"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.
Jodzio D, DeNotta S, Plummer C, Sanchez C.Pain recognition in hospitalized horses is challenging, and the utility of pain scoring systems in horses with ocular disease has not been well-described. Objective: Evaluate the horse grimace scale (HGS) and behavior pain score (BPS) in hospitalized horses with ocular disease. We hypothesized that HGS and BPS would be associated with different clinical progressions. Methods: Privately owned horses hospitalized for ocular disease between September 2018 and September 2020. Methods: Retrospective observational study. The HGS and BPS were recorded daily throughout hospitalization. Clinical progre...
Sjöberg I, Law E, Södersten F, Höglund OV, Wattle O.A 3D printed self-locking device made of polydioxanone (PDO) was developed to facilitate a standardized ligation technique. The subcutaneous tissue reaction to the device was evaluated after implantation in ten horses of mixed age, sex and breed and compared to loops of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). In two of the horses, the implants were removed before closing the skin. The appearance of the implants and surrounding tissue was followed over time using ultrasonography. Implants were removed after 10 and 27 (± 1) days for histologic examination. Results: On macroscopic inspection at ...
Arias-Esquivel AM, Vasco ACCM, Lance J, Warren LK, Rodriguez-Campos LA, Lee MC, Rodriguez CN, Wickens CL.Cribbing, a stereotypic oral behavior observed in horses, involves placing incisors on a fixed object, arching the neck, pulling against the object, and emitting an audible grunt. This behavior has been associated with gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction and gastric ulceration. In this randomized crossover study, we investigated the impact of a GI support supplement (SPL) on the GI environment and physiology of four cribbing (CB) and four non-cribbing horses (NCB). Mature Quarter Horses, acclimated to individual stalls for 16 hours daily with paddock turnout in pairs for 8 hours per day, were ra...
Varasteh F, Ebrahimi SH, Naserian AA, Zerehdaran S, Miri VH.This study aimed to 1) evaluate the interaction of corn grain micronization and starch levels per meal on equine plasma glucose, and 2) determine if micronization affects the risk of hindgut acidosis. Six mature (aged 6 to 10 years), healthy, non-pregnant mares (initial body weight [BW]: 301 to 463 kg) were used in a 2×3 factorial cross-over design. The treatments included two forms of corn grain (ground and micronized flaked) at three levels of starch (1, 1.5, and 2 g/kg BW per meal). The blood was sampled before and 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, and 300 min after morning feeding and the glucos...
Zhanabayev A, Ibrayev B, Lider L, Ussenbayev A, Bissengaliyev R.The research relevance is predefined by the widespread distribution of parasitosis, including helminthiases, alongside constant depasture on the same areas of pastures, which annually causes massive re‑infection of horses. In this regard, the research aims to identify the age, seasonal, and territorial dynamics of infection of horses with helminthiases in the context of the districts of the northern region of Kazakhstan. The primary research method was an experimental analysis that allowing to consider the dynamics and causes of horse helminthiases, associated with the prepatent period, the ...
Lalanne C, Bonilla AG.To evaluate the feasibility and limitations associated with a minimally invasive ultrasound-assisted cutting thread technique for tenotomy of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in horses. Methods: Ex vivo study. Methods: Twenty cadaveric forelimbs. Methods: Forelimbs were placed on a jig to mimic a standing semiflexed position and the midmetacarpal region was prepared to perform tenotomy of the DDFT using a percutaneous technique with a cutting thread. For that purpose, the thread was placed percutaneously around the DDFT (first dorsally and then palmarly) with the aid of a curved 20 gauge ...
Gossett CL, Guyer D, Hein J, Brooks SA.White spotting is an iconic feature of the American Paint Horse. The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) is dedicated to recording pedigree and performance of this stock-type breed, while preserving its distinctive coat color and conformation. Here, the depigmented proportion of the coat (% white coat) was measured using digital photograph analysis of 1195 registered American Paint Horses. Genotypes for nine white-spotting polymorphisms commonly found in Paint Horses, and two pigment-producing loci and genes, were also provided by the APHA. White-coat percent significantly increased in h...
Citarella G, Heitzmann V, Ranninger E, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R.This systematic review aimed to identify the evidence concerning the analgesic efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat abdominal pain in horses, and to establish whether one non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug could provide better analgesia compared to others. This systematic review was conducted following the "Systematic Review Protocol for Animal Intervention Studies". Research published between 1985 and the end of May 2023 was searched, using three databases, namely, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, using the words equine OR horse AND colic OR abdominal pain AND non-steroidal...
Sobotková E, Kopec T, Mikule V, Kuřitková D.The aim of the research was to assess how age, sex, sire, country of foaling, country of training and race distance influenced the international racing and performance of Thoroughbreds. The research was based on performance ratings of 6216 horses assigned by the International Federation of Racing Authorities between 2004 and 2022. The most common sex was stallion (58.54 %) and more than half of the population consisted of 3- and 4-year-old horses (54.68 %). The majority of the horses had the USA as their country of foaling (25.92 %) and also as their country of training (24.87 %). The ...
Mallicote MF, Medina CI, Xie H, Zilberschtein J, Atria S, Manzie M, Hernandez JA, MacKay RJ.To assess the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture in combination with Chinese herbs for treatment of horses affected with anhidrosis. Methods: 44 horses affected with anhidrosis for up to 3 years' duration were enrolled. Inclusion required both compatible clinical signs and results of a quantitative intradermal terbutaline sweat test. Methods: Study horses were randomly allocated into 2 groups. Group 1 (n = 19) was treated with daily Chinese herbs and 4 weekly acupuncture sessions. Group 2 (n = 25) was given daily hay powder as a placebo and 4 weekly sham acupuncture sessions. Horses were test...
de Laat MA, Fitzgerald DM, Harris PA, Bailey SR.High plasma concentrations of insulin can cause acute laminitis. Ponies and horses with insulin dysregulation (ID) exhibit marked hyperinsulinemia in response to dietary hydrolyzable carbohydrates. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin hormone released from the gastrointestinal tract, enhances insulin release, and is increased postprandially in ponies with ID. The aim of this study was to determine whether blocking the GLP-1 receptor reduces the insulin response to a high glycemic meal. Five adult ponies were adapted to a cereal meal and then given two feed challenges 24 h apart of a me...
Salgado CRS, Silva ADNE, Arruda IF, Millar PR, Amendoeira MRR, Leon LAA, Teixeira RBC, de Lima JTB, Chalhoub FLL, Bispo de Filippis AM, Fonseca ABM....Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection has been demonstrated in various animal species; those recognized as potential zoonotic reservoirs pose a considerable risk to public health. In Brazil, HEV-3 is the only genotype identified in humans and swine nationwide, in a colony-breeding cynomolgus monkey and, recently, in bovines and capybara. There is no information regarding HEV exposure in the equine population in Brazil. This study aimed to investigate anti-HEV antibodies and viral RNA in serum samples from horses slaughtered for meat export and those bred for sport/reproduction purposes. We used a ...
Kaya Karasu G, Krabbenborg R, Westerduin F, Rogers CW.The purpose of this study was to determine the perception of sustainability among horse owners in the Netherlands and their willingness to switch to more sustainable feeding practices. A survey was distributed to a target group of horse owners in the Netherlands via social media channels. Data (n = 338 valid responses) were stratified based on yard type and size (small (50 horses). Most of the yards were livery yards (68 %) and they were small in size (66 %). The term most commonly associated with sustainability was low environmental impact (61.8 %). All participants (338/338) indicated t...
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...
Drozdzewska K, Winter J, Barton AK, Merle R, Gehlen H.The basal (bACTH) and post-thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation concentration of adrenocorticotropin (pACTH) are recommended for diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Many factors influence bACTH (e.g., disease, age, month) and some affect the results only in autumn (e.g., breed, colour, sex). There are discrepancies about the impact of feeding on b/pACTH. Objective: To determine whether feeding, month, age, breed, colour, sex and body condition score affect b/pACTH. Methods: Prospective crossover. Methods: Sixty-one animals were divided into groups: healthy, PPID, tr...
Kashani-Carver A, O'Halloran C, Scurrell E, Featherstone H, de Freitas FF, Lowe R.Only 27 cases of equine conjunctival haemangiosarcoma have been reported in the literature over the past 37 years. Out of these, 22% of cases were lost to follow-up, 52% were euthanized, and 26% survived. A scarcity of cases and information is available for this rarely seen conjunctival tumour. Unassigned: To describe the clinical features, management, and outcome of conjunctival hemangiosarcoma in seven horses in the UK. Unassigned: Optivet medical records were reviewed for equine cases seen or advised on with a histopathological diagnosis of conjunctival haemangiosarcoma between January 2013...
Ryu SH, Sohn Y, Forbes E, Jeon HS, An SJ, Kim BS, Kyung SG, Lee I.The incidence of colic and the outcomes of colic surgery have not been surveyed in racetracks in Korea. Objective: This study examined the incidence, mortality, and case fatality of colic and investigated the effects of age and sex after an exploratory celiotomy on the long-term survival rate (return to racing), subsequent racing performance, and career longevity. Methods: The incidence, mortality, and case fatalities of colic were examined over an 11-year period. The records of 40 horses that had undergone a celiotomy, after participating in at least one race and 75 race-matched control horse...
Leleu C, Couroucé A.Equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD), as part of the equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), are common in racing horses. The use of buffering feed supplements to treat and/or prevent gastric ulcers is an option to control this condition. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 30-day supplementation with a blend of magnesium oxide (MgO) on ESGD scores in trotters under training. Methods: Forty-two young trotters were submitted to a gastroscopic evaluation to assess their ESGD score and were randomly assigned in a group supplemented with MgO or in a control group. ...
Gruber N, Gesell-May S, Scholler D, Zablotski Y, May A.Equine colic is an important condition associated with acute abdominal pain and one of the leading causes of death in horses. As such, objectively evaluating pain is of interest for attending veterinarians. Pain scales for assessment are present, but no single pain-specific biomarker has been reported. The aim of this study was to determine if substance P (SP) could be a reliable biomarker to reflect pain and serve as a parameter to predict outcome in equine colic. The hypothesis was that horses displaying severe colic signs present with higher values of SP in contrast to those with mild colic...
Lean NE, Franklin SH, Ahern BJ.To describe left recurrent laryngeal neurectomy (LRLn) performed under standing sedation and evaluate the effect of LRLn on upper respiratory tract function using a high-speed treadmill test (HST). We hypothesized that (1) unilateral LRLn could be performed in standing horses, resulting in ipsilateral arytenoid cartilage collapse (ACC); and (2) HST after LRLn would be associated with alterations in upper respiratory function consistent with dynamic ACC. Methods: 6 Thoroughbred horses. Methods: The horses were trained and underwent a baseline HST up to 14 m/s at 5% incline until fatigue. Evalua...
Plotsker NM, Bellone RR, Ledbetter EC, Irby NL, Good KL, Knickelbein KE.Determination of horse breeds predisposed to congenital and juvenile cataracts will enable investigations into potential genetic mechanisms for cataracts in horses. Objective: To investigate horse breed predispositions to congenital and juvenile cataracts in two academic referral populations. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical record identification of horses diagnosed with congenital or juvenile cataracts at the Cornell University Equine Hospital (2000-2022) and the University of California-Davis (UCD) Large Animal Clinic (1990-2021). Signalment, examination findings and trea...
Hobbs KJ, Young KAS, Nannarone S, Luethy D, Hopster-Iversen C, McKenzie HC, Ludwig EK.Over-the-wire (OTW) catheter placement is performed frequently in horses. Intravascular loss of a guidewire has been anecdotally reported, but there is limited information regarding the treatment and outcome of horses that have experienced this complication of OTW catheter placement. Objective: Describe the clinical and diagnostic features, treatment, and outcome of horses experiencing IV guidewire loss at the time of OTW catheter placement. Methods: Thirteen horses. Methods: Multicenter retrospective study to identify horses with IV guidewire loss. Horses of all ages were considered for inclu...
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,...
Valberg SJ, Clancey NP, Salinger A, Waldridge B, Tan JY, Barton MH.To investigate pseudohyperkalemia occurring in horses experiencing rhabdomyolysis when serum chemistry profiles are run on an VetScan VS2 analyzer (Abaxis). Methods: 18 horses with rhabdomyolysis (creatine kinase [CK] > 1,000 U/L). Methods: In 3 horses with serum CK activities > 5,800 U/L and persistent serum potassium concentrations of > 8.5 mmol/L (VetScan VS2), potassium concentrations were reevaluated with either i-STAT Alinity Base Station (Abbott), Catalyst (Idexx), or Cobas c501 (Roche) ion-specific analyzers. Paired serum samples from 15 additional horses (median serum CK acti...
Araos J, Driessen B, Brandly J, Gorenberg E, Heerdt P, Bruhn A, Martin-Flores M, Adler A, Hopster K.To investigate the mechanisms underlying the improved arterial oxygenation described with flow-limited expiration (FLEX) ventilation in anesthetized horses. Methods: 5 healthy adult research horses. Methods: Horses underwent volume-controlled ventilation for 60 minutes (VCV1), followed by 60 minutes of FLEX, and 30 minutes of VCV (VCV2). Main outcomes included the arterial partial pressure of oxygen-to-Fio2 (PF) ratio and electrical impedance tomography (EIT)-derived functional indices at the end of each phase. The EIT data were used to create regional maps of relative lung ventilation and per...
Virtanen J, Hautala K, Utriainen M, Dutra L, Eskola K, Airas N, Uusitalo R, Ahvenainen E, Smura T, Sironen T, Vapalahti O, Kant R, Virtala AK....Parapoxviruses (PPV) cause skin and mucous membrane lesions in several animal species, and of the five recognized PPVs, at least three are zoonotic. Equine PPV (EqPPV) is the sixth one initially described in humans in the United States and later in a severely sick horse in Finland in 2013-2015. In 2021-2022, a large-scale pustulo-vesicular pastern dermatitis outbreak occurred in horses all over Finland. This study aimed at analysing the outbreak, identifying and describing the causative agent, describing clinical signs, and searching for risk factors. EqPPV was identified as a probable causati...
Robles M, Rousseau-Ralliard D, Dubois C, Josse T, Nouveau É, Dahirel M, Wimel L, Couturier-Tarrade A, Chavatte-Palmer P.In horses, the prevalence of obesity is high and associated with serious metabolic pathologies. Being a broodmare has been identified as a risk factor for obesity. In other species, maternal obesity is known to affect the development of the offspring. This article is a follow-up study of previous work showing that Obese mares (O, n = 10, body condition score > 4.25 at insemination) were more insulin resistant and presented increased systemic inflammation during pregnancy compared to Normal mares (N, n = 14, body condition score < 4 at insemination). Foals born to O mares were more insulin-resi...
