"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.
McClellan NR, Mudge MC, Scansen BA, Jung SS, Russell D.To describe successful transarterial coil embolization of a palatine artery pseudoaneurysm that extended into the caudal maxillary sinus of a gelding. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: A 24-year-old Morgan gelding with right-sided epistaxis. Methods: The right maxillary sinus was imaged by radiography, computed tomography, and sinoscopy. Angiography was performed to locate the source of bleeding, and transarterial coil embolization of a right palatine artery pseudoaneurysm was performed. Results: There was some mucoid nasal discharge and an intermittent cough postoperatively. No epistaxis was...
Barton AK, Cehak A, Rohn K, Ohnesorge B.To determine outcome after transendoscopic laser fenestration of the median septum and removal of the salpingopharyngeal fold of the guttural pouch on nasopharyngeal obstruction caused by poll flexion in Warmblood horses. Methods: Clinical study. Methods: Horses (n = 9). Methods: Nine horses with a history of performance insufficiency and respiratory noise during poll flexion were examined. On endoscopy, an often asymmetric dorsoventral obstruction of the nasopharynx occurred during poll flexion. Left lateral radiographs were taken in neutral, extended, and flexed head positions showed that me...
Ortved KF, Stewart AW, Fubini SL, Hackett RP.To report surgical management of 4 horses with cryptorchidism caused by failure of regression of the cranial suspensory ligament (CSL). Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Cryptorchid horses (n = 4). Methods: Horses with unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism caused by failure of regression of the CSL were treated by removing the retained testes through a standing laparoscopic approach (2), flank laparotomy (1), or paramedian celiotomy (1). After identification of the retained testis attached to the caudal pole of the kidney by the CSL, the vascular pedicle and ductus deferens were li...
Snyder A, Koeller G, Seiwert B, Abraham G, Schusser GF.The use of laxatives is crucial in the treatment of horses with caecal or large colon impaction.To reach the large intestinal contents and resolve the impaction, laxatives must leave the stomach and pass through the small intestine.The aim of this study was to prove whether isotonic solutions of saline cathartics do not affect gastric emptying rate in contrast to hypertonic solutions. Six, fasted, healthy, adult Warmblood horses were used in a randomized study design with 1.8% sodium sulfate (1.8% Na2SO4), 4.2% magnesium sulfate (4.2% MgSO4), 25% sodium sulfate (25% Na2SO4), 25% magnesium sulf...
Iacono E, Merlo B, Rizzato G, Mislei B, Govoni N, Tamanini C, Mari G.The aim of the present study was to verify how repeated ovum pick-up (OPU), performed in anestrous and cyclic mares, affect ovarian activity, measured by progesterone (P4) and 17ß-estradiol (E2) plasma levels. Ovum pick-up of all visible follicles was performed every 9 to 12 days, and four sessions were carried out during anestrous (A) and breeding season (BS). The number of aspirated follicles per mare at each session was not significantly different between the two periods (BS: 6.1 ± 2.4; A: 7.5 ± 4.4; P > 0.05), but the mean follicular diameter was significantly higher during BS (16.0 ...
Blanke A, Fischer ML, Fuchs M, Schusser GF.Since there is a lack of information about the normal appearance or pathological findings of the equine external ear canal (EEEC) and tympanic membrane (TM), we aimed to find a practical way to perform the otoscopic examination in standing, sedated horses. Therefore, we worked with common veterinary video endoscopes, which are normally used for gastroscopy or bronchoscopy. Both ears each of 38 randomly selected, chemically restrained horses were otoscopically examined. 33 of those horses had no history or signs of potentially ear-associated diseases. However, two horses with vestibular disease...
Freeman DE, Pearn AR.Epiploic foramen entrapment (EFE) is a common cause of colic in horses and available anatomical descriptions of this foramen and the associated vestibule of the omental bursa tend to be inconsistent, contradictory and inaccurate. Objective: To describe the anatomy of the vestibule of the omental bursa and epiploic foramen. Methods: Dissection of 21 fresh equine cadavers shortly after euthanasia. Methods: The anatomy of the vestibule of the omental bursa, epiploic foramen and related structures in the cranial abdomen were examined in situ and after removal from the abdomen. Photographs were tak...
Gemensky-Metzler AJ, Wilkie DA, Weisbrode SE, Kuhn SE.To determine appropriate location and energy settings for trans-scleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) for buphthalmic equine globes. Methods: Eleven horses with a buphthalmic eye blinded by glaucoma presented for enucleation. Methods: Globe and corneal dimensions were measured via ultrasonography and calipers, and TSCPC was performed under general anesthesia immediately prior to enucleation. Part 1: In nine globes, sixty sites were lasered 4 mm posterior to the limbus in the dorsotemporal and ventrotemporal quadrants at settings of 1500 milliwatts and 1500 ms. Globes were processed and section...
Wespi B, Sieme H, Wedekind C, Burger D.Horses (Equus caballus) belong to the group of seasonally polyestrous mammals. Estrous cycles typically start with increasing daylight length after winter, but mares can differ greatly in the timing of onset of regular estrus cycles. Here, we test whether spatial proximity to a stallion also plays a role. Twenty-two anestrous mares were either exposed to one of two stallions (without direct physical contact) or not exposed (controls) under experimental conditions during two consecutive springs (February to April). Ovarian activity was monitored via transrectal ultrasound and stallion's direct ...
Kullmann A, Sanz M, Fosgate GT, Saulez MN, Page PC, Rioja E.Alpha-2 agonist-induced changes in packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS), selected biochemical parameters, and splenic thickness were investigated in horses. Four healthy mares were treated in a blinded, randomized, cross-over design with a dose of xylazine (0.5 mg/kg), romifidine (0.04 mg/kg), or detomidine (0.01 mg/kg) IV, and detomidine (0.02 mg/kg) IM. Hematology, TS, colloid osmotic pressure (COP), plasma osmolality; glucose, lactate, urea (BUN) and electrolyte concentrations; venous blood pH and ultrasonographic splenic thickness were evaluated at intervals for 300 min. Repeated me...
Westerman TL, Poulsen KP, Schlipf JW, Valentine BA.A 14-year-old Morgan gelding was presented for progressive weakness and muscle atrophy. The horse was initially diagnosed with equine protozoal myelitis based on history, physical examination, and laboratory diagnostics. Despite therapy, the horse declined clinically and was euthanized. Necropsy revealed a rare form of neurotropic lymphoma, described in this report. Lymphome de cellules-B riches en cellules-T neurotropes chez un hongre Morgan âgé de 14 ans. Un hongre Morgan âgé de 14 ans a été présenté pour une faiblesse progressive et une atrophie musculaire. On a d’abord diagnostiq...
Giese C, Gerber V, Howald M, Bachmann I, Burger D.In order to investigate stress responses of horses in walkers with and without electricity, 12 horses were trained during 3 weeks in a horse walker with and without the use of electricity (3.7 kV). To evaluate the stress response, cortisol levels in the blood were measured, the heart rate was monitored using the Polar® system and the behaviour was evaluated. Neither the cortisol levels nor the heart rates showed any relevant statistically significant difference between horses moved in the horse walker with or without the use of electricity. The highest cortisol levels and heart rates were rec...
Pusterla N, Tamez-Trevino E, White A, Vangeem J, Packham A, Conrad PA, Kass P.Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis is a commonly diagnosed neurological disease of horses in North America and is caused by infection with Sarcocystis neurona or Neospora hughesi. The aim of this study was to compare prevalence factors among horses seropositive or seronegative to N. hughesi and/or S. neurona. A total of 3123 submissions were included in the study, with horses originating from 49 States. Thirty-eight animals from 21 States tested seropositive for N. hughesi only, 840 horses from 40 States were seropositive for S. neurona only, 25 horses from 14 States were seropositive for both...
Britz E, Spier SJ, Kass PH, Edman JM, Foley JE.Equine infection with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis can manifest in several forms, including external or internal abscesses. The objective of this study was to phenotype clinical isolates of C. pseudotuberculosis and to investigate the relationship between lesion location and extent of lesions in the animals from which they were collected. One hundred and seventy-one C. pseudotuberculosis biovar equi isolates were collected from horses presenting to the University of California Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and two other sources in the period between September 1996 and December 201...
Anderson SL, Bracamonte JL, Hendrick S.The objective of this study was to compare the bursting strength (BS) and mode of failure (MF) of ventral midline (VM) celiotomies closed with USP 7 polydioxanone (7PD) in 1 or 2 simple continuous sections. A bursting strength model, consisting of inserting and inflating a 200-L polyurethane bladder through a 25-cm VM celiotomy, was used on 15 fresh equine cadavers. Celiotomies were closed using 7PD in 2 separate sections (4 knots), 2 continuous sections (3 knots), or a single section (2 knots) using a simple continuous pattern. The horses' signalment, body weight, number of total knots, MF, a...
Kim MC, Lee SW, Ryu DY, Cui FJ, Bhak J, Kim Y.The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) as a post-transcriptional gene regulator has been elucidated in a broad range of organisms including domestic animals. Characterization of miRNAs in normal tissues is an important step to investigate the functions of miRNAs in various physiological and pathological conditions. Using Illumina Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology, we identified a total of 292 known and 329 novel miRNAs in normal horse tissues including skeletal muscle, colon and liver. Distinct sets of miRNAs were differentially expressed in a tissue-specific manner. The miRNA genes were dis...
Aarnes TK, Bednarski RM, Bertone AL, Hubbell JA, Lerche P.The objective of this study was to compare recovery from desflurane anesthesia in horses with or without post-anesthetic xylazine. Six adult horses were anesthetized on 2 occasions, 14 d apart using a prospective, randomized crossover design. Horses were sedated with xylazine, induced to lateral recumbency with ketamine and diazepam, and anesthesia was maintained with desflurane. One of 2 treatments was administered intravenously at the end of anesthesia: xylazine [0.2 mg/kg body weight (BW)] or an equivalent volume of saline. Recovery parameters were recorded and assessed by 2 blinded observe...
Aristizabal FA, Lopes MA, Silva A, Avanza MF, Nieto JE.To evaluate the effect of onlay mesenteric flaps (MFs) with end-to-end jejunojejunostomy on stomal diameter, length of jejunum with reduced stomal diameter, abdominal adhesion formation, and healing. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Healthy adult horses (n = 6). Methods: Two hand sewn end-to-end jejunal anastomoses using a 1 layer simple continuous serosubmucosal suture pattern were performed in each horse ∼ 2 and 5 m oral to the ileocecal fold. Using a random design for selection anastomosis location (oral or aboral), 1 anastomosis was covered with 2 adjacent onlay MFs secured with int...
Velie BD, Hamilton NA, Wade CM.Different indicators of racing performance are commonly used in the racing industry to assess the genetic superiority of racing Thoroughbreds. However, how well these indicators predict the performance of future progeny or siblings varies depending on the population and circumstances in which the indicators were recorded or achieved. Objective: To identify heritable indicators of racing performance for horses racing in Hong Kong. Methods: Heritability analysis of racing performance traits. Methods: Performance data on the population of Thoroughbreds racing in Hong Kong between 3 September 2000...
Barrett EJ, Rodgerson DH.To describe an ultrasound assisted arthroscopic approach for removal of non-articular basilar sesamoid fragments in Thoroughbred yearlings. Methods: Thoroughbred yearlings (n = 7). Methods: Basilar sesamoid fragments identified during pre-sale radiographic examination were removed using a palmar/plantar arthroscopic approach to the fetlock joint and ultrasonographic guidance. Complete fragment removal was confirmed by ultrasonography and radiography. Results: Basilar sesamoid fracture fragments were localized and removed successfully using rongeurs and a radiofrequency probe for soft tissu...
Close K, Epstein KL, Sherlock CE.To (1) compare postoperative complications and survival in horses after small intestinal resection and anastomosis using 2 anastomosis techniques (single layer Lembert; double layer simple continuous oversewn with Cushing), and (2) to compare outcome by anastomosis type (jejunoileostomy; jejunojejunostomy). Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses (n = 53). Methods: Medical records (July 2006-July 2010) of all horses that had small intestinal resection and anastomosis. Horses were divided into groups based on technique and type of anastomosis. Comparisons of pre- and intraoperative ...
Canisso IF, Ball BA, Erol E, Claes A, Scoggin KE, McDowell KJ, Williams NM, Dorton AR, Wolfsdorf KE, Squires EL, Troedsson MH.Nocardioform placentitis in horses is poorly understood, and the development of an experimental model would be of help in understanding the pathogenesis of the disease. Objective: To investigate whether (1) intrauterine inoculation of Crossiela equi during the periovulatory period or (2) i.v., oral or intranasopharyngeal inoculation of C. equi during midgestation would result in nocardioform placentitis, and (3) before and after mating endometrial swabs present evidence of nocardioform placentitis-associated organisms (C. equi or Amycolatopsis spp.). Methods: In Study I, mares (n = 20) rec...
Carmichael SP, Davenport DL, Kearney PA, Bernard AC.The purpose of this study is to determine whether discrepant patterns of horse-related trauma exist in mounted vs. unmounted equestrians from a single Level I trauma center to guide awareness of injury prevention. Methods: Retrospective data were collected from the University of Kentucky Trauma Registry for patients admitted with horse-related injuries between January 2003 and December 2007 (n=284). Injuries incurred while mounted were compared with those incurred while unmounted. Results: Of 284 patients, 145 (51%) subjects were male with an average age of 37.2 years (S.D. 17.2). Most injurie...
Martig S, Chen W, Lee PV, Whitton RC.Musculoskeletal injuries are a common cause of lost training days and wastage in racehorses. Many bone injuries are a consequence of repeated high loading during fast work, resulting in chronic damage accumulation and material fatigue of bone. The highest joint loads occur in the fetlock, which is also the most common site of subchondral bone injury in racehorses. Microcracks in the subchondral bone at sites where intra-articular fractures and palmar osteochondral disease occur are similar to the fatigue damage detected experimentally after repeated loading of bone. Fatigue is a process that h...
Reichel M, Martinek J.Distribution of the electrical field is very important to activate muscle and nerve cells properly. One therapeutic method to treat Recurrent Laryngeal Neuropathy (RLN) in horses can be performed by Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). Current method to optimize the stimulation effect is to use implanted quadripolar electrodes to the musculus cricoarythenoideus dorsalis (CAD) and testing electrode configuration until best possible optimum is reached. For better understanding and finding of maximum possible activation of CAD a simulation model of the actual entire setting is currently in de...
Haeger-Eugensson M, Ferm M, Elfman L.The interest in equestrian sports has increased substantially during the last decades, resulting in increased number of horse facilities around urban areas. In Sweden, new guidelines for safe distance have been decided based on the size of the horse facility (e.g., number of horses) and local conditions, such as topography and meteorology. There is therefore an increasing need to estimate dispersion of horse allergens to be used, for example, in the planning processes for new residential areas in the vicinity of horse facilities. The aim of this study was to develop a method for calculating sh...
Gerding JC, Clode A, Gilger BC, Montgomery KW.To review the clinical features, treatments, complications, and outcomes of horses with traumatic orbital fractures. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Eighteen horses with confirmed orbital fractures. Methods: Medical records of horses presenting with orbital fractures between 2006 and 2013 were reviewed. Signalment, etiology of fracture, clinical signs, fracture descriptions, diagnostic imaging, treatments, complications, and outcomes were evaluated. Results: Eighteen horses presented with orbital fractures resulting from rearing in a confined space (n = 5), being kicked (4), colliding w...
Diyes GCP, Rajakaruna RS.Otobius megnini infests mainly domesticated and wild animals and occasionally humans. It has been identified as an agent of human and horse otoacariasis in Sri Lanka. The number of nymphal stages in the life cycle of O. megnini varies from one to three in different geographic regions. The present study determined the life cycle of O. megnini infesting the racehorses in Nuwara Eliya. A tick colony was initiated from fully engorged nymphs collected from horses and maintained at 10°C, 22°C and 28°C. Immature stages were reared on New Zealand rabbits. Only the larvae weighing more than 0.9mg (8...
Church ML, Norman JC.The main objective was to record electroretinogram (ERG) parameters of normal thoroughbred mares using the HMsERG, a mini-Ganzfeld electroretinographic unit, and a contact lens electrode. The second objective was to determine whether IV detomidine hydrochloride at 0.015 mg/kg is consistently an effective choice for sedation of horses undergoing this ERG protocol. Methods: The study population consisted of 30 normal thoroughbred mares. ERG data were harvested using a protocol that included three different light intensities (10, 3000, and 10,000 mcd s/m(2)) and a 30-Hz flicker at 3000 mcd s/m(2)...
Becvarova I, Pleasant RS, Thatcher CD.Veterinarians are a primary source of nutritional information and advice for horse owners. This article reviews methods for clinical assessment of nutritional status and feeding programs that can be applied to an individual horse or group of horses. Physical examination, including measurement of body weight and evaluation of body condition score, estimation of nutrient requirements and the nutrient content of the horse's diet, and evaluation of the feeding method are important components of the assessment. Ongoing clinical assessment of health and body condition will gauge the need for reasses...
Bischofberger AS, Tsang AS, Horadagoda N, Dart CM, Perkins NR, Jeffcott LB, Jackson CJ, Dart AJ.To investigate the effect of activated protein C (APC) on second intention healing of distal limb wounds in horses. Methods: In this experimental study of eight Standardbred geldings, six full-thickness skin wounds (2 × 1.5 cm) were created on one metacarpus (biopsy limb) and five similar wounds were created on the contralateral metacarpus (photographed limb). Three wounds on the biopsy limb were treated topically with 190 µg APC on days 1, 3, 6 and 9, while the remaining three wounds were untreated (control). One treated and one control wound were biopsied on days 4, 7 and 11 for hi...
Sellon DC, Sanz M, Kopper JJ, Mattei D.Understanding factors influencing assessment of pain in horses will facilitate communication between veterinarians and horse owners. Objective: To compare estimates of pain experienced by horses as provided by veterinarians and horse owners and to determine factors associated with individuals who perceive horses to be experiencing extreme pain or minimal pain. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Internet-based questionnaires for horse owners and veterinarians included items related to recognition of pain in horses, estimated degree of pain experienced by horses, and demographic informatio...
O'Callaghan MW, Goulden BE.This paper describes the distinctive radiographic changes detected in the dorso-caudal lungfields of four racing thoroughbreds recently affected by exercise-induced epistaxis. A diffuse but localized increase in density was seen in all four cases, which demonstrated a variation from a predominantly alveolar density to an interstitial pattern and finally to increased bronchial markings. Evolution of the radiographic pattern of the pulmonary densities appeared to be related to the time that had elapsed since the bleeding incident. The implications of the changing pattern and site of the densitie...
le Jeune S, Henneman K, May K.Acupuncture is one of the most common veterinary integrative medicine modalities. Acupuncture can greatly contribute to a rehabilitation protocol by promoting analgesia, tissue healing, and muscle strength. Acupuncture is safe, has minimal detrimental side effects, and is well tolerated by most horses.
Aurich C, Weber J, Nagel C, Merkl M, Jude R, Wostmann S, Ollech D, Baron U, Olek S, Jansen T.Early pregnancy loss is a major reason for low reproductive efficiency in the horse. In humans and mice, low numbers of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are linked to miscarriage. The percentage of Treg cells in oestrous mares at the start of the breeding season was evaluated in relation to the outcome of subsequent pregnancy. For identification and quantification of Treg cells, a highly sensitive and specific qPCR assay targeting the Treg-specific demethylated region in the equine forkhead box transcription factor (FOXP3) gene was established. In a total of 108 mares, pregnancy was followed un...
Bernardino P, James K, Barnum S, Corbin R, Wademan C, Pusterla N.Equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV) has been given little attention by practitioners compared to other respiratory viruses, mainly because of the lack of diagnostic modalities and association with clinical disease. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of detection of ERBV in nasal secretions from 6568 horses with acute onset of respiratory signs. ERBV-positive qPCR results from nasal secretions submitted to a molecular diagnostic laboratory from 2013 to 2019 were reviewed. A total of 333 ERBV qPCR-positive samples (5.1%) were detected with increasing yearly frequency since the ...
Johnson PJ, Moore LA, Mrad DR, Turk JR, Wilson DA.The sudden death of two horses was attributed to the rapid and acute development of pulmonary aspergillosis. One horse was making excellent postoperative progress after a jejunal resection and anastomosis for intestinal adhesions. The other horse was being treated routinely for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). Signs of fever and an increased respiratory rate were detected shortly before death in the first horse, but no premonitory clinical signs characteristic of pulmonary infection were detected in the horse being treated for EPM. Both horses developed rapidly debilitating, acute pul...
Wallace JC, Vogelnest LJ.A sample of fourteen horse rugs and two saddle blankets stored in south western Sydney, Australia, an area of known high dust mite prevalence in the human environment, were analysed for the presence of house dust mites. Dust samples from the rugs, blankets and 16 control sites were collected using a vacuum cleaner with a modified attachment and filter. Dust mites were extracted using an adapted floatation technique. Eight rugs and all control samples were positive for mites, which were confirmed to be house dust mites of the genus Dermatophagoides. This study confirms that exposure to house du...
Anthenill LA, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Hill AE, Lee CM, Anderson ML, Barr BC, Read DH, Johnson BJ, Woods LW, Daft BM, Kinde H, Moore JD, Farman CA....To determine the distribution for limbs and bones in horses with fractures of the proximal sesamoid bones and relationships with findings on palmarodorsal radiographic images. Methods: Proximal sesamoid bones obtained from both forelimbs of cadavers of 328 racing Thoroughbreds. Methods: Osteophytes; large vascular channels; and fracture location, orientation, configuration, and margin distinctness were categorized by use of high-detail contact palmarodorsal radiographs. Distributions of findings were determined. Relationships between radiographic findings and fracture characteristics were exam...
Zani D, Rabbogliatti V, Ravasio G, Pettinato C, Giancamillo MD, Zani DD.The use of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of orthopedic pathologies in equine patients is poorly described. In few studies, enhanced MRI allowed to differentiate active lesions from chronic ones and to classify ambiguous lesions. The aim of this clinical prospective pilot study is to describe and compare the MRI lesions observed in horses with lameness localized to the foot using a single intravenous bolus dose of gadolinium contrast versus regional intraarterial bolus of contrast agent. Ten horses that underwent contrast enhanced MRI were included in the ...
Orsini JA, Snooks-Parsons C, Stine L, Haddock M, Ramberg CF, Benson CE, Nunamaker DM.We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 15 foals and adult horses in which vancomycin was used, alone or in combination with an aminoglycoside, to treat methicillin-resistant staphylococcal and enterococcal infections. Signalment, presenting complaint, history (including history of treatment for the current complaint), results of bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, treatment, and outcome were reviewed. The average vancomycin dosage was 7.5 mg/kg q8h, administered by intravenous infusion over 30 min. The infection resolved in all 7 horses with soft tissue infections and...
Bijman J, Quinton PM.Single equine sweat glands were found to secrete for more than 1 h in vitro in response to pharmacologic secretagogues. The adrenergic agonists epinephrine and norepinephrine evoked maximal sweat rates of 2.0 nl X gland-1 X min-1. However, the concentration of norepinephrine (10(-5) M) required to evoke the maximal response was 10 times higher than that for epinephrine. Maximal sweat rates also were stimulated with the beta 2-adrenergic agonist terbutaline. This stimulation was blocked by the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol. Moderate sweating responses were also obtained with the alpha-...
Waran N, Williams VM, Clarke N, Bridge IS.To explore attitudes towards and use of analgesia in horses by veterinarians in New Zealand. Methods: A postal questionnaire was sent out to 457 veterinarians identified as working with horses in New Zealand. Questions covered demographics and practice data; analgesic drugs available for use and used in practice; analgesic management of specific conditions including assessment of pain, drugs used, and frequency of cases; factors influencing the choice and use of analgesic agents; and attitudes and personal experience. Results: Ninety-seven questionnaires containing useable data were received, ...
Hardy MH, Fisher KR, Vrablic OE, Yager JA, Nimmo-Wilkie JS, Parker W, Keeley FW.The hyperextensible, fragile skin of two related horses was compared with the skin of eight normal horses. Skin sections were examined by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The deep dermal layer of the dorsal abdomen was much thinner in the affected horses, and contained bundles of collagen fibers which were more loosely packed. Within individual fibers, the fibrils were frequently curved and nonparallel rather than straight and parallel. Both of the affected animals had a greater range of fibril diameters than a normal horse. They had some unusually thick fibrils with very...
Hudson N, Mayhew I, Pearson G.Equine dysautonomia (grass sickness) is a frequently fatal disease of horses characterised by intestinal stasis. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are the pacemakers and mediators of neurotransmission in the gastrointestinal tract. Impaired ICC-mediated control of motility has been implicated in intestinal disorders in laboratory mammals, humans and in equine grass sickness. The aim of this study was to compare the in vitro electrical properties of ileum from grass sickness cases with horses free from gastrointestinal disease. Intracellular microelectrode recordings were made from smooth muscl...
Guedes A, Knych H, Tucker L, Almeida DC, Baldo CF, Wendt-Hornickle E, Allweiler S.This study determined the pharmacokinetics and compared the clinical effects of xylazine and dexmedetomidine in horses recovering from isoflurane anesthesia. Six healthy horses aged 8.5 ± 3 years and weighing 462 ± 50 kg were anesthetized with isoflurane for 2 hr under standard conditions on two occasions one-week apart. In recovery, horses received 200 μg/kg xylazine or 0.875 μg/kg dexmedetomidine intravenously and were allowed to recover without assistance. These doses were selected because they have been used for postanesthetic sedation in clinical and research studies. Serial ...
Petrazzini MEM.Once believed to be a human prerogative, the capacity to discriminate between quantities now has also been reported in several vertebrates. To date, only two studies investigated numerical abilities in horses (Equus caballus) but reported contrasting data. To assess whether horses can be trained to discriminate between quantities, I have set up a new experimental protocol using operant conditioning. One adult female was trained to discriminate between 1 and 4 (Test 1) in three different conditions: non-controlled continuous variables (numerical and continuous quantities that co-vary with numbe...
Clayton HM.This study was designed to test the hypothesis that there is no significant difference in selected temporal and linear stride variables of the extended canter in horses bred and trained for dressage or racing. Nine advanced-level dressage horses and 7 Thoroughbred racehorses were filmed at a frame rate of 200 Hz at an extended canter on a sand track. Two strides were recorded per trial, and each horse performed 6 or 7 trials. Temporal and linear data were determined from the films, and descriptive statistics (mean, SD) were calculated. Strides were selected for analysis on the basis of having ...
De Klerk JN, Quan M, Grewar JD.In the Cape Flats townships, Cape Town, South Africa, there are more than 250 working cart horses. They serve the community with scrap metal and garden refuse removal, human transport and the selling of goods. A questionnaire was undertaken to understand the social and economic impacts of a horse and cart in the Cape Flats on individual owners and/or drivers, their households and the community. A mixture of classical quantitative questions combined with qualitative participatory technique questions were used. A total of 100 participants took part in the questionnaire, who cart with 163 horses ...
Mair TS, Smith LJ.Early (acute) relaparotomy after surgery for equine colic is widely considered to be an acceptable treatment option for management of certain post operative complications. However, there is relatively little published information about resulting complication rates and short- and long-term outcomes. Objective: To document the proportions, indications, complication rates and survival rates of horses undergoing acute relaparatomy following colic surgery. Methods: History, clinical findings, surgical findings and procedures, post operative treatments and outcome of 300 consecutive surgical colic c...
Schurink A, van Grevenhof EM, Ducro BJ, van Arendonk JA.Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a seasonal recurrent allergic reaction of horses to the bites of certain Culicoides spp. and is found throughout the world. The aim of our study was to estimate the heritability and repeatability of IBH in the Dutch Shetland pony population. A total of 7,924 IBH scores on 6,073 mares were collected during foal inspections in 2003, 2005, and 2006. Mares were scored for clinical symptoms of IBH from June until February by 16 inspectors. Of all mares, 74.4% (n = 4,520) had a single observation, 20.7% (n = 1,255) had 2 observations, and 4.9% (n = 298) had 3 ob...
Mayhew IG, Washbourne JR.Magnetic stimulation of motor pathways was used to effect motor unit action potential recordings from forelimb and hindlimb muscles in unanesthetized ponies. Motor pathway conduction velocities to the forelimb and hindlimb were determined to be 53.8 +/- 9.6 m/s-1 and 63.4 +/- 8.3 m/s-1, respectively. This noninvasive technique will enable more precise evaluation of motor deficits in clinical patients than is possible with the neurological examination.
Murphy JM, Severin GA, Lavach JD, Hepler DI, Lueker DC.A modified Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) preparation was used successfully in the treatment of 7 cases of equine sarcoid. The BCG preparation was injected into the lesions. The longest period of remission has been 24 months, and the shortest period of remission has been 9 months, with no signs of recurrence of the tumor in any of the presented cases.
