"Horses" is a broad topic that encompasses various aspects of equine biology, behavior, and management. This category includes studies on the anatomy, physiology, and genetics of horses, as well as their behavior, nutrition, and care. Research in this area may also cover the historical and cultural significance of horses, their roles in agriculture, sport, and therapy, and the challenges associated with their conservation and welfare. The page aggregates peer-reviewed research articles and scholarly studies that explore the multifaceted relationships between humans and horses, examining both scientific and socio-economic perspectives.
Ward DS, Fessler JF, Bottoms GD.Electromagnetic flow transducers were implanted via left thoracotomy in 8 ponies (122.7 to 263.6 kg) around the main pulmonary and left main coronary arteries for continuous measurement of mean and pulsatile blood flow. Flow transducers were calibrated in vitro with a gravity flow system. The mean +/- SE pulmonary flow was 73.1 +/- 5.1 ml/kg of body weight/min. Left coronary flow was 0.95 +/- 0.07 ml/kg/min (1.3% of cardiac output) and was not believed to be an accurate measurement. This was caused by the inability to implant a zero-flow occluder, requiring the use of minimum flow during systo...
Brunson DB, Majors LJ.Xylazine, morphine, butorphanol, and nalbuphine were evaluated in 5 adult male horses, using dental dolorimetry. Comparisons were made at 30, 60, and 100 minutes after IV drug administration. Peak analgesia and the time to develop peak analgesia also were compared. Xylazine induced a marked increase in the tooth pulp pain threshold measurements as did the xylazine/narcotic combinations. Statistical differences were not detectable between these treatments. Xylazine and xylazine/butorphanol were better analgesics than was butorphanol alone at 30 and 60 minutes. Xylazine resulted in peak analgesi...
Jang SS, Biberstein EL, Hirsh DC.Actinobacillus suis-like organisms have been recognized in equine specimens at the University of California Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital since 1975. The most common source (65%) of the organism was transtracheal washings. The organism was gram-negative, produced hemolysis on blood agar, and gave a positive reaction for oxidase, urease, o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside, and esculin. Carbohydrate reactions were variable, consisting of 4 main patterns. Actinobacillus suis-like organisms were (90%) sensitive to therapeutic concentrations of amikacin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, gen...
Robertson SA.Three different anaesthetic techniques were studied in normal, healthy Thoroughbred or Thoroughbred type horses. These were (a) acepromazine, thiopentone and suxamethonium; (b) acepromazine, glyceryl guaiacolate and a 'half-dose' of thiopentone; and (c) xylazine and ketamine. Anaesthesia was maintained with halothane vaporized in oxygen and nitrous oxide. All horses underwent either laryngeal or body surface surgery. Heart rate, packed cell volume, blood glucose and lactate, plasma non-esterified fatty acids, insulin and cortisol were measured before, during and after surgery. The greatest met...
Ross MW, Orsini JA, Ehnen SJ.A 5-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with recurrent cecal impaction refractory to medical management was treated with a side-to-side jejunocolic anastomosis. Cecal impaction did not recur after surgery. The horse gained weight and performed successfully for 14 months, but experienced three episodes of mild abdominal pain between 14 and 20 months after surgery. Mild cecal gas distention and firm ingesta in the colon were detected on rectal examination. The horse's feces remained soft after surgery, except during the colic episodes when dry, firm feces were passed.
Skarda RT, Muir WW, Couri D.Arterial and/or central venous plasma concentrations of lidocaine were determined in 12 nonmedicated adult horses (422 +/- 59 kg of body weight, mean +/- SD) after injecting a 1% lidocaine HCl solution into the cervicothoracic ganglion (CTG). A mean dosage of 2.9 +/- 0.5 mg of lidocaine/kg of body weight was used to induce unilateral CTG blockade in 8 horses and 4.8 +/- 0.8 mg was used to induce bilateral CTG blockade in 4 horses. Blood samples were collected before and at 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, and 120 minutes after injection. The plasma lidocaine concentrations were determined by us...
Jones RL, Adney WS, Shideler RK.Clostridium difficile was isolated from the feces of 27 of 43 diarrheic foals (63%), and cytotoxin was detected in feces from 28 diarrheic foals (65%). The foals had not received any antimicrobial treatment before the onset of diarrhea. C. difficile was not isolated from feces of 18 normal foals without diarrhea and 62 adult horses (P less than 0.005). This finding of C. difficile and its toxins in association with diarrhea in foals adds another possible cause to the list of infectious agents which may cause diarrhea in foals.
The Journal of heredityJuly 1, 1987
Volume 78, Issue 4 248-250 doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.jhered.a110376
Bowling AT.Blood type analysis of 29 foals in a paternal half-sib family verified linkage of five LGII loci (Es, E, To, Gc, Al). Population and parentage data from other tobiano-spotted horses suggested conservation of a tightly linked (To:GcS:AlB) marker complex.
Wiest JJ, Thompson DL, McNeill-Weist DR, Garza F.Twenty ovariectomized pony mares were used to determine if dihydrotestosterone propionate (DHTP) administration, with or without estradiol benzoate (EB) pretreatment, would have the same effects on follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion as testosterone propionate (TP) administration. All mares were given an initial injection of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) to characterize their LH and FSH response, and then two groups of mares (n = 4/group) were administered EB (22 micrograms/kg of body weight), two groups were administered vehicle (safflower oil) an...
Lane JG, Mair TS.The clinical records of 100 cases of headshaking in horses were reviewed. Possible causes of the abnormal behaviour were identified in 11 animals; these included ear mite infestation, otitis interna, cranial nerve dysfunction, cervical injury, ocular disease, guttural pouch mycosis, dental periapical osteitis and suspected vasomotor rhinitis. However, in only two of these could it be shown that correction of the abnormality led to elimination of the headshaking. The additional clinical signs exhibited by the other idiopathic cases of headshaking included evidence of nasal irritation, sneezing ...
Sullins KE, McIlwraith CW.Transverse or oblique midshaft tibial osteotomies were created in 11 foals. The osteotomies were repaired during the same procedure using external skeletal fixation in either full splint or 3-dimensional (3-D) tent configurations. Four of the six foals receiving the full splint fixator recovered to full soundness; two were euthanized because of complications. The foals receiving the 3-D tent configuration would not bear weight on the limbs and consequently suffered significant secondary fracture disease. These foals were euthanized for humane reasons before the scheduled termination of the pro...
Bertone AL, McIlwraith CW.Arthroscopic approaches to the scapulohumeral joint were developed in four clinically normal, live horses (5 limbs) to determine their usefulness for evaluation and potential surgical treatment of intraarticular lesions. The articular surface of the entire glenoid, cranial humeral head (medial and lateral) and caudolateral humeral head, as well as the synovial membrane, could be closely examined from an arthroscopic portal cranial to the infraspinatus tendon. The caudomedial humeral head could be examined partially. Cranial and caudal instrument portals allowed good surgical access to the enti...
McLean RG, Calisher CH, Parham GL.Blood samples collected in September and November 1980 from 87 horses in southwestern Michigan were examined for virus isolation and for plaque-reduction neutralizing antibody against selected arboviruses. Cache Valley virus was isolated from the blood of a clinically normal horse in St Joseph County in September. The age-specific antibody prevalence for Cache Valley virus indicated enzootic transmission in the study area. The high antibody prevalence and the lack of age-specific antibody prevalence indicated sporadic, but intense, exposure to Jamestown Canyon virus. Low prevalences of antibod...
Edwards JF, Yedloutschnig RJ, Dardiri AH, Callis JJ.Virus isolation was attempted from 262 field samples of vesicular material collected during the outbreaks of vesicular exanthema of swine in the U.S.A. from 1952-54. Using primary swine kidney culture, viral cytopathogenic agents were isolated from 76.3% of the samples. However, an overall recovery rate of 82.1% was obtained after samples negative in tissue culture were inoculated intradermally in susceptible swine. All vesicular exanthema of swine virus isolates were identified as serotype B51 using complement fixation and serum neutralization tests. Two isolates did not react with antisera t...
Smith HJ, Snowdon KE.Light Trichinella infections were established in three ponies given 1000, 5000 and 25000 T. spiralis spiralis infective larvae respectively by stomach tube. A predilection site of infection in all ponies was the tongue. Anti-Trichinella antibodies were detected in all ponies by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a T. spiralis spiralis excretory-secretory antigen. The ponies given 5000 and 25000 infective larvae reacted positively on days 26 and 24 postinfection, respectively, using a criterion of greater than or equal to 5 X mean optical density readings of preinfection sera as positi...
Blue JT, Dinsmore RP, Anderson KL.Three horses developed severe, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia after treatment with penicillin. The horses had positive direct antiglobulin (Coombs) tests and high titers of IgG antibody that agglutinated penicillin-coated equine red cells. Two of the horses were tested for antibodies to autologous red cell antigens; autoantibodies were not present. Titers of antipenicillin antibody decreased after penicillin was discontinued but IgG antibody was detectable months after recovery. One of the horses was challenged with penicillin; antibody titer increased slightly, but anemia did not develop. A...
Fischer AT, Stover SM.Third carpal sagittal fractures were found to be related to racing injuries in 10 of 12 horses. These fractures occurred most commonly on the medial aspect of the bone. A dorsoproximal-dorsodistal view of the carpus was required to visualize the fracture in all cases. Healing of the fracture required periods of rest of up to one year. Conservative management of these fractures resulted in return to function in 7 of 12 horses.
Perdrizet JA, Scott DW.Cellulitis and subcutaneous abscess formation was diagnosed in a 3-month-old Thoroughbred filly. Clinical signs consisted of a large ulcerated plaque, with satellite pustules on the medial aspect of the right hock and subcutaneous abscesses in the right inguinal and mammary gland areas. Laboratory analysis revealed mature neutrophilia. Rhodococcus equi was isolated from the cellulitis and the subcutaneous abscess. Oral administration of erythromycin and rifampin for 35 days resulted in a clinical cure.
Vandermyde CR, DiPietro JA, Todd KS, Lock TF.Fifteen pony foals were inoculated with 1,500 +/- 298.7 infective Parascaris equorum eggs. The foals were assigned to 3 treatment groups. Treatments included 10 mg of fenbendazole/kg given once on postinoculation day (PID) 11, 10 mg of fenbendazole/kg given daily on PID 11 to 15, and no treatment (controls). The foals were euthanatized on PID 25 and examined for P equorum larvae in the small intestine, lungs, and liver. Significantly (P less than 0.05) lower mean numbers of P equorum larvae were found in the small intestine of foals treated on PID 11 to 15 (1.4 [range, 0 to 6]) than in the sma...
Blue J, Perdrizet J, Brown E.Acute myelomonocytic leukemia was diagnosed in a 2-year-old Standardbred mare that had hind limb edema and fever unresponsive to antibiotics. The mare had anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukocytosis, with circulating myeloblasts and monocytoid cells. A bone marrow specimen was hypercellular, with myeloblasts and monocytoid cells. Peroxidase, chloroacetate esterase, and alpha naphthyl acetate esterase activities were detected in many bone marrow cells. Interstitial pulmonary densities were seen radiographically. The mare was euthanatized and necropsied. Infiltrates of leukemic cells were found m...
Poncet PA, Ionita JC, Doherr MG, Steiger A.The socio-economic structure of the breeding farms of Franches-Montagnes horses (FM) in Switzerland is evaluated on the basis of an investigation carried out in 2002 by the Swiss FM breeding federation. Questionnaires were sent to 3500 of its members and the results include data from 968 breeding enterprises, housing a total of 3965 FM. The quality of the husbandry of FM varies according to factors such as the altitude and the geographical situation of the farms and studs. Socio-economic parameters, such as the role of FM in the business, their use (breeding, driving, riding) and the age and l...
Garza F, St George RL, Mitchell PS, Thompson DL.An experiment was conducted to determine whether partial neutralization of estrogens via active immunization alters testosterone propionate (TP)-induced increases in FSH secretion after GnRH administration in ovariectomized pony mares. Twenty mares were used in a 2 X 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (n = 5/group). Factor 1 was long-term active immunization against either bovine serum albumin (BSA) or estrone-17-oxime-BSA. Factor 2 was 11-d administration of either vehicle (vegetable oil) or TP (175 micrograms/kg BW). Plasma concentrations of FSH were not affected (P greater than .1) by ei...
Moore BR, Moore RM.Clinical examination of the equine patient with acute abdominal pain should identify the affected body system and yield a provisional diagnosis. Determination of signalment, history, physical examination, and basic laboratory tests should assist in classification of the gastrointestinal disorder and direct the therapeutic plan. Determination of the definitive diagnosis of abdominal pain based on clinical examination is not crucial. For a successful outcome, efforts should be directed toward early recognition of the need for surgery and treatment of cardiovascular compromise in horses with seve...
Stewart DR, Kindahl H, Stabenfeldt GH, Hughes JP.Changes in plasma 15-keto-13, 14-dihydro-prostaglandin F2 alpha were monitored at frequent intervals before, during and after spontaneous deliveries (three mares) and foalings induced by oxytocin (eight mares). No evidence of increased concentrations of the prostaglandin metabolite was observed in the final 10 days of gestation. In spontaneously delivering mares, there was a marked increase from 3 ng/ml at -125 mins to 18 ng/ml at -65 mins to the highest observed value of 182 ng/ml at 20 mins pre-partum. Following delivery, concentrations declined rapidly to around 0.2 ng/ml. Further release o...
Robert M, Manet H, Manneveau G, Geffroy O. The aim of this study was to describe an ultrasound-guided injection technique of the lumbosacral disc in horses through the cranial vertebral notch of the sacrum and to evaluate both accuracy and potential complications of the technique on equine cadavers. Methods: Twenty-four injections of the lumbosacral area were performed on 12 equine cadavers shortly after euthanasia under ultrasound guidance with the horse in recumbency using two different dyes (one colour for each side). The lumbosacral area was dissected in each horse and the accuracy of the technique, as well as its potential c...
Foth PW, Gardner A, Pereira CR, Cooper E, Schroeder E, Mudge MC.To assess oral buccal microcirculation by hand-held videomicroscopy in horses during colic surgery, comparing microcirculation values with macrocirculatory parameters and with those of healthy elective surgical horses. Methods: Clinical prospective study. Methods: Client-owned horses (nine in the colic group; 11 in the elective group). Methods: In the colic group, buccal mucosal side stream dark-field microscopy (DFM) videos, cardiac output (CO), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and lactate were obtained at three timepoints under general anesthesia (30, 90, and 150 min after induction). Video a...
Sweeney CR, Sweeney RW, Raker CW, Freeman DE.A 3-year-old Thoroughbred filly had a pharyngeal abscess causing obstruction of the upper respiratory tract. Diagnosis was made by a combination of endoscopy, biopsy, cytology, and radiography. Treatment with antimicrobials and analgesics resulted in successful resolution of the abscess.
Palmer SE.Lasers have become important tools for the equine surgeon in the treatment of upper respiratory tract disease in the horse. Multiple wavelengths and delivery systems are available. Indications for the use of lasers in the upper respiratory tract primarily include minimally invasive procedures not possible with conventional surgical instrumentation. New applications for the use of lasers to treat upper respiratory disease are likely to evolve with the development and introduction of new wavelengths and delivery systems.
Ginther OJ, Almamun M, Shahiduzzaman AK, Beg MA.The mechanism for a reported temporal association between ovulation and a transient disruption in the periovulatory increase in LH concentrations was studied in nine mares treated with human chorionic gonadotropin when the preovulatory follicle was >/=32mm. Examinations for ovulation detection and blood collection were done at 2-h intervals and the results were retrospectively centralized to ovulation (Hour 0). Concentrations of LH began to increase (P<0.03) rapidly at Hour -18, decreased (P<0.04) between Hours 0 and 6, and again increased (P<0.0001) after Hour 12. A progressive de...
Staudacher G.23 horses and one donkey with congestive heart failure are treated with a standardized methyldigoxin dose (0.0032 mg/kg of body weight). The therapy is controlled by the serum concentration of the cardiac glycoside. 4 horses have a higher and 13 horses a lower serum concentration as necessary for therapeutic approach. The influence of additional diseases and medications is demonstrated. Finally a rule for the evaluation of the individual therapeutic glycoside-dose is given.
Clothier J, Small A, Hinch G, Brown WY.The persistent endocrinological effects of perinatal stress due to gestational immaturity in horses are unknown, although effects have been reported in other livestock species. This pilot study tested the hypothesis that persistent adrenocortical dysregulation is present in horses that were gestationally immature at birth by assessing the salivary cortisol response to exogenous ACTH. Case horses (n = 10) were recruited with histories of gestation length < 315 d or dysmaturity observable through neonatal signs. Positive controls (n = 7) and negative controls (n = 5) were recruited wher...
Deaton CM, Brown-Feltner H, Henley WE, Roberts CA, Lekeux P, Schroter RC, Marlin DJ.Pulmonary capillary stress failure, largely as a result of high pulmonary vascular pressures, has been implicated in the aetiology of EIPH. However, the role of the respiratory system in determining the magnitude of EIPH has received little attention. Objective: Horses breathing a gas of greater density than air will exhibit greater transmural pulmonary arterial pressures (TPAP) and more severe EIPH, and horses breathing a gas of lower density than air will exhibit lower TPAP and less severe EIPH, both compared with horses breathing air. Methods: Following a warm-up, 8 Thoroughbred horses were...
Whitlock RH.The equine practitioner often encounters serious diagnostic and therapeutic challenges regarding the specific origin of a disease. Such challenges may occur when horses become unaccountably ill after consuming what was thought to be acceptable feed but which in fact was contaminated or contained additives intended for other species. Examples of such additives and contaminants are monensin, lasalocid, salinomycin, blister beetles, and such antimicrobics as lincomycin and clindamycin.
Goetz TE, Manohar M.The heart rate (HR) induced by maximal beta-adrenergic activation, which was elicited by infusion of isoproterenol, was studied in 8 healthy horses before (control) and after hyperthermia was induced by IV administration of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP). Isoproterenol was administered IV at 1.0 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 for 3 minutes, and the HR was determined during the final 30 seconds of the infusion. As the rectal temperature increased (P less than 0.001) from 38.2 +/- 0.1 C (mean +/- SEM; normothermic control) to 40.1 +/- 0.1 C at 60 minutes after DNP administration, the isoproterenol-induced HR al...