Risk factors in horses refer to variables or conditions that increase the likelihood of disease, injury, or other adverse health outcomes in equine populations. These factors can be intrinsic, such as age, breed, and genetic predisposition, or extrinsic, including environmental conditions, management practices, and exposure to infectious agents. Understanding risk factors is important for developing preventive strategies and improving health management in horses. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the identification, assessment, and mitigation of risk factors in equine health, with the aim of enhancing disease prevention and promoting overall well-being in horses.
Son JK, De Paz P, Kim J, Sanaei R, Ryu S, Bailey S, Davies HMS.Changes in the third metacarpal (MC3) mid-diaphyseal dimensions were measured radiographically in young Thoroughbred racehorses through race training and found to be associated with a higher risk of shin soreness. However, it is still unclear whether such negative MC3 morphologies are set congenitally or through development. Objective: To quantify MC3 bone dimensional changes through growth. Methods: Longitudinal. Methods: Twenty privately owned Thoroughbred foals were radiographed bimonthly from birth to 14 months of age. Four linear MC3 parameters (proximodistal MC3 length, mid-diaphyseal do...
In February 2021, a serious EHV-1 outbreak occurred at an international jumping competition in Valencia, with several subsequent outbreaks in various European countries. As a consequence, several equestrian associations introduced compulsory vaccination against EHV-1, and in the immediate aftermath of the outbreak, demand for EHV vaccinations increased sharply. The initial concern has now dissipated. One equestrian association has abolished the compulsory vaccination that had only been introduced a year before, and a general debate began questioning the efficacy and safety of EHV-vaccines. Thi...
Morrice-West AV, Thomas M, Wong ASM, Flash M, Whitton RC, Hitchens PL.Racehorse and jockey incidents on race-days frequently occur together, yet risk factors for their occurrence have historically been investigated separately. Consideration of both horses and humans in tandem is required for a One Health approach to risk reduction. Our objectives were to therefore identify modifiable risk factors for adverse outcomes that are common or conflicting to both horses and their jockeys in Thoroughbred racing. Unassigned: Australian Single National System records for the 2004/05 to 2018/19 flat racing season were merged with the corresponding Australian Racing Incident...
Leishmaniosis is a vector-borne and zoonotic disease with major sanitary implications at global scale. In Europe, Leishmania infantum is the only endemic etiologic agent, which has been previously reported in a wide range of mammal. However, the information about the role of equids in the L. infantum epidemiology is limited. We aimed to assess the seroprevalence and identify potential risk factors associated with L. infantum seropositivity in equine populations across several European countries. A total of 1364 equids, including 1005 horses, 240 donkeys and 119 mules/hinnies from Spain, Italy,...
Beck C, Hitchens PL, Whitton RC.Post-mortem studies have shown that fractures involving the metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal or fetlock joint are associated with focal areas of microdamage. Identification of computed tomography (CT) features consistent with microdamage and their association with fracture may aid in identification of horses at risk of fracture. Objective: To identify CT features associated with fracture of the metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joint. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Post-mortem CT images of 367 limbs from 157 Thoroughbred racehorses were graded for CT features. Multi...
Talib MT, Nasir A, Kashif M, Rahman A, Rehman AU, Akbar H, Nadeem A, Howe DK, Azam MN.The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-Neospora (N.) caninum and anti-N. hughesi antibodies in horses and to appraise the associated risk factors in the two central districts (Jhang and Toba Tek Singh) of Punjab Province, Pakistan. A total of 300 horse sera were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to Neospora spp. using a competitive ELISA. The overall prevalence of antibodies against Neospora species in horses was 25 % (75/300; 95 % CI 20.1-29.9). The prevalence of antibodies to N. caninum and N. hughesi species was 12.3 % (37/300; 95 % CI 8.6-16) and 19.3 % (5...
Watson WL, MacKay JRD, Dwyer CM.This study focuses on recreational horse owners in the UK and Ireland to explore the relationship between horse characteristics and welfare issues. An online questionnaire was distributed to 1501 horse owners to collect data on the owners, horses, and health/behavioural issues. Most respondents were female (98%), lived in England (56%), and did not insure their horses for veterinary costs (51%). Horses were typically over 5 years of age (96%), taller than 154 cm (55%), and mostly geldings (65%). Common welfare issues reported included lameness (26%), handling problems (11%), antisocial behavio...
Barbazanges P, Couroucé A, Le Digarcher G, Cardwell JM, Schmitt E, Toquet MP, Lemonnier LC, Richard EA.Fungi are ubiquitous in horses' environment. Their contribution to the pathophysiology of severe asthma (SA) is acknowledged, while controversies remain for mild-moderate asthma (MA). Objective: We hypothesised that fungi are a risk factor for asthma. Our objective was to compare different combinations of analytical methods (cytology, culture) and sampling sites (tracheal wash (TW), bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)) in relation to clinical status (control, MA, SA). Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study. Methods: The study population included asymptomatic racing horses in the field and ...
Petano-Duque JM, Urueña-Martinez E, Cabezas-Callejas LL, Perilla-Amaya J, Rueda-García V, Rondón-Barragán IS, Lopera-Vásquez R.EHV-1 is one of the most prevalent viral pathogens in horses; however, its prevalence is not well defined by cross-reactions of serological tests. Thus, this study aims to determine EHV-1/-4 prevalence in Colombian creole horses from Ibagué, Tolima, using molecular techniques, as well as to determine possible risk factors associated with viral infection. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 110 equines blood, serum, and semen samples from Ibagué, Tolima. Antibodies against EHV-1/-4 were determined through indirect ELISA. EHV-1 was detected by amplifying the glycoprotein H gene through ...
Halo M, Kirchner R, Tirpák F, Slanina T, Tokárová K, Kováčik A, Miškeje M, Greń A, Formicki G, Halo M, Madeddu R, Massányi P.The abundance of chemical elements in the blood of horses can indicate the physiological balance, health of animal as well as can be taken as an indicator of environmental pollution. The aim of this work was to analyse haematological, biochemical parameters, TOS, FRAP, SOD, Gpx, TAS and their correlations with concentrations of essential and risk elements in blood of horses stabled in two different locations: The National Stud Farm Topoľčianky (n = 11; 11 stallions, consisting of the breeds 6 Lipizzan, 3 Slovak warmblood, 2 Holsteiner) and Experimental Centre at Institute of Animal Husba...
Hinrichs K, Schnobrich M, Fernandes CB, Fleury P, Barillari V, Bruggeworth S.Transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration (TVA) is being performed commonly in clinical equine practice. There is limited information in the literature about the type and incidence of complications related to TVA. We conducted a survey (Study 1), completed by 23 practicing veterinarians, soliciting information about the types and incidence of minor and major complications and of fatalities they had experienced associated with performance of TVA. In Study 2, data from a large clinical practice in which six veterinarians performed over 14,000 TVAs over a period of 7 years was reviewed t...
Ross DE, Ghodasara SK, Roskam JS, Gaccione AG, DiFazio LT, Bilaniuk JW, Nemeth ZH.Motorcycle and equestrian accidents can share similar trauma mechanisms and can result in serious injuries. Objective: This study aims to analyze variations in injuries and safety standards through types, severity, and outcomes of traumatic injuries in both motorcycle and equestrian riders. Methods: Using the 2020 ACS TQIP database, we split patients into two groups based on their primary injury. We chose codes V28 and V80.0 to identify non-collision fall or throw injuries for motorcycle and equestrian accidents respectively. A total of 17,730 motorcycle and 5,461 equestrian patients were iden...
González-Medina S, Hyde C, Chang YM, Piercy RJ.Sycamore tree-derived hypoglycin A (HGA) toxin causes atypical myopathy (AM), an acute, equine pasture-associated rhabdomyolysis but incidence fluctuates. Objective: Investigate whether tree or environmental factors influence HGA concentration in sycamore material and are associated with AM relative risk. Methods: Retrospective and experimental prospective study. Methods: UK sycamore population, seed production and AM incidence data were obtained. HGA concentration was measured in seeds from trees from 10 different central UK locations. The effect of tar spot infection, seed maturity, tree tru...
Jasiński T, Turek B, Kaczorowski M, Brehm W, Skierbiszewska K, Domino M.The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a unique joint that enables mandibular movement. Temporomandibular diseases (TMDs) impair joint function, leading to more or less specific clinical signs. Objective: To compile and disseminate clinical data and research findings from existing publications on equine TMD. Methods: Systematic review. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, literature searches were conducted in PUBMED, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge. The inclusion criteria covered case reports and research articles on equine TMDs. The selected records were grouped considering septic TMJ arthri...
Sharma S, Reardon LM, Guda R, Carr MM, Man LX, Alicea D.Our primary objective was to identify and describe demographic trends in head and neck injuries incurred while participating in horseback riding. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis. Methods: National Database. Methods: Head and neck injuries related to horseback riding over a ten-year period (2014-2023) were analyzed using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). A total of 3,177 cases were identified. Inclusion criteria encompassed injuries to the head, neck, face, mouth, or ear. Variables included age, gender, injury type, anatomical location, and patient disposit...
Chapman M, Fenner K, Thomas MJW.Equestrianism has an opportunity to learn lessons relating to safer human-horse interactions from those who no longer have a voice, by drawing data from the investigation of horse-related human fatalities and participating in accident analysis. Many human-horse related injuries and fatalities are not examined in equestrianism for the purpose of developing safer future risk mitigation practice, often due to the philosophy that horse sport is simply dangerous. This study analysed data from the Australian National Coronial Information System (NCIS) relating to fatalities involving human-horse int...
Newton LJ, Dobbin N, Goodwin P, Crampton JS.Competitive horse racing is the second largest sport in Great Britain by spectator attendance, employability, and revenue. It is a lucrative yet hazardous sport, with high injury rates, particularly from falls. Clavicular fractures are one of the most common injuries reported, yet their management, especially regarding return to racing, is under-researched. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors associated with the time to return to competition following a clavicular fracture in jockeys competing in Great Britain. Methods: This review of medical records utilised data from the Bri...
Hardwick JL, Ahern BJ, Crawford KL, Allen KJ, Anderson BH, Rose KJ, Franklin SH.The relationship between Thoroughbred yearling laryngeal function (YLF) grade and race performance is unclear. Objective: To determine the effect of YLF on future race performance. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Post-sale endoscopic recordings were reviewed from Australian yearling sales in 2018-2019. Race performance was evaluated for career and as 2-, 3- and ≥4-year-olds. Multivariable generalised linear modelling examined the association between YLF and performance, with risk estimates presented as coefficients (95% CI). Results: The YLF in 5175 examinations was graded I in...
Beasley A, Abbas G, Hughes K, El-Hage C, Jacobson C, Bauquier J, Wilkes E, Carrigan P, Cudmore L, Hurley J, Beveridge I, Nielsen M, Jabbar A.Over the past few decades, the emergence of resistance amongst intestinal parasites of horses to all available anthelmintic classes has emphasised the need for a paradigm shift in parasite control approaches within the Australian equine industry. Findings of a recent Australia-wide research project have provided new insights into intestinal parasites (i.e. strongyles and ascarids) and parasite control from the perspectives of Australian horse breeders and equine veterinarians. The published data have revealed recent trends in parasite prevalence and distribution, breeders' and veterinarians' a...
Wilson CS, Carrick J, Shearer P, Heller J, Brookes VJ.Pregnancy failure is a serious economic and welfare concern in the Thoroughbred horse industry, yet its incidence and risk factors in Australia remain unclear. This retrospective, nested, case-control study investigated pregnancy failure in resident mares on studs in the Hunter Valley, Australia, in 2021-2022, in early (46-150 days), mid (151-270 days), and late (>270 days) gestation. We found an annual incidence risk of 5.4 pregnancy failure cases/100 45-day pregnancies (0.05 cases/mare; 95 % CI 0.04-0.07), with full-term (perinatal) losses (≥320 days) accounting for 24 % of cases (9...
Gallacher K, Champion K, Denholm KS.Foals suffer from total failure to transfer passive immunity (TFTPI) when serum immunoglobulin (IgG) is <4 g/L, and partial failure to transfer passive immunity (PFTPI) when serum IgG is 4-8 g/L. Objective: To explore risk factors for poor serum IgG concentration. Methods: Retrospective observational study. Methods: Data from 535 Thoroughbred foals born to 177 mares were analysed and included foal sex, birthweight, month and year of birth and colostrum Brix %. Associations between dam age and colostrum Brix (%); and between foal serum IgG and liveweight gains were also measured. Pre-suckle...
McGivney CL, McGivney BA, Farries G, Gough KF, Han H, Holtby AR, MacHugh DE, Katz LM, Hill EW.Equine recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) is an economically important upper respiratory tract (URT) disease with a genetic contribution to risk, but genetic variants independent of height have not been identified for Thoroughbreds. The method of clinical assessment for RLN is critical to accurately phenotype groups for genetic studies. Objective: To identify genetic risk loci for RLN in Thoroughbreds in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) following high-resolution phenotyping. Methods: Case-control. Methods: Thoroughbred horses were characterised as RLN cases and controls using resting a...
Stoneham SJ, Tyler N, Holmes MA, Archer DC.This prospective, controlled field trial aimed to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of mares in late pregnancy with a commercial stud feed balancer on the transfer of passive immunity to their foals. Eighty-two pregnant mares on a single stud farm that were eligible for inclusion were assigned into two groups (Intervention and Control) based primarily on existing social groupings. Between 64-224 days prepartum, all mares received the same forage-based diet but mares in the Intervention group received an in-feed commercial stud feed balancer and mares in the Control group received...
Königová A, Babják M, Kuzmina TA, Burcáková Ľ, Syrota Y, Várady M.The study aimed to conduct a survey on the occurrence of benzimidazole (BZ) resistance in strongyles by in vitro egg hatch test (EHT) and larval development test (LDT) and to identify the effective indicators of early resistance detection on horse farms with associated risk factors analysis appraisal. In total, 203 horses from 8 farms underwent the fecal sampling of which 77 horses were selected for in vitro testing. Simultaneously, 18 horses were chosen to analyse the results of in vitro tests compared to the in vivo fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). The EHT indicated the presence of re...
Gould S, Roy IR, Gabriel FD, Lowe R, Lin CY.Equestrian sports are associated with high rates of major injury compared to collision and powered two-wheel sports. Advancements in rider and horse safety equipment and the implementation of comprehensive emergency action planning standards may help mitigate injuries, particularly in regard to the Olympic disciplines of dressage, show jumping, and three-day eventing covered in this review. Personal safety equipment to consider includes helmets, safety and air vests, and horse tack including safety stirrups, acoustic dampeners, and breakaway reins. Equestrian event medical coverage requires em...
Castro D, Clark-Price S.Pre-existing muscle disorders in horses can often be subtle and may only become evident during or after anesthesia. Advancements in veterinary medicine, along with increased knowledge and research in this field, help minimize anesthesia-related problems. Adequate preanesthesia assessment, early disease diagnosis, and proper management are crucial in minimizing risks to the neuromuscular system during general anesthesia.
Mulaw Berihun A, Bizu F, Maru M, Kassaw S.Equines play a significant role in the economy of the country. Besides their importance, equines face several challenges mainly helminth infections. Of these strongyle parasites are the most common, particularly in the study area. Thus, a cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2022 to July 2022 to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors and to identify the genera of equine strongyle parasites in and around Bishoftu. A total of 364 equines were randomly selected from five different areas and subjected to coprological examination using the floatation technique to detect s...
Public healthDecember 24, 2024
Volume 239 1-8 doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2024.12.031
Lorenz C, de Azevedo TS, Chiaravalloti-Neto F.The Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) is a globally relevant vector-borne pathogen that causes encephalitis. The role of environmental variables in the epidemiology of WEEV has become greater in the context of climate change. In December 2023, a significant resurgence of WEEV began in South America, with major ongoing outbreaks in Argentina and Uruguay. In this study, we employed a machine learning algorithm to model the distribution of WEEV in South America, considering both present and future scenarios. Methods: Ecological retrospective study. Methods: We conducted a modelling study t...
Hepworth-Warren KL, Love K.Bacterial pneumonia is a common disease in adult horses, but there are no guidelines for practitioners regarding risk factors, diagnosis, and management of the disease. The objectives of this study were to describe how a group of equine veterinarians diagnose and treat bacterial pneumonia in adult horses. A 22-question survey was distributed via multiple platforms to equine veterinarians asking questions regarding the frequency with which they identified specific clinical findings and used certain diagnostic modalities, and the approach to antimicrobial and adjunct therapy. Three hundred nine ...
Keener MM, Vice GC, Tumlin KI, Heebner NR.The study aims to characterize the workday habits of American jockeys and evaluate the relationship between workday habits and fatigue through changes in postural stability (balance) across their workday. Methods: Thirty-seven jockeys participated in prerace and postrace day testing. Jockeys completed questionnaires on workday habits and a 2-minute balance test with triaxial accelerometers on the unstable surface and sacrum. Results: The median caloric intake during their workday was 263.8 kcal. Wilcoxon signed rank tests reported no significant changes in balance across the workday. Statistic...
York A, Matusiewicz J, Padalino B.This review aims to provide practical outcomes on how to minimise the incidence of transport-related problem behaviours (TRPBs) in horses. TRPBs are unwanted behaviours occurring during different phases of transport, most commonly, a reluctance to load and scrambling during travelling. TRPBs can result in injuries to horses and horse handlers, horse trailer accidents, disruption of time schedules, inability to attend competitions, and poor performance following travel. Therefore, TRPBs are recognised as both a horse-related risk to humans and a human-related risk to horses. From the literature...
Mönki J, Hewetson M, Virtala AM.Equine gastric glandular disease (EGGD) is a term used to classify erosive and ulcerative diseases of the glandular mucosa of the equine stomach. Epidemiologic studies of risk factors for EGGD have not been reported. Objective: To determine risk factors for EGGD. Methods: Cases (n = 83) had endoscopic evidence of EGGD; controls (n = 34) included healthy horses and horses with equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) without EGGD. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. The data were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression modeling. Analysis was performed on the full dataset. An addi...
Lucas M, Day L, Shirangi A, Fritschi L.A high injury prevalence has been reported among veterinarians. Studies describing the factors associated with injury have been limited. Objective: To describe the characteristics of serious injuries and the use of safety precautions at the time of injury in Australian veterinarians. Methods: Graduates in veterinary medicine from Australian universities completed questionnaires asking about injuries during their professional career including type of injury and circumstances during which injury occurred. Results: A total of 2188 significant injuries were reported. Injuries were most frequently ...
Estberg L, Gardner IA, Stover SM, Johnson BJ.The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between intensive racing and training schedules and risk of either catastrophic musculoskeletal injury (CMI) or lay-up from racing in California Thoroughbreds. Thoroughbred racehorses that sustained a CMI during racing or training and either were subsequently euthanized or died on a California racetrack during 1991 and 1992 were studied using a case-crossover study design. Each study subject (case) provided its own self-matched control information in the form of 'typical' exposure frequency, determined or estimated from historic i...
Peckle M, Pires MS, Dos Santos TM, Roier EC, da Silva CB, Vilela JA, Santos HA, Massard CL.The aim of this study was to detect Theileria equi (Laveran 1901) DNA in horses and ticks using real-time PCR and to list the factors associated with infection in animals located in the Seropedica and Petropolis municipalities of the state of Rio de Janeiro. We tested blood samples from 314 horses and samples from 300 ticks, including 191 Amblyomma cajennense, 104 Dermacentor nitens, and 5 Ixodida larvae. Factors inherent to the horse, the ownership, and animal management were obtained from an epidemiological questionnaire and were evaluated in association with the presence of T. equi DNA in t...
Sack A, Oladunni FS, Gonchigoo B, Chambers TM, Gray GC. Worldwide, horses play critical roles in recreation, food production, transportation, and as working animals. Horses' roles differ by geographical region and the socioeconomic status of the people, but despite modern advances in transportation, which have in some ways altered humans contact with horses, potential risks for equine zoonotic pathogen transmission to humans occur globally. While previous reports have focused upon individual or groups of equine pathogens, to our knowledge, a systematic review of equine zoonoses has never been performed. Using PRISMA's systematic review guidelines...
Padalino B, Davis GL, Raidal SL.Transportation has been suggested as a risk factor for gastric ulceration in horses, but limited evidence supports this assumption. Methods: Twenty-six Standardbred, Thoroughbred, and Warmblood mares from a university teaching herd. Methods: Twelve mares were confined for 12 hours, overnight, in reproductive stocks with indwelling nasogastric tubes (NGTs) to assess pH of gastric fluid (GF). Gastric ulceration was assessed endoscopically before and after confinement. Subsequently, 26 horses were transported for 12 hours, overnight, in 2 consignments. During transportation, GF was aspirated ...
Montes Cortés MG, Fernández-García JL, Habela Martínez-Estéllez MÁ.Equine piroplasmoses are enzootic parasitic diseases distributed worldwide with high incidence in tropical and subtropical regions. In Spain, there is insufficient epidemiological data about equine piroplasmoses. The main aim of the present study was therefore to estimate the prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in five regions and obtain information about the risk factors. This study was conducted in the central and south-western regions of Spain, using indirect fluorescence antibody testing (IFAT) in 3,100 sera samples from apparently healthy horses of different ages, breeds, coa...
Treiber KH, Boston RC, Kronfeld DS, Staniar WB, Harris PA.Insulin resistance has been suggested to increase the risk of certain diseases, including osteochondrosis and laminitis. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of adaptation to high-glycemic meals on glucose-insulin regulation in healthy Thoroughbred weanlings. Twelve Thoroughbred foals were raised on pasture and supplemented twice daily with a feed high in either sugar and starch (SS; 49% nonstructural carbohydrates, 21% NDF, 3% crude fat on a DM basis) or fat and fiber (FF; 12% nonstructural carbohydrates, 44% NDF, 10% crude fat on a DM basis). As weanlings (age 199 +/- 5 d; BW 274 +/- 5 k...
The Journal of traumaJanuary 1, 1989
Volume 29, Issue 1 25-30 doi: 10.1097/00005373-198901000-00005
Ingemarson H, Grevsten S, Thorén L.Riding accidents can be of a serious nature. Knowledge of risk factors is of essential value in the prevention of injuries. From the years 1969 through 1982 a series of 53 lethal riding injuries is analysed with reference to the rider, the horse, and the environment. Craniocerebral injuries dominate in this series, indicating the importance of adequately protecting helmets. Among the victims the female sex is dominating before the age of 25 and the males above this age. Older horses are less frequently involved in these accidents than younger ones. A long training period for riders under surve...
Carrier TK, Estberg L, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Johnson BJ, Read DH, Ardans AA.To determine whether a two-month or longer period without official high-speed workouts (lay-up) is associated with humeral or pelvic fracture in Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Reprospective study. Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses in California that were euthanatized because of a complete humeral or pelvic fracture. Methods: Age, sex, activity, number of lay-ups, number of days from a race or official timed workout to fracture, number of days from end of last lay-up to fracture, mean duration of lay-ups, and total number of days in race training were compared between horses with humeral frac...
Ward MP, Schuermann JA, Highfield LD, Murray KO.Equine West Nile virus (WNV) encephalomyelitis cases - based on clinical signs and ELISA serology test results - reported to Texas disease control authorities during 2002 were analyzed to provide insights into the epidemiology of the disease within a previously disease-free population. The epidemic occurred between June 27 and December 17 (peaking in early October) and 1,698 cases were reported. Three distinct epidemic phases were identified, occurring mostly in southeast, northwest and then central Texas. Significant (P<0.05) disease clusters were identified in northwest and northern Texas. M...
Kullmann A, Holcombe SJ, Hurcombe SD, Roessner HA, Hauptman JG, Geor RJ, Belknap J.Recent research suggested that prophylactic digital cryotherapy (ICE) improved lameness scores, diminished histological changes and early laminar inflammatory signalling in horses following oligofructose administration. In clinical practice, horses at risk for sepsis-associated laminitis receive ICE. Evidence to support this practice is lacking. Objective: To determine factors associated with development of laminitis in horses diagnosed with colitis, including ICE. Methods: Multicentre retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records for horses admitted to 2 university hospitals diagnosed w...
Padalino B, Raidal SL, Hall E, Knight P, Celi P, Jeffcott L, Muscatello G.Transportation can affect equine health and is a potential source of economic loss to the industry. Objective: To identify journey (duration, vehicle, commercial or noncommercial) and horse (sex, age, breed, use, amateur or professional status) characteristics associated with the development of transport-related health problems in horses. Methods: Cross-sectional online survey. Methods: An online survey was conducted targeting amateur and professional participants in the Australian equine industry; eligible respondents were required to organise horse movements at least monthly. Respondents pro...
Reid SW, Mair TS, Hillyer MH, Love S.Multiple logistic regression was used to assess epidemiological risk factors associated with the diagnosis of cyathostomiasis in 87 cases of chronic diarrhoea in the horse. Age, season and the period since last receiving anthelmintics were identified as important risk factors using chi-square and two-sample t test analyses, whereas access to grazing, shared grazing with other horses and recurrence of signs were only weakly associated with a diagnosis of cyathostomiasis. Multivariate analysis of the parameters using logistic regression was performed. The final model included age, season and tim...
Dyson S, Murray R.Neurectomy of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve and plantar fasciotomy have become accepted as methods of treatment of proximal suspensory desmopathy (PSD), but there are limited long-term studies documenting the outcome. Objective: To describe long-term follow-up in horses with PSD alone or with other injuries contributing to lameness and poor performance, including complications, following neurectomy and fasciotomy. Methods: Follow-up information was acquired for 155 horses that had undergone neurectomy and fasciotomy for treatment of PSD between 2003 and 2008. Success was classif...
Allen SE, Rosanowski SM, Stirk AJ, Verheyen KLP.No large-scale studies have described veterinary events occurring in National Hunt (NH) flat racing or investigated risk factors for fatality in this race type. Objective: To describe injuries and conditions requiring veterinary attendance on race day and to determine risk factors for racehorse fatality in NH flat racing in Great Britain. Methods: Retrospective cohort study (2000-2013). Methods: Information from all NH flat races held over the study period, including horse, race and veterinary event report details, was combined. Veterinary events were described by type and anatomical structure...
Hill AE, Gardner IA, Carpenter TE, Stover SM.To assess concurrently the effects of moderate ligamentous suspensory apparatus injury (MLSAI), racing-speed exercise, and horseshoe characteristics on risk of catastrophic suspensory apparatus failure (SAF) or metacarpal condylar fracture (CDY) in forelimbs of racehorses. Methods: Cadavers of 301 Thoroughbred racehorses (108 with SAF, 33 with CDY and 160 control horses). Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiologic study was used to describe distributions and relationships between MLSAI, exercise, and horseshoe variables. Logistic regression was used to assess potential risk factors for developin...
Wang HH, Kung NY, Grant WE, Scanlan JC, Field HE.Zoonoses from wildlife threaten global public health. Hendra virus is one of several zoonotic viral diseases that have recently emerged from Pteropus species fruit-bats (flying-foxes). Most hypotheses regarding persistence of Hendra virus within flying-fox populations emphasize horizontal transmission within local populations (colonies) via urine and other secretions, and transmission among colonies via migration. As an alternative hypothesis, we explore the role of recrudescence in persistence of Hendra virus in flying-fox populations via computer simulation using a model that integrates publ...
van Galen G, Saegerman C, Marcillaud Pitel C, Patarin F, Amory H, Baily JD, Cassart D, Gerber V, Hahn C, Harris P, Keen JA, Kirschvink N, Lefere L....Appropriate management of atypical myopathy (AM) requires the establishment of an accurate diagnosis and prognosis. Furthermore, preventive measures to avoid AM need to be refined. Objective: The aims of the study were as follows: 1) to improve the diagnosis of AM; 2) to identify prognostic predictors; and 3) to refine recommended preventive measures based on indicators of risk factors. Methods: An exploratory analysis of cases in Europe between 2006 and 2009 reported to the Atypical Myopathy Alert Group was conducted. Based on clinical data, reported cases were allocated into 2 groups: ...
Estberg L, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Drake CM, Johnson B, Ardans A.To investigate the relation between several racing speed history characteristics and risk of fatal skeletal injury (FSI) in racing Thoroughbreds. Methods: 64 Thoroughbreds euthanatized during a 9-month period in 1991 at a California racemeet because of a catastrophic fracture incurred while racing (cases), identified retrospectively. For each race in which an FSI occurred, 1 control horse was randomly selected from the noncatastrophically injured participants. Methods: Racing and officially timed workout histories were obtained for each horse. Several history characteristics were calculated to...
Steinman A, Zimmerman T, Klement E, Lensky IM, Berlin D, Gottlieb Y, Baneth G.The prevalence of Theileria equi infection as well as the environmental and demographic risk factors for infection was studied in 590 healthy horses from 46 farms in Israel. The prevalence of T. equi DNA was assessed using a polymerase chain reaction for a segment of the Theileria 18S rRNA gene. The overall prevalence was 26.4% (156/590). There was a significant geographical variation in the prevalence of T. equi infection, ranging from 9.3% (25/270) in the central lowlands to 81.7% (49/60) in the Golan Heights. The prevalence of T. equi infection was found to be significantly associated with ...
Ahern BJ, Richardson DW, Boston RC, Schaer TP.To determine the rate of postoperative infection (POI) for internal fixation repaired equine long bone fractures and arthrodeses and identify associated risk factors. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n=192) with fracture repair of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones, radius, ulna, humerus, tibia, and femur, or arthrodesis with internal fixation. Methods: Medical records (1990-2006) were reviewed for signalment, anatomic location, fracture classification and method of repair, technique and surgical duration, bacterial species isolated, postoperative care, onset of POI, and outcome. ...
García-Bocanegra I, Arenas-Montes A, Napp S, Jaén-Téllez JA, Fernández-Morente M, Fernández-Molera V, Arenas A.West Nile virus (WNV) is recognized as an emerging zoonotic pathogen, whose incidence in horses, humans and birds has increased significantly in different European countries in the last decade. A serosurvey study was carried out in non vaccinated horses to determine the geographical distribution of WNV in Andalusia (Southern Spain), and to assess the factors that influence the risk of WNV infection in horses. Antibodies to WNV were detected in 54 out of 510 horses analyzed by a blocking ELISA, of which 36 were confirmed by micro virus neutralization test (7.1%; CI(95%): 4.9-9.3). A total of 28...
Muscatello G.Various challenges face clinicians and farm managers in diagnosing, treating and preventing Rhodococcus equi pneumonia. The use of ultrasound imaging has aided in the early diagnosis of the disease, reducing treatment duration and improving therapeutic outcomes. Antimicrobial resistance in R. equi is an emerging issue that necessitates prudent antimicrobial therapy of diseased foals. Alternative methods of disease transmission, such as contagious foal-to-foal aerosol transmission, may need to be addressed to complement dust reduction environmental strategies and to minimise the overall risk of...
Lepeule J, Bareille N, Robert C, Ezanno P, Valette JP, Jacquet S, Blanchard G, Denoix JM, Seegers H.Developmental Orthopaedic Disease (DOD) in limb joints of horses is frequent and is a common cause of pain and lameness. DOD is a multifactorial disease involving genetics, growth, feeding practices and exercise conditions leading to joint injuries. However, there is no clear understanding of the contribution of each factor. The aim of this cohort study was to assess the adjusted effects of breed and gender, growth, feeding practices and exercise conditions on the prevalence of DOD in the limbs of foals at weaning and on the prevalence restricted to osteochondrosis (OC). Twenty-one farms in No...
Durham AE.Nutritional intolerances manifesting as colic in the horse may be largely explained by divergence from the diet and ingestive behaviors to which the feral ancestors of modern domesticated equids had become accustomed and adapted. High-starch diets and abrupt dietary changes are probably foremost in the risk factors for diet-associated colic in the horse and have their basis in disruption of the stability of microbial populations resident within the equine hindgut. Although some general associations between colic and diet may be inferred from several epidemiologic studies, data derived from stu...
Taylor D, Kuiper JH.This paper addresses an anomaly which exists in the current literature regarding stress fractures. Analysis of the data on fatigue strength of bone samples in vitro would conclude that these fractures should never occur at the strain levels known to occur in vivo. This anomaly can be resolved by including in the analysis the effect of stressed volume, whereby larger volumes of material are expected to have worse fatigue properties. A Weibull analysis was used to predict the probability of failure, Pf; this was an upper-bound prediction because it did not include the effects of remodelling and ...
Cohen ND, O'Conor MS, Chaffin MK, Martens RJ.To identify farm characteristics and management practices associated with development of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals. Methods: Prospective case-control study. Methods: 5230 foals on 138 breeding farms with 9136 horses. Methods: During 2003, participating veterinarians provided data from 1 or 2 farms with > or =1 foal with R equi pneumonia and unaffected farms. Data from affected and unaffected farms were compared by use of logistic regression analysis. Results: A number of variables relating to farm size and desirable management practices were significantly associated with increased od...
Cohen ND, Lester GD, Sanchez LC, Merritt AM, Roussel AJ.To determine factors associated with development of postoperative ileus (POI) in horses undergoing surgery for colic. Methods: Prospective case-control study. Methods: 251 horses undergoing colic surgery, of which 47 developed POI. Methods: Signalment, history, clinicopathologic data, pre- and postoperative treatments, lesions, complications, costs, and outcome were recorded for all horses during hospitalization. Results: Variables associated with increased odds of POI included small intestinal lesion, high PCV, and increased duration of anesthesia. There was modest evidence that pelvic flexur...
