Pasture management involves the strategic planning and implementation of practices to maintain and improve pastureland used for grazing horses. It encompasses various aspects such as soil health, forage selection, grazing patterns, and weed control. Effective pasture management aims to optimize forage availability and quality, support horse health, and sustain the ecological balance of the pasture environment. Key components include rotational grazing, soil testing, fertilization, and the management of stocking rates. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the methodologies, outcomes, and environmental impacts of pasture management practices in equine settings.
Larsen M, Nansen P, Grøndahl C, Thamsborg SM, Grønvold J, Wolstrup J, Henriksen SA, Monrad J.A field trial was conducted to evaluate the potential of the nematode-destroying fungus Duddingtonia flagrans to control free-living stages of horse strongyles. In late Spring 2 groups of horses (yearlings) with mixed infections of strongyles were allowed to contaminate 2 equal-sized pastures. One of the groups (F) received a daily dose of D. flagrans mixed in a feed supplement, while the other (C) received a similar amount of supplement without fungus. During a 3-month contamination period strongyle egg counts in faeces and number of infective strongyle larvae harvested from faecal cultures w...
Boersema JH, Eysker M, Maas J, van der Aar WM.The reappearance of strongyle eggs in faeces after treatment with ivermectin or pyrantel embonate was investigated in 22 foals, 36 yearlings, and 45 adult horses on five Dutch horse farms. The results confirmed earlier studies which showed an egg reappearance period of 9 and 6 weeks after ivermectin and pyrantel treatment, respectively. There were no differences between the egg reappearance periods of foals, yearlings, and adult horses. The mean egg counts of the yearlings were, however, consistently higher than the mean egg counts of the adult horses and foals in both ivermectin- and pyrantel...
Clegg PD, Butson RJ.A nine-year-old Shetland pony gelding, with a history of recurrent upward fixation of the patella, suddenly developed severe lameness in its right hindlimb. A luxation of the coxofemoral joint was diagnosed by a clinical and radiographic examination. The initial treatment of the luxation by closed reduction was not maintained, and the limb was placed in an Ehmer sling for four days after a second closed reduction. This allowed the femoral head to remain in the acetabulum, although a persistent subluxation remained, presumably owing to a rupture of the round ligament. The pony remained comforta...
Seahorn TL, Groves MG, Harrington KS, Beadle RE.To evaluate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of horses in Louisiana by assessing the signalment, history, environmental factors, clinical signs, and treatment of such horses. Methods: Epidemiologic mail survey. Methods: 83 of 240 veterinarians contacted by mail agreed to take part in the survey. Veterinarians contacted were listed as mixed-animal or equine practitioners in the 1991/1992 directory of the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association or had submitted a specimen from a horse to the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory within the past 2 years. Methods: The survey con...
Fourie LJ, Kok DJ, Krugel L, Snyman A, Van Der Lingen F.Karoo paralysis, caused by feeding Ixodes rubicundus females, is a major disease of small stock in South Africa. Control methods currently practised are almost exclusively chemical based. To limit overdependance on chemicals, vegetation management was investigated as a possible method for control, to be incorporated in an integrated tick management system. Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to determine, firstly, the extent of vertical migration and survival of ticks on long and short copper rods which simulated grasses as questing substrates; secondly, the infestation burdens of ...
The Journal of nutritionOctober 1, 1995
Volume 125, Issue 10 2711-2716 doi: 10.1093/jn/125.10.2711
Greiwe-Crandell KM, Kronfeld DS, Gay LA, Sklan D.Vitamin A influences growth and reproduction in horses. A retinol dose response (RDR) test for retinol has been shown to be better than serum retinol concentration for assessing vitamin A status in other species, so we have compared these two methods in the horse. Forty-five Thoroughbred broodmares were assigned randomly to three groups fed pasture and hay (PH), pasture, hay and vitamin A-free concentrate (PHC), or hay and concentrate (HC) in early summer (May 1991). Mares in pasture groups produced 23 foals (March through June) that had access to their dam's diets and were also studied. In th...
Herd RP, Coles GC.The growing importance of anthelmintic resistance in cyathostomes (small strongyles) of horses poses a threat to the health and welfare of all types of horses. On the basis of published information on cyathostomes of horses, six recommendations are made for reducing the development and spread of anthelmintic resistant nematodes. The need for restraint in the use of anthelmintics, the application of epidemiological principles of worm control and a greater emphasis on pasture management are the principal recommendations.
Todd FG, Stermitz FR, Schultheis P, Knight AP, Traub-Dargatz J.Horses in a few, localized northern Colorado pastures exhibited weight loss and colic. At post mortem, intestinal fibrosis and vascular sclerosis of the small intestine was identified. The pastures where the affected horses grazed were overrun by field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). Bindweed from the pasture was found to contain the tropane alkaloids tropine, pseudotropine, and tropinone and the pyrrolidine alkaloids cuscohygrine and hygrine. Laboratory mice readily ate C. arvensis and exhibited a variety of abnormal clinical signs depending on the amount eaten. Similar alkaloids have been f...
Pfeifer Barbosa I, Böse R, Peymann B, Friedhoff KT.Epidemiological studies of Babesia equi and B. caballi were undertaken in a herd of 120 pastured horses in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The area where the horses were held was shown to be highly endemic for both Babesia spp., i.e. the prevalence of B. equi antibodies in horses aged 6 months or older ranged from 90.6% to 100% as determined by the immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) test, and the prevalence of B. caballi antibodies as determined by Western blot ranged from 59.4% to 65.5%. From the herd, 20 foals and their dams were selected to estimate the degree of tick infestation and the foals were ...
Joost RE.Acremonium coenophialum Morgan-Jones and Gams, an endophytic fungus commonly found in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), has been identified as the cause of poor performance of beef cattle and horses on tall fescue. Ryegrass staggers, a neurological disorder of sheep, has been linked to the presence of a similar fungus, A. lolii Latch, Christensen and Samuels, in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Renovation of endophyte-infected (E+) pastures with endophyte-free (E-) cultivars of tall fescue or perennial ryegrass has resulted in improved animal performance, but productivity and s...
Cross DL, Redmond LM, Strickland JR.Gravid mares grazing endophyte-infested (E+) tall fescue exhibit increased gestation lengths, agalactia, foal and mare mortality, tough and thickened placentas, weak and dysmature foals, increased sweating during warm weather, reduced serum prolactin and progesterone, and increased serum estradiol-17 beta levels. Also, E+ tall fescue hay is less digestible than endophyte-free (E-) hay. Unlike many other species, horses consuming E+ tall fescue do not exhibit increased body temperature. Young horses consuming only E+ pasture do not gain as well as those consuming E- pasture. There is little dif...
Ladefoged O, Stürup S.A case of copper deficiency or molybdenum toxicosis in cattle, sheep and horses after heavy pollution of a pasture with fly ash is described. If the pastures had not been grazed by cattle and sheep as well as the horses, it would have been difficult to identify the reason for the intoxication in the horses. It is argued that molybdenum intoxication, although seldom seen in non-ruminants, was the cause of the deaths of the horses. It is suggested that the bioavailability of molybdenum in fly ash is high and therefore can cause equine intoxication.
Boosinger TR, Brendemuehl JP, Bransby DL, Wright JC, Kemppainen RJ, Kee DD.Newborn foals of mares grazing on Acremonium coenophialum-infected fescue pasture throughout gestation or from gestation day 300 to parturition had increased gestation duration and decreased serum triiodothyronine concentration. Pregnant mares were allotted to 4 treatments: grazing continuously on endophyte-free (E-) fescue, grazing continuously on endophyte-infected (E+) fescue, grazing on E+ fescue from gestation day 300 to parturition, and grazing on E+ fescue from conception to gestation day 300. Morphometric studies indicated that foals born to mares exposed to endophyte late in gestation...
Ihler CF, Rootwelt V, Heyeraas A, Dolvik NJ.The caecum and the adjacent 30 cm lengths of ileum and large colon of 201 horses from two different regions of Norway (Ostlandet and Trøndelag) were examined for the presence of Anoplocephala perfoliata. In all, 20% of the horses were infested with the cestode (27% in Ostlandet and 7% in Trøndelag). The mean number of worms in infected horses from the two regions was 18 and 6, respectively. Information was obtained on the age, sex, breed, type of pasture and anthelmintic treatment after the grazing season for 183 of the 20 horses. The degree of infestation with A. perfoliata was not influenc...
Krecek RC, Guthrie AJ, Van Nieuwenhuizen LC, Booth LM.Little information exists concerning the presence of nematode parasites of horses in South Africa. Limited studies are available which compare the parasites in horses originating from differing management schemes. The aim of the present study was to compare the nematode parasites of 2 groups of horses which had been managed differently. Group 1, chiefly Nooitgedacht adult ponies, consisted of cycling or early pregnancy mares. They were maintained chiefly on zero grazing, given supplemental feed and treated 4 times a year with antiparasitic remedies. The horses in Group 2 were mostly Thoroughbr...
Osame S, Ichijo S.Seven cases of thoroughbred foals kept on a farm in the Hidaka district of Hokkaido showed bilateral thyroid enlargement from 3 or 4 months after birth. Their serum T4 levels were remarkably low, whereas T3 levels were in the normal range. Serum T4 levels were also low in the other clinically normal foals and their dams kept together. Since the iodine content in pasture soil and grass was very low, iodine deficiency was supposed to be the cause of the disease.
Redmond LM, Cross DL, Strickland JR, Kennedy SW.We evaluated the effectiveness of 2 dopamine antagonists as treatments for fescue toxicosis in horses. Sixteen gravid mares were assigned by breed and expected foaling date to 1 of 3 treatment groups: endophyte-infested control; 1.1 mg of domperidone/kg of body weight/d; and 3.3 mg of sulpiride/kg/d. Mares were pastured on endophyte-infected fescue and received 0.454 kg of a corn and dried molasses carrier containing the drug treatment. Treatment started 30 days prior to expected foaling date and continued until parturition. Blood samples were collected, and mammary gland scores were recorded ...
Zeeb K.The ethological concept concerning supply of needs an avoidance of damage is mentioned as a possibility for the evaluation of welfare aspects related to animal management. The 250 Dülmen horses kept on 300 ha by the Duke of Croy show what must be provided for horse-keeping in a semi-natural environment: Sufficient food and water, efficient shelter as well as adequate structures for the needs of horses concerning social and comfort behaviour. A catalogue of factors, functions and facilities for this kind of horse-keeping is presented.
DiPietro JA, Ewert KE, Todd KS.A study was carried out to assess the feasibility of determining the grazing patterns of horses bimonthly via aerial survey and standard cartographic techniques. The grazing patterns in pastures with equivalent stocking rates of horses treated bimonthly with 200 micrograms of ivermectin kg-1 or 10 mg of oxibendazole kg-1 was assessed using aerial survey mapping performed three times during a grazing season. The distribution patterns of lawns and roughs in pastures were similar at all times during the study. Aerial survey was determined to be a very efficient and objective method of determining...
Herd RP, Stinner BR, Purrington FF.Environmental consequences of treating horses with recommended dosages of ivermectin paste were studied in two controlled experiments with 29 horses in Ohio. In 1988, dung dispersal rates were measured by changes in dry weight over time of 48 copromes (300 g) formed from feces taken from four treatment and four control horses 3 days post ivermectin treatment. There was delayed dispersal of copromes from horses treated with ivermectin in June, resulting in significantly heavier ivermectin copromes compared with those of control horses by September. There was no difference in ivermectin or contr...
Small AC, Kelly WR, Seawright AA, Mattocks AR, Jukes R.A foal, small and jaundiced from birth, succumbed after two months to chronic hepatic damage which was characterised by fibrosis, biliary ductular hyperplasia and the presence of pleomorphic hepatocytes containing either a single large nucleus or multiple nuclei. The fixed liver contained sulfur-bound pyrroles, which are derived from pyrrolizidine alkaloids. During pregnancy the pasture was heavily infested with the pyrrolizidine alkaloid-containing plant, Senecio madagascariensis. The hepatic disease affecting the foal appears to have been initiated by consumption of the alkaloids by the mare...
Seahorn TL, Beadle RE.Medical records of 21 horses with summer pasture-associated obstructive pulmonary disease were reviewed, and history, signalment, clinical signs, radiographic signs, clinicopathologic data, and therapeutic response were determined. Most affected horses were used as pleasure horses, and for the most part, remained at pasture when not in use. The mean age (+/- SD) was 13.7 +/- 3.6 years. Clinical signs included intermittent nasal discharge, cough, tachypnea, labored expiratory effort, and crackles and wheezes on auscultation. Radiography frequently revealed interstitial patterns in the lung fiel...
Knottenbelt DC.Twenty-four foals were confirmed to be infected with Rhodococcus equi on a private stud in Zimbabwe over a two-year period. Six mares had foals which were affected in each of the two years. All the foals were febrile and early cases were detected by this pyrexia. Bronchopneumonia was only clinically detectable in advanced cases. In spite of energetic hygiene measures relating to pasture and housing management, the incidence was higher in the second year (23 per cent of foals born) than in the first (15 per cent of foals born). The mean age of the foals was significantly greater in the second y...
Raisbeck MF, Dahl ER, Sanchez DA, Belden EL, O'Toole D.A review of Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory records for 1947-1987 revealed no substantiated cases of naturally occurring selenosis. However, older reports attributed thousands of animal deaths to selenium each year in this area. Beginning in August 1988, cases of suspected selenosis and selenium deficiency were solicited from veterinarians and producers by announcements in various statewide livestock publications. As of August 1991, 4 cases (all horses) of naturally occurring selenosis have been confirmed. Clinical signs were most often referable to epithelial damage, e.g., hoof lesions an...
Uzal FA, Robles CA.Mal seco is a grass sickness-like syndrome of horses which has mainly been observed in Patagonia, Argentina, although some reports indicate that the disease may exist in other Argentinian provinces and in the south of Chile. The aetiology of mal seco remains unknown but the disease seems to be restricted to animals grazing on natural pastures and not receiving supplementary feeding. Mal seco is clinically characterized by total or partial bowel stasis and the main findings at post-mortem examination are almost exclusively restricted to the bowel. The most striking histopathological changes fou...
Roncoron C, Fagiolo A, Amoruso C, De Liberato C.Species of Anoplocephalidae are cestodes affecting equines worldwide and causing many intestinal disorders. Between October 2010 and September 2013, 284 faecal samples of horses originating from Lazio Region (Central Italy) were tested for the presence of Anoplocephala sp. eggs by a classic copromicroscopic technique. Data regarding pasture‑dependence/non dependence, age, and sex of the horses were also collected. Statistical analysis, aimed at detecting possible associations between these variables and Anoplocephala sp. prevalence, was performed. Anoplocephala sp. eggs were found in 13% of ...
Steel CM, Collins VL, Hance SR, Adkins AR, Hitchens PL.Veterinarians are required to interpret the significance of radiographic findings for sale, soundness and future racing performance of weanling and yearling Thoroughbreds. We investigated the prevalence and radiographic appearance of slab fractures of the third (T3) and central tarsal (Tc) bones. Methods: Weanling and yearling horses with complete or incomplete T3 or Tc fracture were identified by searching a database of radiographs. The prevalence and radiographic appearance at initial diagnosis and after continued pasture turnout, as well as prognosis for racing, of fractures of T3 and Tc we...
Craig TM.Internal parasites of horses are ubiquitous but that does not suppose that the level of infection does not vary with climatic conditions. Climate determines the limits of where a parasite species can survive the external environment and weather determines the transmission pattern within the climatic bounds [Levine, N.D., 1963. Adv. Vet. Sci. 8, 215-261]. Arid areas have a more limited exposure potential to important parasites but the level of exposure can nonetheless lead to disease. It must be remembered that, even in arid areas, it does rain and irrigation, overflow from water troughs, dew d...
Eysker M, Jansen J, Wemmenhove R, Mirck MH.Gastro-intestinal helminth infections of a group of three yearling mare Shetland ponies, which were set-stocked on a small pasture from February until September, were compared with those of a similar group of ponies, which grazed a similar pasture from February to July and subsequently was removed to a pasture which had been grazed by sheep from April to July. In addition both groups were treated with cambendazole when the latter group was removed to the sheep pasture. Pasture larval counts and worm counts demonstrated that the group grazed after the sheep acquired considerably smaller burdens...
Kornas S, Nowosad B, Skalska M, Bołoz T.The studies were carried out in 2001 and 2002 on horses from riding clubs in Krakow area. On the basis of McMaster method EPG (eggs per gram) and prevalence of infection (%) was evaluated. The most common parasites were strongyles (Strongylidae). In the first year of study in dynamics of strongyles eggs output of horses kept on paddocks two peaks were observed: in May (450 EPG) and January (427 EPG), in comparison with horses under pasture system where the highest level of strongyles eggs output were in May (832 EPG), from August (420 EPG) to October (385 EPG) and in March (482 EPG). In the se...
Miraglia N, Costantini M, Polidori M, Meineri G, Peiretti PG.In the Molise region (Italy), some autochthonous populations are still bred and, between them, some wild horses named 'Pentro horses.' The breeding area is a natural pasture. It is 2200 ha extended including a broad plane surrounded by wooden hills. The aim of this research was to determine the nutritional characteristics of this area over a 2-year period to improve the management of the herd and to define the stocking rate in relation to the forage production in terms of production and quality. The forage samples were collected over two successive years during the grazing period (May to Octob...
Reinemeyer R, Henton JE.A program of rotational anthelmintic treatments at eight-week intervals had failed to provide satisfactory equine strongyle control at a stable in southern USA. Anthelmintic resistance had rendered benzimidazoles ineffective, and intervals between treatments with other drugs were too great to prevent environmental contamination with ova. Ivermectin treatments at eight week intervals or pyrantel pamoate treatments at four week intervals successfully reduced egg counts for the majority of the summer grazing period. In southern temperate USA, translation of strongyle ova to larvae was most effici...
Chay S, Woods WE, Nugent TE, Weckman T, Houston T, Sprinkle F, Blake JW, Tobin T, Soma LR, Yocum J.Experiments to determine the residual plasma concentrations of phenylbutazone and its metabolites found in horses racing on a 'no-race day medication' or 24-h rule were carried out. One dosing schedule (oral-i.v.) consisted of 8.8 mg/kg (4 g/1000 lbs) orally for 3 days, followed by 4.4 mg/kg (2 g/1000 lbs) intravenously on day 4. A second schedule consisted of 4.4 mg/kg i.v. for 4 days. The experiments were carried out in Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses at pasture, half-bred horses at pasture, and in Thoroughbred horses in training. After administering the i.v. schedule for 4 days to Thor...
Gee EK, Firth EC, Morel PC, Fennessy PF, Grace ND, Mogg TD.To assess the relationship between the radiographic and microscopic appearance of the physeal regions of the distal third metacarpal (Mc3) and metatarsal (Mt3) bones of Thoroughbred foals at 160 days of age, and to clinically assess changes in contour of the distal Mc3 and Mt3 physeal regions from birth to 160 days of age. To assess relationships between maximum clinical physis scores and age, time of year, foal's sex, condition score, growth rate, copper (Cu) concentration in the liver of the foal, and supplementation of the dam with Cu in late gestation. Methods: Dams were given Cu (n=5 and ...
Keating DL, Lehman JS, Burk SV.Identification of factors associated with parasite infestation in horses could reduce frequency of anthelmintic administration and slow development of anthelmintic resistance. The study aim was to evaluate management factors, equine characteristics, and equine salivary cortisol concentrations for association with strongyle-type egg shedding levels. As immunocompromised horses appear to be more susceptible to parasite infestation, it was hypothesized that salivary cortisol concentration could be associated with parasite egg shedding. Saliva and fecal samples were collected from 200 horses acros...
Siwińska N, Żak A, Słowikowska M, Kubiak K, Jaworski Z, Niedzwiedź A.Hair is a more biologically stable material than other tissues and contains a relatively constant level of minerals, drugs or toxins. The content of essential elements in hair depends on dietary and non-dietary factors. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the effect of diet on the elemental composition and morphological properties of the hair of healthy Polish Konik horses. Mane hair was collected from 19 horses living in The National Park in Popielno in Poland. Six of these horses were free-ranged all year with permanent access to pasture, while 13 horses were kept in the stable a...
Murase H, Matsui A, Endo Y, Sato F, Hada T.The lying behavior of Thoroughbred foals on breeding farms was continuously measured using triaxial accelerometers. Accelerometers were attached on the side of the hind limb cannon and under the halter of six foals to record triaxial angle data every 10 sec for a period of 24 hr. Lying behavior was divided into sternal lying and lateral lying based on head angle. Sampling was performed for two consecutive days each week until weaning. Sampling periods were divided into two periods on the basis of pasturing time: daytime pasturing (period A: 7-hr pasturing period, 2-60 days of age) and overnigh...
Courtney CH.Few studies investigating the seasonal transmission of equine cyathostomes have been done in warm climates. Two Australian studies used experimentally-infected plots to determine hatching, development and survival of free living stages of equine cyathostomes. Four studies in the southern United States used pasture larval counts, and in some instances tracer animals, to determine seasonal availability of infective cyathostome larvae on naturally-infected pastures. With the exception of the dry Australian tropics, a general pattern of peak transmission of cyathostomes during the cooler seasons o...
Stang FL, Bjerregaard R, Müller CE, Ergon Å, Halling M, Thorringer NW, Kidane A, Jensen RB.Carbohydrates in forages constitute an important part of the feed ration for all horses. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of harvest time on carbohydrate composition and digestion of various grass species. The experiment was divided into three parts 1) characterization of the chemical composition of experimental feeds (6 grass species: meadow fescue [MF], cocksfoot [CF], perennial ryegrass [PR], smooth bromegrass [SB], tall fescue [TF], and timothy [TI], and 3 harvest times: early, medium, and late first cut), 2) measurements of the in vitro digestion of selected expe...
Knottenbelt DC.Twenty-four foals were confirmed to be infected with Rhodococcus equi on a private stud in Zimbabwe over a two-year period. Six mares had foals which were affected in each of the two years. All the foals were febrile and early cases were detected by this pyrexia. Bronchopneumonia was only clinically detectable in advanced cases. In spite of energetic hygiene measures relating to pasture and housing management, the incidence was higher in the second year (23 per cent of foals born) than in the first (15 per cent of foals born). The mean age of the foals was significantly greater in the second y...
Aiken GE, Potter GD, Conrad BE, Evans JW.Body weight gains and height at the withers were measured in yearling geldings grazing bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) pastures with neither energy nor protein feed supplementation at stocking rates of 6.7, 8.0, 9.5 and 12.4 yearlings per hectare. Weekly forage samples were taken to estimate the quantity and quality of available forage. These samples were clipped and separated into three equal lengths to characterize upper, middle and lower thirds of the canopy and to determine relationships between available forage and yearling growth rate. Average daily gain was influenced by stoc...
Vasco ACCM, Dubeux JCB, Wallau MO, Wickens CL, Warren LK.This study used an online survey to gather information on forage utilization and pasture management practices implemented on horse farms in Florida. We hypothesized that pastures were inadequately managed and underutilized, resulting in greater reliance on hay. Data from 80 complete responses were submitted to descriptive analysis and Fisher's exact test. Significantly associated variables were also evaluated using multiple correspondence analysis. The primary function of the facility most reported was recreational horse use (62%). Nearly all operations (n = 79) had pasture available, with 57...
Martin-Rosset W, Andueza D, Vermorel M.The metabolisable energy (ME) content of feeds is a better estimate of their 'true' energy value than their digestible energy (DE) content, because ME takes account of the gross energy of methane (GEgas) and the gross energy of urine (GEurine) losses. The accuracy and precision of the Gesellschaft für Ernährungsphysiologie (GfE) and Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) systems for predicting the DE and ME contents of diets for horses were compared using the results of a study comprising 15 mixed diets. The INRA system was more accurate than the GfE system for predicting DE, G...
Moinardeau C, Mesléard F, Dutoit T.Extensive grazing by domestic herbivores is a widespread management practice used since the 80s in many European agro-ecosystems such as semi-natural grasslands to maintain open habitats and to enhance biodiversity. Such grazing systems have principally been tested in cultural ecosystems of high nature value threatened by grazing abandonment. However, there have been few case studies of grazing management in very anthropized ecosystems, such as the new ecosystems created by urban or industrial conversions. In Southern France, the Rhône channeling for navigation and electricity production gene...
Jaqueth AL, Turner TR, Iwaniuk ME, McIntosh BJ, Burk AO.Unlike traditional forage grasses, turfgrasses, which were developed to be tolerant of foot traffic and close mowing, may be suitable as alternative ground cover in areas of high hoof traffic such as dry lots. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of eight cool-season turfgrasses as alternative ground cover in heavy use areas. Cultivars were established via seeding in four replicated plots. To simulate horse traffic at a trot, a Baldree traffic simulator was driven over a section of the plot, either 0 (CON), 1 (LOW), or 2 (HIGH) times per week for 6 weeks followed by 4 week...
Finch SC, Munday JS, Sutherland BL, Vlaming JB, Fletcher LR.AIMS To determine if equine fescue oedema (EFO) induced by grazing Mediterranean-type tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) infected with selected endophytes (Epichloë coenophiala) could be prevented by treatment with the corticosteroid, methylprednisolone, and anti-histamine, cetirizine, and to determine concentrations of lolines, specifically N-acetyl norloline (NANL), in grasses grazed by horses that did and did not develop EFO. METHODS Four horses were grazed on AR542-infected Mediterranean tall fescue pasture (from Day 0) for 7 days prior to being subjected to euthanasia. Two of these horses...
Zeitler-Feicht MH.The guidelines of the Federal Ministry of User Protection, Nutrition and Agriculture (BMVEL) regarding "horse keeping with respect to animal welfare" are from 1995 (BMELF, 1995). Therefore, they are not suitable for modern horse keeping. The Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT) held it to be necessary to rework the guide-lines in light of 1) many subsequent investigations concerning horse keeping, and 2) the species-specific needs of horses in practice. Each chapter of the BMELF (1995) guide-lines was revised such that the literature and practical experiences were updated. Several c...
Potter DA, Foss L, Baumler RE, Held DW.An equine disease now known as mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS) struck the Ohio Valley in 2001-2002 causing thousands of foal abortions and enormous economic loss. Evidence that pregnant mares' exposure to Eastern tent caterpillars Malacosoma americanum (F) induces MRLS created an urgent call for control measures suitable for use on horse farms. We surveyed egg mass distribution and monitored emergence in wild cherry trees, and evaluated reduced-risk treatment strategies including foliage sprays, trunk injections, winter egg mass treatments and barrier sprays to intercept larvae entering...
Data in briefSeptember 16, 2021
Volume 38 107374 doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2021.107374
Grandal-d'Anglade A, Albizuri S, López-Cachero FJ.The analysis of stable isotopes in bone collagen allows us to infer the diet of the animals studied. This dataset consists of isotopic signatures (δC and δN) obtained by isotope ratio mass spectrometry from the skeletal remains of 42 equines (horse, ass and their hybrids) from the Can Roqueta site (Sabadell, Northeast Iberian Peninsula). Their chronology spans from Late Bronze Age to Late Roman Period, with particular emphasis on the Early Iron Age. These animals were found in storage silos and graves and were probably sacrificed as ritual offerings. The isotopic values are accompanied by da...
Bauquier J, Stent A, Gibney J, Jerrett I, White J, Tennent-Brown B, Pearce A, Pitt J.Investigation of toxicosis caused by Malva parviflora was required after 4 horses from the same farm developed severe muscle fasciculations, tachycardia, sweating and periods of recumbency leading to death or euthanasia after ingesting the plant. Objective: To describe historical, clinical, clinicopathological and pathological findings of 4 horses with suspected M. parviflora toxicosis. The role of cyclopropene fatty acids (found in M. parviflora) and mechanism for toxicosis are proposed. Methods: Case series. Methods: Historical, physical examination, clinicopathological and pathological find...
Carranza J, Yoong WA, Mateos C, Caño Vergara B, Gómez CL, Macías V.Horse reproduction tends to be seasonal. The main adjusting factor in their original temperate ranges is photoperiod variation, although it is absent in equatorial areas where horses were introduced by European colonizers. Hence, dates of reproduction in these areas may be influenced by factors affecting mares' conditions and the success of foaling. Here we study reproductive timing in Creole horses in Ecuador reared in an extensive production system. We found that foaling peaked in August. Mares' conditions showed one peak in June-July, before the start of the breeding season, and another in ...
Brøkner C, Nørgaard P, Hansen HH.The ingestive and post-digestion effect of a blend of special essential oil compounds (EO) on eating, chewing and faecal parameters were measured in horses. Ingestive effects appear after no adaptation. Post-digestion effects appear after adaptation. Six Icelandic horses were assigned to two groups in a Latin Square subplot design with EO treatments to four different roughage types and four different concentrates. The horses were fed four different roughage meals and two different concentrate meals on each of the four sampling days. Eating time and saliva were observed during meals. Jaw moveme...
Moore-Colyer M, Westacott A, Rousson L, Harris P, Daniels S.Despite our improved understanding of equid digestive health and accurate rations formulations, obesity in the UK horse population remains high. Study aims: (1) to determine how owners are feeding their horses and what influences their choices, (2) to understand owners' knowledge of haylage and (3) to identify key areas that require additional education. Data were collected in 2020 from 1338 UK horse owners via two online surveys. Survey 1 was on general feeding practices, and Survey 2 was specifically on the feeding of haylage. Data were processed using chi square analyses + Bonferroni tests,...
Dierckins MS, Sherman DM, Gendron-Fitzpatrick A.A presumptive diagnosis of paratuberculosis was made in a Sicilian ass on the basis of a history of chronic diarrhea and weight loss, pasture exposure to a heifer with paratuberculosis confirmed by bacterial culture of feces, postmortem identification of granulomatous inflammation of the intestine containing acid-fast organisms, the absence of acid-fast organisms in extraenteric tissues, and the absence of exposure to tuberculosis. The literature on paratuberculosis in equids is reviewed. The potential for cross-species transmission is emphasized. Justification for consideration of Mycobacteri...
The Journal of nutritionOctober 1, 1995
Volume 125, Issue 10 2711-2716 doi: 10.1093/jn/125.10.2711
Greiwe-Crandell KM, Kronfeld DS, Gay LA, Sklan D.Vitamin A influences growth and reproduction in horses. A retinol dose response (RDR) test for retinol has been shown to be better than serum retinol concentration for assessing vitamin A status in other species, so we have compared these two methods in the horse. Forty-five Thoroughbred broodmares were assigned randomly to three groups fed pasture and hay (PH), pasture, hay and vitamin A-free concentrate (PHC), or hay and concentrate (HC) in early summer (May 1991). Mares in pasture groups produced 23 foals (March through June) that had access to their dam's diets and were also studied. In th...
