galuppo LD, Judy CE, Auer J, Snyder JR.The incidence of fractures after a kick, coupled with marked soft tissue trauma at the site of injury, suggests that the force of a kick from the hind limb of a horse is enormous. The goal of this study was to measure this force and to investigate whether the Tekscan F-SCAN in-shoe pressure measuring system is suitable for quantification of the impact strength of a kick from a horse. The system was tested in 6 horses that had undergone clinical examination and gait analysis. The sensor-shoe combination was attached to each hind foot and the horse was stimulated to kick against a wall. The F-SC...
Duvivier DH, Votion D, Vandenput S, Lekeux P.Inhalation therapy plays an increasing role in the management of equine respiratory disorders. This alternative to systematic treatment permits a high concentration of medication to act locally while minimizing side effects and residues. In human medicine, literature in this field is prolific and continuously renewed, whereas in veterinary medicine, applications of aerosol therapy are less extensive. This review considers the principles of action of the different types of devices used for inhalation, i.e., nebulization, metered-dose inhalation and dry powder inhalation, describes the technical...
Spoormakers TJP, Graat EAM, Serra Bragança FM, Weeren PRV, Brommer H.Lameness assessment in horses is still predominantly performed using subjective methods. Visual assessment is known to have moderate to good intra-rater agreement but relatively poor inter-rater agreement. Little is known about inter- and intra-rater agreement on the evaluation of back motion, for which no objective measurement technique in a clinical setting is available thus far. To describe inter- and intra-rater agreement of visual evaluation of equine back mobility. Rater reliability study using a fully crossed design in which all horses are rated by all observers. This data is compared w...
Karatt TK, Sathiq MA, Laya S, Ajeebsanu MPM, Karakka Kal AK, Subhahar MB, Perwad Z.Recently, there has been a report suggesting that ecdysteroids can enhance sports performance, making them relevant substances in doping control. Hence, it is imperative to examine the analytical characteristics of ecdysteroids in biological samples to identify their misuse in competitive sports. Methods: To assess the doping of ecdysteroids such as ecdysone, ecdysterone, ponasterone A, turkesterone, and ajugasterone C, a fast and sensitive extraction and detection method was developed, optimized, and validated using equine urine and plasma. Different extraction techniques, namely, solid-phase...
Keller GA, Nielsen BD, Vergara-Hernandez FB, Robison CI.Keeping horses outdoors on pasture full-time with free access to shelter holds numerous advantages over housing in stalls, promoting both better mental and physical health. One reason for these benefits is the potential for increased physical activity in horses outdoors on pasture versus those confined to stalls. However, it is not guaranteed the horse will take advantage of this opportunity for greater movement. For this reason, it is important to understand the various reasons why horse activity patterns change. The objective of this study was to investigate how various weather factors - inc...
Suvá M, Arnold VH, Wiedenmann EA, Jordan R, Galvagno E, Martínez M, Vichera GD.Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is an asexual reproductive technique where cloned offspring contain the same genetic material as the original donor. Although this technique preserves the sex of the original animal, the birth of sex-reversed offspring has been reported in some species. Here, we report for the first time the birth of a female foal generated by SCNT of a male nuclear donor. After a single SCNT procedure, 16 blastocysts were obtained and transferred to eight recipient mares, resulting in the birth of two clones: one male and one female. Both animals had identical genetic prof...
Pluháček J, Tučková V, Šárová R, King SRB.Overmarking remains an unstudied topic in juvenile mammals. We have previously documented a very high rate of overmarking by foals in four captive African equid species: mountain zebra (Equus zebra), plains zebra (Equus quagga), Grévy's zebra (Equus grevyi), and African wild ass (Equus africanus). African equids vary interspecifically in their social organisation. Since differences in social organisation affect many mammalian behaviours, in this study we investigated interspecific differences in overmarking behaviour of foals, analysing only cases where elimination of any other individual was...
Doreau M, Boulot S, Martin-Rosset W, Robelin J.The milk and nutrient intakes of 21 nursing foals of heavy breeds (adult weight: 800 kg) were determined at 1, 4 and 8 weeks of age. Lactose intake increased (P is less than 0.01) from 1 300 g/day at 1 week of age to 1 800 g/d at 8 weeks; fat decreased (P is less than 0.01) from 400 g/d to 300 g/d and protein did not vary (600 g/d). Energy and nitrogen intakes did not depend on the source of energy in the mother's diet. Milk, energy and nitrogen intakes were well related (r = 0.74 to 0.81) with foal growth between 1 and 4 weeks, but not between 4 and 8 weeks. The composition of weight gain sho...
