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.
Schmidt NJ, Melnick JL, Wenner HA, Ho HH, Burkhardt MA.Immune horse sera to 42 enterovirus immunotypes were pooled according to the Lim Benyesh-Melnick and the "intersecting serum" schemes. Each serum was diluted in the pools to contain 50 antibody units. After it was established that the pools correctly neutralized prototype virus strains, they were evaluated in tests against 273 enterovirus field strains representing most of the viral types included in the pools. With test virus doses of 10-100 TCD(50), most of the poliovirus and coxsackievirus field strains were correctly identified in both schemes, but a number of the echoviruses were neutrali...
Sponseller ML, Binn LN, Wooding WL, Yager RH.Four field strains of western encephalitis virus were inoculated subcutaneously or intracranially (i/c) into recently weaned ponies. After s/c inoculation, 3 of the 4 strains produced an inapparent infection with a short period of viraemia. The 4th strain produced viraemia, fever, and signs of central nervous system disease. Viraemia occurred after intracranial inoculation with each strain; however, a variation in clinical response occurred, ranging from an inapparent infection to death. The disease pattern was characterized by three successive phases: viraemia, increased body temperature, and...
DRUDGE JH, LELAND SE, WYANT ZN, HUTZLER LB.In field studies in which 197 sucklings, weanlings and yearlings and mares were treated with Parvex at the dosage rate of 37-5 mg. per Ib. body-weight, both immature and mature ascarids were effectively removed; but this dosage level did not have any apparent action against Strongylus vulgaris or Strongyloides westeri. Low level phenothiazine medication was effective in depressing egg production and inhibiting larval development of strongyles, especially S. vulgaris.
Rabei ȘO, Pivariu D, Cocian AI, Vaccaro D, Costache-Bobescu P, Mihalca AD.This study aimed to assess the efficacy of pyrethroid-based insecticides against Gasterophilus spp. egg-laying activity and to establish the seasonality patterns in the specific climatic area of Transylvania, Romania. To fulfil the aims of the study, a total of 40 horses were treated every 4 weeks and inspected every 2 weeks between 11 May and 6 November (Pilo et al. Parasitol Res 114:1693-1702, 2024). Through this period, eggs were found between 24 June and 2 November. The eggs were found on 34 out of 40 horses (prevalence = 85%, CI 95% = 73.43-96.56%). Overall, a total of 50,029 G...
Bachmann M, Bochnia M, Wensch-Dorendorf M, Glatter M, Schäfer S, Simroth K, Greef JM, Zeyner A.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...
Tyrnenopoulou P, Flouraki E, Folias L, Loukopoulos E, Starras A, Chalvatzis P, Tsioli V, Mavrogianni VS, Fthenakis GC.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...
Stoneham SJ, Tyler N, Holmes MA, Archer DC.This prospective, controlled field trial aimed to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of mares in late pregnancy with a commercial stud feed balancer on the transfer of passive immunity to their foals. Eighty-two pregnant mares on a single stud farm that were eligible for inclusion were assigned into two groups (Intervention and Control) based primarily on existing social groupings. Between 64-224 days prepartum, all mares received the same forage-based diet but mares in the Intervention group received an in-feed commercial stud feed balancer and mares in the Control group received...
Silva GLS, Curcio UA, Boufleur JA, Borges DGL, Nakatani MTM, Freitas MG, Borges FA, Faria FJC, Silva RHP, Franco GL.Anthelmintic resistance has led to the use of organic extracts as alternative methods of parasite control. Objective: The study aimed to assess the effects of Acacia mearnsii extract (tannin) on the control of cyathostomins in horses, both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Thirty Pantaneiro horses naturally infected with cyathostomins were sourced from two distinct farms, designated as Farms A and B. At the start of the study, all third-stage larvae were cyathostomins, and an egg hatchability test (EHT) was performed using fecal samples from horses on both farms. Two randomized 28-day field studi...
Park T, Hong S, Murray L, Lee J, Shah A, Mesa JC, Lee H, Couetil L, Lee CH.Continuous physiological monitoring is well-established in human healthcare for early disease detection and management. However, translation of these technologies to large animals such as equines remains underdeveloped due to anatomical constraints, dense hair coat coverage, and requirements for unimpeded mobility. Equines, particularly racehorses, are prone to asthma and cardiovascular abnormalities, with nearly 80 % affected by mild to moderate asthma, impacting performance and long-term health. Despite the need for continuous monitoring, existing solutions require shaving hairs, often lack...
Döberl J, Li Z, Furrer R, Jäger MC.Reduced anthelmintic efficacy against small strongyles in horses is a widespread problem, yet recent data is scarce. Objective: This paper aims to investigate the current status of anthelmintic efficacy in the field in Germany, specifically focusing on pyrantel. Methods: The study included 1670 horses for which a total of 1913 dewormings were analysed. Of these, 1682 were performed with pyrantel, 56 with fenbendazole, 162 with macrocyclic lactones and 13 with other compounds (e.g. herbs). The faecal egg count reduction (FECR) was calculated with two methods, the faecal egg count reduction test...
Key K, Berg K, Kirkegaard J, Andresen KR, Skov Hansen S.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...
Aarts RM, Smit IH, Ferraz GC, Rhodin M, Serra Braganca FM, Hernlund E.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...
Taylor DEF, Lancaster BE, Ellis AD.There are few 24 h time budgets for horses, especially for domesticated horses kept at pasture. Most time budgets utilise short-term scan sampling, which can miss behaviours. This study aimed to assess the seasonal variation in continuous behaviour of domesticated Icelandic horses at pasture during winter and spring in fair weather. Eight Icelandic horses (11.25 ± 9.19 years; 7 geldings, 1 stallion) were observed in a 26 acre field. Herd location and individual behaviour were continuously observed during 3 h periods amounting to 3 × 24 h in winter and late spring, compiled over 43 days (~21 ...
Lewczuk D, Borowska A, Andruszkiewicz J, Bagnicka E.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...
