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.
McCarthy RN, Hutchins DR.A retrospective analysis of 74 cases that underwent surgery for colic was undertaken to determine short and long term survival rates and the incidence of post-operative complications. In 28 cases colic was related to small intestinal lesions and in 46 cases to large intestinal lesions. Pre-operative packed cell volume and heart rate were found to be inversely related to short-term survival. Twenty-five horses (34%) recovered from surgery and were discharged. Of 18 of these cases with available histories, 6 subsequently had one or more episodes of colic since surgery of which 5 eventually died ...
Platt H.A retrospective study was carried out on post-mortem and biopsy tissue samples from 26 horses with non-alimentary lymphoma. On the basis of their histopathology and cytology, the cases were grouped into several categories: (1) Lymphoblastic lymphomas (6 cases) and primary lymphoblastic leukaemia (2 cases). (2) Histiolymphocytic lymphomas involving the skin (6 cases) or lymph nodes (3 cases). (3) Lymphomas showing follicular development (4 cases). (4) Plasmacytic lymphomas (4 cases). (5) Lymphocytic lymphoma (1 case). Most affected horses were middle-aged or old but lymphoblastic neoplasms tend...
Hurtig MB, Fretz PB, Doige CE, Schnurr DL.The mechanisms and completeness of equine articular cartilage repair were studied in ten horses over a nine month period. Large (15 mm square) and small (5 mm square) full-thickness lesions were made in weight bearing and nonweight bearing areas of the radiocarpal, middle carpal and femoropatellar joints. The horses were euthanized in groups of two 1, 2.5, 4, 5 and 9 months later. Gross pathology, microradiography, and histopathology were used to evaluate qualitative aspects of articular repair. Computer assisted microdensitometry of safranin-O stained cartilage sections was used to quantitate...
Houpt KA, Perry PJ, Hintz HF, Houpt TR.Twelve ponies were fed their total daily ration either as one large meal or divided into six small meals. Pre- and post-feeding behavior was recorded six times a day. Blood samples were taken for 30 min before and two hr after the meal. Plasma protein increased from 7.0 to a peak of 7.3 g/dl with small meals and from 7.3 to 8.1 g/dl with large meals, and returned to pre-feeding levels by 90 min post-feeding. Hematocrit rose from 33.3 to 34.1% with small meals and from 33.0 to 36.0% with large meals. These rapid and short-lived increases indicate a decrease in plasma volume. Plasma osmolality r...
Sillerud CL, Bey RF, Ball M, Bistner SI.After the observation of 2 horses with uveitis on a horse farm in the Minnesota River valley, 100 horses from this geographic area were given ophthalmologic examinations and were evaluated serologically for leptospirosis. A statistically significant (P less than 0.001) association was observed between the finding of antibodies against Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona and uveitis.
Bixby-Hammett DM.In a five-year study, 160 accidents occurred among 46,351 six-through 21-year-olds engaged in horse activities. Of these, 130 were riding accidents, 20 were horse-related and 10 did not involve horses. Bruises and abrasions were the most frequent injuries, and the area of the body most commonly injured was the head and face. The low accident rate may result from the requirement that riders wear approved protective headgear.
Jones RD, McGreevy PD, Robertson A, Clarke AF, Wathes CM.The design of 96 racehorse stables in the south west of England were surveyed. The 'typical' racehorse is kept in a loose box, bedded on straw and remains indoors while the stable is cleaned. It is given a floor area of 12 m2 and shares its airspace of 39 m3 with seven other horses. Overall, the predicted minimum rate of air change by natural convection in calm winds is 6.6 air changes/h but this is reduced to 2.2 if the top door of the stable is closed. On balance, racehorse stables in use today are based on designs which are worse overall than the best available in the 19th century.
O'Callaghan MW, Pascoe JR, Tyler WS, Mason DK.Detailed physical and clinical examinations were performed on 26 Thoroughbred racehorses which were used subsequently in a series of studies to investigate the contribution of the pulmonary and bronchial arterial circulations to the pathophysiology of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH). Twenty-five of the horses had been retired from race training in Hong Kong during the 1984-85 season, all but four raced that season; one horse had been retired the previous season. The average number of races for the group that season was 4.1 +/- 2 with an average distance of 1502 +/- 216 metres, me...
Allen D, White NA.Twenty-five cases of fractures of the second and fourth metacarpal and metatarsal (splint) bones were reviewed. Fourteen fractures involved a thoracic limb and 11 involved a pelvic limb. Fractures of the proximal one-third of splint bones are reported in one of two forms: fractures that are closed, or fractures with a permanent or intermittent draining sinus. Thirteen of the fractures presented were closed fractures and the remaining 12 were open. All of the closed fractures were managed by surgical excision of the distal fragment and the exostosis at the fracture site, followed by primary sur...
Lane JG, Mair TS.The clinical records of 100 cases of headshaking in horses were reviewed. Possible causes of the abnormal behaviour were identified in 11 animals; these included ear mite infestation, otitis interna, cranial nerve dysfunction, cervical injury, ocular disease, guttural pouch mycosis, dental periapical osteitis and suspected vasomotor rhinitis. However, in only two of these could it be shown that correction of the abnormality led to elimination of the headshaking. The additional clinical signs exhibited by the other idiopathic cases of headshaking included evidence of nasal irritation, sneezing ...
Owen RA, Jagger DW.Clinical observations on the use of BCG cell wall fraction in oil for treating seven horses with periocular sarcoids and five horses with sarcoids in other regions are described. Therapy was successful when used for periocular or solitary and smaller sarcoids. For sarcoids previously treated with cryosurgery, therapy appeared to be less efficient. A horse with a sarcoid on the stifle developed a septic gonitis due to necrosis of the sarcoid tissue adjacent to the joint. Sarcoids of the axilla appeared to be more aggressive than sarcoids at other locations and did not respond favourably to this...
Little C, Hilbert B.The clinical features of 19 horses with pelvic fractures were reviewed. The most common problem was a grade III or IV unilateral hind limb lameness. The prevalence of fractures was greater in females and horses less than 4 years old. All horses were treated with a combination of analgesic administration and stall rest for 2 to 6 months. Seven of 11 horses (64%) available for long-term follow-up evaluation recovered and 4 of 11 (36%) had no lameness when being ridden. Five of seven (71%) horses with fractures that involved the acetabulum recovered, and 4 (57%) had complete resolution of lamenes...
Lloyd RG.All horse-related injuries presenting to an Accident Service over a two-year period were investigated. 237 patients presented. The injuries were not considerable in absolute number but were in severity. There was a high morbidity with 22% of all patients requiring admission to hospital, 50% of all admissions because of head injuries. At least seven life-threatening injuries were identified and there were other severe pelvic and spinal injuries. The wearing of protective head gear remains the most important safety measure.
Wood-Gush DG, Galbraith F.The social behaviour of a small herd of 10 Exmoor geldings, two Exmoor mares and one Highland pony gelding was studied in order to see whether any specific associations existed between ponies and, if so, whether these applied to all or only some of the ponies' main activities of grazing, eating hay and sleeping. Such relationships were found but only in a small number of cases did they apply to all activities. The results are discussed in relation to the individual histories of these ponies and in relation to the welfare of horses.
Whitlock MR, Whitlock J, Johnston B.A retrospective study of horse riding injuries in Berkshire was undertaken over a one year period from November 1983. The information was obtained from the Ambulance Service, the Jockey Club and the St. John Ambulance Brigade. There was a total of 103 injured persons with no deaths. Information from the Jockey Club was compared with the other two groups, the former sustaining more limb injuries and the latter more head injuries. A questionnaire was sent to all 42 ambulance patients. Thirty-eight had radiographs taken, 16 of which showed a fracture. Forty-one were wearing some form of hard hat,...
Coombs SL, Webbon PM.The rate of movement up the mucociliary escalator of Technetium99m tagged to macroaggregated albumin was measured in 7 normal horses and 8 with respiratory disease. The activity at 2 sites in the neck, separated by 12-15 cm, was measured using a hand held scintillation counter and rate meter. In normal horses the Technetium complex moved as a bolus up the neck with a mean rate of 1.58 cm/min. In the horses with respiratory disease the Technetium complex was less likely to move as a discrete bolus and in three horses it was not possible to measure the transport rate. The remainder had a mean tr...
Kosiniak K, Bittmar A.Physiological processes connected with sexual maturation of stallions were observed on 10 half-breed Anglo-Arab stallions beginning from 8 months of age, until 4.5 years of age. It was found that there is full somatic and sexual development in the stallion reached around the age of 3.5 years, and the sperm morphology stabilized in the range of the physiological norm around 3.0 years of age. On the other hand biochemical components of the semen plasma such as glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC), ergothioneine (EGT), total protein (PRT), up to age 4.5 years, reach significantly lower value than in m...
Petzoldt K, Merkt H, Müller E, Kirpal G.Over the last years the percentage of foals lost by EHV at term or close to term seems to be higher than in former years. Furthermore, the pathological findings seem to shift from liver to lung. So far there has been no explanation for this phenomenon.
Martin BB, Klide AM.Fourteen horses that could not perform at their expected standards due to chronic back pain of 4 to 48 months duration, and had not obtained lasting improvement from other forms of therapy, were treated by stimulating nine acupuncture points using a low powered infrared laser (300 microW, 904 nm). The treatments were performed weekly, and consisted of stimulating each point for 2 minutes with a pulse frequency of 360 pulses per second. After completion of a mean of 11 treatments, clinical signs of back pain were alleviated in 10 of the 14 horses, there was no change in three, and one was lost ...
Ellis DR, Simpson DJ, Greenwood RE, Crowhurst JS.A retrospective study of 119 cases of fracture of the proximal phalanx is described. The short incomplete sagittal fracture (split pastern) was most common and carried a good prognosis for a return to racing following conservative treatment. Longer incomplete fractures also had a good prognosis but complete fractures, either through the lateral cortex of the proximal phalanx or through the bone into the proximal interphalangeal joint, required internal fixation. Careful assessment of these and comminuted fractures was essential before surgery was undertaken. Most comminuted fractures were trea...
Voith VL.This article discusses some general principles of learning as well as possible constraints and how such principles can apply to horses. A brief review is presented of experiments that were designed to assess learning in horses. The use of behavior modification techniques to treat behavior problems in horses is discussed and several examples of the use of these techniques are provided.
Crowell-Davis SL, Houpt KA.A thorough behavioral history is essential for adequate assessment of a given case. In reviewing the chief complaint, a description of what actually happened, rather than the owner's interpretation of what happened, is required. Other behavior problems, environment, rearing history, and training need to be reviewed. Sample question sets for some common problems are given.
Boyd L.Behavior problems in zoo equids commonly result from a failure to provide for needs basic to equine nature. Equids are gregarious, and failure to provide companions may result in pacing. Wild equids spend 60 to 70 per cent of their time grazing, and failure to provide ad libitum roughage contributes to the problems of pacing, cribbing, wood chewing, and coprophagia. Mimicking the normal processes of juvenile dispersal, bachelor-herd formation, and mate acquisition reduces the likelihood of agonistic and reproductive behavior problems. Infanticide can be avoided by introducing new stallions to ...
Keiper RR.Socially feral horses live in stable social groups characterized by one adult male, a number of adult females, and their offspring up to 2 years of age. Extra males either live by themselves or with other males in bachelor groups. The bands occupy nondefended home ranges that often overlap. Many abnormal behaviors seen in domestic horses occur because some aspect of their normal social behavior cannot be carried out in captivity.
Seck M, Jobling R, Brown AF.Bits used for cart horses in Senegal are typically made of recovered construction iron and often have defects related to design, shape, fit and metal quality. Consequently, there is widespread presence of bit-related oral injury amongst these equids. It was hypothesised that improving bit design would ameliorate bit-related welfare issues for working cart horses. This study aimed to develop locally made alternative bit prototypes and test their efficacy as less harmful to working horses, and their acceptability to their drivers. Eight animal-based welfare indicators (four physical and four beh...
Mattila M, Honkanen S, Sjögren T, Piirainen A, Aartolahti E.Interaction has a multidimensional role in equine-facilitated rehabilitation. Unassigned: The aim of this study was to understand rehabilitees' experiences of interaction during equine-facilitated rehabilitation. Unassigned: Six children and four adults with individual diagnoses or reasons to participate in equine-facilitated rehabilitation were included in this qualitative study. Data were collected by interviewing individually the rehabilitees. A phenomenological Spiegelberg's seven-phase meaning analysis was performed to reveal the meanings. Unassigned: Seven meanings were identified: 1) Tr...
Yildirim F, Yildiz A, Cengiz MM, Temel M, Küreksiz A.Horses in stalls generally remain in single-stall housing, so abnormal behavior can be observed in this management condition. Abnormal behavior can harm the horse's keeper, rider, or even the animal itself. The present study aims to examine the effect of goats on abnormal behaviors in horses. For this purpose, it placed six horses and six goats in the single-stall housing of the horses, one horse and one goat, and monitored them for 45 d. The research was divided into three observation phases during this time: in the first observation, the horses were left alone (0-15 d), in the second obs...
Garcia F, Sanromán F, Llorens MP.A total of 44 experimental endodontic treatments were performed in incisors of eight horses of different ages. Four different endodontic pastes were used: Cloropercha, AH26 De Trey, Eugenol-Endometasone, and Universal N2. Gutta-percha points were also included in the last two treatments. Access to the pulp cavity of incisors was gained through their vestibular and occlusal faces. Holes drilled in vestibular faces were sealed with composite and those drilled in occlusal faces were sealed with Amalgama. Animals were observed during eighteen months at least after endodontics. Radiographic control...
Kawahisa-Piquini G, Bass L, Pezzanite LM, Moorman VJ.The role of hoof morphology is increasingly recognized as a factor associated with lameness incidence in performance horses. The primary objective was to evaluate effect of training initiation on hoof unevenness in Quarter Horses (n = 42; 29 2-year-olds, 13 3-year-olds) over 6-months (m) in training (m0, m2, m4, and m6). Horses were objectively assessed for lameness (inertial sensor system) and photographs and radiographs of feet were taken. Hoof measurements were taken (palmar/plantar angles, frog base width/length, toe length/angle, heel length/angle, heel/foot width, wall height/angle), a...
Warlick LM, Léguillette R, Kogan C, Gold JR, Bayly WM.Diagnosis and assessment of severity of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) relies on postexercise visualization of fresh blood in the airways via tracheobronchoscopic examination (TBE) and/or counting erythrocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALFRBC). Determining the BALFRBC is more sensitive than TBE but its usefulness is hampered by the need to have BALFRBC counted at a laboratory. We explored the feasibility of evaluating the severity of EIPH by using a color chart comprised of five shades of red and matching those colors with the color of BALF immediately following collectio...
Ginther OJ, Scraba ST, Nuti LC.Pony mares (n=480) and 16 stallions were assigned to four herds of 60 mares and one stallion (large herds) and to 12 herds of 20 mares and one stallion (small herds). The stallions remained with the herds continuously for all of the large herds and seven of the small herds. In the five remaining small herds the stallion was put into a herd for three hours every two days for 12 observation periods. Pregnancy rates and day of ovulation were estimated by size of embryonal enlargements. Mean pregnancy rates of 51% and 54% were obtained in the small herds and 42% in the large herds during a 48-day ...
Geschwind II, Dewey R, Hughes JP, Evans JW, Stabenfeldt GH.Plasma levels of LH were determined by heterologous radioimmunoassay utilizing highly purified equine LH as standard. Samples were taken regularly from eleven mares for twenty-six oestrous cycles over a period of 10 weeks. The mean cycle length was 20-5 +/- 3-1 (S.D.) days, and ovulation occurred on average 4-3 +/- 1-6 (S.D.) days from the time heat was first detected. Levels of LH were persistently low from Days 5 to 16 of the cycle (ovulation = Day 0). They then increased slowly over a number of days and continued to rise beyond the levels observed at any time during the immediate preovulato...
Campos Schweitzer A, Mespoulhès-Rivière C, Möller D, Ducharme N, Genton M, Farfan M, Rossignol F.Selective laryngeal reinnervation using the first and second cervical nerve (C1C2) is a treatment option for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy that aims to restore the function of the cricoarytenoideus dorsalis (CAD) muscle. Despite the technique's satisfying success rate, it has several limitations. These triggered the search for another potential donor nerve that could reduce CAD muscle fatigue and shorten rehabilitation. The ventral branch of the spinal accessory nerve, providing motor innervation to the sternomandibularis (SM) muscle, was identified as a potentially well-adapted nerve. Object...
Sergeant ES, Cowled BD, Bingham P.This observational study was undertaken in order to evaluate the diagnostic specificity of the blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bELISA) for serum antibodies to influenza A virus nucleoprotein during the equine influenza (EI) outbreak response in New South Wales, Australia, in 2007. Using data collected during the outbreak response, bELISA testing data were collated for assumed uninfected horses from areas where EI infection was never recorded. Diagnostic specificity of the bELISA used during the EI response was high, but varied significantly between some regions, although the reason...
Hawkins JF, Andrews-Jones L.To develop a technique for neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser ventriculocordectomy in standing horses and document healing in horses undergoing laser ventriculocordectomy. Methods: 6 horses between 2 and 32 years old. Methods: Under endoscopic guidance, the left laryngeal ventricle was everted with grasping forceps and excised with an Nd:YAG laser, using 60 watts of power in a noncontact fashion (6,403 to 9,197 Joules). Following removal of the ventricle, the vocal cord was photoablated. Horses were examined endoscopically 2, 7, 14, 21, 30, and 47 days after ventriculocordectomy,...
Phillips TJ, Wright IM.Ten carpi from juvenile Thoroughbred horses were dissected in detail to record the anatomy of the palmar intercarpal ligaments (PICLs). These were found not to be substantially attached to the palmar carpal ligament. The lateral PICL was sited at the convergence of the palmar aspects of the third, fourth, intermediate and ulnar carpal bones and aligned predominantly in a proximodistal direction. The medial PICL had a large origin distally on the lateral aspect of the radial carpal bone (Cr) and attached to third (C3) and second (C2) carpal bones with apparently separate fibre orientations. Fib...
Sünder U, Moors E, Hagemann K, Gauly M.The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of flying insects (Order Diptera) on the behaviour of grazing horses in relation to the use of insecticide and repellent substances. The investigations were done between June and August in 2008 in 3 periods of 7 days each. As insecticide and repellent two substances were used: "Well-care emulsion" (Co. Essex Tierarznei, München, GER) containing Permethrin and "Bremsen-Frei-Plus" (Co. Dr. Schaette AG, Bad Waldsee, GER) based on etheric oils. Both groups were compared with a non treated control group in a crossover-design. Each group (n = 3-5) w...
de Jesús Tello-Pasos A, González-Pech PG, Blanco-Molina JM.The aim of this observational study was to describe the characteristics of circuits performed by horses used in carriage tourism in a tropical city and discuss their implications as a challenge for animal welfare. The tourism circuit of 33 Criollo horses (400 ± 50 kg) was followed by using the GPS from August 31 to December 2nd, 2018, in the rainfall summer season. The environmental temperature, humidity, and accumulated rainfall were obtained from a local meteorological station. The distance and number of trips, the number of people transported, and the time taken for working and resting ac...
Loinaz RJ, Boutros CP, Rakestraw PC, Taylor TS.To report a laryngotomy approach for the removal of the nasal septum in adult horses. Methods: Descriptive study. Methods: Horses (n = 10). Methods: Near-total resection of the nasal septum was made using a modification of a previously reported 3-wire technique using a trephination approach and a 2-wire technique using a laryngotomy approach. Surgical time, ease of technique, complications, and outcome were recorded. At 45 days, horses were euthanatized and septal measurements made. Results: Near-total resection of the nasal septum was accomplished with both techniques without complications. I...
McCarthy PH.A description is given of 75 features present in the normal tarsus of the standing horse which are apparent due to visible skin contours overlying them. Depending on whether or not the pelvic limb is supporting full weight or resting, some contours alter their configuration. Therefore the contour of each underlying feature is described separately for each stance of the limb. It is considered that visual inspection and identification of the apparent superficial features of the normal equine tarsus form the basis of orientation and clinical inspection. Furthermore, these features provide referen...
Doerffel A, Reinert A, Böttcher D, Winter K, Brehm W, Gittel C.Complications associated with indwelling intravenous catheters vary from minor to severe. Changes in tissue architecture and vein structure may be detectable prior to clinical alterations. The aim of the study was to characterize and compare changes in a catheterized vein and surrounding tissue by clinical and ultrasonographic examination. Microbiological infestation of catheter specimens was assessed. Methods: In this prospective, observational, clinical study 55 horses with an indwelling intravenous catheter have been included. Subsequent to catheter placement, vein and surrounding tissue we...
Doughty A, Cross N, Robins A, Phillips CJ.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...
Wright IM, Smith MR.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...
Crisman MV, Hodgson DR, Bayly WM, Liggitt HD.To determine whether road transport affected pulmonary phagocyte activity, 7 healthy Thoroughbred horses were shipped 1,160 kilometers over 36 hours. Fluid collected by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) 12 hours, and 7 and 14 days after transport was analyzed. Results were compared to those from the same horses pre-transport, and 7 non-transported control horses that had BAL performed at the same times as the transported horses. Of cells recovered with BAL the percentage of viable pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) declined from 90.0 +/- 0.9% pre-transport to 80.0 +/- 3.7% by 2 weeks post transp...
Rogers CW, Davies AS, Pfeiffer DU, Davie PS.Kinematic parameters were measured from horses competing in a CCI*** 3-day event. The horses were filmed during the first and third horse inspection. This provided a repeat sample on 16 horses. The horses were filmed using a panning lateral S-VHS video camera (50 Hz). Spatial measurements were taken for mean +/- s.d. 5.66 +/- 0.92 strides for the first inspection and 5.05 +/- 1.27 for the third inspection. Within the calibration zone, data of the horses accelerating and obtaining a constant velocity were collected. The horses trotted with a higher mean velocity during the third inspection (0.2...
Hole SL, Manfredi JM, Clayton HM.The equine first premolar ("wolf tooth," Triadan number 05) is frequently extracted, and although extracted teeth have been observed to vary greatly in size, published data describing tooth dimensions are limited. Total length, root length, crown height, and crown width were measured in 65 extracted wolf teeth. Dimensions, expressed as median (range) mm, were total length: 21 (12-34), root length: 13.2 (0-19.6), crown height: 7 (2-20), and crown width: 7 (2.6-16). Root length exceeded crown height in 61 of the 65 teeth. Crown height and crown width were either not correlated or poorly correlat...
van Grevenhof EM, Gezelle Meerburg ARD, van Dierendonck MC, van den Belt AJM, van Schaik B, Meeus P, Back W.Osteochondrosis (OC) is a common, clinically important joint disorder in which endochondral ossification is focally disturbed. Reduced blood supply to growing cartilage is considered an important cause of the condition, which has both genetic and environmental origins. Housing conditions can influence cartilage injury through peak-pressure changes during limb sliding. Additionally, circulatory perturbation can cause the avascular necrosis of cartilage. In this study, we evaluated the type and frequency of limb sliding during standing up and the occurrence of OC in foals aged up to 12 months o...
Wakuri H, Sakuma Y, Mutoh K, Watanabe S.In 6 equine specimens of both sexes, the morphological features of the cleavage lines of the skin over the entire body were examined using a metal probe with a sharp conical point. Wounds were produced on the skin with the probe and painted with Chinese white or Indian ink. The direction of running of the cleavage lines was determined from their relationship to the long axis of each region or area of the physical structure. The cleavage lines of the head and face revealed a fixed pattern in all specimens. They were similar to those of equine fetuses of 6 to 7 months of age. A transverse patter...
Zuffa T, Bennet ED, Parkin TDH.Endurance riding is a popular equestrian sport organised at the international level by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI). The sport involves prolonged exercise at speed over significant distances, which puts a substantial load on equine athletes' musculoskeletal systems and metabolism and contributes to the risk of injuries and other veterinary problems. The FEI employs a system of in-ride veterinary inspections aimed at early detection of such problems and elimination of horses unfit to continue in the ride. To date, risk factors for elimination due to irregular gait or metaboli...
Komárková M, Bartošová J, Dubcová J.We present a study focused on those factors influencing dominance position in young horses, with emphasis on the role of the mother. Horses, as other group-living polygynous mammals, form stable linear dominance hierarchies based on agonistic interactions. Higher dominance positions are believed to be connected, in both sexes, to better condition and higher reproductive success. Many variables play a role in forming the dominant-submissive relationships between horses; however, the maternal effect on the dominance position of the offspring still remains unclear, as do the possible mechanisms o...
Schofield WL, Mulville JP.The modified Forssell's procedure was performed on 10 horses in an attempt to cure oral stereotypies. Three horses were cured completely, two horses were considerably improved, and five horses continued to perform the stereotypy after periods of remission ranging from two weeks to six months. This rate of success for the modified Forssell's procedure, as in other published reports, was lower than for the original Forssell's procedure. Surgery to eliminate a stereotypical behaviour pattern may exacerbate the stress for an animal and the modified Forssell's procedure can no longer be recommended...
Wong DM, Vo DT, Alcott CJ, Peterson AD, Brockus CW, Hsu WH.Arginine vasopressin (AVP) has received increased attention in equine critical care but there is minimal information of AVP concentration in foals. The clinical usefulness of measuring AVP in ill foals depends on knowledge of age-related changes in AVP concentrations in healthy foals. Objective: Plasma AVP concentrations will be significantly different when measured from birth to 3 months of age in healthy foals. Methods: Thirteen healthy university-owned foals. Methods: Prospective, observational study. Blood was collected from healthy foals at birth and 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, and 8...
Huricha , Kawai M, Ninomiya S.In this study, we investigated suckling behavior and the distance between a foal and its mare as indicators of foal growth in Hokkaido native horses (HKD) during the first 40 days of life. Direct observations were made of 22 mare and foal pairs from two consecutive days 1 and 2, 5 and 6, 10 and 11, 20 and 21, 30 and 31, and 40 and 41 after birth by focal animal sampling for 3 h per day. Suckling behavior was continuously recorded, along with the terminator. The distance between the foal and its mare was determined using the instantaneous sampling method (1 min), and the percentage was calc...
Kimura R, Borankulova S, Maratbek SZ.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of differences in trainer skills on horse training during the early stages of riding habituation by measuring the levels of stress and changes in stress levels. Among nine untrained horses employed, five in Group A were trained by two low-skilled trainers, whereas the remaining four in Group B were trained by two high-skilled trainers using the traditional Kazakh method. Salivary α-amylase concentration was measured as a biomarker of stress immediately before and after each riding session during the training period. In the duration of riding and mooring...
