Topic:Head

Analysis of current methods and Welfare concerns in the transport of 118 horses by commercial air cargo companies.
BMC veterinary research    April 26, 2024   Volume 20, Issue 1 158 doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-03999-9
Felici M, Cogger N, Nanni Costa L, Riley CB, Padalino B.Studies on equine air transport practices and consequences are scarce. This prospective study aimed to describe horse and air journey details and practices, document how horse behavior and health changed during the air transport phases, quantify the occurrence of welfare issues, and identify possible associations between horse and journey details, air transport practices, and welfare issues. Results: Data were collected from before departure to five days after arrival on 118/597 horses traveling on 32 commercial air journeys on different routes, varying in duration and conditions. Most horses ...
Pony feeding management: the role of morphology and hay feeding methods on intake rate, ingestive behaviors and mouth shaping.
Frontiers in veterinary science    April 12, 2024   Volume 11 1332207 doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1332207
Bordin C, Raspa F, Greppi M, Harris P, Ellis AD, Roggero A, Palestrini C, Cavallini D, Bergero D, Valle E.In the last decade, haynets and slow feeders have been promoted as sustainable tools to improve the feeding management of horses and reduce forage waste, but little is known about their effects on ponies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effects of different hay feeding methods on the ingestive behaviors, intake rate and mouth shaping of ponies belonging to two breed types, which are characterized by different head morphologies. Shetland type (SH,  = 5) and Welsh/Cob type (WC,  = 4) ponies were fed hay using four feeding methods: on the ground (G), a fully filled hay...
Associations between Racing Thoroughbred Movement Asymmetries and Racing and Training Direction.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    April 3, 2024   Volume 14, Issue 7 1086 doi: 10.3390/ani14071086
Forbes B, Ho W, Parkes RSV, Sepulveda Caviedes MF, Pfau T, Martel DR.Racehorses commonly train and race in one direction, which may result in gait asymmetries. This study quantified gait symmetry in two cohorts of Thoroughbreds differing in their predominant exercising direction; we hypothesized that there would be significant differences in the direction of asymmetry between cohorts. Methods: 307 Thoroughbreds (156 from Singapore Turf Club (STC)-anticlockwise; 151 from Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC)-clockwise) were assessed during a straight-line, in-hand trot on firm ground with inertial sensors on their head and pelvis quantifying differences between the minim...
Objective Assessment of Equine Locomotor Symmetry Using an Inertial Sensor System and Artificial Intelligence: A Comparative Study.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    March 16, 2024   Volume 14, Issue 6 921 doi: 10.3390/ani14060921
In horses, quantitative assessment of gait parameters, as with the use of inertial measurement units (IMUs) systems, might help in the decision-making process. However, it requires financial investment, is time-consuming, and lacks accuracy if displaced. An innovative artificial intelligence marker-less motion tracking system (AI-MTS) may overcome these limitations in the field. Our aim was to compare the level of agreement and accuracy between both systems and visual clinical assessment. Twenty horses underwent locomotion analysis by visual assessment, IMUs, and AI-MTS systems, under the foll...
Equine Headshaking Syndrome: Triggers, Seasonality, and Treatment Efficacy in Australia.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    March 13, 2024   Volume 14, Issue 6 875 doi: 10.3390/ani14060875
Bell T, Kyriazopoulou P, Mowbray C, Murphy BA.Equine headshaking syndrome is a poorly understood neuropathic pain condition presenting as uncontrollable shaking, flicking, or striking of the head. Therapeutic options are limited, and treatments are only partially successful. Currently, epidemiological information on headshaking in the Southern Hemisphere is lacking. An online survey was circulated to Australian owners of headshaking horses to collect information on triggers, symptoms, seasonality, treatments, and perceived treatment efficacy. The responses (n = 216) showed the mean age at symptom onset as 9.6 (±4.7) years. More geldings ...
A transmandibular lateral transsphenoidal navigated surgical approach to access a pituitary macroadenoma in a warmblood mare.
The veterinary quarterly    February 23, 2024   Volume 44, Issue 1 1-10 doi: 10.1080/01652176.2023.2300947
de Preux M, Precht C, Guevar J, Graubner C, Thenhaus-Schnabel S, Buser L, Lukes A, Koch C.A 16-year-old warmblood mare was referred with a progressive history of behavioral changes and left-sided blindness. Following neuroanatomical localization to the forebrain, magnetic resonance imaging of the head revealed a well-delineated, 4.5 cm in diameter, round pituitary mass causing marked compression of the midbrain and optic chiasm. Euthanasia was recommended but declined by the owners. Veterinary specialists and a human neurosurgeon collaboratively prepared for surgical case management. A novel navigated transmandibular lateral transsphenoidal approach was developed to access the re...
Pathological Changes in Early Medieval Horses from Different Archaeological Sites in Poland.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    February 1, 2024   Volume 14, Issue 3 490 doi: 10.3390/ani14030490
Janeczek M, Makowiecki D, Rozwadowska A, Chudziak W, Pasicka E.The work is the first comprehensive analysis of equine pathological changes from the Polish territory. The research material was collected from 20 archaeological sites, mainly early medieval settlements, such as strongholds, settlements, towns and horse graves. In the material examined, 186 cases of lesions were found. Of these, 26.9% were lesions of the spine, 39.8% lesions of the limb skeleton and 31.7% lesions of the head including dental pathologies. Most of the lesions in the limbs involved their distal segments. The vast majority of pathological cases can be linked to animal use. It was ...
Morphology and morphometry of sperm in Kurdish stallions, a local breed from western Iran.
Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene    January 25, 2024   Volume 59, Issue 1 e14534 doi: 10.1111/rda.14534
Nooroozian A, Goodarzi N, Tafti RD.The present work was designed for a thorough investigation into the sperm morphology and morphometry of Kurdish stallions. The semen samples were collected from 10 Kurdish stallions. Three preparations from each ejaculate were stained with eosin-nigrosin (EN), Diff-Quik (DQ) and Rose Bengal (RB). The area, perimeter, length and width of the sperm head as well as tail length and total sperm length were measured. The parameters ellipticity, elongation, roughness and regularity were calculated. The morphology of sperm was also investigated under scanning and transmission electron microscopes. DQ ...
Epidemiology of horse trauma: a literature review. Neville EK, Hicks H, Neville CC.Horses are used for many recreational and occupational activities. They are large, strong, temperamental, and unpredictable animals and people involved with them are at risk for injuries, from minor abrasions to severe injuries that may lead to death. This review reports on horse trauma in relation to the characteristics of injured equestrians, characteristics of horse trauma, and clinical outcomes. Methods: A literature search was conducted from health-related electronic databases to identify studies from 2018 to 2023. The search returned 115 relevant full-text articles but after screening an...
The efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in decreasing airway inflammation and mucus accumulation in horses with 18 hours of head confinement.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine    January 18, 2024   doi: 10.1111/jvim.16976
Tavanaeimanesh H, Alinia Z, Sadeghian Chaleshtori S, Moosavian H, Mohebi Z, Daneshi M.During transportation many horses develop post-transportation infection, which can be life-threatening and end their sport career. Preventing mucus accumulation and inflammation during transportation is vital, emphasizing the need for effective strategies to enhance overall horse health welfare. Objective: Assess the impact of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on mucus accumulation and inflammation in horses subjected to 18 hours of head confinement. Methods: Six healthy crossbred horses, 5.3 ± 2.1 years of age and weighing 387 ± 30 kg. Methods: Prospective placebo-controlled cross-over d...
Comparison of the sedative and cardiovascular effects of the combination of acepromazine-clonidine versus acepromazine-xylazine in horses.
Veterinary research forum : an international quarterly journal    January 15, 2024   Volume 15, Issue 1 21-26 doi: 10.30466/vrf.2023.2004451.3910
Parhizkar P, Mohammadi R, Hashemi-Asl SM, Jalilzadeh-Amin G, Sarrafzadeh-Rezaei F.The aim of this study was to compare the sedative and cardiovascular effects of the combination of acepromazine-clonidine versus acepromazine-xylazine in horses. Four healthy cross-bred horses were included in the study. They were assigned to two treatments. In treatment I (T1), the animals received xylazine hydrochloride (1.00 mg kg) in combination with acepromazine maleate (0.05 mg kg) intravenously (IV). In treatment II (T2), the animals received intra-gastric administration of clonidine (0.002 mg kg) followed by acepromazine (0.05 mg kg; IV) after 60 min. Head height above the ground (HHAG...
Osteoarthritis of the coxofemoral joint in 24 horses: Evaluation of radiography, ultrasonography, intra-articular anaesthesia, treatment and outcome.
Equine veterinary journal    January 7, 2024   doi: 10.1111/evj.14053
Sauer FJ, Hellige M, Beineke A, Geburek F.Few case reports describe equine coxofemoral joint osteoarthritis (CFJOA). Objective: To evaluate diagnostic findings and outcome of horses with CFJOA and to provide a score facilitating radiographic assessment. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: History, clinical signs, ultrasonographic, radiographic and intra-articular anaesthesia findings, treatments, outcome, and necropsy results of horses with CFJOA presented between 2002 and 2023 were collated. Radiographic findings were categorised to develop a radiographic score which was applied by two masked examiners. Intra- and inter-obse...
Radiation from the equine perineal region is low compared with the elbow and head 24 hours after bone scintigraphic examination. Marcelino L, Falk E, Johansson J, Rydu00e9n J, Uhlhorn M, Ley CJ.The timing of follow-up radiography and ultrasound in horses that undergo skeletal scintigraphy for lameness investigation varies internationally and between equine hospitals. The prospective, one-group, pretest, posttest study aimed to estimate radiation levels from horses three and 24 h after injection of hydroxydiphosphonate labeled with metastable technetium ( Tc-HDP) and investigate which anatomical locations of the horse had higher radiation levels. Included were 46 horses referred for lameness investigation between June and December 2021. Radiation levels from the horse surface were me...
Sedation with dexmedetomidine-butorphanol or xylazine-butorphanol continuous intravenous infusions during unilateral ovariectomy in standing donkeys.
Equine veterinary journal    January 3, 2024   doi: 10.1111/evj.14052
Dzikiti TB, Maney JK, Thorogood J, Segabinazzi L, Peterson E, Dzikiti LN, Escobar A.Intravenous infusions of alpha-2 adrenoceptor sedatives and opioids can potentially facilitate surgery in donkeys while standing. Literature on this subject matter is scant. Objective: Evaluation of efficacy of sedation from α -adrenoceptors (dexmedetomidine or xylazine) and butorphanol during ovariectomy in standing donkeys. Methods: Randomised, masked in vivo experiment. Methods: Thirteen female donkeys were sedated with butorphanol (0.05 mg/kg bwt followed by 0.5 mg/kg bwt/h) IV. Concomitantly, 6 of the 13 jennies were sedated with dexmedetomidine 2.5 mcg/kg bwt followed by 2.5 mcg...
The Postural and Body Surface Temperature Response of Leisure Horses to Lunging with Selected Lunging Aids.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    December 20, 2023   Volume 14, Issue 1 22 doi: 10.3390/ani14010022
Mau015bko M, Sikorska U, Borowska M, Zdrojkowski u0141, Jasiu0144ski T, Domino M.Incorporating lunging into a horse's daily routine aims to enhance fitness, physical condition, and specific skills or exercises when using lunging aids (LAs). To assess the effectiveness of lunging, non-contact technologies like geometric morphometrics and infrared thermography can be employed. This study seeks to evaluate lunging efficiency based on the horse's posture and surface temperature when lunging with different head and neck positions. The study aims to determine if changes in a horse's posture correspond to increased metabolic activity, as indicated by body surface temperature. Thi...
Correlation and agreement between infrared thermography and a thermometer for equine body temperature measurements.
Veterinary world    December 20, 2023   Volume 16, Issue 12 2464-2470 doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.2464-2470
Lampang KN, Isawirodom A, Rungsri P.Body temperature is a vital sign that determines physical status. Infrared thermography (IRT) is more frequently used for assessing horses' temperature because of its ease of use and less contact with the horses, making it a safer measurement method. However, the accuracy of IRT remains unclear; therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential use of IRT as an alternative method for measuring horse body temperature. Unassigned: Temperatures were measured in 14 horses. A digital thermometer was used to collect rectal temperature (RT), whereas a thermographic camera was used for IRT at three ...
Changes in Head and Pelvic Movement Symmetry after Diagnostic Anaesthesia: Interactions between Subjective Judgement Categories and Commonly Applied Blocks.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    December 6, 2023   Volume 13, Issue 24 3769 doi: 10.3390/ani13243769
Pfau T, Clark KS, Bolt DM, Lai JS, Perrier M, Rhodes JB, Smith RK, Fiske-Jackson A.Limited evidence is available relating gait changes to diagnostic anaesthesia. We investigated associations between specific movement patterns and diagnostic anaesthesia of different anatomical structures in a retrospective analysis. Referral-level lameness cases were included with the following criteria: presence of diagnostic anaesthesia of a forelimb and/or hind limb; subjective efficacy classified as "negative", "partially positive", or "positive"; quantitative gait data available from inertial measurement units. Gait changes were calculated for three forelimb (palmar digital, abaxial sesa...
The prevalence and risk factors of dental disease found in 100 miniature horses.
Frontiers in veterinary science    November 30, 2023   Volume 10 1239809 doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1239809
Tinsley T, Fogle C, Means E, Robertston J.Dental disease is a common condition affecting horses. Its prevalence and characteristics among most of the common breeds of horses and donkeys have been investigated and described in the literature, but information about the prevalence and etiology of dental disease of miniature horses is sparse. Unassigned: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of dental disease of miniature horses, we performed oral and dental radiographic examinations on 100 miniature horses. The findings of these examinations were analyzed to determine the prevalence of dental disease and its correlation to age,...
Trunk postural reactions to the force perturbation intensity and frequency during sitting astride in children with cerebral palsy.
Experimental brain research    November 28, 2023   doi: 10.1007/s00221-023-06744-0
Yan S, Park SH, Dee W, Keefer R, Rojas AM, Rymer WZ, Wu M.The purpose of this study was to examine kinematic and neuromuscular responses of the head and body to pelvis perturbations with different intensities and frequencies during sitting astride in children with CP. Sixteen children with spastic CP (mean age 7.4 ± 2.4 years old) were recruited in this study. A custom designed cable-driven robotic horse was used to apply controlled force perturbations to the pelvis during sitting astride. Each participant was tested in four force intensity conditions (i.e., 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% of body weight (BW), frequency = 1 Hz), and six force frequ...
Transient Horner’s syndrome in horses following cervical plexus local anesthesia.
Veterinary surgery : VS    November 27, 2023   doi: 10.1111/vsu.14053
Pearce DJ, Raffetto J, Vallance SA.To report the development of transient Horner's syndrome in horses following local anesthesia of the cervical plexus. Methods: A total of 37 horses. Methods: Observational retrospective short case series. Methods: Medical records of cases undergoing ultrasound-guided cervical plexus anesthesia for standing prosthetic laryngoplasty at a single referral institution were evaluated (2019-2020). Results: Five of 37 horses (14%) developed transient signs of Horner's syndrome postoperatively. Obvious clinical signs began 2 to 5 h following local anesthesia and persisted for two to 4 h. Profuse un...
Abnormal head and neck carriage following trauma in a 5-month-old Thoroughbred colt.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association    November 9, 2023   1-4 doi: 10.2460/javma.23.08.0490
Guidoni K, Schiavo S, Scilimati N, Bertoletti A, Beccati F.No abstract available
Pilot study of locomotor asymmetry in horses walking in circles with and without a rider.
PeerJ    November 2, 2023   Volume 11 e16373 doi: 10.7717/peerj.16373
Egenvall A, Clayton HM, Bystru00f6m A.Horses commonly show asymmetries that manifest as left (L)-right (R) differences in vertical excursion of axial body segments. Moving on a circle confounds inherent individual asymmetries. Our goals were to evaluate individual and group asymmetry patterns and compare objective data with subjective impressions of side preference/laterality in horses walking on L and R circles. Unassigned: Fifteen horses walked on L and R circles unridden and ridden on long and short reins. Optical motion capture (150 Hz) tracked skin-fixed markers. Variables were trunk horizontal angle; neck-to-trunk angle; ver...
Asymmetry Thresholds Reflecting the Visual Assessment of Forelimb Lameness on Circles on a Hard Surface.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    October 25, 2023   Volume 13, Issue 21 3319 doi: 10.3390/ani13213319
Macaire C, Hanne-Poujade S, De Azevedo E, Denoix JM, Coudry V, Jacquet S, Bertoni L, Tallaj A, Audigiu00e9 F, Hatrisse C, Hu00e9bert C, Martin P....The assessment of lameness in horses can be aided by objective gait analysis tools. Despite their key role of evaluating a horse at trot on a circle, asymmetry thresholds have not been determined for differentiating between sound and lame gait during this exercise. These thresholds are essential to distinguish physiological asymmetry linked to the circle from pathological asymmetry linked to lameness. This study aims to determine the Asymmetry Indices (AIs) with the highest power to discriminate between a group of sound horses and a group of horses with consistent unilateral lameness across bo...
Upper airway endoscopy in exercising horses: Findings in 164 barrel racing horses with respiratory clinical signs and/or poor performance.
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)    October 21, 2023   Volume 300-302 106038 doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.106038
Massie SL, Lu00e9guillette R.Barrel racing involves sprinting through a cloverleaf pattern in under 20 s. The prevalence of upper airway obstructions (UAO) in barrel racers is unknown, thus a retrospective analysis of 164 client-owned horses referred for overground endoscopy (OGE) between 2014 and 2022 was performed. Referring complaints included respiratory noise, cough, epistaxis, behaviour (owner reported stress/anxiety, refusal to enter arena, excessive head shaking), and/or poor performance. Horses performed a standardized exercise test with low and high-speed components. Videoendoscopic recordings were systematical...
Comparing Inertial Measurement Units to Markerless Video Analysis for Movement Symmetry in Quarter Horses.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)    October 12, 2023   Volume 23, Issue 20 8414 doi: 10.3390/s23208414
Pfau T, Landsbergen K, Davis BL, Kenny O, Kernot N, Rochard N, Porte-Proust M, Sparks H, Takahashi Y, Toth K, Scott WM.With an increasing number of systems for quantifying lameness-related movement asymmetry, between-system comparisons under non-laboratory conditions are important for multi-centre or referral-level studies. This study compares an artificial intelligence video app to a validated inertial measurement unit (IMU) gait analysis system in a specific group of horses. Methods: Twenty-two reining Quarter horses were equipped with nine body-mounted IMUs while being videoed with a smartphone app. Both systems quantified head and pelvic movement symmetry during in-hand trot (hard/soft ground) and on the l...
Patterns of horse and camel- related injuries: A descriptive analysis from a national trauma registry (2007-2021).
Injury    October 4, 2023   Volume 54, Issue 12 111093 doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2023.111093
El-Menyar A, Khan NA, Naqvi SGA, Al-Thani H.The large animal-related injuries are emerging major trauma but remain underestimated public health problem worldwide. We aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, mechanisms and patterns of horse and camel-related injuries (HCRIs) in a Middle Eastern country. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients who were hospitalized due to HCRIs was conducted. Data included patient's demographics, mechanism of injury, anatomical location and severity of injury, and hospital outcomes. Results: Between November 2007 and December 2021, there were 273 hospitalized patients with HCR...
Biointerfacial behavior of stallion spermatozoa adhered to hydrogel surfaces: Impact of the hydrogel chemical composition and the culture medium.
Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces    October 2, 2023   Volume 231 113575 doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2023.113575
Ebel FA, Liaudat AC, Blois DA, Capella V, Broglia MF, Barbero CA, Rodru00edguez N, Bosch P, Rivarola CR.Novel soft materials based on hydrogel are proposed to enhance the selection of high-quality stallion sperm based on their adhesion capacity. The hydrogel surfaces are derived from polyacrylamide (PAAm), which is copolymerized with neutral and ionic co-monomers to modify the interfacial properties. The hydrogels undergo characterization through FTIR spectroscopy, assessment of swelling capacity, and wettability under various experimental conditions. Sperm adhesion capacity on the hydrogels is examined through several parameters including the percentage of bound sperm (%Sp) to hydrogels, tail o...
Successful total hip arthroplasty in a miniature horse.
Veterinary surgery : VS    September 26, 2023   Volume 52, Issue 8 1209-1218 doi: 10.1111/vsu.14032
Cullen MD, Pettitt RA, Tomlinson AW, Louro LF, Bennell AJ, Michael R, Stack JD.To describe the surgical treatment, postoperative management, and outcome of a miniature horse undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: Case report. Methods: A 4-year-old miniature horse stallion weighing 85 kg. Methods: The horse presented with left coxofemoral luxation of ~6 weeks duration. Computed tomography confirmed craniodorsal luxation with marked degenerative changes to the femoral head. The horse underwent THA using cementless press fit implants, including an interlocking lateral bolt for the femoral stem. Results: The horse recovered well from anesthesia but suffered a ...
Temporomandibular joint biomechanics and equine incisor occlusal plane maintenance.
Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology    September 20, 2023   Volume 11 1249316 doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1249316
Sterkenburgh TR, Hartl B, Peham C, Nowak M, Kyllar M, Kau S.In equine dentistry, the physiological incisor occlusal surface is visually perceived as a plane with a distinct inclination to the head's coronal plane, extending rostro-ventrally to caudo-dorsally. To better understand the formation of this inclined plane and its connection to dental wear, we investigated the hypothesis that it arises from masticatory movements and the considerable distance between mandibular articular heads and the incisor occlusal surfaces, acting as the three points of support for the mandibles. Leveraging data from a large-scale clinical study involving static and dynami...
Non-invasive estimation of in vivo optical properties and hemodynamic parameters of domestic animals: a preliminary study on horses, dogs, and sheep.
Frontiers in veterinary science    September 18, 2023   Volume 10 1243325 doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1243325
Frabasile L, Amendola C, Buttafava M, Chincarini M, Contini D, Cozzi B, De Zani D, Guerri G, Lacerenza M, Minero M, Petrizzi L, Qiu L, Rabbogliatti V....Biosensors applied in veterinary medicine serve as a noninvasive method to determine the health status of animals and, indirectly, their level of welfare. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been suggested as a technology with this application. This study presents preliminary time domain NIRS measurements of optical properties (absorption coefficient, reduced scattering coefficient, and differential pathlength factor) and hemodynamic parameters (concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin, total hemoglobin, and tissue oxygen saturation) of tissue domestic animals, specif...
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