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.
The Michigan equine monitoring system. I. Design, implementation and population estimates. The Michigan equine monitoring system (MEMS) was designed and implemented in the State of Michigan, starting in 1991. The program was designed systematically to track the State's equine population, its health, and its economic implications to the equine industry. The MEMS was designed as a two-phase program. Phase I (the population and economic survey; the subject of this paper) was designed to provide new and statistically valid information describing the size, composition, location and economic characteristics of the Michigan equine industry. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect ...
[The therapy of equine sarcoid with a non-specific immunostimulator–the epidemiology and spontaneous regression of sarcoids]. 20 sarcoid-affected horses from a practice in the northern Jura were used in this experiment. The mean age of the 20 horses was 3.9 years at the time of the first observation of sarcoid tumors. On the average, 4.4 tumours were noted per horse. 10 of the horses were treated in a double-blind study with an unspecific immunostimulant (Baypamun P), 10 others received a placebo. One single tumour only was treated per horse. The injections were given under and around the sarcoid. In eight out of the 20 horses all tumours regressed totally or for more than 50% of their initial size. Five of these had...
Radiographical assessment of interphalangeal rotation in the evaluation of equine digital conformation. This study is a part of a work to design a radiographical method to objectively define the conformation of an equine digit and to assess the individual appropriate trimming of a horse. Various angles were measured directly from the phalangeal bones. The authors observed that the bone relief of the sesamoid ligament insertions on the proximal phalanx was an essential landmark to determine the phalangeal alignment. The same angles were measured from specific radiographs and made it possible to quantify the rotation imposed to the proximal phalanx. The authors also noticed that the phalangeal rot...
Relationship between ossification of the cartilages of the foot and conformation and radiographic measurements of the front feet in Finnhorses. One hundred Finnhorse cadaver front feet were measured and examined both radiographically and visually to report the incidence of various foot problems and their relationship to ossification of the cartilages of the foot. Ossification extending above the proximal border of the navicular bone and/or separate centres of ossification were found in 36 feet, and the lateral cartilages showed more ossification than the medial cartilages. The feet were generally broad with well developed frogs, but the long toe-low heel syndrome was a relatively common finding. Ossification of the cartilages correlat...
Effects of sex and age on the ossification of the collateral cartilages of the distal phalanx of the Finnhorse and the relationships between ossification and body size and type of horse. The ossification of the collateral cartilages of the distal phalanx was evaluated in dorsopalmar radiographs of the front feet of 202 Finnhorses (101 females and 101 males, aged six months to 20 years) with reference to the sex, age, body measurements and type of horse. Ossification was more common and more extensive in females than in males from about two years of age. In females, the lateral cartilages were significantly more ossified than the medial cartilages; in males, ossification was more symmetrical in the cartilages of each foot. The amount of ossification increased rapidly during the...
[Observations of Setaria equina (Nematoda: Setariidae) with the optical microscope and scanning electron microscope]. Adults of S. equina (Spirurida, Setariidae), 1 male and 2 females, collected from vaginal sac of stallion, were studied by soanning electron microscopy (SEM). The amphids, cephalic and cervical papillae, peribuccal ring, fine transverse bands and bosses of the cuticle, as well as caudal papillae were visualized clearly at this examination. The results of the present survey contribute towards the identification of S. equina, improve the definition of the characters which are demonstrated by common light microscopy and give the exact number of male caudal papillae including the lateral cloacal r...
Alterations in equine guttural pouch morphology with head position: observations using a new technique for producing accurate casts. An improved technique for preparing casts of the equine guttural pouch is described. The new technique is simplified and inexpensive in comparison to previous techniques and produces highly accurate anatomic models which are both durable and flexible. Methods: Silicone rubber bathtub caulk was injected into the guttural pouches of horse cadavers. The silicone was allowed to cure overnight, and casts were removed by dissection. The new technique was then used to evaluate changes in the shape of the guttural pouch with changes in head position. Results: With flexion of the atlanto-occipital join...
Scanning electron microscopy of the equine oviduct and observations on ciliary currents in vitro at day 2 after ovulation. There are considerable differences between mammalian species in the distribution and activity of ciliated cells within the oviduct, and limited information is available concerning either the distribution or activity of cilia within the equine oviduct. Patterns of ciliary activity were characterized in the ampulla and isthmus of oviducts recovered at 2 d after ovulation from 10 mares, and scanning electron microscopy was used to examine regional differences in the distribution of cilia in oviducts from 3 of these mares. Based upon the motility of 15 microm latex microspheres, ciliary activity w...
Peritoneal fluid analysis in peripartum mares. To characterize, in mares, changes in peritoneal fluid that occurred within the first 7 days after routine foaling. Methods: Prospective observational trial. Methods: 15 mares. Methods: Abdominocentesis was performed within 10 days before foaling and again 12 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after each horse foaled. Data recorded for each sample included total nucleated cell count, differential cell count, specific gravity, fibrinogen concentration, and total protein concentration. Smears of each sample were examined by a single clinical pathologist. Results: There were not any significant difference...
Oblique views of the ilium and the scintigraphic appearance of stress fractures of the ilium. The research article discusses a study on the use of oblique dorsal views in detecting stress fractures in horses who participate in races. The aim of the researchers was to […]
Effects of transporting horses facing either forwards or backwards on their behaviour and heart rate. The effects of transporting horses facing either forwards or backwards were compared by transporting six thoroughbred horses in pairs in a lorry on one journey facing in the direction of travel, and on another journey facing away from the direction of travel, over a standard one-hour route. Heart rate monitors were used to record their heart rate before, during and after the journey and the horses' behaviour was recorded by scan sampling each horse every other minute. The average heart rate was significantly lower (P < 0.05) when the horses were transported facing backwards, and they also t...
Clinical presentation of experimentally induced rabies in horses. Twelve naive and nine test-vaccinated horses which developed clinical signs of rabies as a result of the required protocol of a vaccine trial were prospectively observed. Nineteen of the 21 cases were confirmed positive for rabies infection of the brain by fluorescent antibody test. The two horses with negative results had ganglioneuritis of the trigeminal ganglion or lymphocytic perivascular cuffing in the brain stem in addition to clinical signs. Average incubation period was 12.3 days and average morbidity was 5.5 days. Naive animals had significantly shorter incubation and morbidity period...
Behavior of horses is affected by soy lecithin and corn oil in the diet. To test the hypothesis that dietary fats may improve tractability of horses, the effects of four total mixed diets on behavior were compared. The control diet (CON) contained chopped hay, corn, oats, beet pulp, molasses and a mineral mix; the three test diets contained an additional 10% (by weight) corn oil (CO), soy lecithin-corn oil (SL-CO), or soy lecithin-soy oil (SL-SO). Eight horses were fed each diet in random order for four 3-wk periods. Behavior was observed during the last week of each feeding period. Spontaneous activity was evaluated using a pedometer and was less in horses fed SL-...
Viability of split-thickness skin grafts attached with fibrin glue. Full-thickness, circular, cutaneous wounds (4 cm diameter) were created on metacarpi and metatarsi of 5 horses. On day 6, all 4 wounds on each horse received a stored autogenous split-thickness sheet graft. Grafts were obtained from the horse's ventrolateral thorax with a pneumatic dermatome at the time the cutaneous wounds were created. Grafts were coapted to the granulation bed of 2 wounds of each horse with fibrin glue. Grafts were coapted to the cutaneous margin of all 4 wounds of each horse with cyanoacrylate glue. Bandages were changed daily until the study ended at 14 d. When the bandag...
Ageing horses by an examination of their incisor teeth: an (im)possible task? It is generally considered that the age of a horse can be determined by examining its incisor teeth. However, the criteria used to determine age from dental configurations differ widely. The existence of this variety of rules and guidelines was the challenge for the present examination. Detailed descriptions of the incisor teeth of 212 horses of registered age were recorded and the results were compared with the age criteria of various authors. The time at which teeth were shed and the appearance of dental stars seemed to be more reliable features than the disappearance of the cups. The disapp...
Accidents with horses: what has changed in 20 years? Horse riding is a dangerous pastime with more accidents occurring per hour than during motor-cycling. Since a prospective survey of horse-related injuries conducted at a major centre in 1971-1972, equestrian groups and the medical profession have encouraged improvements in training and protective riding wear. By conducting a similar study at the same centre 20 years later we hoped to assess the effects of these measures on the pattern of injuries resulting from contact with horses. Patient and injury details were recorded prospectively for all those presenting to the Accident Service at Oxford...
Total replacement of the metatarsophalangeal joint in the horse. A single pilot study. In this paper the successful replacement of an equine metatarsophalangeal joint by a human total condylar knee prosthesis is reported. In the period of observation following implantation of the endoprosthesis the experimental animal showed almost no lameness when exercised at walk, bearing weight on the operated limb. Flexion and extension of the joint were markedly reduced. The clinical and histological observations clearly support further investigation into the equine metatarsophalangeal joint replacement by an endoprosthesis.
An unusual case of distal phalanx fracture in a horse. A mature thoroughbred cross gelding with an acute onset forelimb lameness was found to have sustained a fracture to the distal phalanx. The fracture traversed the distal phalanx In a lateromedial direction dividing the phalanx into two halves, dorsally and palmarly and was classed a frontal fracture. The horse was treated conservatively and after 14 months rest it returned to work. Three years later the horse has remained sound.
Recovery of horses from dysautonomia (grass sickness). The outcome for 35 horses with chronic dysautonomia which were kept in the hospital at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and subsequently returned to their owners is recorded. They constituted 42.7 per cent of the 82 chronic cases seen between 1991 and 1994; the other 47 horses were euthanased while in hospital. Of the 35 animals returned to their owners four died and 27 were available for follow up; of these 27, 12 were working competitively and six were being trained for future competitive work. It takes at least a year before it is clear whether a horse can compete successfully ...
Evaluation of a porous bovine collagen membrane bandage for management of wounds in horses. To evaluate the effect of a porous bovine-derived collagen membrane (PBCM) on the rates of wound healing, cellular events, presence of granulation tissue, and appearance at termination of the study in surgically created full-thickness cutaneous wounds of the distal portion of the extremities of horses. Methods: Treated wounds (n = 12) received a PBCM dressing and control wounds were covered with a nonadherent dressing. Forelimbs and hind limbs were cross paired; the right forelimb and left hind limb always received the same dressing application, as did the left forelimb and right hind limb. Li...
Necropsy survey of metacarpal fusion in the horse. Paired metacarpi obtained at necropsy from 100 horses ranging in age from term fetus to 35 years were examined to estimate the prevalence and sites of metacarpal fusion. Metacarpal fusion was seen in 192 of 200 metacarpi, and 78% of all horses 2 years or older had 2 or more fusions. Fusion of the second metacarpal bone to the third metacarpal bone was significantly (P < 0.001) more common than was fusion of the fourth to the third metacarpal bone. Fusions appeared for the most part in pairs and were bilaterally symmetric. Rooney-Prickett type-A carpometacarpal joint configurations (in which...
Clinical observations made in nonheat acclimated horses performing treadmill exercise in cool (20 degrees C/40%RH), hot, dry (30 degrees C/40%RH) or hot, humid (30 degrees C/80%RH) conditions. Four horses (H, J, N and M) undertook a treadmill competition exercise test (CET), designed to simulate the physiological and metabolic stresses of the Speed and Endurance phase of a 3-day-event, under 3 different environmental conditions: 20 degrees C/40% relative humidity (RH) (cool, dry [CD]: 2 sessions); 30 degrees C/40%RH (hot, dry [HD]) and 30 degrees C/80%RH (hot, humid [HH]) (Marlin et al. 1995). A number of subjective clinical observations were made at designated time points throughout the exercise test and initial recovery period including buccal mucous membrane colouration, capillar...
Harem stability and reproductive success of Misaki feral mares. The stability of relationships between harem stallions and mares (consort relations) was investigated and the durations of inter partum intervals were determined in order to establish if there was any correlation between the stability of consort relation and reproductive success of mares in Misaki feral horses. Thirty-four mares were observed continuously for more than 5 years. The lifetime stability was 80-100% (mean 92.4%) for 16 mares, 60-79% (mean 70.4%) for 10 mares and 0-59% (mean 27.9%) for 8 mares. The continuous length (years) of specific consort relations was 2-10 years and was found...
[Injuries in horseback riding–incidence and causes].
Sportverletzung Sportschaden : Organ der Gesellschaft fur Orthopadisch-Traumatologische Sportmedizin
This article presents the examination of 78 accidents in horseback riding, referring to their origin and kind of injury. It was found that 76% of all injuries did not occur during the active phase of riding, but in the time just before and right after it. Children without any experience in horseback riding were most susceptible to injuries. Referring to lesions occurring before and after the active phase, the longer extremity was predominantly involved (40%); furthermore, the skull was injured in 18% and the hand in 14% of all lesions. During the active phase of horseback riding, skull injurie... Ultrasound-guided transection of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor muscle (distal check ligament desmotomy) in horses. Transection of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor muscle (distal check ligament desmotomy) was completed in 44 horses using an ultrasound-guided technique. The technique used real-time ultrasound with a 7.5 MHz transducer to observe the dissection and isolation of the check ligament through a 1 to 1.5 cm incision and to check for complete transection of the check ligament. The technique was effective in correcting flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint and the metacarpophalangeal joint in all but three horses. Check ligament desmotomy at a young age (median, 6 mo...
Patterns of feeding and behaviour in horses recovering from dysautonomia (grass sickness). Three horses suffering from grass sickness were treated successfully but showed clinical signs which varied in severity and duration. They were all characterised by marked and often erratic changes in behaviour and appetite.
An evaluation of the accuracy of ageing horses by their dentition: can a computer model be accurate? The prediction of the age of a horse from its dentition has been widely accepted as an accurate technique, but recent reports have questioned this belief. In this study the dental features of 434 thoroughbreds of known age were documented and a multiple regression equation was calculated from the 13 dental features which had the highest correlation with true age. The accuracy of the ages assessed by a computer model were compared with the ages estimated by experienced equine clinicians. There was little difference between the accuracy of the computer model and the human observers, and neither ...
An evaluation of the accuracy of ageing horses by their dentition: changes of dental morphology with age. Dental features are commonly expected to provide an accurate estimate of a horse's age. In this study the dentition of 434 thoroughbreds was photographed and the individual dental features documented, the true age of all the horses was known. For each dental feature the correlation with true age was determined. The eruption of the incisor teeth was the most consistent feature but it was not totally reliable. The presence of a hook on the upper corner incisor and Galvayne's groove proved to be of no value when estimating age and, of the attritional features studied, the dental star showed the h...