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Topic:Observational Study
Observational studies in horses involve systematically assessing and recording behaviors, conditions, or other characteristics without manipulating the study environment. These studies provide insights into natural equine behaviors, health conditions, and interactions with their environment. Researchers often focus on aspects such as herd dynamics, feeding patterns, or responses to environmental changes. The data collected can help identify trends, correlations, and potential risk factors for certain conditions. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various observational methodologies and their applications in understanding equine behavior and health.
Exploring lay perceptions of the causes of crib-biting/windsucking behaviour in horses. Crib-biting/windsucking behaviour has important consequences for equine health and welfare. Lay perceptions of health and illness are of interest to medical sociologists, providing important information to medical practitioners, but have infrequently been applied in veterinary research. Objective: To demonstrate how lay epidemiology can be applied within veterinary research by exploring the lay perceptions regarding the causes of crib-biting/windsucking behaviour in horses. Methods: Informants were recruited from professional and amateur horse owners who had or had not owned/cared for a horse ...
An epidemiologic study of anhidrosis in horses in Florida. OBJECTIVE-To estimate prevalence of and identify factors associated with anhidrosis in horses in Florida. Design-Cross-sectional study and case-control study. ANIMALS-4,620 horses on 500 farms. PROCEDURES-A questionnaire was structured and mailed to farm owners or managers to obtain information related to diagnosis of anhidrosis in horses and exposure factors associated with this condition. The frequency of investigated farm- and animal-level factors was compared between farms and horses affected and not affected with anhidrosis, respectively. RESULTS-The prevalence of anhidrosis was 11% at th...
Effect of housing conditions on activity and lying behaviour of horses. Housing conditions for horses impose various levels of confinement, which may compromise welfare. Lying behaviour and activity can be used as welfare indicators for domestic animals and rebound behaviour suggests a build-up of motivation resulting from deprivation. The objective of this study was to determine if activity and lying behaviour of horses are affected by housing conditions and to investigate the occurrence of rebound behaviour after release from confinement. Eight horses were subjected, in pairs, to each of four experimental treatments; paddock (P), fully stabled (FS), partly stabl...
Morphometry and abnormalities of the feet of Kaimanawa feral horses in New Zealand. The present study investigated the foot health of the Kaimanawa feral horse population and tested the hypotheses that horses would have a large range of foot morphology and that the incidence of foot abnormality would be significantly high. Methods: Abnormality was defined as a variation from what the two veterinarian assessors considered as optimal morphology and which was considered to impact negatively on the structure and/or function of the foot. Fifteen morphometric variables were measured on four calibrated photographic views of all four feet of 20 adult Kaimanawa feral horses. Four morp...
80 causes, predispositions, and pathways of laminitis. For most of history, the causes of laminitis have been based on observations. In the last 30 years or so, however, the number of theories has exploded, with only a few being confirmed by experiments. This article highlights these theories.
Validation of a digital audio recording method for the objective assessment of cough in the horse. To validate the use of digital audio recording and analysis for quantification of coughing in horses. Methods: Part A: Nine simultaneous digital audio and video recordings were collected individually from seven stabled horses over a 1 h period using a digital audio recorder attached to the halter. Audio files were analysed using audio analysis software. Video and audio recordings were analysed for cough count and timing by two blinded operators on two occasions using a randomised study design for determination of intra-operator and inter-operator agreement. Part B: Seventy-eight hours of audio...
Mass gathering medical care: to calculate the Medical Usage Rate of Galway Races. Medical Usage Rate (MUR) of Galway Races: The Galway Races is the most popular horse-racing festival in Ireland. It takes place for a week starting from the last Monday in July. The races are held at Ballybrit race course in Galway. During the 7 days of racing, about 180,000 people attend. The average temperature in Galway around that time of the year is around 15-200C. The aim of this study is to calculate the MUR of Galway Races and to develop a model to predict the MUR for Galway Races in future. The MUR of Galway Races is calculated by looking retrospectively at the medical records of the ...
Long-term outcome after arthroscopic debridement of distal phalanx extensor process fragmentation in 13 horses. To report long-term outcome after arthroscopic removal of fragmentation of the extensor process of the distal phalanx in horses. Methods: Case series. Methods: Adult horses (n=13). Methods: Medical records (2003-2004) of horses that had arthroscopic debridement of fragmentation of the extensor process of the distal phalanx were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included: lameness localized to the foot, fragmentation of the extensor process of the distal phalanx debrided arthroscopically, and a follow-up period of > or = 4 years. Results: Of the 13 horses, lameness was resolved in 11 (85%) initia...
An open study to evaluate topical treatment of equine chorioptic mange with shampooing and lime sulphur solution. Chorioptic mange caused by Chorioptes bovis is a common pruritic skin condition of the horse. This surface-browsing parasite usually affects the lower legs (leg mange) but can present as a generalized skin disease. Numerous anecdotal reports exist in the literature about the benefit of lime sulphur as a treatment for surface ectoparasites in the horse. This report studies the use of lime sulphur when applied as a 5% solution, some with and some without prior shampooing and clipping, to treat confirmed cases of chorioptic mange in 22 horses. Horses included in the trial had clinical signs indic...
Homeopathic prescribing for chronic conditions in equine veterinary practice in the UK. Twelve Faculty of Homeopathy veterinarians recorded data systematically at 777 consecutive homeopathic appointments for horses over a period of 12 months. A spreadsheet enabled the recording of information, which included the date of appointment; horse and owner identity (anonymised); sex of horse; main medical problem treated; whether the condition was chronic or acute; whether the appointment was new or a follow-up; owner-assessed clinical outcome on a seven-point scale, ranging from -3 to +3, compared with the first appointment; homeopathic medicine(s) prescribed; and whether any convention...
Repeatability of subjective evaluation of lameness in horses. Previous studies have suggested that agreement between equine veterinarians subjectively evaluating lameness in horses is low. These studies were limited to small numbers of horses, evaluating movement on the treadmill or to evaluating previously-recorded videotape. Objective: To estimate agreement between equine practitioners performing lameness evaluations in horses in the live, over ground setting. Methods: 131 mature horses were evaluated for lameness by 2-5 clinicians (mean 3.2) with a weighted-average of 18.7 years of experience. Clinicians graded each limb using the AAEP lameness scale ...
Prevalence of various presale radiographic findings and association of findings with sales price in Thoroughbred yearlings sold in Kentucky. To estimate prevalences of various presale radiographic findings and of presale arthroscopy in horses offered for sale at the 2006 Keeneland September yearling sale and to compare sales prices between yearlings with and without various presale radiographic findings or a history of arthroscopy. Methods: 397 Thoroughbred yearlings. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Presale radiographs and health records were examined to estimate prevalences of various radiographic findings and presale arthroscopy. Sales price records were used to compare sales prices between yearlings with and without var...
Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in horses in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. This study estimated the prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in nasal swabs of 458 horses in western Canada. The rate of colonization was 1.3% +/- 5.84% [95% confidence interval (CI)], a rate similar to those reported elsewhere. Colonization tended to be transient and seemed unrelated to stress or administration of antimicrobials. Five of the 6 isolates were Canadian epidemic MRSA-5, a human clone that appears to predominate in horses in North America. The other isolate was spa type 539 (t034), a sequence type 398 strain, and this is the first report of this clone ...
Preliminary study of jointed snaffle vs. crossunder bitless bridles: quantified comparison of behaviour in four horses. The study tested the null hypothesis that if a horse is ridden in a snaffle bridle and then a crossunder bitless bridle, there will be no change in its behaviour. It was predicted that there would be change and that behaviour would improve when bitless. Four horses, none of which had ever been ridden in a crossunder bitless bridle, were ridden through two 4 min, exercise tests, first bitted then bitless. An independent judge marked the 27 phases of each test on a 10 point scale and comments and scores were recorded on a video soundtrack. The results refuted the null hypothesis and upheld the p...
The origin and foot condition of horses slaughtered in Australia for the human consumption market. There are ethical concerns regarding the loss of horses from various equine industries and their corresponding slaughter. However, to date, no empirical evidence regarding the extent of this loss, nor of the condition of horses involved, exists within Australia. Objective: To determine the approximate ages, brand type and condition of feet of horses relinquished to an export abattoir in Australia. Methods: Data were collected from 340 horses processed at an Australian abattoir from November 2007-January 2008. Foot abnormalities, injuries and hoof indicators of overgrown and untrimmed hooves we...
Musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses: a study of three large training yards in Newmarket, UK (2005-2007). Musculoskeletal injury is the most common cause of lost training days in the young Thoroughbred horse in flat race training. To date, there has been little investigation of the regional patterns of injury frequently observed by clinicians in racehorse practice. The present study was conducted to determine incidence of musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbreds in training in Newmarket, United Kingdom. Veterinary records for all horses resident in three large (>100 horse) training yards were assessed for occurrence of significant musculoskeletal injury. A total of 248 injuries were recorded in 2...
Uveal inflammation in septic newborn foals. Septicemia in humans is described as a leading cause of uveitis, which eventually can induce blindness. Objective: Uveal inflammatory findings could be related to sepsis severity in newborn foals and might be used as an indirect indicator for survival. Methods: Seventy-four septic foals, 54 nonseptic foals, and 42 healthy foals. Methods: Prospective observational clinical study. A detailed blinded, ophthalmic examination was performed by boarded ophthalmologists on all admitted newborn foals. Foals were grouped as septic (when blood culture resulted positive or the sepsis score was > or =14...
Postoperative race performance is not correlated with degree of surgical abduction after laryngoplasty in National Hunt Thoroughbred racehorses. To (1) assess the degree of arytenoid cartilage abduction lost after laryngoplasty (LP) in Thoroughbred National Hunt racehorses and (2) to correlate postoperative racing performance with degree of arytenoid abduction after LP. Methods: Case series. Methods: National Hunt Thoroughbred racehorses (n=68). Methods: Grade of postoperative arytenoid abduction for National Hunt racehorses that had LP with ventriculocordectomy was assessed at 1 day, 6 days, and 6 weeks after LP. Race records were analyzed to ascertain if there was correlation between the degree of arytenoid cartilage abduction and va...
Gender shifts in equine veterinary practice. This article examines gender shifts in equine veterinary practice. A significant gender compensation gap continues across the spectrum of professions, including veterinary medicine. Many styles of practice serve the disparate and sometimes conflicting goals of financial well-being, patient care, and physical family presence.
Changes in cortisol release and heart rate variability in sport horses during long-distance road transport. It is widely accepted that transport is stressful for horses, but only a few studies are available involving horses that are transported regularly and are accustomed to transport. We determined salivary cortisol immunoreactivity (IR), fecal cortisol metabolites, beat-to-beat (RR) interval, and heart rate variability (HRV) in transport-experienced horses (N=7) in response to a 2-d outbound road transport over 1370 km and 2-d return transport 8 d later. Salivary cortisol IR was low until 60 min before transport but had increased (P<0.05) 30 min before loading. Transport caused a further marked i...
Environmental and demographic risk factors for poor welfare in working horses, donkeys and mules in developing countries. Over 85% of equids live in developing countries, where they are usually used for work. We aimed to identify environmental factors associated with potential welfare problems in working equids, helping target welfare interventions towards the most vulnerable animals. Over 5 years, non-invasive behavioural and physical data were collected from 5481 donkeys, 4504 horses, and 858 mules across nine developing countries. Hoof and limb problems were over 90% prevalent, and 85% of equids were thin. Older, thinner animals had the most problems, and species differences in susceptibility were found. Equid...
Effect of topical 1% tropicamide on Schirmer tear test results in clinically normal horses. To observe the effect of topical 1% tropicamide on equine tear production as measured by Schirmer I tear test. Methods: Fourteen adult horses received one drop of 1% tropicamide ophthalmic solution in one eye and the opposite eye served as the control. The tear production in both eyes was tested at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 h after 1% tropicamide administration. Results: Measurements made 1 h after treatment revealed a significant reduction in Schirmer tear test values in tropicamide treated eyes (P = 0.002). The observed decrease in tear production was maintained up to 4 h after treatment (P = 0.002...
Could work be a source of behavioural disorders? A study in horses. Stress at work, as shown by a number of human studies, may lead to a variety of negative and durable effects, such as impaired psychological functioning (anxiety, depression...). Horses share with humans this characteristic of working on a daily basis and are submitted then to work stressors related to physical constraints and/or more "psychological" conflicts, such as potential controversial orders from the riders or the requirement to suppress emotions. On another hand, horses may perform abnormal repetitive behaviour ("stereotypies") in response to adverse life conditions. In the present st...
Stress-related hormones in horses before and after stunning by captive bolt gun. In this work the slaughter-linked plasma modifications of some stress-related hormones in horses subject to standardized butchering procedures were investigated in order to highlight the compromised animal welfare during pre-slaughter handling. During pre-slaughter, animals show strong hardship behavioural patterns, probably due to being under life-threatening conditions. Blood samples from 12 male horses, ageing from 3 to 5 years, were collected before slaughtering in lairage, and during exsanguination after stunning. Catecholamines, cortisol and beta-endorphin concentrations were assessed in...
Association between hyperglycemia and survival in 228 horses with acute gastrointestinal disease. Glucose homeostasis is dysregulated in critically ill humans resulting in hyperglycemia and decreased survival. Hyperglycemia is common in horses presenting with abdominal crisis, and this might be associated with a worse prognosis for survival. Objective: To determine if hyperglycemia in horses with acute abdominal disease is associated with increased odds of failure to survive to hospital discharge. Methods: Two hundred and twenty-eight adult horses with acute gastrointestinal disease. Methods: Observational retrospective study. Records of horses > 1 year of age presenting for treatment o...
Plasma and pulmonary fluid endothelin in horses with seasonal recurrent airway obstruction. Summer pasture-associated recurrent airway obstruction (SPA-RAO), a seasonal airway obstructive disease of horses, is characterized by clinical exacerbation after exposure to pasture during warm months of the year. Endothelin (ET)-1, potent bronchoconstrictor, mitogen, secretagogue, and proinflammatory mediator, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma and equine heaves. Objective: Immunoreactive ET-1 concentrations increase during clinical exacerbation and return to basal values during periods of disease remission. Methods: Twelve horses, 6 affected with SPA-RAO and 6 nonaffected. Me...
Thrombelastography in 26 healthy horses with and without activation by recombinant human tissue factor. To develop a standardized technique for thrombelastography (TEG) analysis in healthy adult horses, with and without the ex vivo addition of tissue factor (TF) as an activator. To determine reference intervals for TEG parameters in the horse, and to determine if traditional coagulation tests correlate with TEG. Methods: Prospective, observational. Methods: Veterinary teaching hospital. Methods: Twenty-six healthy adult horses. Methods: None. Results: Thrombelastography with (TF-TEG) and without (TEG) the addition of TF performed by 4 operators. Coagulation profiles (prothrombin time, activated ...
A lateral approach to the repair of propagating fractures of the medial condyle of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bone in 18 racehorses. To report the technique, observations on fracture configurations and results of treatment by fixation lag screw following the fracture plane determined by an approach to the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone (MC3/MT3) that begins laterally over the metacarpo(metatarso)phalangeal joint and extends dorsally over the diaphysis of the bone. Methods: Case series. Methods: Thoroughbred horses (n=18) with propagating fractures of the medial condyle of MC3/MT3. Methods: Retrospective analysis of case records of horses with fractures of the medial condyle of MC3/MT3 that propagated sagittaly or in a spi...
