Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Topic:Horses
"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.
Activity type, sex, season, and number of prior starts are associated with proximal sesamoid bone fractures in Thoroughbred racehorses in South Korea. To identify risk factors associated with proximal sesamoid bone fractures in Thoroughbreds in South Korea. Unassigned: A retrospective case-control design with multivariable logistic regression was used. This study included 138 Thoroughbreds diagnosed with proximal sesamoid bone fractures following racetrack activity between 2020 and 2025. Additionally, 580 healthy Thoroughbreds (635 observations) with at least 1 racetrack activity during the same period were included as controls. Unassigned: A total of 7 risk factors were identified. Races or trials had markedly higher fracture risk than race...
Influence of collection site on cerebrospinal fluid test results in horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is a critical component in the diagnosis of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). Test results obtained may differ based on different collection sites. Objective: Compare results of EPM-specific diagnostic tests obtained from different collections sites in EPM-affected and non-EPM affected horses. Methods: Twenty control and 7 EPM-affected horses. Methods: Prospective observational study. CSF was collected from the lumbosacral (LS) and cranial sites (atlantooccipital or C1-2) in 27 horses and EPM-specific diagnostic tests were performed. Data were summari...
Genomic diversity and historical legacy of Baroque horses: a living cultural heritage. Baroque horses represent a distinctive group of breeds that emerged mainly between the 16th and 18th centuries, shaped by the demands of European royalty and their courts. Although recognised as separate breeds, they share common ancestry, breeding goals, and historical gene flow. This study aimed to evaluate their genomic diversity, population structure, and admixture patterns. We analysed 1 160 individuals from eight breeds - Lipizzan, Old Kladruby Horse, Pura Raza Española, Lusitano, Friesian, Criollo, Peruvian Paso, and Puerto Rican Paso Fino - using 34 026 single-nucleotide polymorphis...
Horses without ocular disease maintain similar electroretinographic responses and peripapillary retinal thicknesses across age groups. To determine the impact of age on equine electroretinography (ERG) parameters and retinal thickness in horses with healthy eyes. We hypothesized that ERG b-wave amplitudes would be significantly lower in older horses and that total retinal thickness would not vary significantly with age. Unassigned: Horses with clinically normal eyes comprising 3 age groups (≤ 10, 11 to 20, and ≥ 21 years) underwent scotopic and photopic ERGs, high-resolution fundus photography, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Electroretinography results were compared between age groups using mean implici...
Testicular seminoma: clinical, imaging, and histologic features in nine horses. Testicular seminomas in horses are infrequently reported in the veterinary literature and long-term survival and metastatic potential are not well documented. Objective: Describe the clinical, imaging, and histologic features in 9 horses with testicular seminoma. Methods: Medical records of 9 horses diagnosed with testicular seminoma at a referral hospital between 2000 and 2024 were reviewed. Methods: Horses were included if seminoma was confirmed on histopathology from biopsy or necropsy. Information retrieved included signalment, history, clinical pathology, ultrasonographic findings, treatm...
Mitochondrial DNA reveals high maternal diversity within a weak breed structure in native Kazakhstani horses. Understanding the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of domestic horses () is essential for reconstructing their population dynamics and origins. In this study, we analyzed mitochondrial DNA variation (COI and cytb) in six Kazakhstani horse populations representing four native breeds (Kazakh, Kostanay, Adai, and Mugalzhar) to assess genetic diversity, population structure, and evolutionary relationships within a broader phylogenetic framework. High haplotype diversity combined with low nucleotide diversity revealed population expansion and admixture. Population structure analyses revea...
USE OF GUAIFENESIN-KETAMINE-XYLAZINE INFUSION FOR MAINTENANCE OF ANESTHESIA IN CAPTIVE PREZEWALSKI HORSES (EQUUS FERUS PRZEWALSKI ): A CASE SERIES. This case series documents the use of triple drip, a combination of IV guaifenesin, ketamine, and xylazine (GKX) to extend the length of anesthesia in zoo-owned Przewalski horses (). In three separate procedures involving two different animals, GKX was used to prolong and deepen the plane of anesthesia for 90 to 120 min beyond an initial induction dart containing ketamine, butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine. The depth of anesthesia was sufficient to permit surgical excision of SC abscesses and other procedures. Throughout the anesthetic events, the horses breathed spontaneously and maint...
Prevalence and radiographic features of cyst-like lesions in German Warmblood horses presented for pre-purchase examination. Cyst-like lesions (CLLs) are frequently detected during radiographic examinations of equine limbs. They may represent a potential risk factor during pre-purchase examination (PPE) and are of considerable clinical and economic importance, as they may lead to negative purchase decisions. While affected horses may develop lameness, incidental findings have also been reported. The goal of the study was to describe the prevalence, location and radiographic characteristics of CLLs in a group of sound German Warmblood horses. Unassigned: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 3863 German Warmb...
Administration Study of Bedinvetmab, an Antinerve Growth Factor Monoclonal Antibody, in Horses for Doping Control Purposes. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting nerve growth factor (NGF) represent a novel therapeutic approach for managing acute and chronic pain in humans and animals. However, their potential misuse as pain-masking agents in competitive equine sports raises significant welfare and integrity concerns. To enhance understanding of the elimination profile of anti-NGF mAb if misused in horses, this study describes the first administration of bedinvetmab (a canine anti-NGF mAb) in three geldings, establishing its plasma elimination profile following subcutaneous administration. Bedinvetmab plasma concen...
Case report: exercise-associated sudden death in a Thoroughbred racehorse with cardiac lesions. Exercise-associated sudden death (EASD), defined as acute collapse and death in an apparently healthy racehorse during or within ~1 h after exercise, is currently among the top concerns in the racing industry. Cases of EASD with no cause of death identified at necropsy are frequently presumed to be of cardiac origin. In such cases, in addition to a regular necropsy, a cardiac examination protocol is performed that includes a detailed gross examination and microscopic evaluation of 11 regions of the heart. Very often this protocol is unrewarding because there are no microscopic lesions to expl...
Seroprevalence, Risk Factors, and Environmental Correlates of Babesia caballi, Toxoplasma gondii, and Coxiella burnetii in Equids from Southwestern Greece. Equids, primarily horses, are mostly used for recreational purposes, although in some rural areas they also serve as working animals, maintaining close and frequent contact with humans. Their risk of exposure to vector-borne and zoonotic pathogens can be affected by host-related factors, management practices and environmental conditions. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for infections by , , , and sensu lato in equids from Southwestern Greece. A total of 159 equids were tested using commercial serological assays. Weighted prevalence estimates were...
Repeatability and test-retest reliability of thermal and pressure pain threshold testing in healthy thoroughbred horses. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) has been used in horses to assess nociceptive responsiveness but its broader clinical application is limited by variability across anatomical sites, environmental conditions, operator technique, and behavioral endpoints. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, within-session repeatability, and test-retest reliability of thermal threshold (TT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) testing in healthy Thoroughbred horses. Unassigned: Eleven adult Thoroughbred horses (4 mares, 7 geldings; median [IQR] age 6 [5-6] years; body weight 558 ± 47 kg) underwent...
Surface electromyography and joint angle kinematics of horses at walk and trot on a treadmill. This study aimed to evaluate electromyographic and kinematic parameters of the thoracic and pelvic limbs of horses at a walk and trot on a treadmill. Eleven Brazilian Sport Horses trained for Eventing were assessed in a completely randomized design under two conditions: walk (1.8 m/s) and trot (3.6 m/s). Horses were evaluated on a high-speed treadmill using surface electromyography (sEMG) and kinematic analysis. sEMG was performed bilaterally on the mm. extensor carpi radialis and mm. flexor carpi ulnaris; bilateral muscles of the pelvic limb: mm. tensor fascia latae and mm. biceps femoris u...
Spatiotemporal dynamics of equine group formation reveal the gradual emergence of social cohesion. Stable social relationships are essential for horse welfare, yet domestic management often involves regrouping unfamiliar individuals, potentially causing social stress. Fine-scale dynamics of social integration remain poorly quantified due to limitations of observational sampling. Using ultra-wideband real-time positioning, we tracked the development of spatial and social relationships in two newly formed equine groups (n = 19) over 2-12 months. Inter-individual distances decreased significantly, with time spent within 3 m of conspecifics increasing from 1.2 to 27.3% within two months, d...
Auscultatory findings and left atrial function as indicators of mitral valve regurgitation severity in horses. Mitral valve regurgitation (MR) is frequently detected in horses, but its classification and prognostication remain challenging. This study investigated whether auscultatory findings and left atrial function are associated with MR severity. Methods: Fifty controls (no/trivial MR) and 101 MR horses (58 mild, 36 moderate, seven severe) were retrospectively evaluated. All were in sinus rhythm and underwent auscultation and echocardiography. Mitral regurgitation severity was graded using a scoring system. Systolic murmur characteristics (duration, type and grade) were recorded. Left atrial functio...
Identification of Genomic Differences Resulting from Selection in Iranian Kurdish and Turkmen Horse Breeds Using Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms. Breakthroughs in genomic technologies have enabled the formulation of methods to identify genomic variation in domestic animal species. Detection of the variation is necessary because it is associated with breed characteristics and economic importance in domestic animal genetics. Unassigned: This study aimed to identify the genomic regions in Turkmen and Kurdish horse breeds that have been the target of different selections over many years. It also sought to locate the genes and Quantitative trait loci (QTL) in these regions that contributed to the differentiation of these two breeds or the di...
A point-based laminitis risk scoring system and machine learning framework for prediction of laminitis in horses. Laminitis is a painful and potentially life-threatening inflammatory condition of the equine hoof, and its detection remains a major challenge in veterinary practice. Although several risk factors have been reported, the prediction of the onset of laminitis in a subclinical stage using routine clinical data is still limited. This study aims to address this gap by developing an interpretable machine learning (ML) framework for the prediction of the risk of laminitis in horses. A point-based risk scoring system was first constructed using multivariate logistic regression to quantify the contribu...
Using a wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) patch adapted for 7-day monitoring in the horse. Arrhythmias can cause poor performance and sudden death in horses. Long-term (>24 h) electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring has been used to identify arrhythmias in humans and is superior to short-term monitoring for transient arrhythmia detection. Televet is the current equine gold-standard ECG device. The Cardea SOLO™ (CS) is a single-use monitor with automated ECG analysis software allowing ECG monitoring for 7 days. Objective: Our objective was to validate the performance of the CS compared to the Televet. Methods: Method validation. Methods: ECGs were performed on 12 healthy horses s...
Orchiectomy in horses: closed technique and primary closure of the incision. To provide a video tutorial on how to perform equine castrations using the closed technique and primary closure of the skin. Unassigned: Intact male horses presented to equine veterinary hospitals for castration. Unassigned: The closed castration technique was performed with incisions over the inguinal rings and primary closure. Unassigned: This technique is associated with minimal complications, decreased edema, less pain, lower infection rates, and faster healing. Unassigned: The technique presented in this video tutorial provides a quick and safe method for removing descended as well as non...
Dental disorders are associated with minimal synovial changes in the temporomandibular joint in horses. Dental disorders have been proposed as factors contributing to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort in horses, but objective evidence linking these conditions to synovial fluid alterations remains limited. This study evaluated whether the severity of dental abnormalities influences the physicochemical and cytological characteristics of TMJ synovial fluid and whether occlusal adjustment induces measurable synovial changes over time. Unassigned: Thirty-three horses were assigned to mild, moderate, or severe dental abnormality groups. Synovial fluid was collected bilaterally from the discotem...
Comparative clinical and thermographic responses to dexamethasone and saline solution mesotherapy in horses with spinal disorders. Back pain and spinal dysfunction in horses are multifactorial conditions frequently associated with musculoskeletal alterations that may impair mobility, performance, and welfare. Mesotherapy has emerged as a minimally invasive adjunctive approach for managing musculoskeletal disorders; however, comparative clinical responses to different intradermal protocols in equine spinal conditions remain insufficiently investigated. The present study aims to compare the clinical and thermographic responses of two mesotherapy protocols in horses diagnosed with cervical or thoracolumbar spinal disorders. ...
Detection of equine parapoxvirus in the stable environment during pastern dermatitis outbreak in Finland. Equine parapoxvirus (EqPPV) has emerged as a cause of recurring pastern dermatitis outbreaks in horses in Finland. First detected in 2013, EqPPV has since been associated with potentially hundreds of clinical cases and suspected zoonotic transmission. Based on serological data and field reports, EqPPV causes pastern dermatitis outbreaks in Finland every few years. This study aimed to investigate the environmental presence and plausible transmission dynamics of the virus to prepare for future outbreaks and give targeted guidelines to stable staff and veterinarians. Results: After a large-scale ...
First evidence of exposure to West Nile Virus in horses within Denmark, 2025. A nationwide serological screening of 822 horses was conducted in Autumn 2025 to investigate potential exposure to West Nile Virus (WNV) within Denmark. Serum samples were tested for antibodies against WNV, tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Usutu virus (USUV). Four horses without any history of travel outside of Denmark, or previous vaccination against WNV, tested positive for WNV neutralising antibodies. The results support local exposure to WNV indicating that virus infected mosquitoes have been present in Denmark and underline the usefulness of horses as sentinels for the risk of hum...
Inertial measurement units are comparable to motion capture for measuring intersegmental spinal angular velocities in horses. To compare inertial measurement unit (IMU)-derived intersegmental spinal motion data with measurements obtained from a marker-based motion-capture system. Unassigned: 4 horses were instrumented with custom marker clusters incorporating a 3-D-printed base designed to secure the IMU, ensuring both systems recorded data from the same anatomical location and orientation. A total of 3,737 paired time points across 37 gait cycles were analyzed. Agreement in intersegmental angular velocities across 3 planes of motion was evaluated using Bland-Altman analysis and intraclass correlation coefficients. U...
Inhaled Corticosteroids Influence Pulmonary Microbiota in Severe Equine Asthma. The use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICs) could influence the respiratory microbiota. In animals with asthma it is, however, difficult to separate the immunomodulatory effects of ICs from their indirect effects via improvement of ventilation. Our objective was to determine if ICs alter the pulmonary microbiota independently from their effects on lung function, using a blinded, controlled trial in an experimental model of asthma exacerbation in horses. We treated horses with severe asthma with either bronchodilators alone, or in combination with ICs. Twelve horses in exacerbation received long-a...
Efficacy and safety of canagliflozin in insulin dysregulated horses: a 4-week multi-arm, double-blind, randomized, clinical trial. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are promising drugs for treatment of hyperinsulinemia in insulin-dysregulated (ID) horses. Objective: Compare short-term effects of the SGLT2 inhibitor canagliflozin versus placebo on glucose and insulin responses during an oral sugar test (OST) and a forage-based feed challenge test (FCT), and to assess adverse effects. Methods: Forty-two privately owned severely ID horses. Methods: Multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Horses were allocated (1:1:1) to receive canagliflozin (0.6 or 1.2 mg/kg PO q24h...
Diagnostic criteria for equine thoracolumbar myofascial pain syndrome: A foundational study. Diagnostic criteria for myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) are well established in humans but remain underexplored in horses. This study aimed to identify which MPS clinical signs were present in the equine thoracolumbar region, assess internal coherence among clinical indicators, and explore the diagnostic relevance of owner-reported behavioural, signalment, management, and clinical variables. A population of 120 horses underwent a static physical assessment of the thoracolumbar region. Owner-reported horse behaviours were collected through a questionnaire. Taut band, hypersensitive spot, local t...
Jejunocecostomy in horses-a review of its unique complexities. Jejunocecostomy (JC), or jejunocecal anastomosis, is arguably the most controversial surgical procedure in equine small intestinal surgery. It is also the only option for resection and anastomosis for a third of small intestinal strangulating lesions in horses. Critics of the procedure identify its low survival and high complication rates as reasons to avoid its use. This review is intended to highlight findings of recent research and clinical studies that validate use of the JC, and to provide some insights into technical aspects of the procedure that might improve its survival rates. Jejunoc...
Physiological Evaluation of Quarter Horses Undergoing Five-Month Taming Focused on Hippotherapy. Preparing horses for hippotherapy programs requires management approaches that prioritize animal welfare and facilitate adaptation to novel stimuli. This study monitored physiological responses during the implementation of a progressive taming protocol for Quarter Horses intended for hippotherapy. Seven animals were monitored over a five-month period, including an acclimation phase and three taming stages. Continuous heart rate, plasma cortisol concentration, and ocular infrared thermography were assessed before and after exercise. Baseline ( = 0.0466) and minimum ( = 0.0095) heart rate values...
Blood ammonia levels: A potential indicator of high-risk pregnancy in Thoroughbred broodmares. Exposure to high blood ammonia (hyperammonemia) interferes with gestation due to its detrimental effect on hormone levels, fetal development, the immune system, placental integrity, and fertility of broodmares. Increases in ammonia levels are dangerous and elusive, as damage may occur from earlier peaks, resulting in the trapping of ammonia in the amniotic fluid and then disappearing from the blood circulation before clinical symptoms are observed. Thus, it should be recognized early and treated immediately before complications arise. This study aimed to investigate if blood ammonia levels in ...
