"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.
Rodríguez-Lázaro D, Lewis DA, Ocampo-Sosa AA, Fogarty U, Makrai L, Navas J, Scortti M, Hernández M, Vázquez-Boland JA.We developed a novel quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) method for the soil actinomycete Rhodococcus equi, an important horse pathogen and emerging human pathogen. Species-specific quantification was achieved by targeting the chromosomal monocopy gene choE, universally conserved in R. equi. The choE Q-PCR included an internal amplification control (IAC) for identification of false negatives. A second Q-PCR targeted the virulence plasmid gene vapA, carried by most horse isolates but infrequently found in isolates from other sources. The choE-IAC and vapA assays were 100% sensitive and specific ...
Couëtil LL, Art T, de Moffarts B, Becker M, Mélotte D, Jaspar F, Bureau F, Lekeux P.Horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) present many similarities with human asthmatics including airway inflammation, hyperresponsiveness, reversible obstruction, and increased NF-kappaB expression. Studies in experimental asthma models have shown that transcriptions factors such as activator protein-1 (AP-1), GATA-3, cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) and CAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) may also play an important role in airway inflammation. The purpose of this study was to measure DNA binding activity of these transcription factors in the airways of horses with ...
Davis JL, Salmon JH, Papich MG.To characterize pharmacokinetics of voriconazole in horses after oral and IV administration and determine the in vitro physicochemical characteristics of the drug that may affect oral absorption and tissue distribution. Methods: 6 adult horses. Methods: Horses were administered voriconazole (1 mg/kg, IV, or 4 mg/kg, PO), and plasma concentrations were measured by use of high-performance liquid chromatography. In vitro plasma protein binding and the octanol:water partition coefficient were also assessed. Results: Voriconazole was adequately absorbed after oral administration in horses, with a s...
Fernández-Varón E, Cárceles CM, Marín P, Martos N, Escudero E, Ayala I.To study the pharmacokinetics of difloxacin (5 mg/kg) following IV, IM, and intragastric (IG) administration to healthy horses. Methods: 6 healthy mature horses. Methods: A crossover study design with 3 phases was used (15-day washout periods between treatments). An injectable formulation of difloxacin (5%) was administered IV and IM in single doses (5 mg/kg); for IG administration, an oral solution was prepared and administered via nasogastric tube. Blood samples were collected before and at intervals after each administration. A high-performance liquid chromatography assay with fluorescence ...
Sinclair MD, Mealey KL, Matthews NS, Peck KE, Taylor TS, Bennett BS.To determine the disposition of a bolus of meloxicam (administered IV) in horses and donkeys (Equus asinus) and compare the relative pharmacokinetic variables between the species. Methods: 5 clinically normal horses and 5 clinically normal donkeys. Methods: Blood samples were collected before and after IV administration of a bolus of meloxicam (0.6 mg/kg). Serum meloxicam concentrations were determined in triplicate via high-performance liquid chromatography. The serum concentration-time curve for each horse and donkey was analyzed separately to estimate standard noncompartmental pharmacokinet...
Stock KF, Distl O.To evaluate whether additive genetic correlations existed between certain aspects of the radiographic appearance of the distal sesamoid (navicular) bones (RNB) or between RNB and other types of radiographic changes in the limbs of Hanoverian Warmblood horses. Methods: 5,157 horses. Methods: Quasi-linear and binary traits were defined by the appearance of canales sesamoidales (CSs) and the structure and contour of the forelimb navicular bones (NBs). Prevalences of osseous fragments in the metacarphophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal (fetlock) and tarsocrural joints and deforming arthropathy in ...
Boscan P, Van Hoogmoed LM, Farver TB, Snyder JR.To evaluate the effects of morphine administration for 6 days on gastrointestinal tract function in healthy adult horses. Methods: 5 horses. Methods: Horses were randomly allocated into 2 groups in a crossover study. Horses in the treatment group received morphine sulfate at a dosage of 0.5 mg/kg, IV, every 12 hours for 6 days. Horses in the control group received saline (0.9% NaCl) solution at a dosage of 10 mL, IV, every 12 hours for 6 days. Variables assessed included defecation frequency, weight of feces produced, intestinal transit time (evaluated by use of barium-filled spheres and radio...
Pusterla N, Magdesian KG, Mapes S, Leutenegger CM.To determine gene expression of selected molecular markers (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, interleukin [IL]-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, procalcitonin [PCT], and transforming growth factor [TGF]-beta) in the blood of healthy and sick foals. Methods: 28 sick foals without sepsis, 21 foals with sepsis, and 21 healthy foals. Methods: Total RNA was extracted from blood samples and converted into complementary DNA (cDNA). Gene expression was measured for the molecular markers by use of real-time PCR assay, and final quantitation was performed with the comparative threshold cycle method. Results: S...
Boscan P, Van Hoogmoed LM, Pypendop BH, Farver TB, Snyder JR.To determine the pharmacokinetics and effects of the morphine antagonist N-methylnaltrexone (MNTX) on gastrointestinal tract function in horses when administered alone and in combination with morphine. Methods: 5 healthy adult horses. Methods: Horses were treated with MNTX (1 mg/kg, IV), and serial blood samples were collected for determination of drug pharmacokinetics. For evaluation of effects on the gastrointestinal tract when administered alone, MNTX was administered at a dosage of 0.75 mg/kg, IV, twice daily for 4 days. For evaluation of effects when administered concurrently with morphin...
Natalini CC, Polydoro Ada S, Linardi RL.To evaluate the effects of subarachnoidally administered hyperbaric morphine, buprenorphine, and methadone on avoidance threshold to noxious electrical stimulation of the perineal, sacral, lumbar, and thoracic regions in horses. Methods: 6 healthy adult horses. Methods: Horses were assigned to receive subarachnoid administration of hyperbaric morphine (0.01 mg/kg), buprenorphine (0.001 mg/kg), methadone (0.01 mg/kg), or 10% dextrose solution in equal volumes (5 mL). Electrical stimulation was applied every 10 minutes for 60 minutes and every 30 minutes for 120 minutes after subarachnoid inject...
Rohrbach BW, Buchanan BR, Drake JM, Andrews FM, Bain FT, Byars DT, Bernard WV, Furr MO, Paradis MR, Lawler J, Giguère S, Dunkel B.To create a mathematical model to assist in early prediction of the probability of discharge in hospitalized foals < or= 7 days old. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: 1,073 foals. Methods: Medical records from 910 hospitalized foals < or = 7 days old for which outcome was recorded as died or discharged alive were reviewed. Thirty-four variables including historical information, physical examination findings, and laboratory results were examined for association with survival. Variables associated with being discharged alive were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. A...
Kurth A, Skilling DE, Smith AW.To test horses for serologic evidence of an association between vesiviral antibodies and abortion. Methods: Sera from 141 horses. Methods: 2 experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 comprised sera obtained in 2001 and 2002 from 3 groups of horses (58 mares from farms with a history of abortion problems, 25 mares between 3 and 13 years of age with unknown reproductive histories that were sold at auction [breeding-age control mares], and 29 mixed-age males and yearling females sold at auction [negative control population]). Experiment 2 comprised sera from 3 groups of pregnant mares (10 pregnant...
Veronesi MC, Carluccio A, Kindahl H, Faustini M, Battocchio M, Cairoli F.The aim of the present study was to evaluate within 24 h post-ovulation oxytocin-induced PGF(2alpha) release in mares with and without post-breeding delayed uterine clearance (DUC). Twenty-one of 34 mares with a variable amount of intrauterine fluids accumulation were considered to be affected by delayed uterine clearance (DUC group), while the other 13 mares did not show any uterine fluid accumulation, and were considered as controls (WDUC group). Both DUC and WDUC mares were administered with 20 IU oxytocin i.m. 90 min after the ultrasound examination performed 24 h after breeding. Immediate...
Kim YK, Noh KB, Han CS, Moon JY, Yoon DK, Song KJ, Kim DJ, Kubera M, Maes M, Song JW.Borna disease virus (BDV) predominantly infects horses and sheep, causing a broad range of behavioural disorders. It is controversial whether BDV infects humans and causes psychiatric disorders. Objective: We searched for BDV-derived nucleic acids in blood of race horses and jockeys riding the horses. Methods: We assayed for the BDV genome in RNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 39 race horses and 48 jockeys. Two polymerase chain reaction protocols [one-tube reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and two-step RT-PCR] were used to assay BDV p24 and p...
Long MT, Jeter W, Hernandez J, Sellon DC, Gosche D, Gillis K, Bille E, Gibbs EP.The objectives of these studies were to assess the diagnostic performance (sensitivity and specificity) of the IgM capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; MAC) for diagnosis of West Nile (WN) virus in horses and to examine the performance of this test by using different criteria for seropositivity. A total of 36 horses classified as WN virus infected (group 1) and 383 horses from 4 subpopulations of hoses classified as noninfected (groups 2, 3, 4, and 5) were used in the study. The sensitivity (proportion of infected horses that tested positive for WN virus IgM antibodies) and specif...
Segura D, Monreal L, Pérez-Pujol S, Pino M, Ordinas A, Brugués R, White JG, Escolar G.We studied equine platelet function and activation using ultrastructural examination, flow cytometry, and perfusion. The main aim of the study was to evaluate hemostatic mechanisms in horses using these techniques. Ultrastructural observations were done on resting and activated platelets. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate binding of antibodies to major platelet glycoproteins (GPIIb-IIIa, GPIV, and GPIb) and activation-dependent antigens (P-selectin and lysosomal integral membrane protein [LIMP]). Perfusion techniques were used to evaluate the interaction between platelets and damaged subendo...
Goehring LS, van Winden SC, van Maanen C, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM.Equine herpesvirus type 1(EHV-1)-associated myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a rare disease affecting the central nervous system and, in particular, the spinal cord of horses. Epidemiologic data are limited, and usually are restricted to the description of a single outbreak. During an observational period of 4 years, we evaluated 9 outbreaks of EHM in The Netherlands. A risk factor analysis was done on the data from 6 outbreaks. Findings were: regular appearance of EHM outbreaks in The Netherlands (2-3/y); strong association of EHM with season; and risk factors, such as breed, sex, age, and fever....
Rathi R, Honaramooz A, Zeng W, Turner R, Dobrinski I.Grafting of testis tissue from immature animals to immunodeficient mice results in complete spermatogenesis, albeit with varying efficiency in different species. The objectives of this study were to investigate if grafting of horse testis tissue would result in spermatogenesis, and to assess the effect of exogenous gonadotropins on xenograft development. Small fragments of testis tissue from 7 colts (2 week to 4 years of age) were grafted under the back skin of castrated male immunodeficient mice. For 2 donor animals, half of the mice were treated with gonadotropins. Xenografts were analyzed a...
MacLean YT.An 11-year-old Trakehner mare was presented with a firm moveable mass over the left maxilla. Radiography revealed a discrete opaque ovoid mass. Sialolithiasis of left parotid duct was diagnosed. The sialolith was excised by using a transoral approach and found to contain an organic nidus. The mare recovered without complications. Sialolithiase chronique chez une jument Trakehner. Une jument Trakehner âgée de 11 ans a été présentée pour une masse mobile ferme au dessus du maxillaire gauche. La radiographie a révélé une masse ovoïde opaque et discrète. Une sialolithiase du canal parot...
Hollis AR, Ousey JC, Palmer L, Stoneham SJ, Corley KT.Fenoldopam mesylate, a dopamine-1 receptor agonist, has dose- and species-dependent effects on hemodynamics and renal function. The effects of this drug in normotensive neonatal foals have not been reported. Objective: Two doses of fenoldopam would result in distinct changes in the systemic circulation, urine output, and creatinine clearance of neonatal foals. Methods: Six Thoroughbred foals. Methods: Each foal received 2 dosages of fenoldopam (low dose, 0.04 microg/kg/min; high dose, 0.4 microg/kg/min) and a control administration of saline, in a masked, placebo-controlled study. Results: Hig...
Martins EA, Silva LC, Baccarin RY.The objective of this study was to evaluate, through ultrasonography, the effect of medial patellar desmotomy. Middle patellar desmitis, enthesophytes in the patella, and irregularities in the cartilage of the femoral trochlear groove were observed. Medial patellar desmotomy leads to lesions in the stifle, and restriction of movement does not prevent these lesions from occurring. L’objectif de cette étude était d’évaluer, par échographie, l’effet d’une desmotomie du ligament médial de la rotule. Une desmite du ligament médial de la rotule, des enthésophytes dans la rotule et de...
Sandersen CF, Detilleux J, de Moffarts B, Van Loon G, Amory H.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of combined atropine low-dose dobutamine stress test on left ventricular parameters in adult warmblood horses, to establish a potential protocol for pharmacological stress echocardiography. Seven healthy untrained warmblood horses aged 9 to 22 years were used. Heart rate (HR) and left ventricular B- and M-mode dimensions were recorded at baseline and during stress testing with 35 microg/kg atropine IV followed by incremental dobutamine infusion of 2 to 6 microg/kg/min. HR increased significantly (P < .05) during the pharmacological challen...
Bentz BG, Maxwell LK, Erkert RS, Royer CM, Davis MS, MacAllister CG, Clarke CR.The purpose of the study reported here was to describe the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of acyclovir after intravenous and oral administration to horses. Six healthy adult horses were used in a randomized cross-over study with a 3 x 3 Latin square design. Three treatments were administered to each horse: 10 mg of injectable acyclovir/kg of body weight in 1 L of normal saline delivered as an infusion over 15 minutes; 10 mg of acyclovir/kg in tablets by nasogastric intubation; and 20 mg of acyclovir/kg in tablets by nasogastric intubation. A 2-week washout period was provided between eac...
Moodley Y, Baumgarten I, Harley EH.We investigated the applicability of microsatellite primers, designed in horses, for use in plains and mountain zebras. Fifteen of the 20 tested horse-isolated primer pairs reliably amplified polymorphic loci in two wild equid species. We used this information to assess whether levels of genetic variation and repeat size differed in species from which microsatellites were isolated and in closely related target species. Target equid species exhibited similar levels of genetic variation to the horse, the species from which primers were originally isolated. We show that ascertainment bias results...
Habacher G, Pittler MH, Ernst E.Acupuncture is a popular complementary treatment option in human medicine. Increasingly, owners also seek acupuncture for their animals. The aim of the systematic review reported here was to summarize and assess the clinical evidence for or against the effectiveness of acupuncture in veterinary medicine. Systematic searches were conducted on Medline, Embase, Amed, Cinahl, Japana Centra Revuo Medicina and Chikusan Bunken Kensaku. Hand-searches included conference proceedings, bibliographies, and contact with experts and veterinary acupuncture associations. There were no restrictions regarding t...
Animal welfare has become an increasingly important concern regarding equids working as carriage animals. In the present study, the changes in the markers of stress and inflammatory responses as a result of the work performed by tourism carriage horses under real working conditions in Sicily (Italy) were investigated. Twenty-two Standardbreds performed a normal working day in the carriage tourism business during the months of May, June and July 2022, consisting of one day of work for each month. Blood samples were collected in the stables at rest before the tour route (Pre; 07.00 AM) and withi...
Dyson S, Phillips K, Zheng S, Aleman M.There is controversy about the clinical relevance of congenital variants of the ventral laminae of the sixth (C6) and seventh (C7) cervical vertebrae and their relationship with other radiological abnormalities. Objective: To document the prevalence of congenital variants of C6 and C7 and that of other radiological abnormalities from C6 to the second thoracic vertebra (T2). Methods: Cross-sectional. Methods: The study included Warmblood horses ≥3 years of age undergoing clinical assessment at two referral institutions: 127 control horses and 96 cases (neurologic, neck pain or stiffness, or...
Cequier A, Vázquez FJ, Vitoria A, Bernad E, Fuente S, Serrano MB, Zaragoza MP, Romero A, Rodellar C, Barrachina L.The effectiveness and safety of allogeneic mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) can be affected by patient's immune recognition. Thus, MSC immunogenicity and their immunomodulatory properties are crucial aspects for therapy. Immune responses after allogeneic MSC administration have been reported in different species, including equine. Interactions of allogenic MSCs with the recipient's immune system can be influenced by factors like matching or mismatching for the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) between donor-recipient, and by the levels of MHC expression in MSCs. The latter can vary u...
Pokharel K, Weldenegodguad M, Reilas T, Kantanen J.Finnhorse is Finland's native and national horse breed and it has genetic affinities to northern European and Asian horses. It has historical importance for agriculture, forest work and transport and as a war horse. Finnhorse has four breeding sections in the studbook and is under conservation and characterisation efforts. We sequenced and annotated the genome of a Finnhorse mare from the working horse section using PacBio and Omni-C data. This genome can complement the existing Thoroughbred reference genome (EquCab 3.0) and facilitate genetic studies of horses from northern Eurasia. We assemb...
Long M, Grimm H, Jenner F, Cavalleri JV, Springer S.Quality of life (QoL) provides a comprehensive concept underpinning veterinary decision-making that encompasses factors beyond physical health. It becomes particularly pertinent when seeking responsible choices for chronically ill or old horses that emphasise their well-being and a good QoL over the extension of life. How different stakeholders use the concept of QoL is highly relevant when considering the complexity of these decisions in real-life situations. Methods: Seven focus group discussions (N = 39) were conducted to gain insights into how stakeholders assess and use equine QoL in ...
Dyson S, Quiney L, Phillips K, Zheng S, Aleman M.Radiological observations at the cervicothoracic junction in horses with or without related clinical signs have not been comprehensively described. The aim was to evaluate the seventh cervical (C7) to second thoracic (T2) vertebrae in horses with neck-related clinical signs (neck pain and/or stiffness, neck-related forelimb lameness, or general proprioceptive [spinal] ataxia) and control horses. This prospective analytical cross-sectional study included 127 control horses and 96 cases, examined using standardized clinical and radiological protocols. Univariable logistic regression was used to ...
Jakobsen N, Weber NR, Larsen I, Pedersen KS.To mitigate the use of antibiotics for many of the multifactorial diseases seen in pigs, horses and cattle, new diagnostic tools are needed. Acute phase protein (APP) measurements can, in humans, be used to guide antibiotic treatment initiation, evaluate treatment efficacy, and make a prognosis. The aim of this review is to collect evidence on the clinical functionality of APP measurements as a tool to guide antibiotic treatment in pigs, horses, and cattle. Literature was retrieved using Medline, CAB Abstracts and Google Scholar. The acute phase response has been investigated for a plethora of...
Hobbs KJ, Bayless R, Sheats MK.With the emergence of COVID-19, there is an increased focus in human literature on cytokine production, the implications of cytokine overproduction, and the development of novel cytokine-targeting therapies for use during sepsis. In addition to viral infections such as COVID-19, bacterial infections resulting in exposure to endotoxins and exotoxins in humans can also lead to sepsis, resulting in organ failure and death. Like humans, horses are exquisitely sensitive to endotoxin and are among the veterinary species that develop clinical sepsis similar to humans. These similarities suggest that ...
Tranquille CA, Chojnacka K, Murray RC.There has been little investigation into the health patterns of the eventing horse population outside veterinary clinics. To target health problems in the eventing horse population, it is important to determine the relative impact of different health problems. The objectives were to describe the prevalence and patterns of lameness/illness in registered British eventing horses. An online survey was released for all horses registered with British eventing in 2018. Data were collated and descriptive analyses undertaken. A total of 1677 surveys were completed, among which 49.4% reported a previous...
Ahlawat S, Niranjan SK, Arora R, Vijh RK, Kumar A, Sharma U, Raheja M, Popli K, Yadav S, Mehta SC.The unique horse and pony breeds of India are declining at an alarming rate. These horses have been integral to the Indian culture and customs for centuries and represent a valuable genetic resource. It is imperative to harness the potential of this equine genetic resource that urgently needs conservation. The study highlights the design and development of a high density SNP array, the Axiom_Ashwa to aid in the genetic analysis and conservation efforts for Indian horse and pony breeds. With 613,950 SNPs, this chip offers extensive genome coverage having an average inter-marker distance of 4 k...
Buschmann E, Van Steenkiste G, Vernemmen I, Demeyere M, Schauvliege S, Decloedt A, van Loon G.Sustained atrial tachycardia at an atrial rate of 191/min on the surface ECG was detected in a 6-year-old Warmblood mare. The vectorcardiogram obtained from a 12-lead ECG suggested a caudo-dorsal right atrial origin of the arrhythmia. Impedance-based three-dimensional electro-anatomical mapping, using the EnSite™ Precision Cardiac Mapping System revealed a clockwise macro-reentry around a line of conduction block in the caudomedial right atrium. Ten radiofrequency applications were applied to isolate the caudal vena cava myocardial sleeves at a power of 35 W and mean contact force of 14 ...
Buschmann E, Van Steenkiste G, Vernemmen I, Demeyere M, Schauvliege S, Decloedt A, van Loon G.Myocardial sleeves of the caudal vena cava are the predilection site for atrial tachycardia (AT) in horses. Caudal vena cava isolation guided by the ablation index, a lesion quality marker incorporating power, duration and contact force, might improve outcome. Objective: Describe the feasibility and outcome of caudal vena cava isolation using ablation index-guided radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) to treat AT in horses. Methods: Ten horses with sustained AT. Methods: Records from 10 horses with sustained AT treated by three-dimensional electro-anatomical mapping and ablation index-guided...
Phetkarl T, Fungwithaya P, Lewchalermvong K, Sontigun N.The global prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) and blood parasite infections in horses is a significant concern due to their substantial impact on morbidity, mortality, and economic losses in the horse industry. In Thailand, limited research has been conducted on these parasites in horse populations, and data from southern Thailand are lacking. Consequently, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of GI and blood parasites in horses in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand. Unassigned: In total, 79 fecal and blood samples were collected from horses across 11 farms in Nakhon Si Thammarat p...
Wang C, Zeng Y, Wang J, Wang T, Li X, Shen Z, Meng J, Yao X.The Yili horse is a riding-type breed that has been continuously bred independently in China. The genetics of body conformation and racing performance traits need to be comprehensively considered in making breeding decisions. This study is the first to estimate the genetic parameters of 13 body conformation and racing performance traits in Yili horses using a linear model. In total, 9937 body conformation and 2576 race records of 9100 Yili horses obtained from 1993 to 2022 were reviewed. The results showed that heritability estimates of body measurement traits were medium to high, ranging from...
Wang J, Ren W, Li Z, Ma S, Li L, Wang R, Zeng Y, Meng J, Yao X.This study aims to analyze the whole-genome DNA methylation differences in Yili horses before and after racing, with the goal of identifying differentially methylated genes associated with racing performance and exploring the epigenetic mechanisms underlying exercise in horses. Blood samples were collected from the jugular veins of the top 3 Yili horses in a 5000 m race, which included 25 competitors, both prior to and within 5 min after the race. Genomic DNA was extracted, followed by sequencing using Whole-Genome Bisulfite Sequencing (WGBS) to assess DNA methylation levels, differentially me...
Galinelli NC, Bamford NJ, Erdody ML, Mackenzie SA, Warnken T, Harris PA, Sillence MN, Bailey SR.Due to the high frequency of laminitis reported for both conditions, the relationship between pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and insulin dysregulation (ID), and the potential role of dopamine in modifying insulin secretion, requires further investigation. Objective: To evaluate the effect of pergolide mesylate on insulin sensitivity and postprandial insulin and glucose responses in horses and ponies with ID, both with or without concurrent PPID. Methods: Randomised crossover study. Methods: Sixteen horses and ponies, comprising eight matched pairs (PPID+ID or ID-only), were given...
Giannetto C, Aragona F, Fazio F, Piccione G, Giudice E, Arfuso F, Zumbo A.This study aimed to examine the impact of climatic conditions on feed intake, body weight, and rectal temperature in horses residing in the hot Summer Mediterranean climate zone. Eight gelding Italian Saddle horses, with an average body weight of 427.78 ± 54.55 kg and aged between 10 and 13 years, participated in the research. All horses were individually housed in a paddock (800 m/horse), and fed ad libitum. Food intake, body weight, and rectal temperature were recorded every 10 days at four 30-day collection periods in the year: January, April, July, and October. The formula adapted fr...
Yuan X, Yao X, Zeng Y, Wang J, Ren W, Wang T, Li X, Yang L, Yang X, Meng J.Horse racing may cause stress-induced physiological changes and tissue damage in horses, but the changes in miRNA expression, protein expression, and metabolic substances in the plasma exosomes of the horse after racing are still unclear. This study detected miRNA, protein expression, and metabolic substances in the plasma exosomes of horses before and after competition, providing new insights for post-race recovery and care of horses. Methods: Eight three-year-old horses that had undergone training were selected as the research subjects, with four horses that had not competed as the contr...
Phelipon R, Bertrand L, Jardat P, Reigner F, Lewis K, Micheletta J, Lansade L.The welfare of an animal is closely linked to their emotional experiences, making it essential to identify reliable indicators of these emotions. This study aimed to identify behaviours and facial movements in horses experiencing contrasting emotional valence, triggered by the anticipation of a positive condition (going to pasture) or a negative condition (going alone to a novel environment). Twenty horses were daily trained to wait in a starting box before being exposed to these two conditions. After one week of positive training or negative training, we analysed horses' behaviours, cortisol ...
Jung Y, Yoon M.Therapeutic programs involving human-horse interactions are gaining popularity as a means of enhancing human well-being. Understanding the physiological responses of both humans and horses during these interactions is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of such programs. This study examined the effects of specific interactive activities on both humans and horses by monitoring changes in oxytocin and cortisol levels. Six participants and six horses took part in the study. The participants engaged in three distinct activities, each lasting 15 min: (1) resting alone without the horse (rest...
Qin X, Xi L, Zhao L, Han J, Qu H, Xu Y, Weng W.Gut microbiota exerts a pivotal function in host nutrient metabolism and maturation of the mucosal immunity. Analyzing the reciprocal interaction between horses and gut microbiota constitutes a crucial aspect of scientific feeding practices. This study aims to investigate the differences in gut microbiota among Hequ horses, Mongolian horses, and Thoroughbred horses, as well as between Thoroughbred horses at two age stages. Unassigned: Paired-end sequencing with a read length of 2×250 bp targeting the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene in fecal samples was carried out. Subsequently, differences...
Lu Z, Wen M, Yao X, Meng J, Wang J, Zeng Y, Li L, Ren W.The reproductive performance of horses is closely associated with testicular development, which involves a complex network of gene regulation. The molecular mechanisms underlying the reproductive traits of Kazakh horses are yet to be fully understood. In this study, transcriptomic analysis was performed on testicular tissues from Kazakh horses at different developmental stages using whole-transcriptome sequencing, aiming to investigate differential gene expression and regulatory mechanisms during testicular development. The results revealed significant differential expression of 7678 mRNAs, in...
Lamanna M, Buonaiuto G, Colleluori R, Raspa F, Valle E, Cavallini D.The time-activity budget is a key indicator of animal welfare. This meta-analysis integrated 14 studies (1979-2020) with 364 horses under wild, natural-living, and stabled conditions to evaluate feeding, resting, standing, and locomotion. Objective: The study aimed to categorize daily behavioural patterns in equines, with emphasis on feeding behaviour. Methods: Fixed and random effects models, forest plots, and ANOVA assessed the influence of management, sociality, sex, age, body size, and feeding type. Results: Feeding was greater in free-ranging (56 %) than stabled horses (38 %; p < 0.0001),...
Morais DA, Nunes BC, Barnabé NNC, Anjos DM, Bezerra CS, Costa DF, Santos CSAB, Azevedo SS, Alves CJ.Leptospirosis is an anthropozoonosis of economic and public health importance, caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. Horses are deemed important in its transmission chain due to their proximity to humans, and because the species is often asymptomatic, making these animals potential silent reservoirs. In this context, the objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of seropositive horses for Leptospira spp., and to identify the presence of Leptospira spp. serogroups and antibody titers, the occurrence of areas with higher density of infection cases and demographic characteri...
Hamad MH, Jitsamai W, Chinkangsadarn T, Ngangam TS, Wattanapornpilom T, Naraporn D, Ouisuwan S, Taweethavonsawat P.Strongylid nematodes represent a major health and performance concern for equids globally. However, the epidemiology of strongylid infections in horse populations remains largely unexplored in Thailand. This study investigated the prevalence of strongylid parasites and the associated risk factors in domesticated horses in Thailand. Additionally, the study utilized ITS-2 rDNA metabarcoding to characterize the diversity and co-occurrence patterns of strongylid species. Of the 408 horses examined, 50.98% tested positive for strongyle infection, with an average intensity of 445.67 ± 639.58 eg...
Bullone M, Bellato A, Robino P, Nebbia P, Morello S, Marchis D, Tarducci A, Ru G.Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat, and pet-associated strains may pose a risk to human health. Equine veterinarians are at high risk of carrying methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS), but specific risk factors remain elusive, and few data are available for other personnel involved in the horse industry. The prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors for nasal carriage of MRS in horses and their caregivers were studied in northwestern Italy. Nasal swabs from 110 asymptomatic horses housed at 21 barns and 34 human caregivers were collected. Data on barns, horses, and personnel w...
Rusenova N, Rusenov A, Chervenkov M, Sirakov I.The aim of this study was to analyze the seroprevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) among equids in Bulgaria, confirm the results of a competitive ELISA versus the virus neutralization test (VNT) and investigate some predisposing factors for WNV seropositivity. A total of 378 serum samples from 15 provinces in northern and southern Bulgaria were tested. The samples originated from 314 horses and 64 donkeys, 135 males and 243 females, aged from 1 to 30 years. IgG and IgM antibodies against WNV protein E were detected by ELISA. ELISA-positive samples were additionally tested via VNT for WNV and Usu...
Schnabel CL, Jentsch MC, Lübke S, Kaiser-Thom S, Gerber V, Vrtala S, Huang HJ, Rhyner C, Wagner B, Hoffmann R, Volke D.Severe equine asthma (SEA) is a common, chronic respiratory disease of horses characterized by hyperreactivity to hay dust which has many similarities to severe neutrophilic asthma in humans. SEA-provoking antigens have not been comprehensively characterized, but molds and mites have been suggested as relevant sources. Here, we identified relevant antigen candidates using immunoproteomics with IgG isotype-binding analyses. Proteins from () were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting (2D immunoblots) resulting in a characteristic pattern of 440 spots. After...
Bolzoni L, Conter M, Lamperti L, Scaltriti E, Morganti M, Poeta A, Vecchi M, Paglioli S, Rampini A, Ramoni P, De Vita D, Bacci C, Rega M, Andriani L....The study assessed the role of equids at slaughter as faecal carriers of Salmonella enterica and the occurrence of contaminated equid carcasses during the slaughter process in Northern Italy (Emilia-Romagna Region). From June to November 2021, 152 equids (146 horses, 5 donkeys and 1 mule) were tested for Salmonella both in caecal contents and through carcass swabs. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of recovered strains was tested against 15 antimicrobials. Salmonella was detected in 3/152 of the caecal contents (2.0 %), while all carcass samples were negative. S. enterica serovars Enteriditis, T...
Schirone R, Corte GM, Ehlers JP, Herre C, Schmedding M, Merle R, Pachtmann J, Bahramsoltani M.Students often struggle with interpreting traditional textbook images and translating them to anatomical structures. This study aimed to compare the impact of 3D scans versus 2D images on students' learning outcomes when learning anatomical structures on skulls from horses and pigs. Furthermore, the correlation between spatial ability and learning outcomes using 3D scans or 2D images was examined. Second-year veterinary medicine students either used 3D scans or 2D images, annotated with arrows or numbers as learning material. Students' anatomical knowledge was tested before and after the learn...
