"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.
Larson VL, Busch RH.Differential cell counts were done on bronchial lavage specimens from 166 horses. Postmortem gross and histologic examinations were done to determine the pathologic diagnosis of the lungs from these horses. Ninety-two (55%) were normal, 18 (11%) had interstitial pneumonia, 13 (8%) had bronchopneumonia, 13 (8%) had focal eosinophilia, 11 (7%) had diffuse eosinophilia, 11 (7%) had chronic bronchitis, and 8 (5%) had suppurative bronchitis. Little relationship was found between cellular features of the lavage specimens and the pathologic status of the lungs of individual horses.
Becker M, Breuer D.The results of the ileus surgery in horses by a consistent performing of a known and standardised clinical and operative procedure are very good, provided that there are surgeons who have experience in abdominal surgery and that there is a co-operating team for the pre- and post-operative care.
Harrington JP, Carrier TL.The effect of several different types of perturbants and pH on the rate of autoxidation of horse heart ferrocytochrome c was investigated. The kinetic behavior is unique to each perturbant used. Rates of autoxidation followed first-order kinetics over the time span (0-180 min) studied. The Cl- and Br- anions exhibit an initial increase in the rate of autoxidation up to 100 mM, followed by a decrease in kinetics at 500 mM anion concentration. The ClO4- anion exhibits only an increase in the rate of autoxidation with increasing ionic strength, where as, propylurea, a hydrophobic perturbant, is n...
Hietala SK, Ardans AA, Sansome A.An enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay was developed to measure naturally occurring Corynebacterium equi specific antibody in horse serum. Antibody against C equi was demonstrated in normal adults and was passively transferred to foals. Adult levels of specific antibody were reached by 5 to 6 months of age in healthy foals. Decreased early antibody levels were demonstrated in a limited number of foals with confirmed C equi infection.
Bunton TE.Developmental defects are rarely reported in the horse. Severe craniofacial and central nervous system defects in an equine foetus are described and their possible causation and pathogenesis are suggested.
Collier MA, Lowe JE, Rendano VT.Materials fatigue and gross biocompatability of an implantable bone growth stimulator (BGS) were assessed in a 6-month trial using 6 ponies. The forelegs of each pony were implanted with a BGS; the right leg implant had the cathode and cathode lead preconnected by the manufacturer, and the left leg implant was connected at surgery. Evaluation was by radiographic and clinical examination at the beginning and end of the experimental period. Six of the 12 cathode leads (50%) and 7 of the 12 cathodes (58%) were broken at 6 months. All of the implanted preconnected cathode and insulated cathode lea...
Khan ZU, Misra VC, Randhawa HS.Prevalence of serum precipitins against Micropolyspora faeni, Thermoactinomyces vulgaris and Aspergillus fumigatus, employing the counterimmunoelectrophoresis (COIE) and Ouchterlony's double diffusion (DD) techniques, is reported in 162 of the equines stationed at two military installations in north-western India. M. faeni specific precipitins were demonstrable in 58 of 112 mules from site I in the mountainous region whereas the results were negative for all of the 50 horses examined from site II located in the plains. Of the 58 M. faeni positive mules, 45 (78%) had signs and symptoms suggesti...
Robertson-Smith RG, Jeffcott LB, Friend SC, Badcoe LM.The clinical, pathological and epidemiological factors were investigated in 12 horses presenting with severe neurological signs. Although the cases involved differing central (n = 1), spinal cord (n = 4) and peripheral nerve (n = 7) deficits in a number of instances, there were similar pathological findings. The possibility of a unifying aetiological factor, such as a toxicosis, is discussed because of the pathological similarities and as the cases appeared during an unusually long dry period.
Steenhaut M, Verschooten F, De Moor A.Arthrodesis of the pastern joint was performed in six horses with a history of acute trauma and in 10 horses with a history of chronic lameness of one to six months duration. Five surgical techniques were employed: curettage of the joint, lag screw compression and immobilisation in a plaster cast; curettage, compression using a T plate and immobilisation; drilling, lag screw compression and immobilisation; lag screw compression and immobilisation; and curettage and immobilisation. Pre- and postoperative clinical course are described together with significant radiographical findings. The best r...
Jacob RJ, Price R, Allen GP.Equine herpesvirus type 3 (EHV-3) DNA, isolated from purified virions of the large-plaque strain, was digested with the restriction endonucleases XbaI, Bg/II, EcoRI, and HindIII. Several lines of evidence indicated that the DNA extracted from purified virions was composed of long (L) and short (S) components and was present as two isomeric forms, P and IS. The evidence included: (i) after electrophoresis on agarose gels, the summed molecular weights of the digestion products exceeded that expected from intact, unit size DNA; (ii) quantitative measurements of radioactivity (molar ratios) indica...
Magnuson NS, Perryman LE, Mason PH, Marta KM.A microassay requiring as few as 2 X 10(5) cells per assay was developed for systematic analysis of 9 purine enzymes in lymphocytes from equine peripheral blood, spleen, lymph node, thymus and bone marrow. The activities of adenosine deaminase (ADA), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), adenosine kinase (AK), deoxyadenosine kinase (dAK), deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), 5'-nucleotidase (5'-N), AMP deaminase, hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT or HPRT), and adenine phosphoribosyl transferase (APRT) were measured by this microassay in lymphocytes from peripheral blood from four ...
Widders PR, Stokes CR, David JS, Bourne FJ.The immunoperoxidase technique was adapted for the identification of free immunoglobulin and immunoglobulin producing cells in equine tissues. Staining specific for free IgG, IgA and IgM was detected at all levels of the reproductive tract, and secretory component staining was present in the uterine epithelium but not in the oviduct, cervix or vagina. Immunoglobulin producing cells were present at all levels of the tract, with IgG and IgA cells at equivalent concentrations, but with fewer IgM cells. There was no cyclical trend in free immunoglobulin staining, or plasma cell numbers. IgG and Ig...
Lindberg R, Karlsson L.The jejunal mucosa of 4 cases of equine granulomatous enteritis and 2 control horses was investigated by light microscopy and by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Attention was focused upon changes in mucosal topography and enterocyte morphology in the inflamed mucosa. Structural changes ranged in severity from only a slight thickening and shortening of villi to the appearance of a virtually flat mucosa, upon which crypts opened directly or through shallow cavities encircled by collars of epithelial cells. Between these extremes, the mucosa showed a variety of patterns, all charac...
Allen GP, Yeargan MR, Turtinen LW, Bryans JT.From restriction endonuclease characterization of the DNA of 317 isolates of equine abortion virus (equine herpesvirus-1; EHV-1) from 176 epizootically unrelated outbreaks of equine virus abortion occurring over 24 years in Kentucky, an epizootic pattern and variation of the virus have emerged. Two electropherotypes of EHV-1 (1P and 1B) accounted for greater than 90% of the nonvaccine-related abortion isolates examined. From 1960 to 1981, EHV-1 1P was the predominant isolate circulating in the central Kentucky area and the cause of greater than 80% of EHV-1-related abortions. In 1981, the occu...
Taniguchi K, Mikami S.The vomeronasal organ of both horses and cattle is a tubular structure situated bilaterally at the base of the nasal septum. In frontal plane the shape of its lumen is semilunar to crescent. The sensory epithelium lining the medial wall of the lumen contains receptor, supporting and basal cells with some surface modifications in both species. In the horse, a structure similar to a microprocess was observed among the microvilli of receptor cells. In cattle, a large mass of the cytoplasm of the receptor cell occasionally protrudes to form a bleb-like structure. The supranuclear cytoplasm of the ...
Moorthy AR, Spradbrow PB.
Summary:
During a survey in Queensland in 1974—77 four strains of rickettsia-like organisms were isolated from the respiratory tract of horses, of which two, NS7 and NS68 were isolated from nasal swabs of clinically normal horses and two, KSDH 91 and NSDH 100, from lung samples of slaughtered horses showing gross pathological lesions in the form of acute bronchiolitis and subacute interstitial pneumonia, respectively. The isolates are characterised as rickettsia-like organisms on the basis of their morphology, tinctorial property, growth in chicken embryos, inability to grow on bacteria...
Hawkes J, Hedges M, Daniluk P, Hintz HF, Schryver HF.Preference trials were conducted with mature ponies. In Trial 1, oats were compared with oats plus sucrose. Four of six pony geldings selected oats plus sucrose, but one pony demonstrated a dislike for sucrose and one selected from the bucket on the right side regardless of content. Oats, maize, barley, rye and wheat were compared in Trial 2 using six mature pony mares. Oats were the preferred grain, with maize and barley ranking second and third respectively. Wheat and rye were the least preferred. Even though the ponies demonstrated preference, the total intake at a given meal was not greatl...
Knezevic PF, Fessl L.Thrombosis of the aorta as the cause of intermittent claudication in the horse appears to be rare. Two cases out of about 10 000 horses 1973-1984 are discussed. There are various views on its aetiology, whereby haemodynamic factors and disturbances of coagulation have been mentioned as well as parasites. For treatment surgical methods should be explored in addition to medical procedures. History, diagnosis and the attempt of an aortic thrombectomy in a 12 year old thoroughbred mare are described in this paper. A standardbred stallion was left untreated on owners wish.
Boch J.Babesia infections serologically diagnosed in horses, cattle and dogs in Southern Germany during the last few years are described. 321 sera of horses were examined for specific antibodies to Babesia by means of CFT and IIF in 1984; 18 sera reacted to Babesia equi and 4 to Babesia caballi antigen. In a cattle breeding area in the Western Allgäu 13% of 1616 cattle reacted positive to Babesia divergens antigen using IIF and ELISA; during the grazing season 1982 new latent infections were observed in 25 of 266 calves and heifers. Cases of introduced canine babesiosis are more frequent; 10 of 34 s...
Guerrero J, Newcomb K, Seibert BP, Michael BF.Two controlled tests were conducted in equine foals and yearlings to determine the optimal oral dosage and the duration of activity of closantel for the prevention of Gasterophilus spp larval infections. Additional data were collected on the activity of closantel against Strongylus vulgaris larval infections. In experiment 1, 12 foals and 12 yearlings were equally allocated to 4 experimental groups, and were given oral treatments with closantel at dosages of 0 (nontreated controls), 2, 5, or 8 mg/kg of body weight every 2 months during bot season. The foals and yearlings were allowed to graze ...
Kamerling SG, DeQuick DJ, Weckman TJ, Tobin T.The dose-related effects of intravenously administered fentanyl (0.010, 0.005, 0.0025 mg/kg) and saline were studied in mature performance horses using a rigorous experimental protocol. Fentanyl produced a dose-related prolongation of the skin twitch reflex latency but did not increase the hoof withdrawal reflex latency. Dose related increases in stepping frequency, cardiac and respiratory rats were observed following fentanyl, while changes in rectal temperature and pupil area were not. These data indicate that fentanyl, a prototypic mu-agonist, produces a syndrome characterized by analgesia,...
Foerner JJ, McIlwraith CW.This article attempts to address what the authors consider to be the major orthopedic problems in the racehorse, with particular attention to their treatment and prognosis. These problems include fractures, osteochondral fragments, synovitis, degenerative joint disease, tendinitis, desmitis, osteochondritis dissecans, and subchondral cystic lesions of the joints.
Sander J, Terhardt M, Janzen N.In horses, congenital defects of energy production from long-chain fatty acids have not been described so far. In contrast, inhibition of fatty acid degradation caused by the toxins hypoglycin A and methylenecyclopropylglycine from various maple species are observed frequently. These non-proteinogenic aminoacids are passed on placentally to fetuses or with collostrum or milk to newborn foals. Nevertheless, newborn foals become very rarely symptomatic. Vertical transmission apparently is not sufficient to induce clinical disease without a particular genetic constellation being present. One of t...
Suzuki K, Yamaya Y, Asano K, Chiba M, Sera K, Matsumoto T, Sakai T, Asano R.The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the mean concentrations of trace elements and the severity of the second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block in the mane hair of horses. Electrocardiographs of horses were continually recorded for 6 h using a holter cardiac monitor to determine dropped ventricular beats (DVBs) which can be used as an indicator of the severity of the AV block. Mane hair Ca, Cu, Mg, and Zn concentrations were measured by the particle-induced X-ray emission method. The Zn/Cu ratio and Ca concentration in mane hair were significantly and positively ...
Dinev D, Koĭchev K, Kolev K, Gerganova E.A total of 24 horses and 42 cattle with a variety of local suppurative processes (wounds, abscesses, phlegmons, tendovaginitis, etc.) were studied under conditions of the clinic with regard to the most commonly found microbial species and the opportunity to work out antibioticogrammes in terms of the effectiveness of 11 of the chemotherapeutic agents widely used in the practice. It was found that prevailing in horses were staphylococci and streptococci. In cattle Corynebacterium pyogenes was predominantly established. Besides, there was a rising trend in the part played by representative agent...
Stampfli HR, Misiaszek S, Lumsden JH, Carlson GP, Heigenhauser GJ.The plasma proteins are a significant contributor to the total weak acid concentration as a net anionic charge. Due to potential species difference, species-specific values must be confirmed for the weak acid anionic concentrations of proteins (Atot) and the effective dissociation constant for plasma weak acids (Ka). We studied the net anion load Atot of equine plasma protein in 10 clinically healthy mature Standardbred horses. A multi-step titration procedure, using a tonometer covering a titration range of PCO2 from 25 to 145 mmHg at 37 degrees C, was applied on the plasma of these 10 horses...
Knezevic PF, Fessl L.Thrombosis of the aorta as the cause of intermittent claudication in the horse appears to be rare. Two cases out of about 10 000 horses 1973-1984 are discussed. There are various views on its aetiology, whereby haemodynamic factors and disturbances of coagulation have been mentioned as well as parasites. For treatment surgical methods should be explored in addition to medical procedures. History, diagnosis and the attempt of an aortic thrombectomy in a 12 year old thoroughbred mare are described in this paper. A standardbred stallion was left untreated on owners wish.
Pilsworth RC, Holmes MA, Shepherd M.A fracture of the pelvis in a horse can be detected scintigraphically by probe point counting. However, the pelvis is covered by a large and variable muscle mass, and is close to the urinary bladder, both of which can introduce errors. This paper describes an improved technique which uses a larger set of sampling points and analyses the data with a small computer to construct a three dimensional graph of the gamma-ray output across the pelvis, thus helping to improve the interpretation of the data. The scintigraphic plot from a normal horse, three cases of fracture (confirmed by radiography, u...
Olsen TF.A 14-year-old, quarter horse stallion was presented in lateral recumbency, unable to rise. Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy was diagnosed, based on presentation, clinical signs, and the ruling out of other possibilities. After initial rapid improvements, ataxia remained, as did chronic cystitis secondary to bladder paralysis. He was euthanized after 2 months.
Brück I, Hesselholt M.The results of clinical, ultrasonic, post mortem examinations and concrement analysis of a case with nephrolithiasis in a horse are described. Problems of diagnosis, etiology and occurrence of nephroliths in the horse are discussed.
Bechert U, Rohde J, Freer H, Wagner B.SpayVac is an immunocontraceptive vaccine based on porcine zona pellucida (pZP) antigens and uses a patented liposome formulation (VacciMax or DepoVax). It has delivered single-dose, long-lasting (4-10 years) immunocontraception in several species. Previous studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between levels of pZP antibodies produced and contraceptive effect; however, individual mares that were consistently infertile did not necessarily have the highest antibody titers. The objective of this study was to identify potential differences in specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) isotype res...
Stewart F, Leigh SE, Thomson JA.Complementary (c)DNA libraries have been made from horse pituitary gland and endometrial cup tissues with the aim of isolating the genes for the horse gonadotrophins (FSH, LH and CG) and growth hormone (GH). Southern (DNA) and Northern (RNA) blotting techniques were used to demonstrate that several heterologous (human and ovine) cDNA probes would be adequate for isolating the horse genes. A human cDNA probe was then used to isolate the horse gonadotrophin alpha-subunit cDNA from the pituitary and endometrial cup libraries. The nucleotide sequences from both tissue sources were identical, there...
Robertson JT, Copelan RW.The authors discuss the surgical treatment of selected diseases of the upper airway of the racehorse. Although most of these conditions occur commonly and are easily diagnosed, their surgical management is often less straight-forward and may be surprisingly controversial. The authors' intent is to provide an overview of these problems and give some information regarding current treatment options.
Vacek JR, Macharg MA, Phillips TN, Foerner JJ, Everett KA.A 3-month-old Thoroughbred colt was presented with signs of colic. Findings from physical examination, abdominal paracentesis, abdominal radiographs and clinical pathology revealed uroperitoneum secondary to a calculus obstructing the urethra and causing subsequent urinary bladder rupture. Analysis of the calculus demonstrated a tissue center with outer concretions composed primarily of struvite.
van Veenendaal JC, Speirs VC, Harrison I.A surgical technique of open drainage, using penrose drains and pressure bandages, was used for the treatment of hygromata in four horses. In 3 cases with hygroma of the carpus, one with a secondary infection, there was complete resolution of the condition whereas in the one case with hygroma of the elbow resolution was more protracted because of difficulties in bandaging. The cosmetic and functional results after operation were most satisfactory.
Bolat D, Yıldız D, Bahar S, Yürüker S, Kaymaz F, Ilgın C, Bozkurt EÜ, Karahan S, Sabancı SS.We investigated the microscopic structure of transverse sections of the oculomotor, trochlear and abducens nerves of Arabian foals using stereological methods. Bilateral nerve pairs from 2-month-old female Arabian foals were analyzed. The tissues were embedded in plastic blocks, then 1 µm thick sections were cut and stained with osmium tetroxide and methylene blue-azure II. Stereology was performed using light microscopy. Morphometry showed that the right and left pairs of nerves were similar. The transverse sectional areas of the oculomotor, trochlear and abducens nerves were 1.93 ± 0.19 mm...
McBeath DG, Wells PW, Eyre P, Hanna CJ.This paper attempts to relate the practicalities of vaccine development to the ideals which should be aimed for in a new vaccine. The type of immune response induced is dependent upon the nature of the antigen in the vaccine and the site and timing of its presentation to the immune system. In this respect the influence of age, maternal immunity and antigenic competition are discussed. The possible side effects associated with vaccination are defined and vaccines which are currently available for horses are reviewed. These vaccines are mostly for the prevention of respiratory disease. Finally, ...