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.
Bye TL, Lewis V.This study explored the relationship between footedness and postural asymmetry in equestrian riders. 28 female riders completed the Waterloo Footedness Questionnaire- Revised (WFQ-R), giving a score for footedness. They then took part in a test on a riding simulator where measures of saddle force, stirrup force, and degree of lateral tilt of the pelvic, trunk, and shoulder segments were taken over a period of 20 seconds in trot. Symmetry indices were calculated for stirrup force and saddle force. There were no significant correlations between WFQ-R score and any of the measures of postural sym...
Kosinska MK, Eichner G, Schmitz G, Liebisch G, Steinmeyer J.The current limitations in evaluating synovial fluid (SF) components in health and disease and between species are due in part to the lack of data on normal SF, because of low availability of SF from healthy articular joints. Our study aimed to quantify species-dependent differences in phospholipid (PL) profiles of normal knee SF obtained from equine and human donors. Knee SF was obtained during autopsy by arthrocentesis from 15 and 13 joint-healthy human and equine donors, respectively. PL species extracted from SF were quantitated by mass spectrometry whereas ELISA determined apolipoprotein ...
Zoccante L, Marconi M, Ciceri ML, Gagliardoni S, Gozzi LA, Sabaini S, Di Gennaro G, Colizzi M.Equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) have been suggested to improve adaptive behavior, and possibly motor function, in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study investigated the effects of EAAT on adaptive behavior and motor function in 15 children with ASD (13 males) aged 7-15 years as well as the impact of EAAT on the magnitude of stress in the parent-child system and the evolution in the child interaction with both the trained therapist and the therapeutic animal through the 20 weekly sessions of EAAT. EAAT were associated with greater adaptive behavior and coordination (all â‰...
Dini P, Kalbfleisch T, Uribe-Salazar JM, Carossino M, Ali HE, Loux SC, Esteller-Vico A, Norris JK, Anand L, Scoggin KE, Rodriguez Lopez CM, Breen J....Most autosomal genes in the placenta show a biallelic expression pattern. However, some genes exhibit allele-specific transcription depending on the parental origin of the chromosomes on which the copy of the gene resides. Parentally expressed genes are involved in the reciprocal interaction between maternal and paternal genes, coordinating the allocation of resources between fetus and mother. One of the main challenges of studying parental-specific allelic expression (allele-specific expression [ASE]) in the placenta is the maternal cellular remnant at the fetomaternal interface. Horses () ha...
Johnson RA, Albright DL, Marzolf JR, Bibbo JL, Yaglom HD, Crowder SM, Carlisle GM, Grindler K, Harms N, Willard A, Wassman M, Russell CL.Posttraumatic stress disorder commonly occurs among U.S. military veterans. Therapeutic horseback riding (THR) has emerged as an adjunct therapy. We explored 20 veterans' perceived benefits, drawbacks and views of a 6-week THR program. Participants had confirmed diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or both. Veterans rode the same horse weekly, the same day, at the same time. Data were collected as part of a randomized clinical trial testing the effects of THR on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Veterans responded to an open-ended questionnaire. Content analysis wa...
Rosengren MK, Sigurðardóttir H, Eriksson S, Naboulsi R, Jouni A, Novoa-Bravo M, Albertsdóttir E, Kristjánsson Þ, Rhodin M, Viklund Å, Velie BD....The back plays a vital role in horse locomotion, where the spine functions as a spring during the stride cycle. A complex interaction between the spine and the muscles of the back contribute to locomotion soundness, gait ability, and performance of riding and racehorses. Conformation is commonly used to select horses for breeding and performance in multiple horse breeds, where the back and croup conformation plays a significant role. The conformation of back and croup plays an important role on riding ability in Icelandic horses. However, the genes behind this trait are still unknown. Therefor...
de Meeûs d'Argenteuil C, Boshuizen B, Oosterlinck M, van de Winkel D, De Spiegelaere W, de Bruijn CM, Goethals K, Vanderperren K, Delesalle CJG.Equine bioenergetics have predominantly been studied focusing on glycogen and fatty acids. Combining omics with conventional techniques allows for an integrative approach to broadly explore and identify important biomolecules. Friesian horses were aquatrained (n = 5) or dry treadmill trained (n = 7) (8 weeks) and monitored for: evolution of muscle diameter in response to aquatraining and dry treadmill training, fiber type composition and fiber cross-sectional area of the M. pectoralis, M. vastus lateralis and M. semitendinosus and untargeted metabolomics of the M. pectoralis and M. vastus late...
O'Hara V, Cowan A, Riddell D, Massey C, Martin J, Piercy RJ.Horse racing is a popular and financially important industry worldwide and researchers and horse owners are interested in genetic and training influences that maximise athletic performance. An association has been found between the presence of a short interspersed nuclear element (SINE) mutation in the myostatin (MSTN) gene promoter and optimal race distance in Thoroughbred horses. There is previous laboratory evidence that this mutation reduces MSTN expression in a cell culture model and influences skeletal muscle fibre type proportions in horses. Manipulating MSTN expression has been propose...
Wenker C, Hoby S, Steck BL, Ramsauer AS, Blatter S, Tobler K.Equine sarcoids (ES) were diagnosed in 12 Somali wild asses (SWA) () from 10 different institutions of the SWA European Endangered Species Programme from 1976 to 2019. Samples of surgically excised masses, biopsies, or necropsy samples were submitted for histologic and virologic analysis. In addition, tissue samples from one onager (), one kulan (), and two Hartmann's mountain zebras (HMZ) () were examined. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of ES exhibiting the typical microscopic features. Polymerase chain reaction detected bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV1) DNA in eight SWA samples and bovi...
Pollard D, Furtado T.Real or perceived traffic risk is a significant barrier to walking and cycling. To understand whether similar barriers influence equestrians, this study obtained exercise behaviours, road use and experiences of road-related incidents from UK equestrians ( = 6390) via an online questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with road use and experiencing a near-miss or injury-causing incident in the previous year. Content analysis identified themes around equestrians' decisions not to use roads. Our results show that most equestrians (84%) use r...
Fornal A, Kowalska K, Zabek T, Piestrzynska-Kajtoch A, Musiał AD, Ropka-Molik K.The aim of the conservation programme is to maintain the population size of endangered livestock breeds of less economic importance at a level that ensures the survival of the breed, the preservation of genetic diversity, and the preservation of as many pedigree lines as possible. The Polish Konik, a native Polish primitive-type horse breed and is one of the breeds included in such a programme in Poland. Presently, there are only 16 (of the 35 maternal lines known in 1962), some of which are endangered. We examined the genetic variability and structure of the Polish Konik maternal lines (176 i...
Garnica-Galvez S, Korntner SH, Skoufos I, Tzora A, Diakakis N, Prassinos N, Zeugolis DI.The use of macromolecular crowding in the development of extracellular matrix-rich cell-assembled tissue equivalents is continuously gaining pace in regenerative engineering. Despite the significant advancements in the field, the optimal macromolecular crowder still remains elusive. Herein, the physicochemical properties of different concentrations of different molecular weights hyaluronic acid (HA) and their influence on equine adipose-derived stem cell cultures were assessed. Within the different concentrations and molecular weight HAs, the 10 mg/mL 100 kDa and 500 kDa HAs exhibited the high...
O'Reilly C, Zoller J, Sigler D, Vogelsang M, Sawyer J, Fluckey J.Despite the fact that horseback riding is a popular sport, there is little information available on horseback riding as a physical activity. The objective of this experiment was to quantify energy expenditure of participants (n=20) during three riding tests: a 45min walk-trot-canter ride (WTC), a reining pattern ride and a cutting simulation ride while wearing a telemetric gas analyzer. Total energy expenditure (tEE), mean and peak metabolic equivalents of task (MET), heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (RF), relative oxygen consumption (relVO2), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were as...
Mukhtar AH, Alqutub MN.The aim of this study was to compare between equine and human bone blocks in the osteogenic differentiation of cultured human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) at 14 and 21 days of culture, using confocal laser microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Methods: cultures of commercially obtained hPDLSCs were seeded onto equine and human bone blocks. At 14 days and 21 days of culture, confocal laser microscope images were obtained to assess cellular differentiation and adhesion, and scanning electron microscope images were obtained to validate the osteogenic differentiation by showin...
Robles M, Hammer C, Staniar B, Chavatte-Palmer P.Forage availability should cover most needs for mares bred during spring and summer. Out-of-season breeding, lack of access to pasture, or good quality forage calls for nutritional supplementation. Current evaluations of broodmare needs are based on fetoplacental tissue requirements, but do not consider endocrine changes or that the maternal diet quality affects long-term foal health. This article reviews pregnant mares' current nutritional recommendations. Secondly, fetoplacental developmental stages during gestation are outlined, defining critical periods in the context of the developmental ...
Shepherd M, Harris P, Martinson KL.Equine obesity is common, reducing quality of life and requiring dietary energy restriction. Equine obesity is identified using subjective body condition scoring. Considerations are given for life stage and health status when managing obese equines. Every effort should be made to maximize feeding duration, and minimize time spent without feed while meeting all essential nutrient requirements. Limiting total daily dry matter intake to 2% of current bodyweight per day of a low caloric, forage-based diet may result in adequate body weight loss. Weight loss and weight management plans should be mo...
Richards N, Nielsen BD, Finno CJ.Many forage types are available, typically divided into cool or warm season grasses and legumes, which can be fed as fresh pasture or after preservation. Testing for nutrient content confirms what should be supplemented to make up shortfalls. Although testing is recommended, it is not always practical. Typical values for the forage type are available; however, they cannot be relied on for actual content. Non-nutritional aspects must also be taken into account. The provision of complementary feeds to ensure adequate vitamin and mineral intake is recommended. Additional supplementary high-qualit...
Harris P, Shepherd M.Nutrition and management have enabling and supporting roles to play in the health, welfare, and performance of equines. Poor or inappropriate nutrition may therefore impose limits on an animal's ability to perform and adversely affect health and welfare. Understanding the gastrointestinal tract from a nutrition perspective can help to reduce the risk of certain clinical problems. This article outlines key factors with respect to the equine digestive tract and discusses relevant aspects of ration formation. Forage is highlighted, because inappropriate forage provision is one of the key limitati...
Bishop R, Dzanis DA.This article provides reviews of the following: principal regulatory frameworks governing the supply of feed products for horses, focusing on the United States and Europe with guidance on compliance; key federal, state, or country requirements to ensure safe and accurately labeled products; rules concerning antidoping with a review of naturally occurring prohibited substances commonly found in feedstuffs; essential information for brand holders of equine nutrition products, practicing veterinarians, independent nutritionists, research scientists, competition riders and racehorse trainers, and ...
Yin NH, McCarthy I, Birch HL.Human Achilles tendon is composed of three smaller sub-tendons and exhibits non-uniform internal displacements, which decline with age and after injury, suggesting a potential role in the development of tendinopathies. Studying internal sliding behaviour is therefore important but difficult in human Achilles tendon. Here we propose the equine deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and its accessory ligament (AL) as a model to understand the sliding mechanism. The AL-DDFT has a comparable sub-bundle structure, is subjected to high and frequent asymmetric loads and is a natural site of injury similar...
Bazzano M, Laus F, Spaterna A, Marchegiani A.Nutritional supplements are widely used in the equine industry with the aim of improving horse health, sports or reproductive performances. Over the years, a number of studies have focused on investigating the effects of several dietary compounds on the quality and preservation of stallion semen. This paper reviews the literature available on the use of nutritional supplementation for the improvement of reproductive performance and semen quality in equine species, critically appraising the benefits and negative effects of several compounds found in complementary feeds such as PUFAs from differ...
Physick-Sheard P, Avison A, Sears W.Factors associated with mortality in standardbred racehorses were assessed through a retrospective annualized cohort study of all-cause mortality from 2003-2015 ( = 978) (identified in the Ontario Racehorse Death Registry). Race and qualifying data for official work-events were also gathered (1,778,330 work-events, 125,200 horse years). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed sex, age, and indices of workload and intensity and their interactions to be strongly associated with mortality. Track class, race versus qualifying performance, and work-event outcome (finish position, scratc...
Lagos J, Rojas M, Rodrigues JB, Tadich T.Mules are essential for pack work in mountainous areas, but there is a lack of research on this species. This study intends to assess the perceptions, attitudes, empathy and pain perception of soldiers about mules, to understand the type of human-mule relationship. For this, a survey was applied with closed-ended questions where the empathy and pain perception tools were included and later analyzed through correlations. Open-ended questions were analyzed through text mining. A total of 73 soldiers were surveyed. They had a wide range of ages and years of experience working with equids. Signifi...
Crevier-Denoix N, Ruel Y, Dardillat C, Jerbi H, Sanaa M, Collobert-Laugier C, Ribot X, Denoix JM, Pourcelot P.The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that tendon echogenicity is associated with the material properties of the corresponding tendon site, especially in case of lesions, due to local changes in tendon matrix composition. Four normal and nine spontaneously injured equine superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFT) were isolated then ultrasonographically examined under tension, in a special device placed in a water bath. Ultrasonographic transversal images (7.5MHz linear transducer) of five segments along each tendon were digitized, and analyzed in order to measure the mean cross...
Peng S, Dahlgren AR, Donnelly CG, Hales EN, Petersen JL, Bellone RR, Kalbfleisch T, Finno CJ.The genomic sequence of the horse has been available since 2009, providing critical resources for discovering important genomic variants regarding both animal health and population structures. However, to fully understand the functional implications of these variants, detailed annotation of the horse genome is required. Due to the limited availability of functional data for the equine genome, as well as the technical limitations of short-read RNA-seq, existing annotation of the equine genome contains limited information about important aspects of gene regulation, such as alternate isoforms and...
Kim NY, Seong HS, Kim DC, Park NG, Yang BC, Son JK, Shin SM, Woo JH, Shin MC, Yoo JH, Choi JW.The Jeju horse is an indigenous Korean horse breed that is currently registered with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. However, there is severe lack of genomic studies on Jeju horse. This study was conducted to investigate genetic characteristics of horses including Jeju horse, Thoroughbred and Jeju crossbred (Jeju × Thoroughbred) populations. We compared the genomes of three horse populations using the Equine SNP70 Beadchip array. Short-range Linkage disequilibrium was the highest in Thoroughbred, whereas r values were lowest in Jeju horse. Expected heterozygos...
Smallwood JE, Wood BC, Taylor WE, Tate LP.The purpose of this study was to produce an anatomic reference for computed tomography (CT) of the head of the foal for use by radiologists, clinicians, and veterinary students. The head from each of 2 foals, euthanized for reasons unrelated to head pathology, was removed and prepared for CT scanning. Using a third-generation CT scanner, 5-mm contiguous transverse images were acquired. The heads were then frozen and sectioned using a band saw, with the cuts matched as closely as possible to the CT slices. The anatomic sections were photographed and radiographed. The radiographs and anatomic ph...
Manship AJ, Blikslager AT, Elfenbein JR.Equine coronavirus (ECoV) is an emerging pathogen associated with fever and enteric disease in adult horses. Clinical features of ECoV infection have been described, but no study has compared these features to those of Salmonella infections. Objective: Compare the clinical features of ECoV infection with enteric salmonellosis and establish a disease signature to increase clinical suspicion of ECoV infection in adult horses. Methods: Forty-three horses >1 year of age with results of CBC, serum biochemistry, and fecal diagnostic testing for ECoV and Salmonella spp. Methods: Medical records of ...
Nouri-Sorkhabi MH, Agar NS, Sullivan DR, Gallagher C, Kuchel PW.The phospholipid classes of erythrocyte membranes and plasma from several domestic animals and marsupials were quantified by 31P NMR using detergents. Washed erythrocyte samples were thoroughly haemolysed by tip-sonication and dissolved in sodium cholate; plasma samples were dissolved in Triton X-100. The species studied were: common wombat (Vombatus ursinus), black-striped wallaby (Macropus dorsalis), bandicoot (Isoodon macrocarpus), Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), Tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), sheep (Ovis aries), goat (Capra hircus), cattle (Bos taurus), horse (Equus caballu...
Rombouts C, Jeanneau C, Camilleri J, Laurent P, About I.Adequate revascularization is a prerequisite for successful healing of periodontal bone defects. This study characterized three different xenogeneic bone grafting materials: Gen-Os of equine and porcine origins, and anorganic Bio-Oss. We also investigated their angiogenic potential. All materials were composed of poorly crystalline calcium oxide phosphate, with Bio-Oss exhibiting a carbonated phase and larger particle size and both Gen-Os showing the presence of collagen. Both Gen-Os materials significantly enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion by PDL cells. A significan...
Hamann H, Jude R, Sieme H, Mertens U, Töpfer-Petersen E, Distl O, Leeb T.Fertility of stallions is of high economic importance, especially for large breeding organisations and studs. Breeding schemes with respect to fertility traits and selection of stallions at an early stage may be improved by including molecular genetic markers associated with traits. The genes coding for equine cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs) are promising candidate genes because previous studies have shown that CRISPs play a role in the fertilising ability of male animals. We have previously characterised the three equine CRISP genes and identified a non-synonymous polymorphism in th...
A breed known for its versatility, the American Quarter Horse (QH), is increasingly bred for performance in specific disciplines. The impact of selective breeding on the diversity and structure of the QH breed was evaluated using pedigree analysis and genome-wide SNP data from horses representing 6 performance groups (halter, western pleasure, reining, working cow, cutting, and racing). Genotype data (36 037 single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) from 36 Thoroughbreds were also evaluated with those from the 132 performing QHs to evaluate the Thoroughbred's influence on QH diversity. Results s...
Abraham G, Kottke C, Dhein S, Ungemach FR.Although in the respiratory system there is great therapeutic interest in manipulating and understanding the beta-adrenoceptor-G-protein-adenylate cyclase (AC) signal transduction pathway, little is known on segmental differences among lung, bronchus, and trachea with regard to the receptor concentration and interaction to G-proteins and coupling to AC. In this study, patterns of distribution and absolute quantities of beta-adrenoceptor subtypes beta(1) and beta(2) were determined in membranes of equine lung parenchyma, bronchial and tracheal epithelium with the underlying smooth muscle by sat...
Hoogewijs M, Rijsselaere T, De Vliegher S, Vanhaesebrouck E, De Schauwer C, Govaere J, Thys M, Hoflack G, Van Soom A, de Kruif A.Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of centrifugation on cooled and frozen preservation of equine semen. A standard centrifugation protocol (600 x g for 10 min=CP1) was compared to four protocols with increasing g-force and decreased time period (600 x g, 1200 x g, 1800 x g and 2400 x g for 5 min for CP2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively) and to an uncentrifuged negative control. In experiment 1, the influence of the different CPs on sperm loss was evaluated by calculating the total number of sperm cells in 90% of the supernatant. Moreover, the effect on semen quality following ce...
Novakofski KD, Williams RM, Fortier LA, Mohammed HO, Zipfel WR, Bonassar LJ.Cartilage injury can lead to post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Immediate post-trauma cellular and structural changes are not widely understood. Furthermore, current cellular-resolution cartilage imaging techniques require sectioning of cartilage and/or use of dyes not suitable for patient imaging. In this study, we used multiphoton microscopy (MPM) data with FDA-approved sodium fluorescein to identify and evaluate the pattern of chondrocyte death after traumatic injury. Methods: Mature equine distal metacarpal or metatarsal osteochondral blocks (OCBs) were injured by 30 MPa compressive loa...
Stewart AA, Byron CR, Pondenis HC, Stewart MC.To determine whether expansion of equine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by use of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) prior to supplementation with dexamethasone during the chondrogenic pellet culture phase would increase chondrocytic matrix markers without stimulating a hypertrophic chondrocytic phenotype. Methods: MSCs obtained from 5 young horses. Methods: First-passage equine monolayer MSCs were supplemented with medium containing FGF-2 (0 or 100 ng/mL). Confluent MSCs were transferred to pellet cultures and maintained in chondrogenic medium containing 0 or 10(7)M dexamethasone. Pellets were...
Sharp DC, Thatcher MJ, Salute ME, Fuchs AR.The effect of transcervical endometrial biopsy on the concentrations of plasma immunoreactive oxytocin and 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM) was studied in 18 pony mares on days 8, 12 and 14 after ovulation, days 12 and 14 of early pregnancy and at oestrus. Five biopsy specimens were taken within 15 min and consecutive specimens from each mare were pooled two (A) and three (B) together for measurement of the number of oxytocin receptors. Blood samples were collected at intervals of 5 min for 15 min beginning just before the initial biopsy. Biopsy procedure elicited prompt oxy...
Cross DL, Redmond LM, Strickland JR.Gravid mares grazing endophyte-infested (E+) tall fescue exhibit increased gestation lengths, agalactia, foal and mare mortality, tough and thickened placentas, weak and dysmature foals, increased sweating during warm weather, reduced serum prolactin and progesterone, and increased serum estradiol-17 beta levels. Also, E+ tall fescue hay is less digestible than endophyte-free (E-) hay. Unlike many other species, horses consuming E+ tall fescue do not exhibit increased body temperature. Young horses consuming only E+ pasture do not gain as well as those consuming E- pasture. There is little dif...
Weishaupt MA, Byström A, von Peinen K, Wiestner T, Meyers H, Waldern N, Johnston C, van Weeren R, Roepstorff L.The load acting on the limbs and the load distribution between fore- and hindlimbs while performing specific dressage exercises lack objective assessment. Objective: The greater a horse's level of collection, the more load is shifted to the rear and that during the passage the vertical load on the limbs increases in relation to the accentuated vertical movement of the centre of mass. Methods: Back and limb kinematics, vertical ground reaction force and time parameters of each limb were measured in 6 Grand Prix dressage horses performing on an instrumented treadmill at the trot and the passage....
Hapke HJ, Strathmann W.Hordenine is an ingredient of some plants which are used as feed for animals, i.e. in sprouting barley. After ingestion of such feed hordenine may be detected in blood or urine of horses which in case of racing horses may be the facts of using prohibited compounds. Results of some experiments in pharmacological models show that hordenine is an indirectly acting adrenergic drug. It liberates norepinephrine from stores. In isolated organs and those structures with reduced epinephrine contents the hordenine-effect is only very poor. Experiments in intact animals (rats, dogs) show that hordenine h...
Graïc JM, Peruffo A, Corain L, Finos L, Grisan E, Cozzi B.Cetartiodactyls include terrestrial and marine species, all generally endowed with a comparatively lateral position of their eyes and a relatively limited binocular field of vision. To this day, our understanding of the visual system in mammals beyond the few studied animal models remains limited. In the present study, we examined the primary visual cortex of Cetartiodactyls that live on land (sheep, Père David deer, giraffe); in the sea (bottlenose dolphin, Risso's dolphin, long-finned pilot whale, Cuvier's beaked whale, sperm whale and fin whale); or in an amphibious environment (hippopotam...
LuÃs C, Cothran EG, Oom Mdo M.The Sorraia horse is a closed breed with reduced effective population size and considered in critical maintained risk status. The breed exists in 2 main breeding populations, one in Portugal and one in Germany, with a smaller population size. A set of 22 microsatellite loci was used to examine genetic diversity and structure of the Sorraia horse breed and to compare individual inbreeding coefficient F, estimated from pedigree data, with individual heterozygosity and mean d(2). The Sorraia horse shows lower levels of microsatellite diversity when compared with other horse breeds. Due to managem...
Koch TG, Berg LC, Betts DH.Stem cells from various tissues hold great promise for their therapeutic use in horses, but so far efficacy or proof-of-principle has not been established. The basic characteristics and properties of various equine stem cells remain largely unknown, despite their increasingly widespread experimental and empirical commercial use. A better understanding of equine stem cell biology and concepts is needed in order to develop and evaluate rational clinical applications in the horse. Controlled, well-designed studies of the basic biologic characteristics and properties of these cells are needed to m...
Bartolome Del Pino LE, Meana A, Zini M, Cersini A.Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a vector borne disease caused by apicomplexans protists Babesia caballi (Nuttal et Strickland, 1910) and Theileria equi (Laveran, 1901). Carrier mares may transmit the infection transplacental resulting in neonatal piroplasmosis or abortions. This event has been described for T. equi by several authors over the world, but no evidence for B. caballi has been reported in Europe. In this study, vertical transmission for both parasites in an Italian breed mare has been confirmed using molecular and microscopic tools. Transplacental transmission is an underestimated pro...
Bowser JE, Elder SH, Rashmir-Raven AM, Swiderski CE.To describe the use of a cryogenic clamp of novel design for tensile strength testing of tendinous and ligamentous tissues with inherently high tensile strength. Methods: Inexpensive, easily machined steel clamps were manufactured to facilitate rapid insertion into a standard wedge-screw grip apparatus installed on a testing system with a control system attached. The deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) of six horses was trimmed to a uniform dumbbell shape and secured in clamps using partial submersion in liquid nitrogen for approximately 45 seconds and immediately tested. Approximate time betwee...
Grace DC, Diall O, Saville K, Warboys D, Ward P, Wild I, Perry BD.Small farmers produce most food in low- and middle-income countries and most small farmers rely on directly or indirectly working equids (WE). The lack of methods and metrics for assessing the role of WE hampers realisation of WE contributions. Based on literature review and a survey of WE welfare experts, we propose a framework for optimising WE potential based on two axes of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and value chains. WE contribute especially to earning and sparing income (largely in food production) (SDG 1), but also have roles in accessing health and hygiene services and product...
Ji Z, Zhang J, Deng C, Hu Z, Du Q, Guo T, Wang J, Fan R, Han R, Yang Y.Mare milk(MM)production is lower than that of cow milk (CM), making it a premium product. Unfortunately, sellers adulterate MM with cheap CM to unscrupulously gain more profits. This study aimed to analyze MM adulteration with CM using proteomics and metabolomics. Using univariate and multivariate statistical analysis, the relative abundances of certain proteins of caseins and secretoglobin family 1D member were found to be higher with a higher CM admixture percentage. In addition, several metabolites, such as orotic and 4-aminonicotinic acids, increased in the mare-cow milk mixture with an in...
Science (New York, N.Y.)September 14, 1984
Volume 225, Issue 4667 1172-1174 doi: 10.1126/science.6089344
Lagerweij E, Nelis PC, Wiegant VM, van Ree JM.The twitch procedure in horses attenuates the increase in the heart rate evoked by pain-inducing stimuli and the reaction of the animals to such stimuli. Endorphin systems are probably involved in the effectiveness of the twitch, since its action is blocked by naloxone and its application increases plasma concentrations of immunoreactive beta-endorphin. The mode of action of the twitch cannot be explained by the generally accepted theory of divertive pain and may resemble that of classical acupuncture.
Niinistö K, Raekallio M, Sankari S.The study was undertaken to determine how equine red blood cells (RBCs) survive in storage bags designed for use with human RBCs. Separated RBCs were stored in a routine manner for 35 days and examined every 7 days for storage lesions. Measured parameters included haematology, haemolysis, pH, potassium, lactate, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG). All tests were performed in vitro. Haematology did not change significantly. Haemolysis increased during storage but did not exceed human limits. pH and 2,3-DPG decreased, while lactate, potassium and ATP increased. RBC...
Bailey E.336 Standardbred mares and 334 Thoroughbred mares in the vicinity of Lexington, Kentucky, were lymphocyte typed for 11 allelic antigenic specificities of the equine lymphocyte antigen (ELA) system. The Standardbred mares were divided into a population of pacers and a population of trotters. Substantial differences in ELA gene frequencies were found between the 3 groups. When the distribution of antigens within populations were compared to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations, relatively good agreement was found.
