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Topic:Field Study
Field studies involving horses are research investigations conducted in natural or semi-natural environments outside of laboratory settings. These studies aim to observe and analyze equine behavior, ecology, and physiology in real-world conditions. Field studies can encompass a wide range of topics, including grazing patterns, social interactions, habitat use, and the impact of environmental factors on horse health and welfare. Researchers employ various methodologies such as direct observation, GPS tracking, and non-invasive sampling to collect data. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the methodologies, findings, and implications of field studies in understanding equine behavior and ecology.
Evaluation of mosquito transmission of equine hepacivirus in laboratory and field studies. Equine hepacivirus (EqHV) is a hepatotropic virus, closely related to human hepatitis C virus (HCV), that can cause acute or chronic infection in horses. As with HCV, transmission is thought to occur primarily through parenteral, particularly blood-borne, routes. Vertical transmission from mare to foal has been reported but appears to be uncommon. The high seroprevalence in horse populations and the occurrence of infection in isolated horses indicate efficient horizontal transmission routes exist. One such possibility is biological or mechanical transmission by arthropods, such as mosquitoes, ...
An exploratory comparative analysis of kinematic characteristics in two elite Chinese show jumping riders. Three-dimensional rider kinematics across jumping phases and obstacle heights remain sparsely documented in elite Chinese show jumping. This exploratory case study examined angle-related kinematic characteristics in two elite Chinese riders under field-based jumping conditions. Unassigned: Three-dimensional video-based kinematic analysis was performed using the Simi Motion 3D system with direct linear transformation (DLT)-based camera calibration and three-dimensional reconstruction of selected anatomical landmarks. Two elite male riders rode the same experienced horse over the second vertical...
Comparison of xylazine-ketamine-guaifenesin and xylazine-tiletamine-zolazepam protocols for constant rate infusion anesthesia in horses undergoing field castration. The common use of "triple drip" (xylazine, ketamine, and guaifenesin; XKG) is a popular protocol for constant rate infusion (CRI) in equine practice. However, due to restrictions on ketamine and guaifenesin in many countries, tiletamine-zolazepam (TZ) could serve as an alternative. To date, there have been limited studies evaluating the use of xylazine in combination with TZ (XTZ) administered via CRI to maintain surgical anesthesia in equine field practice. Objective: To compare the effectiveness and safety of XTZ infusion with the classical XKG protocol for field anesthesia. Methods: Twelve ...
Three-year evaluation of anthelmintic treatment efficacy against equine strongyles in France using FECRT. Reduced anthelmintic efficacy against strongyles in equids is a widespread concern, but up-to-date field data are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate, over a three-year period, the efficacy of the anthelmintic (AH) molecules available in France (fenbendazole, pyrantel, ivermectin and moxidectin) against strongyles in equids using faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs). A total of 104 complete FECRTs (i.e., required sample size reached) were conducted in 98 groups, involving 749 equids kept in 70 facilities. Fenbendazole-resistant populations were detected in 8/9 groups (89%) from ...
Unveiling wolf dietary specialization on free ranging horses using forensic genetics and field monitoring. Wolves occasionally specialize on free-ranging horses when they are abundant and alternative prey is scarce, potentially reducing horse productivity, triggering conflicts with owners, and hampering conservation of both species. Yet, ecological and demographic impacts of wolf predation on horses remain poorly understood. We investigated wolf-horse interactions in NW Portugal by combining wolf monitoring, diet analysis, spatial overlap between wolf and horse activity areas, and horse pedigree reconstruction from genetically identified individuals recovered from wolf scat remains, feeding sites a...
Validation of an improved insect bite hypersensitivity severity score for allergic equine insect bite hypersensitivity in horses. Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is the most common allergic skin disease in horses, but existing clinical scoring systems lack extensive validation, limiting standardized disease monitoring and therapeutic evaluation. Objective: Develop and validate a standardized, sensitive, and reproducible clinical scoring system for IBH in horses. Methods: Forty-four privately-owned horses with clinically diagnosed IBH examined under field conditions in Switzerland. Methods: In this prospective field validation study, the equine IBH severity score (EqIS) integrates a lesion severity score and an area sc...
Could snort production reflect comfort in horses kept outdoors? A first study. The welfare of free-roaming, captive wild or domestic animals housed outdoors is often questioned. How subjects perceive climatic conditions is not always well detected as it is highly subjective, depending on species, age and experience. Hence, decisions on housing rely mostly on human anthropomorphic perception. In particular, indicators of comfort and positive emotions remain poorly documented. Acoustic signals, however, offer a promising window into animals' internal states. In the present study, we hypothesized that acoustic signals could be used to identify positive or negative perceptio...
Smartphone-Based Technologies in Equine Sports Medicine: Supporting Athlete Management-A Review. Equine sports medicine is increasingly oriented toward objective, field-based monitoring systems that support both performance optimization and welfare assessment. In this context, smartphone-based technologies have emerged as accessible tools capable of integrating data acquisition, processing, and interpretation within a single platform. This narrative review aims to examine the role of smartphones in equine sports medicine, focusing on their function as standalone sensing devices and as gateways for wearable and external sensor systems. The analysis is based on a structured synthesis of cur...
Mastication characterization of horses fed bermudagrass hay in a two-part field study. Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) is a common forage in the southeastern United States but remains controversial in equine diets due to reported associations with impaction colic. Reduced fiber digestibility has been proposed as a contributing factor, however differences in mastication of fine-stemmed bermudagrass hay have not been studied and may play a role in digestive disturbances. Objective: To compare chewing characteristics, including chews per unit weight and chews per minute, in horses consuming bermudagrass hay compared to other common hay types. Methods: Two studies were conducted....
Ultrasonographic fetal sex determination in large domestic animals: a comparative, mechanistic, and field-oriented synthesis. Ultrasonographic fetal sex determination is commonly used in livestock production to aid genetic selection, reproductive planning, and economic optimization. Despite consistently high diagnostic accuracies under controlled conditions, its use in field settings is variable and frequently unpredictable. This disparity is due to the combined effects of embryological development, species-specific anatomy, fetal positioning, operator expertise, and technical limitations. Unassigned: This review aims to provide a comparative and integrative synthesis of ultrasonographic fetal sex determination acros...
Successful restoration of heathlands and grasslands associated with long-term habitat preferences of cattle and horses: Insights from GPS tracking. Long-term, year-round grazing by large herbivores is increasingly used to restore degraded temperate heathlands and grasslands, yet the behavioral mechanisms of grazers underlying restoration remain insufficiently understood. We combined over 13 years of high-resolution GPS-tracking data of free-ranging Heck cattle and Konik horses with repeated vegetation surveys across various habitat types (encroachment-derived Calamagrostis epigejos stands, dry sandy grasslands, dry heaths, and pioneer forests) in Central Germany. We quantified how habitat preference and vegetation structure co-develop und...
Estimating the economic value of working donkeys in Ethiopia. There is limited empirical evidence on the quantitative economic contribution of donkeys to livelihoods, leading to their undervaluation and exclusion from policy. Here an enterprise budget analysis is embedded within a stochastic dynamic population model for three production systems in Ethiopia to evaluate system inputs, outputs and the economic contribution of donkeys. The model was parameterised using data from household surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews, supplemented by literature. The economic value of donkeys' (unpaid) homestead and agricultural services was e...
Evaluation of two point-of-care molecular diagnostic platforms for rapid detection of equine Hendra virus. Hendra virus (HeV) is a lethal zoonotic pathogen endemic to eastern Australia, posing significant risks to equine and human health. Rapid field detection of HeV enables timely intervention and outbreak management. This study evaluated candidate point-of-care (POC) molecular diagnostic platforms for HeV detection in equine samples: including a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (DARQ RT-LAMP) assay and real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Comparative analytical evaluation demonstrated that RT-qPCR exhibited superior analytical sensitivity relativ...
Open habitats and species differences shape space use in semi-feral cattle and horses across Danish rewilding sites. Large herbivores can strongly influence ecosystem structure and biodiversity, making knowledge of their space use important for trophic rewilding. We used GPS-tracking data collected over two years from 10 semi-feral cattle and 17 horses across ten Danish rewilding sites to analyse habitat use in a use-availability framework using resource selection functions (RSFs), complemented by direct behavioural observations. Both species showed large individual variability but overall used habitats disproportionately to availability, with higher relative use of open habitats; including dry grassland and...
Synchronization dynamics between rider and saddle motion across gaits revealed by IMU analysis. Effective rider-horse coordination is essential for performance and welfare, yet objective, field-based quantification of rider-saddle synchronization across gaits remains limited. Objective: To quantify dynamic synchronization between rider motion and saddle motion (as a proxy for horse trunk oscillations) across walk, trot, and canter using a minimal inertial measurement unit (IMU) setup, and to determine whether synchronization differs between rider body segments. Methods: Two experienced riders (8-20 years riding experience) rode their own or familiar warmblood horses (n = 2; age 6-14 year...
Is managing horses ‘as wild’ beneficial for dung beetle assemblages and their associated ecological functions? In Europe, where livestock has largely replaced wild ungulates over the centuries, dung beetle assemblages have become largely dependent on livestock farming. The radical changes in livestock farming practices during the 20th century have therefore had a profound impact on these assemblages. Trophic rewilding with large herbivores is an important focus in European rewilding projects, and dung beetle assemblages appear to be good indicators of the success of rewilding. By comparing the composition of dung beetle assemblages and the rate of dung disappearance in three neighboring grassland habit...
Survey on Faecal Microbiota Transplantation and Probiotic Use in Equine Practice in France and Belgium. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and probiotics are used in equine practice. Understanding veterinarians' perceptions and practices is crucial for effective implementation. Objective: (1) Evaluate the prevalence, usage patterns and perceived effectiveness of probiotics and FMT among equine veterinarians in France and Belgium. (2) Assess their knowledge, practices and influencing factors across demographics and settings. (3) Explore links between FMT protocols and treatment satisfaction. Methods: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: An online survey collected demographic data and responses o...
Relationship between the duration of endometrial edema and reproductive parameters of estrus, diestrus, and fertility in mares: a field study. The duration of endometrial edema has been positively correlated with uterine receptivity and likelihood of pregnancy. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether there is a relationship between the duration of endometrial edema (DEdema) and other key parameters of the estrous cycle: maximum edema (MEdema), largest follicle diameter (LPF), corpus luteum and uterine tone on day 5 post ovulation (CLD5 and TD5), progesterone concentration (P4) and fertility. A total of 88 cycles from 36 mares were evaluated and divided into Short Estrus (SE), Long Estrus (LE), Inseminated (AI) and Non-insemin...
Spatial Variation in Turf Surface Properties of Polo Pitches: A Case Study of Different Handicaps of Argentina. Polo is a high-speed equestrian sport that imposes mechanical demands on horses and turf, yet limited research has examined the functional behavior of polo playing surfaces. This study characterizes the spatial variability of mechanical surface properties across turf polo pitches representing high-, medium-, and low-handicap categories. Three fields were assessed using lightweight field-based instruments, including the Impact Test Device (ITD), Rotational Peak Shear (RPS) tester, Going Stick© for penetration (GSP) and shear (GSS), and a TDR probe for volumetric moisture content (VMC%). A tota...
Where Dinner Roams: The Role of Feral Horses as a Resource Subsidy for Wolves and Cougars in West-Central British Columbia. Feral horses () have established large populations in west-central British Columbia (BC), Canada, where they overlap with native ungulates, including a declining woodland caribou () herd. In addition, feral horses co-occur with large carnivore species including wolf () and cougar (). Feral horses may act as a resource subsidy for predators, potentially altering predator-prey dynamics, yet empirical observations of predator interactions with feral horses are scarce in Canada. Between 2019 and 2025, we documented 21 instances of wolf predation or scavenging of feral horses, including one direct ...
Space-use by feral cattle and horses shapes vegetation structure in a trophic rewilding area. Feral cattle (Bos taurus) and horses (Equus ferus caballus) are commonly introduced to European rewilding areas to halt vegetation succession and to conserve light-demanding species. Yet, we still do not understand how the habitat preference of animals shapes vegetation structure at the landscape scale. Here, we used spatial preference modeling to understand drivers of space-use based on GPS-collared horses and cattle in a 120-ha rewilding area in Denmark. Using a time series of a satellite-based vegetation productivity index, we tested the ability of animal space-use to explain changes in veg...
Heritability Estimates of Traits Assessed in Field Performance Tests of Polish Warmblood Mares. : Knowledge of the genetic background of evaluated traits has been the basis for genetic progress in every horse-breeding population and is essential for precise breeding and up-to-date decision-making. The study aimed to estimate the heritability coefficients for field performance traits in mares. : The research was based on 1408 evaluations of mares conducted during the years 2002-2021 in 51 training centers in Poland. The preliminary analyses of the effects, significant for the investigated traits, were obtained using analysis of variance, and these additional data are also presented (SAS p...
Feed intake, digestibility and passage kinetics in grazing horses. Feed intake and digestibility are important indicators for sufficient nutrient supply, but they can be assessed only to a limited extent in horses on pasture. In horses, feed intake is embedded in a complex behavioural pattern of searching, selecting, chewing and almost constant movement called foraging. The objectives of this study were to estimate organic matter intake (OMI) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) in six horses, 24 h/day on pasture, based on plant alkanes and synthetic n-hexatriacontane (C) excretion. A multi-compartmental model was fitted to the marker excretion and the C m...
Complications Following Orchiectomy in Stallions in Field Conditions: Descriptive Results and Predictors in a Study of 612 Cases. The objectives of this work were (i) to evaluate the incidence of complications in male horses after orchiectomy performed in the field, i.e., away from a veterinary hospital, (ii) to describe the post-operative complications that occurred in these animals and (iii) to study the potential predictors for the development of such complications. This study involved 612 animals, on which orchiectomy was performed. The operative part of the study was carried out by one of three experienced veterinary surgeons. Standard pre-operative procedures were followed. Orchiectomy was performed using one of th...
Common Radiographic Findings in Moroccan Working Equids: A Retrospective Study (2015-2022). Working equids are at high risk of musculoskeletal disorders due to strenuous labor, repetitive tasks, and harsh environmental conditions. This retrospective study describes the distribution of radiographically detected musculoskeletal findings in working equids presented to four Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) centers in Morocco, based on 498 animals and 1125 radiographs collected between 2015 and 2022. The study population was mainly composed of horses (78.1%), followed by donkeys (15.3%) and mules (6.6%). Most were males (65.7%), and the majority were between 5 and 15 y...
Longitudinal welfare assessment in French jump racehorses during season preparation. Public scrutiny of racehorse welfare is increasing. The preparatory training phase preceding the racing season is potentially a critical period for physical and mental development. Structured welfare assessment protocols have recently been developed, but their use in field conditions remains limited. Objective: (1) To evaluate the field applicability of a racehorse-specific welfare assessment protocol in a professional French jump racing yard; and (2) to explore whether it can detect relevant physical and behavioural changes in young horses during season preparation. Methods: Longitudinal obse...
Rewilded horses as a nature-based solution for wintertime tick control in Japan: help or hindrance? The control of ticks is challenging owing to their ubiquity, complex ecologies, and difficulties relating to costs and non-target impacts of chemical control programs. Nature-based solutions centre around co-opting natural processes and biodiversity to address socio-environmental problems; and in some cases, rewilded species can provide nature-based solutions. In northern Japan, the winter ecology of ticks is poorly studied, though some species are believed to overwinter under the snow. Winter grazing activity of rewilded horses may disturb overwintering ticks, exposing them to sub-zero temper...
Comparative Analysis of the Stallion Field Performance Test at Different Training Stages and Horse Age. Breeding value estimations of Warmblood horses in Poland are based on field performance, but the amount of stallions' data is still insufficient (334 horses). The first study's aim is to compare stallions' results in different stages and evaluate the overall ability using both stages. The effects on preselection (first stage free movement) and performance tests (second stage under rider) were analyzed separately and together as the overall ability. Spearman correlations were evaluated. The second aim was to evaluate the training period on the results. Due to the pandemic and lack of tests, hor...
Quantitative assessment of gait alterations and variability in sulky-driven Standardbred trotters after a standardised exercise test. Assessment of equine metabolic and locomotory responses to quantified levels of physical exercise is needed to support the creation of tailored protocols for optimal training adaptation. The locomotory response to exercise in horses is not fully understood. Objective: To investigate the effect of a standardised exercise test (SET) on upper-body and limb kinematics and stride-to-stride variability in Standardbred Warmblood trotters. Methods: Experimental repeated-measures field study. Methods: Thirteen Standardbred trotters, equipped with nine inertial measurement units (IMUs), performed an inc...
Reliability, agreement and variability of a markerless computer vision algorithm for equine gait analysis under field conditions. Computer vision-based algorithms offer accessible alternatives for equine gait analysis but require thorough assessment under diverse conditions. Objective: To evaluate a proprietary vision-based algorithm's reliability in measuring vertical displacement signals (VDS) at the eye, withers and croup, alongside groundline estimation, for horses trotting on straight lines and circles under field conditions. Methods: Cross-sectional comparative study evaluating agreement, variability and reliability of a markerless computer vision algorithm. Methods: We obtained 67 handheld iPhone recordings from 3...
