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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.
Infections by Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in Jordanian equids: epidemiology and genetic diversity.
Parasitology    May 15, 2013   Volume 140, Issue 9 1096-1103 doi: 10.1017/S0031182013000486
Qablan MA, Oborník M, Petrželková KJ, Sloboda M, Shudiefat MF, Hořín P, Lukeš J, Modrý D.Microscopic diagnosis of equine piroplasmoses, caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, is hindered by low parasitaemia during the latent phase of the infections. However, this constraint can be overcome by the application of PCR followed by sequencing. Out of 288 animals examined, the piroplasmid DNA was detected in 78 (27·1%). Multiplex PCR indicated that T. equi (18·8%) was more prevalent than B. caballi (7·3%), while mixed infections were conspicuously absent. Sequences of 69 PCR amplicons obtained by the 'catch-all' PCR were in concordance with those amplified by the multiplex str...
Equine proliferative enteropathy–a review of recent developments.
Equine veterinary journal    May 15, 2013   Volume 45, Issue 4 403-409 doi: 10.1111/evj.12075
Pusterla N, Gebhart CJ.Equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) is a disease of foals caused by the obligate intracellular organism Lawsonia intracellularis. This emerging disease affects mainly weanling foals and causes fever, lethargy, peripheral oedema, diarrhoea, colic and weight loss. The diagnosis of EPE may be challenging and relies on the presence of hypoproteinaemia, thickening of segments of the small intestinal wall observed upon abdominal ultrasonography, positive serology and molecular detection of L. intracellularis in faeces. Although the clinical entity, diagnostic approach and treatment of EPE are w...
Current status of diagnostic methods for henipavirus.
Developments in biologicals    May 14, 2013   Volume 135 139-145 doi: 10.1159/000189236
Tamin A, Rota PA.Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) are the causative agents of emerging transboundary animal disease in pigs and horses. They also cause fatal disease in humans. NiV has a case fatality rate of 40 - 100%. In the initial NiV outbreak in Malaysia in 1999, about 1.1 million pigs had to be culled. The economic impact was estimated to be approximately US$450 million. Worldwide, HeV has caused more than 60 deaths in horses with 7 human cases and 4 deaths. Since the initial outbreak, HeV spillovers from Pteropus bats to horses and humans continue. This article presents a brief review on the cur...
Methicillin resistant staphylococci and broad-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae in horses.
Veterinary microbiology    May 14, 2013   Volume 167, Issue 1-2 67-77 doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.05.001
Boyen F, Smet A, Hermans K, Butaye P, Martens A, Martel A, Haesebrouck F.The use of β-lactam antibiotics results in the selection of bacteria showing resistance toward this class of antibiotics. The review focuses on the increasing importance of methicillin resistant staphylococci and broad-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in horses. Diagnostic protocols that optimize accurate identification of these bacteria from both clinical samples and samples obtained from putative carrier animals are described. In addition, the opportunities and pitfalls for preventive and curative measures are discussed.
An assessment of the aversive nature of an animal management procedure (clipping) using behavioral and physiological measures.
Physiology & behavior    May 14, 2013   Volume 118 32-39 doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.05.013
Yarnell K, Hall C, Billett E.Animal management often involves procedures that, while unlikely to cause physical pain, still cause aversive responses. The domestic horse (Equus caballus) regularly has excessive hair clipped off to facilitate its use as a riding/driving animal and this procedure causes adverse behavioral responses in some animals. The aim of this study was to compare behavioral and physiological measures to assess the aversive effect of this procedure. Ten horses were selected on the basis of being either compliant (C: n=5) or non-compliant (NC: n=5) during this procedure. The horses were subjected to a sha...
Detection of Theileria equi in spleen and blood of asymptomatic piroplasm carrier horses.
Acta parasitologica    May 11, 2013   Volume 58, Issue 2 218-222 doi: 10.2478/s11686-013-0127-9
Ribeiro IB, Câmara AC, Bittencourt MV, Marçola TG, Paludo GR, Soto-Blanco B.This study aimed to determine whether asymptomatic horses naturally infected with Theileria equi retain infected erythrocytes in the spleen and whether the presence of the hemoparasite in this organ is associated with parasitemia. We collected samples from 25 adult horses without clinical signs of any disease. From each animal, we collected whole blood samples from the jugular vein and a splenic puncture blood sample. All samples were submited to blood cell counts and detection of Theileria or Babesia. DNA extraction and PCR were performed in all samples for identification of piroplasm infecti...
A reliable severity scoring system for radiographic findings in the limbs of young horses.
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)    May 11, 2013   Volume 197, Issue 1 52-57 doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.03.041
Lepeule J, Robert C, Bareille N, Valette JP, Jacquet S, Seegers H, Denoix JM.The validity of methods used to score the severity of radiographic findings (RFs) in horses is uncertain since only one or two joints are usually studied, classification criteria are heterogeneous and the internal validity is not assessed. The aim of this study was to assess the internal validity of a severity scoring system (SSS) of RFs by repeated scoring of a sample of radiographs. This SSS of RFs is based on four criteria that can be applied to every type of RF observed in limb joints. It consists of five weighted severity indexes (0, 1, 2, 4, 8) and was used to assess RFs found on the lim...
Importance of the horse and financial impact of equine trypanosomiasis on cattle raising in Venezuela.
Tropical animal health and production    May 11, 2013   Volume 45, Issue 8 1669-1676 doi: 10.1007/s11250-013-0412-5
Moreno SA, Concepción JL, Nava M, Molinari J.In Venezuela, horses are indispensable for extensive cattle raising, and extensive cattle raising prevails in all regions. This determines the numerical relationship between horses and cattle (r = 0.93) to be relatively constant nationwide. At regional level, the average extension of cattle ranches varies greatly. However, in relation to the area covered by pastures, the numbers of horses (r = 0.95) and cattle (r = 0.93) are relatively uniform nationwide. Water buffalo occupy small fractions of the territory; therefore, their numbers are related to the area of pastures less strongl...
Penetrating keratoplasty and graft rejection in eight horses.
Acta veterinaria Hungarica    May 11, 2013   Volume 61, Issue 2 160-174 doi: 10.1556/AVet.2013.002
Makra Z, Tuboly T, Bodó G.The aim of this study was to describe long-term follow-up and difference in immune reactions in the tear film following penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in horses when differently preserved corneas were utilised. This report describes for the first time the use of corneal grafts preserved in tissue culture media in equine PK. Eight experimental horses with normal eyes were included and freshly harvested, frozen or preserved corneal grafts were used for the PK. The graft-taking technique and storage, PK surgery, postoperative treatments and complications are described. The mean postoperative follo...
Skeletal muscle transcriptome profiles related to different training intensities and detraining in Standardbred horses: a search for overtraining biomarkers.
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)    May 11, 2013   Volume 197, Issue 3 717-723 doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.03.052
te Pas MF, Wijnberg ID, Hoekman AJ, de Graaf-Roelfsema E, Keizer HA, van Breda E, Ducro B, van der Kolk JH.Training horses improves athletic capabilities by inducing skeletal muscle-specific and systemic adaptations. However, rest is required to recover from exercise or else overtraining may occur and affect performance and welfare. Biomarkers would be useful to identify early chronic overtraining in animals. The objective of the current study was to investigate skeletal muscle gene expression patterns and underlying biological mechanisms related to training of different intensities and detraining. Untrained 20 month-old Standardbred geldings were exercised at varying intensities (endurance and spr...
Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation on apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients and fermentation profile in healthy horses.
Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition    May 10, 2013   Volume 97 Suppl 1 115-120 doi: 10.1111/jpn.12043
Mackenthun E, Coenen M, Vervuert I.Supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) in horses may have some potential to modify microbial populations and thereby improve fibre digestibility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of SC on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, with a special focus on fibre digestion in healthy horses. The fermentation profile of microbial populations was another focus of interest. Twelve geldings were randomly assigned to three groups. The basal diet consisted of cracked corn (2 g starch/kg body weight [BW]) and hay (1.2 kg/100 kg BW). During adaptation (3 weeks...
Immunolocalization of succinate dehydrogenase in the esophagus epithelium of domesticated mammals.
European journal of histochemistry : EJH    May 10, 2013   Volume 57, Issue 2 e18 doi: 10.4081/ejh.2013.e18
Meyer W, Kacza J, Hornickel IN, Schoennagel B.Using immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the esophagus epithelia of seven domesticated mammals (horse, cattle, goat, pig, dog, laboratory rat, cat) of three nutrition groups (herbivorous, omnivorous, carnivorous) were studied to get first information about energy generation, as demonstrated by succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activities. Distinct reaction intensities could be observed in all esophageal cell layers of the different species studied reflecting moderate to strong metabolic activities. The generally strong staining in the stratum basale indicated that new...
Effect of body weight on the pharmacokinetics of flunixin meglumine in miniature horses and quarter horses.
Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics    May 10, 2013   Volume 37, Issue 1 35-42 doi: 10.1111/jvp.12056
Lee CD, Maxwell LK.In most species, large variations in body size necessitate dose adjustments based on an allometric function of body weight. Despite the substantial disparity in body size between miniature horses and light-breed horses, there are no studies investigating appropriate dosing of any veterinary drug in miniature horses. The purpose of this study was to determine whether miniature horses should receive a different dosage of flunixin meglumine than that used typically in light-breed horses. A standard dose of flunixin meglumine was administered intravenously to eight horses of each breed, and three-...
Helical sub-structures in energy-storing tendons provide a possible mechanism for efficient energy storage and return.
Acta biomaterialia    May 10, 2013   Volume 9, Issue 8 7948-7956 doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.05.004
Thorpe CT, Klemt C, Riley GP, Birch HL, Clegg PD, Screen HR.The predominant function of tendons is to position the limb during locomotion. Specific tendons also act as energy stores. Energy-storing (ES) tendons are prone to injury, the incidence of which increases with age. This is likely related to their function; ES tendons are exposed to higher strains and require a greater ability to recoil than positional tendons. The specialized properties of ES tendons are thought to be achieved through structural and compositional differences. However, little is known about structure-function relationships in tendons. This study uses fascicles from the equine s...
Potential animal and environmental sources of Q fever infection for humans in Queensland.
Zoonoses and public health    May 10, 2013   Volume 61, Issue 2 105-112 doi: 10.1111/zph.12051
Tozer SJ, Lambert SB, Strong CL, Field HE, Sloots TP, Nissen MD.Q fever is a vaccine-preventable disease; despite this, high annual notification numbers are still recorded in Australia. We have previously shown seroprevalence in Queensland metropolitan regions is approaching that of rural areas. This study investigated the presence of nucleic acid from Coxiella burnetii, the agent responsible for Q fever, in a number of animal and environmental samples collected throughout Queensland, to identify potential sources of human infection. Samples were collected from 129 geographical locations and included urine, faeces and whole blood from 22 different animal s...
Cytotoxic activity of extracts from Hypochaeris radicata.
Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology    May 9, 2013   Volume 70 194-203 doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.04.023
MacKay RJ, Wyer S, Gilmour A, Kongara K, Harding DR, Clark S, Mayhew IG, Thomson CE.Pasture-associated stringhalt is an acquired equine disease characterized by peripheral neuropathy and hyperflexion of the pelvic limbs. The disease occurs most commonly during periods of drought in horses grazing pastures heavily contaminated by Hypochaeris radicata. We hypothesized that stringhalt is caused by neurotoxins elaborated by H. radicata in response to the stress of drought conditions. Supernates were collected from H. radicata that were stressed (or not) by immersion in copper chloride solution, then extracted with ethyl acetate and dried. Dilutions of extracts from stressed (SE) ...
Validation of a photogrammetric technique for computing equine hoof volume.
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)    May 9, 2013   Volume 197, Issue 3 625-630 doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.04.005
Labens R, Redding WR, Desai KK, Vom Orde K, Mansmann RA, Blikslager AT.Assessment of equine foot conformation is often based on linear and angular measurements performed on lateral digital photographs. However, quantification of external foot conformation requires more comprehensive assessments to capture the shape of the entire foot. Volumetric measurements of the hoof capsule represent a summary measure quantifying foot shape. The aim of this study was to develop a method for computation of virtual foot models from digital foot images allowing precise and accurate volumetric measurements. This photogrammetric technique was then assessed for the characterization...
Duration of equine influenza virus shedding and infectivity in immunised horses after experimental infection with EIV A/eq2/Richmond/1/07.
Veterinary microbiology    May 9, 2013   Volume 166, Issue 1-2 22-34 doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.04.027
Paillot R, Prowse L, Montesso F, Stewart B, Jordon L, Newton JR, Gilkerson JR.Equine influenza (EI) is a major respiratory disease of horses. Recent outbreaks of EI have demonstrated the ease with which EI virus (EIV) can be transmitted internationally. This study aimed to improve our understanding of EIV shedding after infection of vaccinated horses, which would inform possible changes to current quarantine requirements. Our objectives were to compare commonly used diagnostic tests and to evaluate the relative merits of nasal and nasopharyngeal swabs for detection of EIV in vaccinated and unvaccinated ponies following EIV infection and to use these data to inform optim...
Equine cryptosporidial infection associated with Cryptosporidium hedgehog genotype in Algeria.
Veterinary parasitology    May 9, 2013   Volume 197, Issue 1-2 350-353 doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.04.041
Laatamna AE, Wagnerová P, Sak B, Květoňová D, Aissi M, Rost M, Kváč M.Faecal samples from two horse farms in Algeria keeping Arabian, Thoroughbred, and Barb horses were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium in 2010-2011. A total of 138 faecal samples (16 from a farm keeping 50 animals and 122 from a farm with 267 horses) were screened for Cryptosporidium spp. infection using molecular tools. DNA was extracted from all samples. Nested PCR was performed to amplify fragments of the SSU rDNA and gp60 genes to determine the presence of Cryptosporidium species and genotypes. Sequence analyses of SSU and gp60 genes revealed four animals positive for the presence...
Juvenile osteochondral conditions in the horse: a special issue. Introduction.
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)    May 8, 2013   Volume 197, Issue 1 1-2 doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.03.034
Jeffcott L.No abstract available
Use of viscoelastic coagulation testing to monitor low molecular weight heparin administration to healthy horses.
Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)    May 8, 2013   Volume 23, Issue 3 291-299 doi: 10.1111/vec.12049
Tennent-Brown BS, Epstein KL, Whelchel DD, Giguère S.To evaluate the utility of thromboelastography (TEG) and Sonoclot analyses to monitor the effects of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) administration to healthy horses. Methods: Randomized crossover study. Methods: Large animal veterinary teaching hospital. Methods: Six adult mixed breed healthy mares. Methods: LMWH (dalteparin) was administered (50 U/kg subcutaneously) either every 12 or 24 h for 3 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected before LMWH administration and then at selected time points for analysis. Thromboelastography derived R-time (R), K-time (K), angle (ANG), and maxim...
Species of Candida as a component of the nasal microbiota of healthy horses.
Medical mycology    May 8, 2013   Volume 51, Issue 7 731-736 doi: 10.3109/13693786.2013.777858
Cordeiro Rde A, Bittencourt PV, Brilhante RS, Teixeira CE, Castelo-Branco Dde S, Silva ST, De Alencar LP, Souza ER, Bandeira Tde J, Monteiro AJ....Respiratory infections are a common problem among equines and occur with variable rates of morbidity and mortality. Although some fungal species are considered primary agents of respiratory tract infections in several mammals, their relevance in respiratory diseases of equines is frequently neglected. In the present study, we performed an active search for Candida spp. in the nasal cavity of horses. The presence of Candida spp. was investigated through the use of nasal swabs that were streaked on culture media. These yeasts were identified through physiological testing and their in vitro antif...
Blood phagocyte activity after race training sessions in Thoroughbred and Arabian horses.
Research in veterinary science    May 8, 2013   Volume 95, Issue 2 459-464 doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.04.020
Cywinska A, Szarska E, Degorski A, Guzera M, Gorecka R, Strzelec K, Kowalik S, Schollenberger A, Winnicka A.Intensive exercise and exertion during competition promote many changes that may result in the impairment of immunity and increased susceptibility to infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of "the first line of defense": neutrophils and monocytes in racing Thoroughbred and Arabian horses after routine training sessions. Twenty-three (12 Thoroughbred and 11 Arabian) horses were examined. Routine haematological (number of red blood cells - RBC, haemoglobin concentration - HGB, haematocrit - HCT, total number of white blood cells - WBC), biochemical (creatine phosphokinase...
Association of growth, feeding practices and exercise conditions with the severity of the osteoarticular status of limbs in French foals.
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)    May 8, 2013   Volume 197, Issue 1 65-71 doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.03.043
Lepeule J, Bareille N, Robert C, Valette JP, Jacquet S, Blanchard G, Denoix JM, Seegers H.The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for the severity of Juvenile OsteoChondral Conditions (JOCC) in limbs of French foals. Twenty-one farms in Normandy, France, were sampled and enrolled in a cohort study including 378 foals from three breeds, followed from the 8th month of pregnancy of the mares until the foals were approximately 6months old. Data on growth, feeding practices and exercise conditions were regularly collected. The carpus, the front and hind digits, the hock and the stifle of the foals were radiographed at the end of follow-up. JOCC severity in each foal was d...
Leptospirosis in horses.
The Veterinary record    May 7, 2013   Volume 172, Issue 18 479-480 doi: 10.1136/vr.f2824
Loureiro AP, Hamond C, Lilenbaum W.No abstract available
A 3-D airway epithelial cell and macrophage co-culture system to study Rhodococcus equi infection.
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology    May 7, 2013   Volume 154, Issue 1-2 54-61 doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2013.05.003
Schwab U, Caldwell S, Matychak MB, Felippe J.We developed a 3-D equine bronchial epithelial cell (BEC) culture that fully differentiates into ciliary beating and mucus producing cells. Using this system, we evaluated how mucus affects the phagocytic activity of macrophages. Adult horse monocyte-derived macrophages were incubated with Rhodococcus equi for 4h either in the mucus layer of in vitro generated airway epithelium or on collagen coated membranes. Using light and electron microscopy, we noted that the number of macrophages with intracellular bacteria, and the number of intracellular bacteria per macrophage were lower in the presen...
The effect of 1% tropicamide-induced mydriasis and cycloplegia on spherical refraction of the adult horse.
Veterinary ophthalmology    May 6, 2013   Volume 17, Issue 2 120-125 doi: 10.1111/vop.12055
McMullen RJ, Davidson MG, Gilger BC.To determine the effects of tropicamide 1% on the refractive state of the adult equine globe and identify the most appropriate time period (in relation to mydriasis) to perform streak retinoscopy. Methods: Eight university-owned mares of various ages and breeds. Methods: Topical tropicamide 1% was applied to one randomly selected eye from each of the horses to induce mydriasis and cycloplegia. The contralateral eyes served as controls. Streak retinoscopy and pupillometry were performed prior to, and every 5 min after tropicamide 1% installation for 90 min. Results: All values are expressed as ...
A longitudinal study of respiratory infections in British National Hunt racehorses.
The Veterinary record    May 6, 2013   Volume 172, Issue 24 637 doi: 10.1136/vr.101520
Cardwell JM, Smith KC, Wood JL, Newton JR.No abstract available
Evolution of radiological findings detected in the limbs of 321 young horses between the ages of 6 and 18 months.
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)    May 6, 2013   Volume 197, Issue 1 58-64 doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.03.042
Jacquet S, Robert C, Valette JP, Denoix JM.The objective of this study was to evaluate the spontaneous evolution of radiological findings (RF) indicative of juvenile osteochondral conditions (JOCC) in a field study. A radiographic survey was performed at the age of 6 and 18months in 321 young horses from three breeds (French Trotter Standardbred, Selle-Français Warmblood and Thoroughbred). Each RF identified at 6months was re-evaluated at 18months, and classified as (1) disappeared, (2) improved, (3) stable, (4) deteriorated or (5) new when it was not identified at 6months. Only 32.3% of all RF identified at the age of 6months were st...
Monitoring the circadian rhythm of serum and salivary cortisol concentrations in the horse.
Domestic animal endocrinology    May 4, 2013   Volume 45, Issue 1 38-42 doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.04.001
Bohák Z, Szabó F, Beckers JF, Melo de Sousa N, Kutasi O, Nagy K, Szenci O.Daily fluctuations of cortisol concentration in the blood or saliva have been repeatedly reported. However, several contradictions in the existing literature appear on this subject. The present study was performed to definitively establish options for testing adrenocortical function. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate parallel circadian rhythms in salivary and serum cortisol concentrations during a 24-h period. Twenty horses were examined under the same conditions. Blood and saliva samples were taken every 2 h for 24 h to determine the daily changes in cortisol c...