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.
Holmes JR, Alps BJ.Theoretical consideration has been given in two horses to the properties of the electric field created by the equine heart acting as a simple electric generator. The principles of the vectorial theory have been applied to test the validity of application of the dipole concept. The cardiac electric forces, althrough complex in the immediate region of the heart, appear at the body surface in a similar form to those arising from a relatively immobile, single equivalent dipole. The potential value of the technique of vectorcardiography in cardiological investigations is briefly discussed.
Burton AG, Clark KC, Borjesson DL, Carrade DD, Burges J, Owens SD.Volume reduction and RBC depletion of equine bone marrow specimens are necessary processing steps for the immediate therapeutic use of bone marrow (BM)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and for MSC expansion in culture. Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the ability of the PrepaCyte-CB processing system to reduce volume, deplete RBC, and recover mononuclear cells (MNC) from equine BM specimens. Methods: One hundred and twenty mL of heparinized BM were obtained from each of 90 horses. A CBC was performed on the BM pre- and post-PrepaCyte-CB processing. Volume and RBC reduct...
Saitua A, Castejón-Riber C, Requena F, Argüelles D, Calle-González N, de Medina AS, Muñoz A.During a water treadmill (WT) exercise, horses change their accelerometric patterns. We aimed to analyze if these changes persist during terrestrial locomotion. Six horses were randomly subjected to 40 min duration WT exercises, without water (WW), at the depth of fetlock (FET), carpus (CAR) and stifle (STF), with a day off between them. Before and after 30 min after WT, horses were evaluated at walk and at trot on a track with a triaxial accelerometer fixed on the pectoral (PECT) and sacrum (SML) regions. The percent of change from baseline (before WT and after each exercise session) were cal...
Whitlock D, Garcia TC, Vallance SA, Stover SM.The specific biomechanical circumstances that induce excessive superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) strain in horses are unknown. Objective: Carpal joint hyperextension during axial limb loading during the middle of stance disproportionately enhances SDFT strains compared to suspensory ligament (SL) strains. Methods: Superficial digital flexor tendon and SL strains were measured in 7 cadaver limbs during in vitro loading that maintained carpal extension or allowed carpal hyperextension by constraining, or allowing rotation of, the radius during loading conditions that simulated the middle ...
Abo-Aziza FAM, Hendawy SHM, Abdullah HHAM, El Namaky A, Laidoudi Y, Mediannikov O.Equine filariosis (EF) is a neglected vector-borne disease caused by nematode species belonging to the Onchocercidae and Setariidae families. Aside from their zoonotic potential, some species are responsible for serious health problems in equids worldwide, leading to significant economic difficulties. Here, we molecularly investigated equine blood samples (320 horses and 109 donkeys from Egypt) and four adult worms isolated from the peritoneal cavity of 5 out of the 94 slaughtered donkeys. In addition, quantitative enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISAs) targeting circulating cytokines were used t...
Minetti AE, Cisotti C, Mian OS.Although the 3D trajectory of the body centre of mass during ambulation constitutes the 'locomotor signature' at different gaits and speeds for humans and other legged species, no quantitative method for its description has been proposed in the literature so far. By combining the mathematical discoveries of Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier (1768-1830, analysis of periodic events) and of Jules Antoine Lissajous (1822-1880, parametric equation for closed loops) we designed a method simultaneously capturing the spatial and dynamical features of that 3D trajectory. The motion analysis of walking and r...
Davies Morel MC, Newcombe JR, Holland SJ.In order to assist in the accurate prediction of the timing of parturition in the mare true gestation length, along with the potential effect of a number of factors, was investigated. Data from 433 Thoroughbred foal pregnancies were used. Sequential ultrasonic scanning allowed the true gestation length (fertilisation-parturition) to be ascertained, as apposed to previous work, which used the mating-parturition interval. An average gestation length of 344.1 +/- 0.49 days was evident. Colt foal pregnancies were significantly (P < 0.001) longer (346.2 +/- 0.72) than fillies (342.4 +/- 0.65). Mont...
Easton-Jones C, Woolard K, Mohr FC, Roy MA, Aleman M.Intracranial neoplasia in horses is rare compared to other species. Detailed information such as neurological, electroencephalographic, and histopathological examination of horses with intracranial neoplasia associated with seizures is scarce in the literature. Furthermore, ganglioglioma has not been reported in the horse. A 7-year-old Quarter horse cross Paint gelding was examined due to recurrent seizure-like episodes of 1-year duration. The seizures had been increasing in frequency and length, occurring up to 20 times a day at the time of presentation. Neurological examination revealed inte...
McGreevy PD, McLean AN, Keay KA, Thomson PC.Trained responses are said to be under stimulus control when they appear reliably and exclusively on cue. The SMART system is a conceptual, three-dimensional graphic that uses four quadrants to chart a horse's responsiveness to various cues from two reins and the trainer's legs and seat. The current plots have been designed for ridden horses. The models assume that the trainer's cues are bilaterally equivalent, unless the intention is to signal a turn or a lateral movement. The extent to which 'go' signals manifest as straight, forward locomotion reflect the bilateral balance of the horse's re...
Hyde KA, Aguiar FLN, Alvarenga PB, Rezende AL, Alves BG, Alves KA, Gastal GDA, Gastal MO, Gastal EL.Understanding the transition from quiescent primordial follicles to activated primary follicles is vital for characterizing ovarian folliculogenesis and improving assisted reproductive techniques. To date, no study has investigated preantral follicle crowding in the ovaries of livestock or characterized these crowds according to follicular morphology and ovarian location (portions and regions) in any species. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the crowding (clustering and neighborhood) patterns of preantral follicles in the equine ovary according to mare age, follicular morphology an...
Li B, He X, Zhao Y, Bai D, Bou G, Zhang X, Su S, Dao L, Liu R, Wang Y, Manglai D.P-element induced wimpy testis-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are essential for testicular development and spermatogenesis in mammals. Comparative analyses of the molecular mechanisms of spermatogenesis among different organisms are therefore dependent on accurate characterizations of piRNAs. At present, little is known of piRNAs in non-model organisms. Here, we characterize piRNAs in the Mongolian horse, a hardy breed that reproduces under extreme circumstances. A thorough understanding of spermatogenesis and reproduction in this breed may provide insights for the improvement of fecundity and repr...
Caudron I, Grulke S, Farnir F, Aupaix R, Serteyn D.This study is part of a work to develop a radiographic method that defines objectively the individual conformation of an equine digit and its appropriate trimming. The authors used isolated distal limbs fastened on a rotation support with variable inclinations to study the influence of induced asymmetric bearings on various angles measured from specific radiographs. The digit responded to asymmetric bearings by 1. deformation of the hoof; 2. rotation of the phalanges; and 3. joint asymmetry or local articular space narrowing. The two last situations occurred mainly in the distal interphalangea...
Fidani M, Casagni E, Montana M, Pasello E, Pecoraro C, Gambaro V.Bacteria frequently found in equine urine samples may cause degradation of 17beta-OH steroids. A simple liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method has been developed to evaluate the microbiological contamination of equine urine as a marker of poor storage conditions. Norethandrolone was used as the internal standard, and the linearity, sensitivity, precision and accuracy of the method were evaluated. 17beta-OH oxidation was demonstrated for testosterone, nandrolone, trenbolone and boldenone, but did not occur in alpha-epimers such as alpha-boldenone and epitestosterone, d...
Bartolomé E, Menéndez-Buxadera A, Valera M, Cervantes I, Molina A.The purpose of this study was to study phenotypic plasticity ability for Show Jumping performance in horses according to age differences. For this study, 11 352 participations, belonging to 1085 horses grouped by age (4-, 5- or 6-year olds), were analysed. repeatability animal models (RAM) and multiple trait animal models (MTAM) were compared. RAM assumed the same covariance components for all age groups, whereas MTAM considered the results of every animal at every age group as different (but correlated) traits. The age, sex, starting order and training level were included as fixed effects. T...
Gordon ME, McKeever KH.Twelve Standardbred mares underwent blood sampling for 24 h to test the hypothesis that there is diurnal variation of humoral mediators of peripheral energy balance including active ghrelin, adiponectin, leptin, glucose, insulin, and cortisol. The experiment was conducted under acclimated conditions. Grass hay and pelleted grain were provided at 0730 and 1530. Plasma concentrations of active ghrelin and leptin concentrations both peaked (47.3 +/- 6.5 pg/ mL and 5.9 +/- 1.1 ng/mL, respectively; P < 0.05) at 1550, 20 min after feeding. Active ghrelin decreased (P < 0.05) to 28.9 +/- 4.5 pg/mL ov...
Walker N, Huseman C, Cater M, McCorkle DA, Hanselka D, Zoller J.The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the availability of virtual horse showing opportunities. The objectives of this study were to describe survey participants' personal characteristics and participation in virtual and in-person horse shows, level of satisfaction, attitude toward technology and motivation to participate, and internal and external factors influencing the decision to participate in virtual horse shows. A survey was distributed to a target audience of adult horse show participants and/or adults supporting youth horse show participants via Qualtrics (n = 251). A majority of respo...
Joost RE.Acremonium coenophialum Morgan-Jones and Gams, an endophytic fungus commonly found in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), has been identified as the cause of poor performance of beef cattle and horses on tall fescue. Ryegrass staggers, a neurological disorder of sheep, has been linked to the presence of a similar fungus, A. lolii Latch, Christensen and Samuels, in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Renovation of endophyte-infected (E+) pastures with endophyte-free (E-) cultivars of tall fescue or perennial ryegrass has resulted in improved animal performance, but productivity and s...
Miller PJ, Holmes JR.A method is described of processing transaortic valve pressures in the horse using the first derivative of the left ventricular pressure to define the beginning and end of each systolic complex. To determine the beginning of each systole three definitions of left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), based on a 100, 150 or 200 mmHg/sec rate of left ventricular diastolic pressure rise, were evaluated. These definitions were also evaluated for their ability to determine isovolumic contraction time (ICT) and pulse interval. The best of these, LVEDP 150, was defined as the last point in dias...
Wilson SM, Pediani JD, Ko WH, Bovell DL, Kitson S, Montgomery I, Brown UM, Smith GL, Elder HY, Jenkinson DM.When sweat glands isolated from samples of horse skin were explanted and cultured under favourable conditions, they could exhibit cellular outgrowth. This growth could be maintained for 2-4 weeks and these primary cultures were then disaggregated and the resultant cell suspensions used to initiate epithelial cell lines. Secretion from intact equine sweat glands is regulated by beta 2-adrenoceptors and appears to be mediated by cyclic AMP, but there is evidence that calcium may also play a role. Adrenaline could increase the cyclic AMP content of the cultured cells and this response was mediate...
Valberg SJ, Iglewski H, Henry ML, Schultz AE, McKenzie EC.Selective breeding and discipline specific training has led to equine breeds adept at various athletic disciplines. Breed-specific skeletal muscle adaptations have been studied in many breeds but not Warmbloods (WB). We evaluated gluteal muscle contractile muscle fiber types and citrate synthase activity (CS), a marker for mitochondrial volume density, in WB trained for dressage (second level-Grand Prix) contrasted with Quarter Horses (QH). Gluteus medius muscle biopsies from 14 unfit/18 fit dressage-trained WB and 20 unfit/16 fit reining/working cow QH were analyzed fluorometrically and fiber...
Dunstan RH, Macdonald MM, Thorn B, Wood D, Roberts TK.Horses in heavy training in preparation for racing and competition have increased metabolic demands to support the more intensive levels of exercise and recovery. However, little is known at the metabolic level about amino acid turnover and the specific alterations of demand caused by high intensity exercise. During exercise, certain amino acids are required in greater quantities due to disproportionate losses via excretory systems and usage in biosynthetic pathways. This investigation has built a theoretical computer model in an attempt to bring together the published rates of protein intake ...
Alves NC, Diniz SA, Viegas RN, Cortes SF, Costa ED, Freitas MM, Martins-Filho OA, Araújo MSS, Lana ÂMQ, Wenceslau RR, Lagares MA.The aim of this study was to improve the quality of frozen-thawed equine sperm by the addition of caffeine to it. Semen from nine stallions was frozen and different concentrations of caffeine (3, 5 and 7.5 mM) were added to frozen-thawed semen. The sperm kinetic parameters, membrane functionality and integrity, and acrosome integrity and spontaneous acrosome reacted sperm were evaluated with a computer-assisted sperm analysis, a hypoosmotic swelling test and epifluorescent microscopy, respectively. Nitrite and hydroperoxide concentrations of frozen-thawed semen were measured using spectrophot...
DeBoer ML, Hathaway MR, Weber PSD, Sheaffer CC, Kuhle KJ, Martinson KL.Spring and late fall grazing can lead to metabolic problems in horses (Equus caballus L.) as a result of elevated nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) in pastures. Therefore, the objectives were to determine the impact of different forage species on blood glucose and insulin concentrations of horses during the spring and late fall. Research was conducted in May (spring) and October (late fall) in St. Paul, MN. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and mixed perennial cool-season grasses (CSG) were grazed in spring, and CSG and teff (Eragrostis tef [Zucc.] Trotter) were grazed in late fall by six adult hor...
Miragliotta V, Raphäel K, Lussier JG, Theoret CL.The development of exuberant granulation tissue, a situation that in some ways resembles the human keloid, compromises both the aesthetic and functional outcomes of wound repair in horses. To help elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms the spatio-temporal expression of lumican (LUM) mRNA and protein for their potential contributions to tissue remodelling of body and limb wounds, was examined in an established experimental model. Expression was studied in intact skin and in samples of 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 6-week-old wounds of the body and forelimb. Temporal gene expression was determined b...
Palomar-Ciria N, Bello HJ.Alternative treatments for Post-traumatic-Stress Disorder (PTSD) have attracted attention, especially Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) including psychotherapy and occupational therapy involving horses. In this work, we measured the effectiveness of EAS in PTSD through a meta-analysis. An intensive bibliography search focusing in EAS and PTSD was conducted following the PRISMA recommendations. The search was not restricted by date. For the quantitative analyses, 5 works were selected. They were chosen based on the instrument utilized for the assessment of PTSD symptoms: the PTSD Checklist for DSM...
Whishaw IQ, Kolb B.A human physical asymmetry is the near 90% clockwise occipitoparietal scalp hair-whorl direction in Europeans, an incidence that approximates the left lateralization of speech and right-handedness. Hair-whorl direction is also asymmetric in horses, Equus ferus caballus and placement is proposed to be related to temperament and lateralized skill in equitation manoeuvres. We describe a hair-whorl asymmetry in the horse, mane direction. Of 526, 3-year-old American Quarter horses, 69% of horses had mane directed to the right and 31% had mane directed to the left. The bias was larger in females, wi...
Leidinger EF, Leidinger J, Figl J, Rumpler B, Schwendenwein I.Despite the increasing popularity of Icelandic horses, published reference intervals (RIs) in this breed are rare. Due to their isolation and their small gene pool, alterations in some variables are likely and some possible breed-specific peculiarities have been described. The purpose of the present study was the establishment of comprehensive RIs in Icelandic horses according to recently published guidelines. In a prospective observational study, blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of 142 Icelandic horses into EDTA and serum tubes. Reference intervals were established for haema...
Zaniboni A, Merlo B, Zannoni A, Bernardini C, Lavitrano M, Forni M, Mari G, Bacci ML.Sperm mediated gene transfer (SMGT) has been reported to be a powerful tool for producing transgenic livestock with applications in biomedicine and agriculture. To date, two studies have reported the production of transgenic equine embryo with, however, low efficiency in blastocyst production and transgene expression. The aim of the present study was to develop a method which allowed the efficient production of transgene-expressing embryos of the equine species through SMGT. To overcome problems due to in vitro fertilization (IVF) in horses, the ICSI procedure was associated with SMGT. The upt...
Brinsko SP.This manuscript presents a brief historical review of investigations related to equine artificial insemination. The origin of recommended insemination doses for use fresh, cooled and frozen semen will be reviewed. Over 30 years ago, an insemination dose of 500 x 10(6) progressively motile sperm (PMS) was recommended to maximize pregnancy rates when mares were bred with fresh semen under less than ideal conditions. Since that time, 500 x 10(6) progressively motile sperm has been almost universally accepted as a standard insemination dose, regardless of a stallion's fertility or the refinements ...
Harkins JD, Tobin T.Fentanyl and other opioid drugs have their effect in the central nervous system; however, activity at peripheral sites has also been demonstrated. Pain-suppression activity at peripheral sites raises the possibility of skilled individuals producing local anaesthetic effects with small doses of opioid drugs that would be difficult to detect forensically and could be used to affect the outcome of a race. Therefore, the local pain-suppression effect (peripheral nerve inhibition) of fentanyl was tested using an abaxial sesamoid block/hoof withdrawal model. With this model, fentanyl did not produce...
