Equine Studies encompasses the scientific exploration and analysis of various aspects related to horses, including their physiology, behavior, genetics, nutrition, and management. This interdisciplinary field integrates knowledge from veterinary medicine, animal science, and equine management to enhance understanding of horse health and welfare. Topics within equine studies often include the study of equine anatomy, disease prevention, breeding practices, and performance optimization. Researchers and scholars contribute to this field by conducting experiments, field studies, and reviews that provide insights into improving equine care and management practices. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that investigate diverse areas within equine studies, offering comprehensive insights into the complexities of horse biology and management.
Gialletti R, Marchegiani A, Valeriani T, Nannarone S, Beccati F, Fruganti A, Laus F.To describe the association of clinical and ultrasonographic (US) findings in horses affected by visual impairments, to estimate the most frequent ultrasonographic alteration as well importance and limits of US as a part of ophthalmic evaluation in equine patients. Methods: One-hundred-forty-five horses referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospitals of the University of Perugia and Camerino for ocular problems were submitted to ophthalmic examination and ocular ultrasound. The following group of abnormalities was established: corneal alteration, cataract, synechiae, iris prolapse, anterior cham...
Siegers EW, Anthonisse M, van Eerdenburg FJCM, van den Broek J, Wouters IM, Westermann CM.Organic dust is associated with Equine asthma. Ionization should reduce airborne dust levels. Objective: To determine the effect of ionization of air, type of bedding, and feed on the levels of airborne dust, endotoxin, and fungal colonies in horse stables. Methods: 24 healthy University-owned horses occupied the stables. Methods: A randomized controlled cross-over study. Four units with 6 stables were equipped with an ionization installation (25 VA, 5000 Volt Direct Current). Horses were kept either on wood shavings and fed haylage (2 units), or on straw and fed dry hay (2 units). Measurement...
Ginther OJ, Domingues RR, Dangudubiyyam SV, Araujo ER.Diameter deviation or follicle selection during a follicular wave begins with continuous growth rate of F1 (dominant or selected follicle; DF) and decreasing growth rate of F2 (largest subordinate). Intraovarian patterns based on presence or absence of the DF and CL are DF-CL, DF, CL, and devoid (neither DF nor CL). The DF and CL relationships in a pair of ovaries are ipsilateral (DF-CL pattern and devoid pattern) and contralateral (DF pattern and CL pattern). The effects of patterns and relationships on F1, F2, and FSH during deviation were determined in 21 mares. Diameters of F1 and F2 at ex...
Best C, Coe JB, Hewson J, Meehan M, Kelton D.Little is known about the veterinary referral process and factors that contribute to positive outcomes. Objective: To investigate equine referring veterinarians' (rDVMs') satisfaction with their most recent referral experience and compare rDVM and specialist perspectives. Methods: 187 rDVMs and 92 specialists (referral care providers). Methods: Cross-sectional observational study. An online survey was administered to both rDVMs and specialists. Referring veterinarian satisfaction with their most recent referral experience was evaluated. Both rDVMs and specialists were asked to identify factors...
Science (New York, N.Y.)February 22, 2018
Volume 360, Issue 6384 111-114 doi: 10.1126/science.aao3297
Gaunitz C, Fages A, Hanghøj K, Albrechtsen A, Khan N, Schubert M, Seguin-Orlando A, Owens IJ, Felkel S, Bignon-Lau O, de Barros Damgaard P....The Eneolithic Botai culture of the Central Asian steppes provides the earliest archaeological evidence for horse husbandry, ~5500 years ago, but the exact nature of early horse domestication remains controversial. We generated 42 ancient-horse genomes, including 20 from Botai. Compared to 46 published ancient- and modern-horse genomes, our data indicate that Przewalski's horses are the feral descendants of horses herded at Botai and not truly wild horses. All domestic horses dated from ~4000 years ago to present only show ~2.7% of Botai-related ancestry. This indicates that a massive genomic ...
Hedayat Evrigh N, Omri M, Boustan A, Seyedsharifi R, Vahedi V.The source and history of horse domestication have been studied for decades in biology and archeology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic structure and the genetic relationship between six breeds of native horses using mitochondrial D-loop region. Blood samples were collected from 96 horses. Total DNA was extracted, and 430 bp of D-Loop region (hyper variable) was amplified and sequenced using Sanger sequencing methods. The analysis of data led to identify 48 polymorphic sites that create 52 haplotypes. The plotted phylogenic tree for haplotypes of Iranian native horses is plac...
Burger D, Meuwly C, Thomas S, Sieme H, Oberthür M, Wedekind C, Meinecke-Tillmann S.Although female preferences are well studied in many mammals, the possible effects of the oestrous cycle are not yet sufficiently understood. Here we investigate female preferences for visual and non-visual male traits relative to the periodically cycling of sexual proceptivity (oestrus) and inactivity (dioestrus), respectively, in the polygynous horse (Equus caballus). We individually exposed mares to stallions in four experimental situations: (i) mares in oestrus and visual contact to stallions allowed, (ii) mares in oestrus, with blinds (wooden partitions preventing visual contact but allow...
Sousa AS, Jesus IIC, Araújo Oliveira CA, Costa RB, de Godoi FN.The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphometric measurements of stallion and mares show-winning and nonwinning Campolina breed with batida and picada gaits. A total of 167 horses (74 stallions and 93 mares), consisting of 102 batida and 65 picada gait animals, were used. Among these horses, 96 were awarded and 71 were not. Twenty linear, seven angular, and 11 girth measurements were taken. Results from the judging sessions were collected, and awards were observed in both sexes and both gaits. A descriptive statistical analysis and an analysis of variance were performed using the MEANS s...
Hobbs SJ, Robinson MA, Clayton HM.Ground reaction forces (GRF) measured during equine gait analysis are typically evaluated by analyzing discrete values obtained from continuous force-time data for the vertical, longitudinal and transverse GRF components. This paper describes a simple, temporo-spatial method of displaying and analyzing sagittal plane GRF vectors. In addition, the application of statistical parametric mapping (SPM) is introduced to analyse differences between contra-lateral fore and hindlimb force-time curves throughout the stance phase. The overall aim of the study was to demonstrate alternative methods of eva...
Janczarek I, Wilk I, Pietrzak S, Liss M, Tkaczyk S.The aim of this study was to determine the taste preferences of horses in relation to their breed and sex. Forty-eight adult purebred Arabian, Anglo-Arabian, Polish Konik, and Polish cold-blooded horses-stallions and mares in equal numbers-were examined in the study. During the experiment, five types of industrially processed feeds based on oats and natural dried products commonly regarded as horse treats (i.e., sour and sweet apples, carrots, sugar beet molasses, and barley with salt) were given to horses in buckets on three consecutive days. The behavior of the horses during the experiment ...
de Rezende MPG, de Souza JC, Carneiro PLS, Bozzi R, Jardim RJD, Malhado CHM.Evaluating phenotypic diversity makes it possible to identify discrepancies in aptitudes among animals of different genetic bases, which is an indicator of adaptive or selective differences between populations. The objective of this work was to evaluate the morphofunctional diversity of 452 male and female adult equines (Arabian, Quarter Mile, Pantaneiro, and Criollo breeds, and undefined crossbreeds of horses and mules) raised in the Pantanal biome (Brazil). Linear measurements were performed to estimate conformation indexes. Initially, a discriminant analysis was performed, regardless of the...
Pritchard J, Upjohn M, Hirson T.Brooke is a non-government organisation with working equine welfare programmes across Africa, Asia and Latin America. In 2014, staff from ten country programmes were asked to identify 'no-win' situations (subsequently reframed as 'hard-wins')-where improving equine welfare is proving difficult, expensive and/or marginal-in order to inform strategic decisions on how to approach, manage and mitigate for such situations. The Delphi-type consultation process had three phases. Round 1 posed five questions in the form of a workshop, survey and semi-structured interviews. Round 2 re-presented key the...
Khaudov AD, Duduev AS, Kokov ZA, Amshokov KK, Zhekamukhov MK, Zaitsev AM, Reissmann M.Studies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as well as the non-recombining part of the Y chromosome help to understand the origin and distribution of maternal and paternal lineages. The Kabardian horse from Northern Caucasia which is well-known for strength, stamina and endurance in distance riding has a large gap in its breeding documentation especially in the recent past. A 309 bp fragment of the mitochondrial D-loop (156 Kabardian horses) and six mutations in Y chromosome (49 Kabardian stallions), respectively, were analyzed to get a better insight into breeding history, phylogenetic relationship ...
Rawlinson JE, Bass L, Campoy L, Broman A, Prytherch B.To characterize the anatomy of the mental foramen and determine associations with age, weight, sex and breed. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study. Methods: Forty-one horses, 0.6-25.2 years and weighing 136-820 kg. Methods: Computed tomography (CT) studies of equine heads performed over 5 years were evaluated in multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstruction. Measurements obtained were positioning of the foramen along the mandible, foramen height and width, foramen-canal angulation and rostral canal mineralization. Exploratory statistical analyses investigated associations between measu...
Csizmár N, Mihók S, Jávor A, Kusza S.The Hungarian draft is a horse breed with a recent mixed ancestry created in the 1920s by crossing local mares with draught horses imported from France and Belgium. The interest in its conservation and characterization has increased over the last few years. The aim of this work is to contribute to the characterization of the endangered Hungarian heavy draft horse populations in order to obtain useful information to implement conservation strategies for these genetic stocks. Methods: To genetically characterize the breed and to set up the basis for a conservation program, in the present study a...
Macedo S, Bliebernicht M, Carvalheira J, Costa A, Ribeiro F, Rocha A.Glycerol-based extenders are widely utilized for freezing equine semen, but media combining methylformamide may better preserve sperm motility and mitochondrial function. Semen is cryopreserved utilizing either a Styrofoam box filled with liquid nitrogen or an automatic freezer. The objective of this experiment was to compare the post-thaw characteristics of the same ejaculates cryopreserved in a Styrofoam box or in an automatic freezer, utilizing a glycerol-based extender (Gent) and an extender that combines methylformamide and glycerol (BotuCrio ). For that, one ejaculate from 30 stallions c...
Bartolomé E, Menéndez-Buxadera A, Molina A, Valera M.To obtain a sport horse that excels in the highest levels of competition, breeders must take into account certain genetic and environmental factors that could influence the sport horse's performance, such as the rider-horse interaction (RHI). The main aim of this study was to describe this interaction in a genetic model by modelling it in relation to the horse's age. A total of 31,129 sport results from Spanish Sport Horses were used from a total of 1,101 animals evaluated, and these were grouped in three age levels and had been ridden by 606 different riders. Only riders who had ridden more t...
Viklund Å, Eriksson S.A linear profiling protocol was introduced in 2013 at tests for 3-year-old Swedish Warmblood horses. In this protocol, traits are subjectively described on a nine-point linear scale from one biological extreme to the other. This complements the traditional scoring where horses are evaluated in relation to the breeding objective. This study aimed to investigate the suitability of the linear information for genetic evaluation. Data on 22 conformation traits, 17 movement traits, 14 jumping traits and one temperament trait from 3,410 horses tested between 2013 and 2016 were analysed using an anima...
Putnová L, Štohl R, Vrtková I.We propose the first comprehensive in-depth study monitoring horses in the Czech Republic. We scanned 9,289 animals from 44 populations for 17 equine STRs. Other equids analysed involved Equus przewalskii and Equus asinus. The total of 228 different alleles were detected, with the mean number of 13.4 per locus. The highest allelic richness (AR) was found in the Welsh Part Bred (6.01), followed by the Camargue (5.93) and Czech Sport Pony (5.91), whereas the Friesian exhibited the lowest AR (3.06). Interpopulation differences explained approximately nine per cent of the total genetic diversity. ...
Walden-Schreiner C, Leung YF, Kuhn T, Newburger T.Monitoring the behavior of pack animals in protected areas informs management about use patterns and the potential associated negative impacts. However, systematic assessments of behavior are uncommon due to methodological and logistical constraints. This study integrated behavior mapping with GPS tracking, and applied behavior change point analysis, as an approach to monitor the behaviors of pack animals during overnight periods. The integrated approach identified multiple grazing patterns (i.e., locally intense grazing, ambulatory grazing) not feasible through a single methodology alone. Mon...
Hanot P, Herrel A, Guintard C, Cornette R.The relationships between the different component parts of organisms, such as the sharing of common development or function, produce a coordinated variation between the different traits. This morphological integration contributes to drive or constrain morphological variation and thus impacts phenotypic diversification. Artificial selection is known to contribute significantly to phenotypic diversification of domestic species. However, little attention has been paid to its potential impact on integration patterns. This study explores the patterns of integration in the limb bones of different ho...
Czycholl I, Büttner K, Klingbeil P, Krieter J.To enhance feasibility, the Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) assessment protocol for horses consists of two levels: the first is a visual inspection of a sample of horses performed from a distance, the second a close-up inspection of all horses. The aim was to analyse whether information would be lost if only the first level were performed. In this study, 112 first and 112 second level assessments carried out on a subsequent day by one observer were compared by calculating the Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient (RS), Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), Smallest Detectable Changes (...
Smith AV, Wilson C, McComb K, Proops L.In the original publication, data availability text was incorrectly published. The correct text should read as below.
Spence KL, O'Sullivan TL, Poljak Z, Greer AL.Participation in equestrian shows provides opportunities for contact between horses, increasing the risk of disease introduction and spread within the population. The magnitude of a potential outbreak, and the impact of disease prevention and control strategies, can be estimated using simulation modeling. The objectives of this study were to (1) examine the potential spread of equine influenza in a network of horses associated with a 2-day equestrian show in Ontario, Canada; and (2) determine the effectiveness of several interventions during a simulated outbreak. A discrete-event, continuous-t...
DuBois C, Hambly-Odame H, Haley DB, Merkies K.As part of a larger Delphi survey project, equine professionals ( = 14) were presented with twelve short scenarios in which a horse's welfare could be compromised. They were asked to rank each scenario (with 0 indicating no welfare concerns and 5 indicating a situation where immediate intervention was necessary), provide justification for their ranking, and give examples of what might have been the motivation behind the scenario. The wide range within vignette scores demonstrated the diversity of opinion even among a relatively small group of equine professionals. Qualitative analysis of respo...
Kvist L, Niskanen M, Mannermaa K, Wutke S, Aspi J.The Finnhorse was established as a breed more than 110 years ago by combining local Finnish landraces. Since its foundation, the breed has experienced both strong directional selection, especially for size and colour, and severe population bottlenecks that are connected with its initial foundation and subsequent changes in agricultural and forestry practices. Here, we used sequences of the mitochondrial control region and genomic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to estimate the genetic diversity and differentiation of the four Finnhorse breeding sections: trotters, pony-sized horses, dr...
Kieson E, Goma AA, Radi M.Studies show that horses express favoritism through shared proximity and time and demonstrate unique affiliative behaviors such as allogrooming (mutual scratching) with favorite conspecifics. Allogrooming also occurs more frequently during stress and has been observed to occur more frequently in domestic herds than feral. The role of partner preference, lateralization, and duration of allogrooming as measures of social bonding has remained unclear. The present study looked at two socially stable herds of mares (n = 85, n = 115) to determine the frequency, duration, visual field of view and par...
Brama PA, TeKoppele JM, Bank RA, van Weeren PR, Barneveld A.To determine variations in biochemical characteristics of equine articular cartilage in relation to age and the degree of predisposition for osteochondral disease at a specific site. Methods: Articular cartilage specimens from 53 horses 4 to 30 years old. Methods: Healthy specimens were obtained from 2 locations on the proximal articular surface of the first phalanx that had different disease prevalences (site 1 at the mediodorsal margin and site 2 at the center of the medial cavity). Water, total collagen, and hydroxylysine contents and enzymatic (hydroxylysylpyridinoline [HP]) and nonenzymat...
Animals must attend to a diverse array of stimuli in their environments. The emotional valence and salience of a stimulus can affect how this information is processed in the brain. Many species preferentially attend to negatively valent stimuli using the sensory organs on the left side of their body and hence the right hemisphere of their brain. Here, we investigated the lateralisation of visual attention to the rapid appearance of a stimulus (an inflated balloon) designed to induce an avoidance reaction and a negatively valent emotional state in 77 Italian saddle horses. Horses' eyes are late...
Shimada M, Suzuki N.Although herd size, structure, stability, and social rank among Misaki feral horses have been reported, no studies have been conducted on the affiliative relationships and interactions among members in a Misaki horse herd. The validity of three hypotheses regarding the function of social grooming, the affiliative relationship strengthening hypothesis, the worsened relationship restoring hypothesis, and the grooming parasite removal hypothesis, were tested in a Misaki feral horse () herd in Cape Toi, Japan. All the nine horses in the "6m" herd were investigated in terms of kinship, grooming, ag...
Pagan JD, Hintz HF.Energy expenditure was measured in four geldings (433 to 520 kg) during submaximal exercise on a racetrack using a mobile open-circuit indirect respiration calorimeter. A total of 304 5-min measurements of O2 consumed and CO2 produced were taken. Measurements were made with and without riders. The amount of energy expended by the horses was exponentially related to speed and was proportional to the body weight of the riderless horse or the combined weight of the horse plus rider and tack. Total energy expended by the four horses walking, trotting, cantering was best described by the equation: ...
Zsoldos RR, Licka TF.During both locomotion and body movements at stance, the head and neck of the horse are a major craniocaudal and lateral balancing mechanism employing input from the visual, vestibular and proprioceptive systems. The function of the equine neck has recently become the focus of several research groups; this is probably also feeding on an increase of interest in the equine neck in equestrian sports, with a controversial discussion of specific neck positions such as maximum head and neck flexion. The aim of this review is to offer an overview of new findings on the structures and functions of the...
Kienapfel K, Preuschoft H, Wulf A, Wagner H.The activity patterns of trunk muscles are commonly neglected, in spite of their importance for maintaining body shape. Analysis of the biomechanics of the trunk under static conditions has led to predictions of the activity patterns. These hypotheses are tested experimentally by surface electromyography (EMG). Five horses, with and without a rider, were examined in the walk, trot and canter. Footfall was synchronised with EMG by an accelerometer. Averages of ten consecutive cycles were calculated and compared by statistical methods. The start and stop times of the muscle activities of 5-10 un...
Muellner P, Muellner U, Gates MC, Pearce T, Ahlstrom C, O'Neill D, Brodbelt D, Cave NJ.Veterinary practitioners have extensive knowledge of animal health from their day-to-day observations of clinical patients. There have been several recent initiatives to capture these data from electronic medical records for use in national surveillance systems and clinical research. In response, an approach to surveillance has been evolving that leverages existing computerized veterinary practice management systems to capture animal health data recorded by veterinarians. Work in the United Kingdom within the VetCompass program utilizes routinely recorded clinical data with the addition of fur...
Pasing S, von Lewinski M, Wulf M, Erber R, Aurich C.The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress response of stallions (n = 16) aged 3-13 years with previous sexual experience to semen collection by determination of heart rate, heart rate variability, and cortisol in saliva. Recordings were done on two consecutive days. The time intervals from leaving the box until arrival in the collection barn and from first exposure to the teaser mare until ejaculation as well as the number of mounts until ejaculation were neither affected by collection day nor by age, sexual experience (i.e., the number of breeding seasons the stallion experienced), or ...
Osterman-Lind E, Hedberg Alm Y, Hassler H, Wilderoth H, Thorolfson H, Tydén E.Horses, as grazing animals, are inadvertently exposed to intestinal parasites that, if not controlled, may cause disease. However, the indiscriminate use of anthelmintic drugs has led to drug resistance, highlighting the need for pasture-management practices to reduce the level of parasitic exposure and lessen reliance on drugs. The efficacy of such methods depends both on the epidemiology of the parasites and the prevailing weather conditions. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of faecal removal and harrowing on reducing the number of parasite larvae in herbage. Moreover, the ...
Harley JJ, Stack JD, Braid H, McLennan KM, Stanley CR.Validated assessment protocols have been developed to quantify welfare states for intensively managed sport, pleasure, and working horses. There are few protocols for extensively managed or free-roaming populations. Here, we trialed welfare indicators to ascertain their feasibility, reliability, and repeatability using free-roaming Carneddau Mountain ponies as an example population. The project involved (1) the identification of animal and resource-based measures of welfare from both the literature and discussion with an expert group; (2) testing the feasibility and repeatability of a modified...
Sayasith K, Bouchard N, Doré M, Sirois J.The mammalian ovulatory process is accompanied by a gonadotropin-dependent increase in follicular levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and PGF2alpha, which are metabolized by 15-hydroxy prostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH). Little is known about ovarian PGDH regulation in non-primate species. The objectives of this study were to characterize the structure of equine PGDH and its regulation in follicles during human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-induced ovulation. The full-length equine PGDH was obtained by RT-PCR, 5'- and 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Its open reading frame encodes a 26...
Zedda M, Lepore G, Biggio GP, Gadau S, Mura E, Farina V.A high number of differences exist in bone histological features depending on the species, breed, age and bone. Moreover, osteon distribution may vary in the different sides of a bone as a consequence of different biomechanical strains. The aim of this work was to study the distribution and morphology of osteons in different sides of the equine femoral diaphysis with the attempt to correlate them to the main strains operating on them. The following parameters of secondary osteons and Haversian canals were measured in the transverse sections of diaphyses: perimeter, area, minimum and maximum di...
Abutarbush SM, Naylor JM, Parchoma G, D'Eon M, Petrie L, Carruthers T.To evaluate the effectiveness of a self-learning computer module (SLCM) versus traditional instruction in teaching how to pass a nasogastric tube (NG) in the horse. Methods: A double-blind, monocentric study. Methods: 52 third-year students in the DVM program were randomly assigned to two groups: traditional instruction (N = 25) or SLCM instruction (N = 27). Methods: Traditional instruction consisted of an instructor and live demonstration; SCLM students were given a CD-ROM each. Both sessions lasted one hour. The students were then united in one session to practice passing the NG tube. Their ...
Al Abri MA, Brooks SA, Al-Saqri N, Alkharousi K, Johnson EH, Alqaisi O, Al-Rawahi A, Al Marzooqi W.Arabian horses were selected for metabolic efficiency, beauty, efficiency and endurance. Therefore, Bedouins have for centuries traced their prized horses' ancestries. With the establishment of the World Arabian Horse Organization (WAHO), registration of Arabian horses became centralized and countries worldwide registered them in its database. Most existing Arabian horses in Oman today were imported after the 1970s and are predominantly flat-racing Arabians. This work aimed at revealing the genetic background and diversity of Omani Arabian horses by comparing them with Arabian horses from a di...
Posta J, Somogyvári E, Mihók S.Gene conservation and management of small populations requires proper knowledge of the background and history of the breed. The aim of the study was the evaluation of population structure and changes of the Hungarian Hucul horse population. Population changes were described for the actual breeding stock as well as for groups of 10-year epochs reflecting major periods of change in the breed. Pedigree data of the registered population were analyzed using Endog and GRain software. The average value of equivalent complete generations was above nine for the actual breeding population. The longest g...
Zhang T, Lu H, Chen C, Jiang H, Wu S.In order to protect the genetic resource of native horse breeds, the genetic diversity of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop of three native horse breeds in western China were investigated. Forty-three 600 bp mtDNA D-loop sequences were analyzed by PCR and sequencing techniques, 33 unique haplotypes with 70 polymorphic sites were detected in these horses, which account for 11.67% of 600 bp sequence analyzed, showing the abundant genetic diversity of the three native horse breeds in western China. The Neighbour-Joining (NJ) phylogenetic tree based on 247 bp of 43 D-loop sequences demonstrated the...
Hemsworth LM, Jongman EC, Coleman GJ.The welfare of recreational horses is an important issue. Horse owner attitudes towards horse ownership are likely to influence owner behaviour in terms of horse husbandry and management practices and human-horse interactions, which in turn are likely to affect the welfare of the horse. Based on Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behaviour, this paper examines the relationships between horse owner attributes, specifically background factors (demographics, knowledge, and experience) and attitudes (beliefs) towards horse husbandry and management behaviour. Data were collected via a random telephone surve...
Wilson G, Chester N, Eubank M, Crighton B, Drust B, Morton JP, Close GL.Professional jockeys are unique among weight-making athletes, as they are often required to make weight daily and, in many cases, all year-round. Common methods employed by jockeys include dehydration, severe calorie restriction, and sporadic eating, all of which have adverse health effects. In contrast, this article outlines a structured diet and exercise plan, employed by a 22-yr-old professional National Hunt jockey in an attempt to reduce weight from 70.3 to 62.6 kg, that does not rely on any of the aforementioned techniques. Before the intervention, the client's typical daily energy intak...
Hanlon DW, Stevenson M, Evans MJ, Firth EC.The objective of this study was to utilise multivariable statistical methods appropriate for clustered data to identify mare-related explanatory variables that significantly affected the reproductive performance of Thoroughbred mares in the Waikato region of New Zealand. In addition, we aimed to determine the relative contribution of the mare, stallion and stud farm to reproductive performance. Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed involving five stud farms in the Waikato region of New Zealand during three consecutive breeding seasons (2006-2008). A total of 1,482 individual mares ...
MacKay AV, McOnie RC, Riddell LP, Robinson KA.Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) research has prioritized mechanism of action and efficacy. Data regarding frequency of use and clinical opinion are not available. A web-based survey was offered to members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners; 144 responses were obtained. Frequency of ESWT use by respondents was as follows: daily by 8.3% (12/144), at least once weekly by 36.8% (53/144), at least once per month by 22.9% (33/144), less than once per month by 19.4% (28/144), and never by 12.5% (18/144) of respondents. The most common reason for use was to treat ligamentous ...
Boye JK, Thomsen MH, Pfau T, Olsen E.This study aimed to create an evidence base for detection of stance-phase timings from motion capture in horses. The objective was to compare the accuracy (bias) and precision (SD) for five published algorithms for the detection of hoof-on and hoof-off using force plates as the reference standard. Six horses were walked and trotted over eight force plates surrounded by a synchronised 12-camera infrared motion capture system. The five algorithms (A-E) were based on: (A) horizontal velocity of the hoof; (B) Fetlock angle and horizontal hoof velocity; (C) horizontal displacement of the hoof relat...
Stegelmeier BL, Colegate SM, Knoppel EL, Rood KA, Collett MG.Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) has been associated with livestock and human photosensitization. An investigation of a natural occurrence of photosensitization of grazing horses identified wild parsnip as a possible cause. HPLC-MS and MS/MS analysis of this plant identified five furanocoumarins i.e., xanthotoxin, bergapten, isopimpinellin, imperatorin and a putative methoxyimperatorin. Goats fed this wild parsnip were largely unaffected. Xanthotoxin was not detected in the serum of parsnip-fed goats or in the serum of goats dosed orally or intravenous with purified xanthotoxin. Cutaneous appli...
Upjohn MM, Shipton K, Pfeiffer DU, Lerotholi T, Attwood G, Verheyen KL.To establish baseline parameters of equine health, owner knowledge and husbandry practices and tack against which benefits to local horses arising from an equine charity's training programme in Lesotho could be measured. Objective: To describe and investigate associations between owner knowledge and equine husbandry practices, horse health and tack-related parameters prior to the start of the training programme. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in the catchment area of students attending the first training course. Owners from randomly selected villages were interviewed about ho...
Nikitkina EV, Dementieva NV, Shcherbakov YS, Atroshchenko MM, Kudinov AA, Samoylov OI, Pozovnikova MV, Dysin AP, Krutikova AA, Musidray AA....The semen quality of stallions including sperm motility is an important target of selection as it has a high level of individual variability. However, effects of the molecular architecture of the genome on the mechanisms of sperm formation and their preservation after thawing have been poorly investigated. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for the sperm motility of cryopreserved semen in stallions of various breeds. Methods: Semen samples were collected from the stallions of 23 horse breeds. The following semen characteristics were examined: progressive motility (PM), p...
Schrenk D, Bignami M, Bodin L, Del Mazo JKCJ, Grasl-Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, Leblanc JC, Nielsen E, Ntzani E, Petersen A, Sand S, Schwerdtle T....In 2017, the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) adopted a Scientific Opinion on the risks for animal health related to the presence of deoxynivalenol (DON) and its acetylated and modified forms in food and feed. No observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) and lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAELs) were derived for different animal species. For horses, an NOAEL of 36 mg DON/kg feed was established, the highest concentration tested and not showing adverse effects. For poultry, an NOAEL of 5 mg DON/kg feed for broiler chickens and laying hens, and an NOAEL of 7 mg DO...
Janczarek I, Stachurska A, Wilk I, Krakowski L, Przetacznik M, Zastrzeżyńska M, Kuna-Broniowska I.Touching the skin by gentle stroking is frequently used to reward horses. The objective of the study was to examine emotional excitability and behaviour of horses in response to stroking different regions of their bodies. The study included 15 adult warmbloods and 15 adult ponies, nine geldings and six mares within each type of horse. First, a novel-object test was conducted. For five successive days, one of five regions of the horse's body was stroked on each side for 5 min. Heart rate and heart rate variability were monitored at rest, during the test and stroking. Simultaneously, horse beha...
Lönnell AC, Bröjer J, Nostell K, Hernlund E, Roepstorff L, Tranquille CA, Murray RC, Oomen A, van Weeren R, Bitschnau C, Montavon S, Weishaupt MA....Training regimens of showjumping horses under field conditions are largely undocumented. Objective: The aims of this study were to quantify and compare training regimens used in professional-level showjumping yards, with respect to time exercised and type of activity. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Methods: A prospective 6-month cohort study of showjumping horses in 4 European countries (The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Great Britain) was designed to analyse training and health data, in yards with several horses in training and riders competing at professional level. Riders documented...
Gordon ME, McKeever KH, Betros CL, Manso Filho HC.Concentrations of hormones related to energy homeostasis may differ between populations with varied body compositions, acting as signals to increase or decrease energy intake and/or expenditure. How these parameters correlate with body composition in horses and how they vary in fit (F) versus unfit (UF) Standardbred racehorses is unclear. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that plasma concentrations of glucose (GLU), insulin (INS), cortisol (CORT), ghrelin (GHRL), adiponectin (ADIP) and leptin (LEP) would be correlated with body composition and differ in fit (F) versus unfit ...
