Horse management encompasses the practices and techniques used to care for and maintain horses in various settings, including stables, pastures, and performance environments. This area of study covers a range of activities such as feeding, grooming, housing, exercise, and health monitoring to ensure the well-being and optimal performance of horses. Effective horse management requires an understanding of equine behavior, nutrition, and physiology, as well as the ability to implement routine care practices and respond to health issues. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the methods, strategies, and outcomes associated with different horse management practices.
Snow DH.Anabolic steroids have been employed extensively in equine practice over the past 25 years. Their usefulness is largely dependent on subjective opinions, as only minimal studies have been carried out in horses. Therefore, their use will vary markedly between practitioners depending on their personal experiences and pressures by trainers to use them. They form part of rational therapy in a variety of conditions. In addition to use for increasing muscle mass, they are used to a varying extent in the raising of yearlings and in the training and racing of horses with the view of improving performa...
Schott HC, Hinchcliff KW.In an attempt to enhance performance, primarily by delaying the onset of fatigue, a variety of formulations of fluids, electrolytes, and sodium bicarbonate are administered to performance horses. Some current practices of fluid and electrolyte supplementation are well justified; others have no basis to support their use. In addition, occasional combined administration of certain agents (i.e., furosemide and sodium bicarbonate) can have detrimental effects on performance.
The Horserace Betting Levy Board formulates codes of practice for the control of contagious equine metritis and other equine bacterial venereal diseases, and equine viral arteritis and equid herpesvirus 1. This year's codes have just been published and the code of practice for EVA, reproduced below, has been substantially amended following the recent outbreak in the UK. The code is intended for use by veterinary surgeons and breeders of thoroughbred and non-thoroughbred horses. The HBLB states that its recommendations represent the minimum measures necessary to monitor for the presence of equi...
Giebel G, Braun K, Mittelmeier W.In a retrospective study we reviewed 262 horse riding related injuries in children younger than 16 which were treated between 1975 and 1989 at the Section of Traumatology in the Department of Surgery, University Hospital Homburg/Saar. In 155 of these accidents, detailed information was gained via a questionnaire. The typical patient profile was that of young female equestrians with little experience and little weekly riding practice, without practicing falling-exercises and warming up often using different horses. At the time of the accident only 59% were wearing a head protection. Most accide...
López-Rivero JL, Diz AM, Monterde JG, Agüera E.The results from a recent study by Bruce and Schurg (1990) indicate that the gluteus medius (Gm) of the horse is a complex muscle subdivided by an internal tendinous sheet into two regions (dorsal and ventral) which may subserve different functions. In the present study, both regions were found to contain a similar proportion of histochemically-determined muscle fibre types. Fibre type composition did not generally vary over the length of the muscle at the same relative depth. In contrast, there was a significant tendency for the percentage of type I fibres to increase gradually in accordance ...
McDaniel AL, Martin SA, McCann JS, Parks AH.The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract on the in vitro equine cecal fermentation of soluble starch, amino acids/peptides, coastal bermudagrass hay, and alfalfa hay. Cecal contents were obtained from a cecally fistulated Quarter Horse gelding fed coastal bermudagrass and grain (70:30) either unadapted or adapted to dietary A. oryzae supplementation (2 g/d). Mixed cecal microorganisms were incubated in anaerobic media for either 24 h (soluble starch, amino acids) or 48 h (bermudagrass hay, alfalfa hay). A. oryzae was added to the incubat...
Brück I, Anderson GA, Hyland JH.The records of 1630 mare years from 6 Thoroughbred stud farms in south eastern Australia were analysed for the years 1981 to 1986. Overall pregnancy and foaling rates were 83.9% and 69.3%, respectively. When calculated per served oestrous cycle, pregnancy and foaling rates were 54.7% and 43.1%, respectively. Pregnancy and foaling rates were higher (P < 0.001) for mares 3 to 10 years of age than for older mares. There was no difference in the pregnancy rates of maiden, barren and foaling mares. The foaling rate was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in mares that became pregnant during the ...
Southwood LL, Evans DL, Bryden WL, Rose RJ.Twenty-five Thoroughbred (TB) and 25 Standardbred (SB) stables were visited to determine their feeding practices. The ingredients of the main feed of the day for a mature gelding of average size in full training were weighted at each stable. Nutrient content of diets was calculated using published data for the individual ingredients. Results are expressed as mean +/- sd. The estimated body weight of TB horses was 493 +/- 34 kg and 437 +/- 32 kg for SB horses. There was considerable variation in diet composition and nutrient intake between stables. The TB trainers fed 11.0 +/- 2.4 kg and SB tra...
Clayton HM.The time-motion characteristics of Canadian basic- and medium-level dressage competitions are described, and the results are applied in formulating sport-specific conditioning programs. One competition was analyzed at the six levels from basic 1 to medium 3. Each test was divided into a series of sequences based on the type and speed of activity. The durations of the sequences were measured from videotapes. The basic-level tests had fewer sequences, and they were shorter in distance and duration than the medium tests (P < 0.10), but the average speed did not differ between the two levels. It i...
Montavon S.Few scientists predicted the impact that echography would have on the equine breeding industry. The aim of this practical review is to give the practitioner the ability to be familiar with the ovarian echographic exam. He should be able to recognize different stages of estrous cycle in the mare, status of preovulatory follicles and to predict precisely the time of ovulation. Various specific criteria and details regarding the equine echography are studied and illustrated, using the last scientific data published after the Fifth International Symposium on Equine Reproduction in Deauville.
Pazdera J, Hruban V, Pichrtová J, Müller Z, Jílek F.Using a multilocus DNA probe, individual - specific hybridization patterns, the so-called DNA fingerprints (TAB) were determined in six horse families by the DNA fingerprinting method. The probe with evolutionally preserved nucleotide sequence from bacteriophage M13 determines hypervariable regions placed in genomic minisatellite DNA. The use of this probe permits an identification of an individual and execution of paternity relationships with a probability over 99.99 per cent.
Condie C, Rivara FP, Bergman AB.Although the risk of serious head injury for horse riders is higher than for most other sports, few equestrians regularly wear protective headgear. This study indicates that riders are well informed about the need for helmets and that the main reason for nonuse is inadequate helmet design. In particular, riders perceive that existing helmets are uncomfortable, expensive, and inappropriate for some riding styles. Based on these findings, the authors developed strategies to increase usage and incorporated them into a successful program. These strategies included working with manufacturers to dev...
Buffa EA, Van Den Berg SS, Verstraete FJ, Swart NG.Over a 10-month period, 24 randomly selected riding horses were fed various amounts of biotin. Statistically significant improvements in growth rates and hardness of hooves were produced by biotin supplementation. Greater growth rates and hardness were achieved at a daily dose of 15 mg than at 7.5 mg. Increased hoof hardness was greatest in the hoof quarters and toe. No ring formation occurred in hooves of horses fed biotin intermittently.
Mueller PO, Morris DD, Carmichael KP, Henry MM, Baker JJ.A 10-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse gelding was admitted to the veterinary teaching hospital for evaluation of intermittent fever, lethargy, and anorexia. Initial laboratory analyses revealed anemia and hyperfibrinogenemia. Abdominocentesis and thoracentesis yielded fluid samples with high nucleated cell counts and total protein concentrations. The tentative diagnosis was nonseptic peritonitis. The horse did not improve after 4 days of antimicrobial treatment, and pitting edema of the ventral midline developed. Thoracic radiography and ultrasonography revealed consolidation of the ventral as...
Haezebrouck P, Noppe W, Van Dael H, Hanssens I.From fluorescence measurements on mixtures of bis-ANS and equine lysozyme and from Ca(2+)-dependent hydrophobic interaction chromatography of equine lysozyme, it is demonstrated that Ca2+ binding induces a conformational change upon which hydrophobic regions in the protein become less accessible. Bis-ANS fluorescence titrations in the absence of Ca2+ and in 2 mM Ca2+ are also performed with equine alpha-lactalbumin variants B and C. These variants differ by an amino-acid exchange Asp----Ile at residue 95. The fluorescence titration curves indicate that the accessibility of the probe to the Ca2...
Beeman GM, Soule SG, Swanson TD.This article reviews the history of the medical evaluation of the horse for purchase and the gradual development of definitions and guidelines for performing such an examination. The philosophy of pre-purchase examinations, including potential conflicts of interest, recording methods, and procedures, is discussed. The AAEP guidelines for reporting purchase evaluations are also included.
van der Mey GJ, Bos H.The study of the literature on a preliminary performance test for saddle horses (stallions) is concerned with European countries. Interest is found to be increasing in the various countries. Performance of the test in the Netherlands (since 1966) is described and the various criteria of evaluation are discussed in detail. The intensity of selection based on this test is referred to. In 1974, it was 78 per cent in the Netherlands. Part of studies on the relationship between some results of testing are reviewed. The traction test shows a very low coefficient of correlation with the other parts o...
Delguste C, de Moffarts B, Kirschvink N, Art T, Pincemail J, Defraigne JO, Amory H, Lekeux P.The antioxidant status of 10 horses living in stable 1 where 2 cases of equine motor neuron disease had previously been diagnosed was assessed before and 9 weeks after moving to another stable. Duration of residence in stable 1, subsequent moving, or both, significantly affected several parameters of the antioxidant status. Le statut antioxydatif de 10 chevaux logés dans l’écurie 1, où 2 cas de maladie du neurone moteur avaient été précédemment diagnostiqués, a été vérifié avant et 9 semaines après leur transfert dans une autre écurie. La durée de l’hébergement dans l’é...
Grahwit G.A historical review is given on the reasons to use restraint measures in animals, their definitions and classifications as well as their mode of action. An attempt is made to give an assessment of these measures according to animal welfare aspects formerly and today. Special emphasis is put on considerations in conformity with the "reasonable reason", as required in the German Animal Welfare Act.
Neufang R.Comments are given on the present recommendations for the keeping of horses in stables. Proposals for an animal friendly accommodation are made including practical considerations.
Friedman R.The value of providing equine reproductive services in ambulatory setting is well established. Ambulatory practice has been, and will most likely continue to be, the primary provider of equine reproductive veterinary services. The limitations for performing various reproductive procedures in an ambulatory setting are those imposed by the amount of equipment and supplies that must be brought to the patient, as well as those imposed when procedures require additional assistance. This is analogous to human medical care: the ambulance cannot substitute for a hospital but it can certainly provide s...
Cohen ML, Ming RH, Gogel HK, Davis M, Pitcher JL.Phenylbutazone (PBZ) is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) that is not commonly prescribed due to the high incidence of serious adverse reactions. However, it is still used extensively in equine medicine, and is readily available to those employed in the care and management of horses. Such persons may take the drug indiscriminately, without medical supervision. We present a 33-year-old male race horse track worker who took phenylbutazone horse pills for a chronic toothache and subsequently suffered a major hemorrhage from a gastric ulcer. Human use of phenylbutazone horse pills shoul...
Morley M, Loeb J.As Malcolm Morley becomes BVA president for 2022/23, Josh Loeb chats to him about his love for horses and why the veterinary profession is actually a human-centred business.
Harkins JD, Mundy GD, Stanley S, Woods WE, Boyles J, Arthur RA, Sams RA, Tobin T.Plasma and urinary concentrations of procaine and the duration of response to procaine after its administration as a local anaesthetic to horses were studied. Following injection of a clinical dose of procaine HCl (80 mg), the concentration of procaine in plasma was less than the lower limit of quantitation and unsuitable for threshold determination. Therefore, the urinary concentration of procaine was determined after injection of a dose of 5 mg procaine HCl, the highest no-effect dose (HNED) of this agent. Free unconjugated procaine in equine urine reached a peak concentration of 23.7 ng/mL,...
Allsup TN.This paper deals with some recent developments in the air transportation of cattle, sheep, pigs and horses and comments on the factors involved which influence the results.
Viljanto M, Kicman AT, Walker CJ, Wolff K, Muir T, Hincks P, Biddle S, Scarth J.Boldenone (1-dehydrotestosterone) is an exogenous anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) but is also known to be endogenous in the entire male horse and potentially formed by microbes in voided urine, the gastrointestinal tract, or feed resulting in its detection in urine samples. In this study, equine fecal and urine samples were incubated in the presence of selected stable isotope labeled AAS precursors to investigate whether microbial activity could result in 1-dehydrogenation, in particular the formation of boldenone. Fecal matter was initially selected for investigation because of its high mic...
Conboy HS.Although the act of breeding is instinctive to the stallion, the use of a phantom mare and AV represent an unnatural element to this act. The use of these devices, as well as proper breeding manners and etiquette, must be taught to the stallion. The novice stallion usually learns these techniques rapidly and is quite manageable if proper restraint is used during training. Positive reinforcement for good behavior is essential. The ultimate goal in training the novice stallion is to develop an individual that will enter the breeding area with controlled enthusiasm, develop an erection and gracef...