"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.
Nautscher N, Bauer A, Steffl M, Amselgruber WM.This study described corneal morphology in different domestic animals using histological and immunohistochemical methods. Specifically, we evaluated the species-specific distribution pattern of cytokeratins (CKs) and aquaporins (AQPs) to assess their contribution to the strength and transparency of the cornea, respectively. Methods: Corneal sections (2 μm thick) were obtained from 28 pigs, 11 cows, two goats, six horses, four dogs, and five cats and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction. Immunohistochemistry was also performed using CK1 to 3 and AQP1 and 5 an...
Ono M, Akuzawa H, Nambo Y, Hirano Y, Kimura J, Takemoto S, Nakamura S, Yokota H, Himeno R, Higuchi T, Ohtaki T, Tsumagari S.A three-dimensional internal structure microscopy (3D-ISM) can clarify the anatomical arrangement of internal structures of equine ovaries. In this study, morphological changes of the equine ovary over the first 12 months of life were investigated by 3D-ISM in 59 fillies and by histological analysis in 2 fillies. The weight and volume of the paired ovaries initially decreased from 0 to 1 months to 2 to 3 months of age and then significantly increased at 8 to 12 months of age. The ovulation fossa was first observed around the 3rd month and became evident after the 6th month. The number of folli...
Hamond C, Pestana CP, Rocha-de-Souza CM, Cunha LE, Brandão FZ, Medeiros MA, Lilenbaum W.Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance, and has a worldwide distribution. Equine leptospirosis is commonly manifested by recurrent uveitis, reproductive disorders, as abortions, embryonic absorption, stillbirth and the birth of weak foals. The aim of this study was to verify the presence of Leptospira sp or its DNA in genital tract of mares with reproductive problems. A total of 38 mares with reproductive problems were studied. All the mares were sampled for blood (for serology), urine (for culturing and qPCR), vaginal fluid-VF and endometrial biopsy-EB (for culturing, qPCR a...
Thompson K, McGreevy P, McManus P.While the importance of improving horse-related safety seems self-evident, no comprehensive study into understanding or reducing horse-related risk has been undertaken. In this paper, we discuss four dimensions of horse-related risk: the risk itself, the horse, the rider and the culture in which equestrian activities takes place. We identify how the ways in which risk is constructed in each dimension affects the applicability of four basic risk management options of avoidance, transference, mitigation and acceptance. We find the acceptance and avoidance of horse-related risk is generally high,...
Van Der Vekens N, van Dievoet MA, De Puydt H, Decloedt A, Ven S, De Clercq D, Deprez P, van Loon G.Although cardiac troponin T (cTnT) assays have been used to detect myocardial damage in horses, a cTnT assay has not been analytically validated, to our knowledge. The aims of this study were to estimate the precision of a high-sensitivity cTnT assay in horses and determine the effect of hemolysis on the measured cTnT concentration. Serum samples from horses were mixed in 3 different pools. Pool 1 consisted of samples from 3 healthy horses, pool 2 from 6 horses with heart failure or atypical myopathy, and pool 3 from 10 horses with atypical myopathy. The within- and between-run coefficients of...
Dória RG, Carvalho MB, Freitas SH, Laskoski LM, Colodel EM, Mendonça FS, Silva MA, Grigoletto R, Fantinato Neto P.Treatment for horses with pythiosis of a limb is challenging. This study aims to evaluate the effects of administering amphotericin B in a 10 % solution of dimethylsulfoxide by intravenous regional limb perfusion (IRLP) to treat horses for cutaneous pythiosis of a limb. Results: All 15 of the horses treated had complete resolutions of their lesion between 6 to 9 weeks after a single IRLP treatment. No complications were observed at the site of venipuncture for IRLP. Before initiation of treatment, there was anemia and marked leucocytosis which resolved following treatment. Serum biochemistry ...
Nelson BB, Ragle CA, Barrett MF, Hendrickson DA.An 18-year-old Paint stallion (horse 1) and a 17-year-old Morgan gelding (horse 2) were evaluated because of an acute onset of severe unilateral forelimb lameness. Results: Both horses were unable to bear weight on the affected forelimb and had a dropped elbow appearance. Radial nerve paralysis, triceps myopathy, and fractures of the humerus and ulna were ruled out. The caudal aspect of the affected antebrachium of each horse was very firm to palpation and became firmer when weight was shifted onto the limb. Ultrasonographic examination revealed swelling and suspected intramuscular hemorrhage ...
He S, Zhang L, Li W, Liu M.Recently, a SNP (BIEC2-808543) was demonstrated to be associated with equine body size in horses. In this study, we genotyped BIEC2-808543 SNPs in 314 Yili horses in order to evaluate the association between genotype and body composition traits, such as body weight, withers height, chest circumference, and cannon circumference. Results indicate significant associations between polymorphisms of this SNP and body conformation in Yili horse populations. Based on these results, we hypothesize that BIEC2-808543 is strongly related to body conformation of Yili horses and has the potential to be used...
Socha W, Rola J, Żmudziński JF.The genetic stability of ORF1a encoding non-structural proteins nsp1, nsp2, nsp3 and nsp4 of equine arteritis virus (EAV) has been analysed for nearly seven years in a persistently infected stallion of the Malopolska breed. Between November 2004 and June 2011, 11 semen samples were collected. Viral RNA extracted from semen of this carrier stallion was amplified, sequenced and compared with the sequences of the other known strains of EAV. Sequence analysis of ORF1a showed 84 synonymous and 16 non-synonymous mutations. The most variable part of ORF1a was the region encoding nsp2 protein with 13 ...
Wessely-Szponder J, Bełkot Z, Bobowiec R, Kosior-Korzecka U, Wójcik M.Deleterious response to road transport is an important problem in equine practice. It determines different physiological, immunological and metabolic changes which lead to increased susceptibility to several disorders such as pneumonia, diarrhea, colics, laminitis, injuries and rhabdomyolisis. The aim of our study was to look for possible relationships between transportation of female young and older horses over a long and short distance and an inflammatory state reflected by an increase of acute phase protein concentration, oxidative stress and muscle injury. The study was conducted on 24 col...
Chaintoutis SC, Diakakis N, Papanastassopoulou M, Banos G, Dovas CI.Although experimental data regarding cross-protection of horse West Nile virus (WNV) vaccines against lineage 2 infections exist, the cross-protective efficacy of these vaccines under field conditions has not been demonstrated. This study was conducted to evaluate the capability of an inactivated lineage 1 vaccine (Equip WNV) to protect against natural infections from the Nea Santa-Greece-2010 lineage 2 strain. In total, 185 WNV-seronegative horses in Thessaloniki, Greece, were selected during 2 consecutive years (2011 and 2012); 140 were immunized, and 45 were used as controls. Horses were ex...
Naundrup PJ, Svenning JC.Megafaunas worldwide have been decimated during the late Quaternary. Many extirpated species were keystone species, and their loss likely has had large effects on ecosystems. Therefore, it is increasingly considered how megafaunas can be restored. The horse (Equus ferus) is highly relevant in this context as it was once extremely widespread and, despite severe range contraction, survives in the form of domestic, feral, and originally wild horses. Further, it is a functionally important species, notably due to its ability to graze coarse, abrasive grasses. Here, we used species distribution mod...
Sokół R, Raś-Noryńska M, Michalczyk M, Jasiecka A, Ziółkowski H, Jaroszewski J.The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of ivermectin against Cyathostominae infections and to describe the drug's pharmacokinetic parameters during two seasonal deworming treatments in horses. The study was performed on warm-blooded mares aged 3-12 years weighing 450-550 kg. A single bolus of an oral paste formulation of ivermectin was administered at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg BW in spring and autumn. Fecal samples were tested before treatment and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75 days after treatment. Ivermectin concentrations in blood samples collected before treatment,...
Turek B, Potyński A, Wajler C, Szara T, Czopowicz M, Drewnowska O.Diaphyseal fractures of the III metacarpal bone represent 22% of all fractures of the long bones in horses. Treatment of such cases is difficult. The most popular solution used in these types of fractures is two plates applied directly to the bone surface, but they are not applicable on contaminated and infected fractures. External fixators are quite commonly used in human medicine, although in veterinary practice there is no typical stabilizer designed for the treatment of diaphyseal fractures of the III metacarpal bone so far. In this study, an external semicircular fixator of our own design...
Skelly-Smith E, Ireland J, Dyson S.There have been no detailed descriptions of the radiological appearance of the centrodistal joint interosseous ligament region in horses with and without distal tarsal joint pain. Objective: To describe the normal radiological appearance of the centrodistal joint interosseous ligament region; to determine the prevalence of mineralisation or ossification of the interosseous ligament; and to describe radiological abnormalities surrounding the interosseous space and concurrent radiological abnormalities in the tarsus. The association between interosseous ligament region abnormalities and radiolog...
Niedzwiedz A, Jaworski Z, Kubiak K.Equine recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), also known as heaves, is one of the most common respiratory problems in older horses. When RAO-affected horses stay pastured or in a dust-free environment for a prolonged time, clinical signs as well as airway inflammation wane. A number of environmental, immunologic, infectious, and genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of RAO, and the immunologic basis of this disease is still poorly understood. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the concentrations of allergen-specific IgE in the serum of horses suffering from R...
Heim C, Pfau T, Gerber V, Schweizer C, Doherr M, Schüpbach-Regula G, Witte S.The diagnosis of equine back disorders is challenging. Objectively determining movement of the vertebral column may therefore be of value in a clinical setting. Objective: To establish whether surface-mounted inertial measurement units (IMUs) can be used to establish normal values for range of motion (ROM) of the vertebral column in a uniform population of horses trotting under different conditions. Methods: Vertebral ROM was established in Franches-Montagnes stallions and a general population of horses and the variability in measurements compared between the two groups. Repeatability and the ...
Briefer Freymond S, Bardou D, Briefer EF, Bruckmaier R, Fouché N, Fleury J, Maigrot AL, Ramseyer A, Zuberbühler K, Bachmann I.Stereotypies are repetitive and relatively invariant patterns of behavior, which are observed in a wide range of species in captivity. Stereotypic behavior occurs when environmental demands produce a physiological response that, if sustained for an extended period, exceeds the natural physiological regulatory capacity of the organism, particularly in situations that include unpredictability and uncontrollability. One hypothesis is that stereotypic behavior functions to cope with stressful environments, but the existing evidence is contradictory. To address the coping hypothesis of stereotypies...
Azizi S, Hashemi-Asl SM, Torabi E.Surgical treatment of traumatic abdominal hernias is usually delayed for 2-3 months following injury. The residual defects are then repaired by herniorrhaphy or mesh herniorrhaphy. Objective: To describe the outcome following herniorrhaphy (without a mesh) within 21 days of initial injury to repair external traumatic lateral abdominal hernias in horses and mules. Methods: Descriptive case series. Methods: Twenty-two cases were included. Surgical treatment involved exposure of the hernia sac and closing of the abdominal wall defect with interrupted Mayo mattress or cruciate sutures after redu...
Treupel E, Czerwonka N, Schröder S, Böhm J, Wehrend A.Retained fetal membranes in mares is a relative frequent disease which can lead to severe complications. Two case studies are described in which mares died acutely despite intensive care. Pathological examination confirmed severe hemorrhage as the cause of death in both animals.
Janes JG, Garrett KS, McQuerry KJ, Waddell S, Voor MJ, Reed SM, Williams NM, MacLeod JN.Skeletal lesions in the articular processes of cervical vertebrae C2 to C7 were compared between Thoroughbred horses with cervical stenotic myelopathy (17 males, 2 females; age, 6-50 months) and controls (6 males, 3 females; age, 9-67 months). Lesions identified by magnetic resonance imaging occurred with an increased frequency and severity in diseased horses and were not limited to sites of spinal cord compression. Lesions involved both the articular cartilage and trabecular bone and were further characterized using micro-computed tomography and histopathology. The most common histologic lesi...
Uzans AJ, Lucas Z, McLeod BA, Frasier TR.For small, isolated populations 2 common conservation concerns relate to genetic threats: inbreeding and negative consequences associated with loss of genetic diversity due to drift. Mitigating these threats often involves conservation actions that can be controversial, such as translocations or captive breeding programs. Although such actions have been successful in some situations, in others they have had undesirable outcomes. Here, we estimated the effective population size (N e ) of the Sable Island horses to assess the risk to this population of these genetic threats. We found surprising ...
Christoffersen M, Söderlind M, Rí»ºlk SR, Pedersen HG, Allen J, Krekeler N.Infectious endometritis is a major cause of infertility in the mare and inflicts major losses on the equine breeding industry. The ability of the mare to eliminate uterine infections has been studied intensively for decades; however, despite identification of several factors contributing to the multifactorial pathogenesis and improved treatment, infectious endometritis remains a significant problem in a subpopulation of broodmares. Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) is one of the most commonly isolated pathogens from the uterus of mares, suffering from infectious endom...
Zhang Y, Cao QS, Rubenstein DI, Zang S, Songer M, Leimgruber P, Chu H, Cao J, Li K, Hu D.Acquiring water is essential for all animals, but doing so is most challenging for desert-living animals. Recently Przewalski's horse has been reintroduced to the desert area in China where the last wild surviving member of the species was seen before it vanished from China in the 1960s. Its reintroduction placed it within the range of a close evolutionary relative, the con-generic Khulan. Determining whether or not these two species experience competition and whether or not such competition was responsible for the extinction of Przewalski's horses in the wild over 50 years ago, requires ident...
Tsuzuki N, Endo Y, Kikkawa L, Korosue K, Kaneko Y, Kitauchi A, Katamoto H, Hidaka Y, Hagio M, Torisu S.The performance of horses undergoing regular intense exercise is adversely affected by oxidative stress. Thus, it is important to increase antioxidant production in horses in order to reduce oxidative stress. Ozonated autohemotherapy (OAHT) reportedly promotes antioxidant production. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of OAHT on antioxidant capacity. Ten Thoroughbred horses were used in this study. After the OAHT, we collected serum samples and measured biological antioxidant potential (BAP). We found that BAP began to increase after the OAHT and was significantly higher in the OAHT grou...
López López C, Celaya R, Santos AS, Rodrigues MA, Osoro K, Ferreira LM.Utilization of long-chain alcohols (LCOH) as diet composition markers in horses and cattle was assessed in a study conducted with 12 mature crossbreed mares (385±47 kg BW) and six adult non-lactating cows (499±36 kg BW) of Asturiana de los Valles breed. The LCOH data were combined with alkane and long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) data to test the applicability of combining these markers to estimate diet composition. Animals were randomly divided into groups of three animals and received a daily total amount of 1.0 kg dry matter/100 kg BW of diets composed of different proportions of ryegrass (Lol...
De Cocq P, Prinsen H, Springer NC, van Weeren PR, Schreuder M, Muller M, van Leeuwen JL.During trot, the rider can either rise from the saddle during every stride or remain seated. Rising trot is used frequently because it is widely assumed that it decreases the loading of the equine back. This has, however, not been demonstrated in an objective study. Objective: To determine the effects of rising and sitting trot on the movements of the horse. Objective: Sitting trot has more extending effect on the horse's back than rising trot and also results in a higher head and neck position. Methods: Twelve horses and one rider were used. Kinematic data were captured at trot during over gr...
Giese M, Bahr U, Jakob NJ, Kehm R, Handermann M, Müller H, Vahlenkamp TH, Spiess C, Schneider TH, Schusse G, Darai G.Equine arteritis virus (EAV) is the causative agent of the equine viral arteritis. It is a small RNA virus with a linear, non-segmented plus RNA genome. EAV is a member of the Arteriviridae family that includes porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRSSV), simian haemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV) and lactate dehydrogenase virus (LDV). The viral transmission is via respiratory and reproductive routes. Clinical signs in horses vary, and severe infection can lead to abortions in pregnant mares or neonatal foal death. The aim of this study was to investigate the development of the imm...
Bou T, Han H, Mongke T, Zhao R, La X, Ding W, Jia Z, Liu H, Tiemuqier A, An T, Dugarjaviin M, Bai D.The heterogeneity and plasticity of muscle fibers are essential for the athletic performance of horses, mainly at the adaption of exercises and the effect on muscle diseases. Skeletal muscle fibers can be generally distinguished by their characteristics of contraction as slow and fast type myofibers. The diversity of contractile properties and metabolism enable skeletal muscles to respond to the variable functional requirements. We investigated the muscle fiber composition and metabolic enzyme activities of splenius muscle and gluteus medius muscle from Mongolian horses. The deep RNA-seq analy...
Dini P, Carossino M, Balasuriya UBR, El-Sheikh Ali H, Loux SC, Esteller-Vico A, Scoggin KE, Loynachan AT, Kalbfleisch T, De Spiegelaere W, Daels P....RTL1 (retrotransposon Gag-like 1) is an essential gene in the development of the human and murine placenta. Several fetal and placental abnormalities such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and hydrops conditions have been associated with altered expression of this gene. However, the function of RTL1 has not been identified. RTL1 is located on a highly conserved region in eutherian mammals. Therefore, the genetic and molecular analysis in horses could hold important implications for other species, including humans. Here, we demonstrated that RTL1 is paternally expressed and is localized...
Auletta L, Lamagna F, Uccello V, Lamagna B, Pasolini MP.The equine small intestine can be affected by a variety of disorders that may require some form of bypass or anastomosis. Many suture patterns have been used in equine anastomoses to minimise post operative complications, which include leakage from the anastomosis site, stenosis and adhesions. Because of the critical condition of horses undergoing colic surgery, it is imperative this is performed as quickly as possible. Objective: To evaluate, in vitro, differences in the time of execution and leakage pressure between the Lembert single layer, Gambee and Lembert double layer suture patterns fo...
Laha R, Sasmal NK.This study was undertaken to detect Trypanosoma evansi infection in clinically ill cattle, buffaloes and horses that were suspected of 'surra' infection. Various diagnostic tests were utilized in order to assess the prevalence of infection in the clinically ill and 'suspected' animals. Animals in the Eastern Region of India were systematically studied for T. evansi infection, which had not been tested for previously. Examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears detected 5.3%, 9.4% and 40.6% infections; the mouse inoculation test detected 18.4%, 15.6% and 46.9% infections whereas an in-house ELIS...
Clayton HM, Townsend HG.A photographic method was used to measure axial rotation, dorsoventral flexion and extension and lateral bending at each intervertebral joint complex from the occiput to the first thoracic vertebra in spinal segments from 19 foals under 12 months of age and 14 horses over three years of age. Comparisons between the two groups showed that there was a general reduction in cervical spinal mobility with age. For the three types of movement at the eight joints tested, adults' mobility exceeded that of foals in only three cases (axial rotation and lateral bending at the A-O joint, and lateral bendin...
Levet T, Martens A, Devisscher L, Duchateau L, Bogaert L, Vlaminck L.There is a lack of evidence-based data on the prevalence, outcome and risk factors of distal limb cast sores, and no objective tool has been described for the early detection of cast sores. Objective: To investigate the prevalence, location, outcome and risk factors of cast sores after application of a distal limb cast and to determine whether static thermography of the cast is a valuable tool for the assessment of sores. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on horses treated with a distal limb cast. At each cast removal, cast sores were graded as superficial sores (SS), deep dermal sore...
Davis JL, Messenger KM, LaFevers DH, Barlow BM, Posner LP.The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of buprenorphine following intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration in horses. Six horses received i.v. or i.m. buprenorphine (0.005 mg/kg) in a randomized, crossover design. Plasma samples were collected at predetermined times and horses were monitored for adverse reactions. Buprenorphine concentrations were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Following i.v. administration, clearance was 7.97±5.16 mL/kg/min, and half-life (T(1/2)) was 3.58 h (ha...
Brubaker L, Schroeder K, Sherwood D, Stroud D, Udell MAR.While human benefits of animal-assisted therapy programs have been documented, relatively little research has been conducted on behavioral factors that predict a successful equine-assisted services (EAS) horse. This study compares the behavior of experienced and non-experienced EAS horses as well as horses selected for future EAS work in a series of sociability and temperament tests. No significant differences were found between experienced and non-experienced horses in the sociability measures or for most of the temperament tests; however, significant differences were found between groups in ...
Dini P, Kalbfleisch T, Uribe-Salazar JM, Carossino M, Ali HE, Loux SC, Esteller-Vico A, Norris JK, Anand L, Scoggin KE, Rodriguez Lopez CM, Breen J....Most autosomal genes in the placenta show a biallelic expression pattern. However, some genes exhibit allele-specific transcription depending on the parental origin of the chromosomes on which the copy of the gene resides. Parentally expressed genes are involved in the reciprocal interaction between maternal and paternal genes, coordinating the allocation of resources between fetus and mother. One of the main challenges of studying parental-specific allelic expression (allele-specific expression [ASE]) in the placenta is the maternal cellular remnant at the fetomaternal interface. Horses () ha...
Ward MP, Wittich CA, Fosgate G, Srinivasan R.West Nile Virus (WNV) was first detected in the Texas equine population during June 2002. Infection has since spread rapidly across the state and become endemic in the equine population. Environmental risk factors associated with equine WNV attack rates in Texas counties during the period 2002 to 2004 were investigated. Equine WNV attack rates were smoothed using an empirical Bayesian model, because of the variability among county equine populations (range 46-9,517). Risk factors investigated included hydrological features (lakes, rivers, swamps, canals and river basins), land cover (tree, mos...
Won SY, Kim YC, Do K, Jeong BH.Prion disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by a deleterious prion protein (PrP). However, prion disease has not been reported in horses during outbreaks of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in various animals in the UK. In previous studies, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the prion protein gene () have been significantly associated with susceptibility to prion disease, and strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) between and prion-like protein gene () SNPs has been identified in prion disease-susceptible species. On the other hand, weak LD values have been r...
Kindig CA, McDonough P, Fenton G, Poole DC, Erickson HH.The purpose of this investigation was to study the effects of an equine nasal strip (NS), furosemide (Fur), and a combination of both (NS + Fur) on exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) at speeds corresponding to near-maximal effort. Five Thoroughbreds (526 +/- 25 kg) were run on a flat treadmill from 7 to 14 m/s in 1 m x s(-1) x min(-)1 increments every 2 wk (treatment order randomized) under control (Con), Fur (1 mg/kg iv 4 h prior), NS, or NS + Fur conditions. During each run, pulmonary arterial (Ppa) and esophageal (Pes) pressures were measured. Severity of EIPH was quantified via b...
Donovan DC, Jackson CA, Colahan PT, Norton NN, Clapper JL, Moore JN, Hurley DJ.To evaluate the effects of a standardized exercise test to exhaustion in horses on leukocyte function ex vivo. Methods: 6 Thoroughbred geldings. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from each horse before exercise; at exhaustion (termed failure); and at 2, 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise to evaluate hematologic changes, rate of leukocyte apoptosis, and leukocyte production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) ex vivo. To assess leukocyte function, leukocyte ROS production in response to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan, zymosan, and phorbol myristate acetate was evaluated....
Colón JL, Bramlage LR, Hance SR, Embertson RM.The purpose of this study was to examine the longevity of postoperative careers and quality of performance of 461 Thoroughbred racehorses after arthroscopic removal of dorsoproximal first phalanx (P1) osteochondral fractures. Six hundred and 59 dorsoproximal P1 chip fractures were removed arthroscopically from 574 joints in 461 horses presented for lameness or decreased performance attributed to the chip fractures. Radiological and arthroscopic examination revealed an average of 1.43 fragment sites/horse, 1.15 fragment sites/joint and 1.25 affected joints/horse. Eighty-nine percent of the hors...
Emenius G, Merritt AS, Härfast B.To protect susceptible subjects from exposure to horse allergen, a Swedish national report recommended a distance of at least 500 m between homes and stables and other areas with horses. The aim of this project was to study indoor and outdoor levels of horse allergen in relation to distance from stables and horse tracks. Methods: Indoor and outdoor samples were collected with Petri dishes at 49 sites in different housing areas and near to a track for trotting horses. In the apartments, Petri dishes were placed on a bookshelf in the living room at a height of approximately 1.5 m. Outdoors, cage...
Michau TM, Schwabenton B, Davidson MG, Gilger BC.To characterize superficial, nonhealing corneal ulcers in the horse and to assess the affect of age, breed, sex, inciting cause of the ulcer, and treatment on healing time of these ulcers. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Twenty-three horses with superficial, nonhealing corneal ulcerations. Methods: Medical records from 1989 to 2003 of horses diagnosed with superficial, nonhealing corneal ulcers were reviewed. Signalment, duration of clinical signs, ophthalmic abnormalities, treatment and response to treatment were recorded. Horses were treated, in addition to medical therapy, using debr...
Fazio E, Medica P, Cravana C, Giacoppo E, Ferlazzo A.In order to investigate the effects of short road transport stress on total and free iodothyronines, body weight (BW), rectal temperature and heart rate (HR) changes, 126 healthy stallions were studied in basal conditions, before and after transport. A total of 60 Thoroughbred and 66 crossbred stallions aged 4 to 15 years with previous travelling experience were transported by road in a commercial trailer for a period of about 3 to 4 h (distance under 300 km). Blood samples and functional variables were collected in each horse box, one week before loading and transport in basal conditions (con...
Rua MAS, Quirino CR, Ribeiro RB, Carvalho ECQ, Bernadino MLA, Bartholazzi Junior A, Cipagalta LF, Barreto MAP.Uterine illnesses are the major problem in horse reproductive programs. The diagnosis of these pathologies is often neglected or does not provide enough information about the cause. The aim of this study was to evaluate different diagnoses to provide more accurate information about endometritis and the real endometrial profile at the beginning of a breeding season. Fifty-one mares with reproductive failure were evaluated. Two different uterine cytology diagnoses, culture of uterine flush material and biopsy assay, were performed. The data were analyzed by the Chi-squared test to compare differ...
Zappaterra M, Nanni Costa L, Felici M, Minero M, Perniola F, Tullio D, Padalino B.Transportation of horses to slaughterhouses can pose a welfare concern, in particular when horses are unbroken/unhandled. This study aimed to describe their journeys and journey conditions, document their welfare status on arrival in a slaughterhouse in Italy, and investigate possible associations between journey conditions and welfare issues. A total of 395 unbroken draft horses in 20 different consignments were assessed with a standardized protocol. The most common departure point (16/20 consignments, 80%) was a French assembly center, but many of these horses had Spanish passports, suggesti...
León B, Jiménez C, González R, Ramirez-Carvajal L.The first complete coding sequence of the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus IE, isolated from a Costa Rican mare with severe encephalitis, was confirmed by histological and viral whole-genome analyses. The isolated virus grouped in the Pacific cluster.
Jahn P, Zeman P, Bezdekova B, Praskova I.Twelve confirmed cases of equine granulocytic anaplasmosis (EGA) and five additional suspected cases, showing a compatible clinical history and specific IgG titres of 1280 or above, were recorded in the Czech Republic during the period 2002 to 2008. The diagnosis was based on clinical signs, the detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum morulae in neutrophils in blood smears, serology and molecular methods. Pyrexia (39.8 to 41.3 degrees C), depression, partial or total anorexia, limb oedema and icterus were the most frequently observed clinical abnormalities. Haematological examination revealed t...
Brama PA, TeKoppele JM, Bank RA, Barneveld A, van Weeren PR.Subchondral bone provides structural support to the overlying articular cartilage, and plays an important role in osteochondral diseases. There is growing insight that the mechanical features of bone are related to the biochemistry of the collagen network and the mineral content. In the present study, part of the normal developmental process and the influence of physical activity on biochemical composition of subchondral bone was studied. Water content, calcium content and characteristics of the collagen network (collagen, hydroxylysine, lysylpyridinoline (LP) and hydroxylysylpyridinoline (HP)...
Cullen M, Jacob ME, Cornish V, VanderSchel IQ, Cotter HVT, Cubeta MA, Carbone I, Gilger BC.Morphological characterization and multi-locus DNA sequence analysis of fungal isolates obtained from 32 clinical cases of equine fungal keratitis (FK) was performed to identify species and determine associations with antifungal susceptibility, response to therapy and clinical outcome. Two species of Aspergillus (A. flavus and A. fumigatus) and three species of Fusarium (F. falciforme, F. keratoplasticum, and F. proliferatum) were the most common fungi isolated and identified from FK horses. Most (91%) equine FK Fusarium nested within the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) with nine geneti...
Léguillette R, Lavoie JP.To evaluate whether bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) alters respiratory mechanics of horses with recurrent airway obstruction (ie, heaves) over a 48-hour period. Methods: 6 horses affected with heaves. Methods: Horses were subjected to a complete BAL procedure, which included sedation with xylazine and butorphanol, intratracheal administration of lidocaine, and instillation and aspiration of two 250-mL boluses of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution through an endoscope (study 1). To evaluate the effects of saline solution, horses were subjected to the same procedure without saline solution instillation an...
Nappert G, Vrins A, Breton L, Beauregard M.A retrospective study of 19 ataxic horses admitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Montreal during the period of January 1985 to December 1988 is presented. There were 11 cases of cervical vertebral malformation, four of equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy, two of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, one each of vertebral osteomyelitis and intervertebral disc protrusion. The clinical diagnosis of ataxia in horses requires neurological, radiographic, myelographic, and laboratory examinations.
