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.
Wong DM, Alcott CJ, Wang C, Bornkamp JL, Young JL, Sponseller BA.To determine agreement between indirect measurements of end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PetCO(2)) and saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen as measured by pulse oximetry (SpO(2)) with direct measurements of PaCO(2) and calculated saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen in arterial blood (SaO(2)) in conscious healthy and ill foals. Methods: Validation study. Methods: 10 healthy and 21 ill neonatal foals. Methods: Arterial blood gas analysis was performed on healthy and ill foals examined at a veterinary teaching hospital to determine direct measurements of PaCO(2) and PaO(2) along wit...
Georgescu SE, Manea MA, Dudu A, Costache M.The existence of the Hucul horse on Romanian territory has been documented from the very distant past; today Hucul is a unique breed that is part of the FAO Program for the Preservation of Animal Genetic Resources. We compared Hucul with several primitive European and Asiatic breeds in order to elucidate the origin of these horses. We analyzed a 683-bp mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop fragment in a population of Hucul horses and compared the polymorphic sites with sequences from other primitive breeds, including Exmoor, Icelandic Pony, Sorraia, Przewalski Horse, Mongolian Wild Horse, Konik, an...
Abdunnabi AH, Ahmed YA, Philip CJ, Davies HM.There is scant morphological data for equine carpal bones despite the frequent pathology in Thoroughbreds (TB). This study aimed to identify morphological and morphometrical variations and similarities in carpal bones between and within TB and Ponies (Po). Carpal bones from nine TB and 13 Po were prepared by boiling and drying. Lateromedial width, dorsopalmar depth, proximodistal height, relative density and volume of each bone were measured. Normalized measurements of the radial (Cr) and third (C3) carpal bones were significantly different in all dimensions, and there were significant variati...
Hill EW, Fonseca RG, McGivney BA, Gu J, MacHugh DE, Katz LM.Sequence variation at the equine myostatin gene (MSTN) locus has previously been shown to have a singular genomic influence on optimum race distance in Thoroughbred racehorses. Myostatin, encoded by the MSTN gene, is a member of the TGF-β superfamily that regulates skeletal muscle development in a range of mammalian species including the horse. In the Thoroughbred, the C-allele at the g.66493737C/T SNP has been found at significantly higher frequency in subgroups of the population that are suited to fast, short distance, sprint races and also influences body composition phenotypes. We investi...
Martinson K, Wilson J, Cleary K, Lazarus W, Thomas W, Hathaway M.Many horse owners find round bales convenient, less labor intensive, and more affordable than other hay types, but report an inability to control horse BW gain and excessive hay waste. The objectives were to compare hay waste, hay intake, and payback of 9 round-bale feeders and a no-feeder control when used during horse feeding. Nine round-bale feeders were tested: Cinch Net, Cone, Covered Cradle, Hayhut, Hay Sleigh, Ring, Tombstone, Tombstone Saver, and Waste Less. Each feeder design was placed on the ground in a dirt paddock. Five groups of 5 horses were fed in rotation for a 4-d period with...
Cothran EG, Canelon JL, Luis C, Conant E, Juras R.Various horse populations in the Americas have an origin in Spain; they are remnants of the first livestock introduced to the continent early in the colonial period (16th and 17th centuries). We evaluated genetic variability within the Venezuelan Criollo horse and its relationship with other horse breeds. We observed high levels of genetic diversity within the Criollo breed. Significant population differentiation was observed between all South American breeds. The Venezuelan Criollo horse showed high levels of genetic diversity, and from a conservation standpoint, there is no immediate danger ...
Appolonova SA, Baranov PA, Mesonzhnik NV, Brazhnikova DO, Rodchenkov GM.A method is described for the determination of mesocarb abuse in equestrian sport by combining gradient liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Mesocarb was administrated orally to two horses at a dose of 50 µg/kg. Urine samples were collected up to 120 h post administration. Hydrolyzed and conjugated urine fractions were handled using liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). The identity of the parent drug and metabolites was confirmed using liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Mesocarb and seven metabolites were detected in horse...
Takasu M, Hiramatsu N, Tozaki T, Kakoi H, Nakagawa T, Hasegawa T, Huricha , Maeda M, Murase T, Mukoyama H.In order to contribute to conservation of the endangered Kiso horse, we clarified their genetic information using 31 microsatellite DNAs, and genotyped 125 horses, 83% of the existing breed. First, we clarified the current status of the horses. The horses were confirmed to have experienced rapid loss of population causing a bottleneck, and their effective population size was much smaller than their census size. Moreover, the number of alleles (6.3), observed heterozygosity (0.674), and expected heterozygosity (0.662) were in the same range as other endangered horses all over the world. Therefo...
Jackson M, Vizard A, Anderson G, Clarke A, Whitton R.OBJECTIVES Describe the association between the purchase price of Thoroughbred yearlings sold in Australia and racing performance as 2- and 3-year-olds. METHODS Race performance data of 2773 Thoroughbred yearlings sold at auction during 2003 were collected. Associations between purchase price and the probability of starting, the number of race starts and the prize money earned were examined. RESULTS In total, 2206 (79.6%) horses started a race. The mean number of race starts was six and the mean prize money earned was A$24,420. A total of 1711 (61.5%) horses earned prize money, 402 (14.4%) ear...
Eivers SS, McGivney BA, Gu J, MacHugh DE, Katz LM, Hill EW.Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) has emerged as a critical control factor in skeletal muscle adaptation to exercise, acting via transcriptional control of genes responsible for angiogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial biogenesis and muscle fibre type composition. In a previous study, we demonstrated a significant increase in mRNA expression for the gene encoding PGC-1α (PPARGC1A) in Thoroughbred horse skeletal muscle following a single bout of endurance exercise. In this study, we investigated mRNA expression changes i...
The Journal of hereditySeptember 13, 2011
Volume 102, Issue 6 753-758 doi: 10.1093/jhered/esr091
Guastella AM, Zuccaro A, Criscione A, Marletta D, Bordonaro S.Genetic diversity and relationship among 3 Sicilian horse breeds were investigated using 16 microsatellite markers and a 397-bp length mitochondrial D-loop sequence. The analysis of autosomal DNA was performed on 191 horses (80 Siciliano [SIC], 61 Sanfratellano [SAN], and 50 Sicilian Oriental Purebred [SOP]). SIC and SAN breeds were notably higher in genetic variability than the SOP. Genetic distances and cluster analysis showed a close relationship between SIC and SAN breeds, as expected according to the breeds' history. Sequencing of hypervariable mitochondrial DNA region was performed on a ...
Rendo F, Iriondo M, Manzano C, Estonba A.Here, we present the results of a genetic analysis of 463 Pottoka ponies corresponding to four generations, using 17 microsatellite markers. Ten years after the beginning of the Pottoka conservation programme, the values for the genetic diversity of the breed are still high and stable, indicating the success of the programme. We found null alleles in Pottoka for the ASB23, HMS3 and HTG10 microsatellites. Together with information obtained from other pony breeds from the Iberian Peninsula, this finding indicates that these microsatellites should not be used for phylogenetic analyses or parentag...
Stewart MC, Stewart AA.This article provides an overview of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) biology. In the first section, the characteristics that are routinely used to define MSCs-adherence, proliferation, multi-lineage potential, and "cluster of differentiation" marker profiles-are discussed. In the second section, the major tissues and body fluids that are used as sources for equine MSCs are presented, along with the comparative biologic activities of MSCs from specific locations. Finally, the current understanding of the mechanisms by which MSCs influence repair and regeneration are discussed, with an emphasis on t...
Stewart MC.This article focuses on current issues facing cell-based therapies in equine practice and future studies validating the use of stem cells and related biologic therapies for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions in the horse. Issues raised include the characterization and use of tissue- and anatomic location-specific mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) sources, the putative advantages and feasibility of allogeneic embryonic stem cell and MSC products, the technical advantages and performance of cell-based biologic agents that do not require extensive ex vivo manipulation, the regulation of MSC ho...
Scherzer J.Mares can be artificially inseminated with chilled or frozen semen to increase the revenue from their offspring. Embryo transfer can be used to produce more than one foal from a single mare per season. Recent advances in using equine follicle-stimulating hormone to induce superovulation in mares have stimulated research on preserving equine embryos. Equine embryos are usually collected on day 7 or 8 after ovulation, and younger (day 6.5) embryos are typically cryopreserved. Cryopreservation improves the ability of veterinary clinicians to preserve embryos for implantation in recipient mares an...
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...
Ander M, Meiswinkel R, Chirico J.The outbreak of bluetongue (BT) in northern Europe 2006 initiated the monitoring of vectors, biting midges of the genus Culicoides in Sweden. In order to determine the diversity, distribution and seasonal dynamics of Culicoides, weekly collections were made during 2008 and during March-December 2009 using the Ondestepoort Veterinary Institute black light trap. Twenty sampling sites were selected in 12 provinces. In total of 30,704 Culicoides were collected in 2008 and 32,252 in 2009. The most abundant species were the potential vectors of BTV Culicoides obsoletus/C. scoticus that comprised of ...
Tozaki T, Sato F, Hill EW, Miyake T, Endo Y, Kakoi H, Gawahara H, Hirota K, Nakano Y, Nambo Y, Kurosawa M.Myostatin is a member of the transforming growth factor-β family with a key role in inhibition of muscle growth by negative regulation of both myoblast proliferation and differentiation. Recently, a genomic region on ECA18, which includes the MSTN gene, was identified as a candidate region influencing racing performance in Thoroughbreds. In this study, four SNPs on ECA18, g.65809482T>C, g.65868604G>T, g.66493737C>T, and g.66539967A>G, were genotyped in 91 Thoroughbred horses-in-training to evaluate the association between genotype and body composition traits, including body weight...
Satué K, Domingo R, Redondo JI.The coordinated interaction of the components of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) with reproductive hormones such as progesterone, oestrogens and cortisol during pregnancy has been widely reported to play a vital role in foetal and placental development in various species, significantly influencing the proper achievement of pregnancy and foetal viability at birth. These interactions have not yet been clarified in mares. Thus, the purpose of the present research was to analyse the relationship between cortisol (CORT), progesterone (P4) and oestrone sulphate (OESTRONE), and the co...
Bartošová J, Komárková M, Dubcová J, Bartoš L, Pluháček J.Lactation is the most energy demanding part of parental care in mammals, so parent-offspring conflict arises over milk provided by the mother. In some species females commonly become pregnant shortly after parturition of previous young. This further intensifies mother-offspring conflict due to concurrent pregnancy and lactation. In equids it has been well established that pregnant females wean their foals earlier than non-pregnant ones. Intensified mother-offspring conflict was presumed to associate with pregnancy also during the period of intensive lactation, i.e., before the weaning process ...
Clayton HM, Gray S, Kaiser LJ, Bowker RM.To monitor changes in hoof morphology in response to barefoot trimming. Methods: Seven horses were trimmed every 6 weeks according to barefoot trimming principles, which involved levelling the hoof to live sole, lowering the heels, bevelling the toe and rounding the peripheral wall, while leaving the sole, frog and bars intact. A 4-month period was allowed to lower the heels sufficiently to achieve a hoof shape representative of the barefoot trim. This was regarded as the starting point for morphological adaptations in response to maintenance of the trim. Hoof morphology was measured from late...
Goto H, Ryder OA, Fisher AR, Schultz B, Kosakovsky Pond SL, Nekrutenko A, Makova KD.The endangered Przewalski's horse is the closest relative of the domestic horse and is the only true wild horse species surviving today. The question of whether Przewalski's horse is the direct progenitor of domestic horse has been hotly debated. Studies of DNA diversity within Przewalski's horses have been sparse but are urgently needed to ensure their successful reintroduction to the wild. In an attempt to resolve the controversy surrounding the phylogenetic position and genetic diversity of Przewalski's horses, we used massively parallel sequencing technology to decipher the complete mitoch...
Onoda T, Yamamoto R, Sawamura K, Inoue Y, Matsui A, Miyake T, Hirai N.Thoroughbred horses are seasonal mating animals, raised in northern regions or countries. Foals born yearly in spring generally show a typical seasonal compensatory growth pattern, in which their growth rate declines in the first winter and increases in the next spring. In this study, a new empirical adjustment approach is proposed to adjust for this compensatory growth when growth curve equations are estimated, by using 1,633 male body weights of Thoroughbreds as an illustrating example. Based on general Richards growth curve equation, a new growth curve equation was developed and fit to the ...
Parker RA, Yeates JW.Assessing patients' quality of life (QOL) is a core part of clinical decision making. Various methodologies for assessing patients' QOL have been developed in human medicine and small animal veterinary disciplines. In contrast, the lack of aids for QOL assessment in equine veterinary practice leaves practitioners reliant on subjective assessments of QOL, which may be prone to avoidable errors. Objective: This paper suggests pragmatic ways in which QOL may be enhanced, while remaining appropriate for the time, financial and owner-based constraints within equine practice. Methods: Through interd...
Perkins NR, Reid SW, Morris RS.To describe characteristics of Thoroughbred training stables in Matamata and in all other locations in New Zealand combined, over two 19-month time periods in 1996-1997 and 1998-1999, representing equal length periods immediately prior to and after the construction of a new training surface at the Matamata Racing Club. Methods: Retrospective records covering all horses training and racing in New Zealand during two 19-month time periods (1996-1997 and 1998-1999), covering 161 locations, were obtained from New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR). Outcome variables included whether a horse was rac...
Cooper JJ.Training can best be explained as a process that occurs through stimulus-response-reinforcement chains, whereby animals are conditioned to associate cues in their environment, with specific behavioural responses and their rewarding consequences. Research into learning in horses has concentrated on their powers of discrimination and on primary positive reinforcement schedules, where the correct response is paired with a desirable consequence such as food. In contrast, a number of other learning processes that are used in training have been widely studied in other species, but have received litt...
Anderson SL, Bracamonte JL, Hendrick S, Carmalt JL, Wilson DG.To compare bursting strength and failure mode between ventral median celiotomies closed with USP 7 braided polydioxanone (7PD) or USP 2 polyglactin 910 (2PG). Methods: Ex vivo experimental. Methods: Equine cadavers (n = 10). Methods: A 25 cm ventral median celiotomy was created in fresh equine cadavers. A 200 L polyurethane bladder was inserted into the abdomen. Celiotomies were closed in a simple continuous pattern with 2 sections of 7PD or 2PG. The bladder was inflated with compressed air until construct failure. The horses' signalment, body weight, suture type, failure mode (suture or abdom...
Crispin SM.Tear-deficient dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), and evaporative dry eye, with some overlap between these two categories, are two major categories of dry eye recognized in the horse. Careful examination of the eyelid margins, the inner and outer surfaces of the upper and lower eyelids, assessment of blink and third eyelid movement, specific testing of tear production, assessment of corneal sensitivity, and slit-lamp examination of the ocular surface before and after fluorescein dye application is recommended to detect dry eye problems. Rose Bengal dye application is also recommended in man...
Lemoine DS, Tate BJ, Lacombe JA, Hood TC.Some of the more popular sporting activities for those living in rural areas include equestrian activities such as rodeo events and horseback riding. The lack of helmet use poses a concern for those who participate in these activities due to the risk of sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ultimately having a negative effect on their future. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a trauma center comparing the data on animal-riding patients and their use or lack of use of headgear and incidence of TBI. Of the patients identified, 16.2% sustained a head injury, ranking TBI fourth...
Zeng X, Trask C, Kociolek AM.Horse riding is common in many occupations; however, there is currently no research evaluating exposure to whole-body vibration and mechanical shock on horseback. Methods: Whole-body vibration was measured on a cattle rancher during two 30 min horseback rides using a tri-axial accelerometer mounted on a western saddle. Vibration was summarized into standardized metrics, including the 8 hr equivalent root-mean-squared acceleration (A[8]) and the daily 4th power vibration dose value (VDV). The resulting exposures were compared to the exposure limit and action values provided by European Unio...
Go LM, Barton AK, Ohnesorge B.In equine athletes, dynamic stenotic disorders of the upper airways are often the cause for abnormal respiratory noises and/or poor performance. There are hypotheses, that head and neck flexion may influence the morphology and function of the upper airway and thus could even induce or deteriorate disorders of the upper respiratory tract. Especially the pharynx, without osseous or cartilaginous support is prone to changes in pressure and airflow during exercise. The objective of this study was to develop a method for measuring the pharyngeal diameter in horses during exercise, in order to analy...
In social animals, recognizing conspecifics and distinguishing them from other animal species is certainly important. We hypothesize, as demonstrated in other species of ungulates, that horses are able to discriminate between the faces of conspecifics and the faces of other domestic species (cattle, sheep, donkeys and pigs). Our hypothesis was tested by studying inter-and intra-specific visual discrimination abilities in horses through a two-way instrumental conditioning task (discrimination and reversal learning), using two-dimensional images of faces as discriminative stimuli and food as a p...
Hollis AR, Dixon JJ, Berlato D, Murray R, Weller R.There are limited data on whether the dimensions of the equine eye and its internal structures change with bodyweight in horses. The aim of this study was to identify whether the size of the equine eye and its individual structures varied in a predictable manner with bodyweight, and to examine the reliability of computed tomography (CT) scans in the measurement of the equine eye. Ninety horses which had undergone CT examination of the head for non-ocular disease were included. All measurements of the eye were performed twice on all eyes by the same operator to quantify intra-operator agreement...
Khalil AM, Nakahara K, Tokuriki M, Kaseda Y, Murakami N.On Misaki peninsula, Japan, fecal samples were collected from 14 Misaki stallions at monthly intervals for 12 consecutive months. The fecal testosterone concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay. We examined monthly fecal testosterone hormone patterns and the relationship between fecal testosterone concentration and breeding season and later harem size. Marked monthly variations in fecal testosterone concentration were observed. The fecal testosterone concentration began rising in March; the highest mean monthly concentration, 2.87 +/- 0.18 ng/g, was found in April, and the level remained...
Brubaker AS, Coss RG.Habituation to humans was an essential component of horse (Equus caballus ferus) domestication, with the nondomestication of zebras (Equus quagga) possibly reflecting an adaptive constraint on habituation. We present the human hunting hypothesis, arguing that ancestral humans hunted African animals, including zebras, long enough to promote a persistent wariness of humans, whereas a briefer period of hunting horses in Central Asia influenced by glacial cycles was unlikely to produce an equally persistent wariness. An alternative habituation to humans hypothesis, prompted by field observations, ...
Abisheva A, Abishov A, Khairullaeva K, Shynybayev K, Kalissynov B, Maikhin K, Kydyrmanov A, Karamendin K, Valdovska A, Syrym N.Equine rhinopneumonitis is an acute, highly contagious disease found virtually worldwide. The purpose of the studies presented in this paper is to develop a technology for the manufacture of a cell-derived equine rhinopneumonitis vaccine, as well as to assess the safety and immunogenicity of the newly developed vaccine in laboratory animals model. The object of the studies was the AK-2011 strain isolated from the horses suffering from rhinopneumonitis during an outbreak of abortions. The viability of the AK-2011 strain was assessed using a continuous line of calf trachea cells, a continuous li...
Luís C, Bastos-Silveira C, Costa-Ferreira J, Cothran EG, Oom MM.A common female founder individual of the Portuguese horse breeds Sorraia and Lusitano was found while conducting research on the variation of the Lusitano mitochondrial DNA lineages in relation to studbook information. We obtained 416-bp control region sequences from 16 descendents of a female Sorraia founder (Pomba) still represented in the living population of the Lusitano, according to the most recent edition of this breed's studbook. The same haplotype was found for all analysed samples and belongs to the haplogroup described by several authors as having predominantly Iberian, South Ameri...
Bowers J, Slocombe R.To determine commonly used girth tensions in Thoroughbred racehorses in the Melbourne metropolitan area. Methods: A prospective industry survey. Methods: Strappers were instructed to tension girths, using the same saddle, under-saddle packing and girth, sufficiently to hold the saddle for racing. These tensions were continuously recorded by an in-line load cell in the girth. Seventeen strappers from five stables participated in the study, which was conducted on 91 horses. Results: Resting girth tensions varied considerably. The mean tension on inhalation was 13 +/- 0.4 kg. Male strappers recor...
Griffin PG, Ginther OJ.Transrectal ultrasonography was used to quantitate uterine contractile activity during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy in pony mares (nonbred, n = 9; pregnant, n = 16). Continuous 1-min scans of longitudinal sections of the uterine body were videotaped, and uterine activity scores (1=minimal activity, 5=maximal activity) were assigned to each tape segment. There was a tendency (P<0.06) for a main effect of reproductive status (nonbred versus pregnant), a main effect of day (P<0.0001), and a reproductive status by day interaction (P<0.006). Uterine activity scores were higher (P&...
Flisińska-Bojanowska A, Gill J, Komosa M, Kompanowska-Jezierska E.1. In six standard-bred mares and their foals diurnal changes in the cortisol and glucose levels and in FDPA activity were studies for 13 weeks of foal life. 2. In the cortisol level diurnal rhythm was found in the 3rd, 7th and 11th week of foal life and in the 11th week of lactation in mares. 3. In mares the mean diurnal cortisol level changed from 32 ng/ml in the first week to 57 in the 11th week and in foals from 24 in the first week to 16 ng/ml in the 11th week. 4. In the glucose level no diurnal rhythm was observed. 5. In mares the mean diurnal glucose level after parturition was about 58...
Pan LG, Forster HV, Bisgard GE, Dorsey SM, Busch MA.We assessed the relationship of ventilation (VE) to cardiodynamic variables and CO2 transport in seven normal ponies during treadmill exercise. At 1.8, 3, and 6 mph, respectively, VE increased from 15 l/min at rest to 43, 51, and 86 l/min by 1 min and 48, 68, and 125 l/min by 8 min. In three ponies at the same work loads, cardiac output (Qc) increased from approximately 12 l/min at rest to 19.7, 28.1, and 40.3 l/min between 30-60 s (P less than 0.05) and then decreased by about 20% to a steady state by 3-4 min. Heart rate (HR) shows a similar biphasic response during exercise. Mean right ventr...
Nagel C, Melchert M, Aurich C, Aurich J.Equine fetomaternal monitoring is based on endocrine and cardiac parameters which may differ among small, medium-size, and full-size horses. Therefore, Shetland ( = 6), Haflinger ( = 8), and Warmblood pregnancies ( = 9) were studied during late gestation and at foaling. Weight of mares, foals and placenta, plasma progestin and cortisol concentration, heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) were determined. Foal weight always approximated 10% of mare weight but relative placenta weight was highest in full-size mares ( < 0.05). Progestin ( < 0.001) and cortisol ( < 0.05) concentrati...
Camp M, Kibler ML, Ivey JLZ, Thompson JM.Racehorse welfare is a prominent, public issue which affects nearly every aspect of the racing industry. Thoroughbred care after race career completion has garnered increasing attention from the equine industry, general public, and animal welfare groups alike. As the average racehorse's career lasts just 4.5 years, owner demand for thoroughbreds is essential for post-race careers and acceptable welfare standards. This study utilized data from and hedonic pricing models to analyze buyer demand for thoroughbreds sold in online auctions held from 2012 to 2020. The results indicate buyer preferenc...
Gim JA, Lee S, Kim DS, Jeong KS, Hong CP, Bae JH, Moon JW, Choi YS, Cho BW, Cho HG, Bhak J, Kim HS.With the advent of next-generation sequencing technology, genome-wide maps of DNA methylation are now available. The Thoroughbred horse is bred for racing, while the Jeju horse is a traditional Korean horse bred for racing or food. The methylation profiles of equine organs may provide genomic clues underlying their athletic traits. We have developed a database to elucidate genome-wide DNA methylation patterns of the cerebrum, lung, heart, and skeletal muscle from Thoroughbred and Jeju horses. Using MeDIP-Seq, our database provides information regarding significantly enriched methylated regions...
Herbrecht V, Waldern NM, Mikkelsen SE, Kjaer M, Dittmann MT, Wiestner T, Weishaupt MA.In order to improve the four-beat-rhythm and forelimb action of the tölt in Icelandic horses (ICE), special shoeing techniques are applied particularly in the front hooves by increasing hoof length and height, or by adding weight to the distal limbs. Although regulations limit dorsal hoof wall length (LDHW) in competition ICE, their shoeing often deviates from a biomechanically optimal distal limb conformation. This study aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively describe current shoeing practices of ICE in competition. Moreover, the influence of LDHW on the occurrence of deviations from a st...
van Doorn DA, Schaafstra FJ, Wouterse H, Everts H, Estepa JC, Aguilera-Tejero E, Beynen AC.This study addresses the question of whether feeding rations rich in P for a period of up to 42 d induces a positive P balance in adult ponies. Biochemical bone markers and parathyroid hormone (PTH; intact as well as whole PTH) were measured to obtain clues as to the effect of P loading on bone metabolism. The experiment had a Latin square design. Each feeding period lasted 42 d, and there were 2 balance trials (ECP1 and ECP2) within each feeding period. Each balance trial lasted 10 d (ECP1: d 11 to 21; ECP2: d 33 to 42). Six ponies aged 2.5 to 7 yr were fed a control diet that provided P and ...
Holmström M, Drevemo S.The angular velocities of the hindlimb angles of 14 horses, including 6 Grand Prix dressage horses, 4 horses judged as good at the trot and 4 horses judged as poor, were analysed. The horse material was the same as previously used by Holmström (1994) in studies on conformation and trotting gaits in the Swedish Warmblood riding horse. Four consecutive strides of each horse and the corresponding pace were analysed and mean velocity curves (Xh) for each angle were calculated. Before calculation the data were filtered forwards and backwards with a Butterworth third order filter with a cut off fre...
Wilson JM, Caceci T, Potter GD, Kraemer DC.Embryos were recovered non-surgically at about Day 6 after ovulation from 15 Quarter horse-type mares and were evaluated for morphological changes which may occur because of exposure to the cryoprotectant and/or cryopreservation. Electron microscopy was used to elucidate the fine structure of intracellular organelles which, if damaged, could cause cellular death. The horse embryo does not totally re-expand in the 10% glycerol freezing medium, nor will it completely re-expand in the isotonic holding medium following glycerol removal whether or not the embryo has been frozen. Embryos in this stu...
Hansen TL, Chizek EL, Zugay OK, Miller JM, Bobel JM, Chouinard JW, Adkin AM, Skurupey LA, Warren LK.Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and other warm-season grasses are known for their increased fiber concentrations and reduced digestibility relative to cool-season grasses and legumes. This study investigated the digestive characteristics and passage kinetics of three maturities of Coastal bermudagrass hay. A 5 × 5 Latin square design experiment was used to compare the digestion of five hays: alfalfa (Medicago sativa, ALF), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata, ORCH), and Coastal bermudagrass harvested at 4 (CB 4), 6 (CB 6), and 8 weeks of regrowth (CB 8). Horses were fed cobalt-ethylenediaminetet...
Lee YS, Jung HJ, Yoon MJ.Putative markers for each specific germ cell stage can be a useful tool to study the fate and functions of these cells. Undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor 1 (UTF1) is a putative marker for undifferentiated spermatogonia in humans, rats and horses. The deleted in azoospermia-like (DAZL) protein is also expressed by differentiated spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes in several species. However, whether the expression patterns of these molecular markers are identical and applicable to donkeys remains to be elucidated. The objective of this study was to investigate the expres...
Deriusheva SE, Loginova IuA, Chiriaeva OG, Iaschak K, Smirnov AF.Distribution of blocks of ribosomal RNA genes along metaphase chromosomes of 26 horses from five breeds was determined by means of a modified method of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in combination with simultaneous R- banding. Gene loci coding for rRNA were mapped to the region of secondary constriction on the short arm of chromosome 1, and to the pericentromeric regions of chromosomes 27, 28, and 31. The nucleolar organizer region (NOR) on chromosome 27 was not described earlier. Interindividual and interchromosomal NOR polymorphism was detected With the use of a semiquantitative ...
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...
Clay CM, Squires EL, Amann RP, Nett TM.Influence of day length on seasonal endocrine responses were studied using stallions (seven per group). Treatments included 1) control, with natural day length; 2) 8 h light and 16 h dark (8:16) for 20 wk beginning July 16, 1982 then 16:8 from December 2, 1982 until March 5, 1984 (S-L); or 3) 8:16 from July 16, 1982 until March 5, 1984 (S-S). Blood was sampled hourly for 5 h every 4 wk; sera were pooled within horse, and luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone were quantified. Blood was collected every 20 min for 24 h every 8 wk and 2 wk before and after t...
Ball BA, Davolli GM, Esteller-Vico A, Fleming BO, Wynn MAA, Conley AJ.The biological function of inhibin is mediated by two heterodimers, inhibin-A and inhibin-B. The relative importance of inhibin-A and -B in male reproductive function varies considerably across species with inhibin-B predominating in many species, whereas inhibin-A appears relatively more important in rams. Research reported to date in stallions has examined total or immunoreactive (ir) inhibin which does not distinguish the two heterodimers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize changes in inhibin-A and inhibin-B concentrations in stallions: 1) across season for a period ...
