Thoroughbreds are a breed of horse known for their agility, speed, and spirit, often associated with horse racing and equestrian sports. Originating from crossbreeding native English mares with imported Arabian, Barb, and Turkoman stallions, Thoroughbreds have a well-documented pedigree that traces back to the late 17th and early 18th centuries. This breed is characterized by a refined head, deep chest, and long legs, contributing to their athletic capabilities. Thoroughbreds are primarily bred for their performance in racing but are also utilized in other equestrian disciplines. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the genetics, physiology, and performance characteristics of Thoroughbreds, as well as their management and welfare in various equine activities.
McGuire TC, Banks KL, Evans DR, Poppie MJ.Agammaglobulinemia was diagnosed in a 1-year-old Thoroughbred horse on the basis of the following observations: (1) absence of serum immunoglobulins M, A, and G(T); (2) small amounts of serum immunoglobulin G (16 mg/100 ml); (3) absence of specific antibody in the serum of the horse following immunization and challenge exposure to 2 antigens; (4) absence of plasma cells, primary follicles, and germinal centers in a lymph node removed after antigenic stimulation; (5) absence of "natural" serum antibodies to rabbit-erythrocytes which were easily detectable in age-matched control horse serums; an...
Robie SM, Janson CH, Smith SC, O'Connor JT.Concentrations of serum phospholipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, nonesterified fatty acids, and glucose were determined for 9 months (September, 1972, to May, 1973) in 19 fasting horses and ponies (8 Morgan horses, 7 Thoroughbred horses, and 4 Shetland Ponies). Morgan horses had higher concentrations of total lipid than did Thoroughbreds, although the relative proportions of each type of lipid were similar in the 2 breeds. Shetland Ponies had higher nonesterified fatty acid and lower glucose concentrations than did either breed of horse. In both breeds of horses, concentrations of seru...
Robie SM, Smith SC, O'Connor JT.The serum of lipoproteins of 10 Morgan and 8 Thoroughbred horses were examined by 2 methods of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A significant breed difference in the beta-lipoprotein to alpha-lipoprotein ratio was seen in gradient slab electrophoresis. A breed difference in the number of peaks, but no difference in beta-lipoprotein to alpha-lipoprotein ratio, was found in disc gel electrophoresis. These results have been correlated to indicate differences in charge of alpha-lipoprotein components and in size of beta-lipoprotein components between these 2 breeds of horses.
Robie SM, Janson CH, Smith SC, O'Connor JT.The serum lipoprotein fractions from 5 Morgan and 5 Thoroughbred horses were isolated by preparative ultracentrifugation, chemically analyzed for lipid composition, and studied by 2 methods of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to determine electrophoretic mobility. Breed differences were not seen in the relative percentages of the lipid classes found in the various fractions. Normally, horses, like most animals, carry the majority of their lipid in high-density lipoproteins. Electrophoretically, the only difference seen between breeds occurred on disc electrophoresis where the extra band, whi...
Zafracas AM.This paper describes sixteen cases of Candida infection of the genital tract in Thoroughbred mares. Clinical signs and histopathological lesions of the disease are described and the results of treatment with Lugol's solution and Nystatin are given.
Merkt H, Klug E, Bohm KH, Weiss R.A high incidence of Klebsiella contamination in German 'Warmblut' and Thoroughbred stallions is reported. The organism was recovered from the nostrils, prepuce, pre-ejacultory secretion and, in some cases, on the body surface, in the faeces and on the ground of the covering (mating) yard. Fertility was not affected. However, differences of virulence were observed and Type 5 proved to be the most pathogenic.
Irwin CF.A total of 487 Standardbred and Thoroughbred mares at two studs were manually tested for pregnancy at 20 to 24, 30 to 34, and greater than 42 days after service and the abortion rate compared to that obtained in previous years when only the greater than 42-day test was performed. The results indicated that early manual pregnancy testing does not increase the abortion rate if undertaken carefully and enables non-pregnant mares to be re-mated earlier in the same season.
Laing JA, Leech FB.In a group of 852 Thoroughbred mares, 69-7% had foals which survived beyond 6 weeks, 7-1% had dead, premature or full-term foals and 1-1% had foals which died within 6 weeks after birth. Possible factors which may have influenced these data are mentioned.
von Lepel J.A central control system for German Thoroughbred horses is described. Autumn examination of mares and stallions enables them to be classified according to breeding potential. The results of 25 years of study are reported.
Barnes RJ, Nathanielsz PW, Rossdale PD, Comline RS, Silver M.Normal Thoroughbred and catheterized Pony mares and their fetuses were used. Fetal oestrogen and progestagen concentrations in late gestation were much higher than maternal values. A major feature of the umbilical steroid concentrations was a large venous-arterial difference in progestagens and total oestrogens throughout late gestation which may indicate a metabolic cycle in the fetus between progesterone and other steroid metabolites. Metabolites of 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone were present in high concentrations in maternal and fetal plasma. In Thoroughbreds, and to a lesser extent in Pony m...
Swerczek TW.Small but significant numbers of primary and secondary spermatocytes and spermatids have been observed in the semen of some Thoroughbred stallions. Extensive histological examination of the testes of affected animals has not been undertaken but in one young stallion which died as the result of a leg injury, the premature dehiscence of these cells seemed to be related to segmental defects within the seminiferous tubules. The causes of lesions leading to premature shedding of germ cells are discussed.
Azzie MA.The clinical effects and therapeutic value of a 500 mg implant of oestradiol benzoate was observed in thirty-nine Thoroughbred brood mares showing various abnormalities of the ovary and/or the reproductive tract. Sixteen similarly affected, untreated mares acted as controls. The implant was inserted during the early part of the normal anoestrous period and was removed 6 to 10 weeks later. The conception rate among the treated group (59%) during the onset of the ensuing breeding season was significantly higher (P less than 0-02) than that in the control group. The value of this form of treatmen...
Whitwell KE.A brief description is given of the morphology of the umbilical cord and some variations encountered. In 95% of normal Thoroughbred foals the cord measures less than 84 cm. Factors which govern cord length are not known. Seven pathological conditions involving the umbilical cord are described. Increased length is the most common abnormality and predisposes to three potentially lethal conditions, strangulation of the cord around the fetus, excessive torsion, and allantochorionic necrosis at the cervical pole.
Osborne VE.Foaling figures for Thoroughbred mares in Australia show a puzzling disparity between conception and foaling rates in the second half of the 22 years of official data collection between 1950 and 1972. In the first 9 years of the survey, the live foal percentages rose in parallel with conception rates, but then a divergence of the figures occurred with the conception rate continuing to improve by 6-25% while the foaling rate improved by only 0-01% over the same period. An hypothesis supported by data from two studs is considered that stress factors additional to those experienced by mares in th...
Forsyth IA, Rossdale PD, Thomas CR.Small samples of mammary secretion were collected from eight Thoroughbred mares during the last week of pregnancy, at foaling and after 1 week of lactation. Specific assays showed the presence of both lactose and triglyceride in all samples before birth and progressive increases in their concentrations in colostrum and in milk. Levels of 6-0 g lactose/100 ml and 1-8 g triglyceride/100 ml were present in milk at 7 to 9 days post partum. The secretory capacity of the udder is thus normally established well before parturition in the mare. Attempts to demonstrate the occurrence of a placental lact...
Sullivan JJ, Turner PC, Self LC, Gutteridge HB, Bartlett DE.Reproductive efficiency was evaluated for 838 Quarter-horse mare-years on five farms and 939 Thoroughbred mare-years on seven farms over 4 years. The pregnancy rate from first service was 51% for Quarter-horse mares and 43% for Thoroughbred mares (P less than 0-05). The cumulative pregnancy rate after five services was 85% for Quarter-horse and 77% for Thoroughbred mares (P less than 0-05). First-service-period pregnancy rates were 44, 40 and 54% for maiden, barren and foaling mares, respectively. Cumulative pregnancy rates after five service-periods were 84, 74 and 84% for maiden, barren and ...
Palmer AC, Rossdale PD.Brains from eighteen Thoroughbred foals suffering from the convulsive foal syndrome were examined neuropathologically and compared with brains from nine foals dying from different causes. In the brains of nine convulsive foals there was necrosis of the cerebral cortex, accompanied in three by severe necrosis of the diencephalon and brain stem; haemorrhage into the cerebral cortex was also present in most of this group. In the other nine brains from convulsive foals there was haemorrhage, often severe, especially in the white and grey matter of the cerebral cortex and in the cerebellum. Minimal...
Kenney RM, Ganjam VK, Cooper WL, Lauderdale JW.Seventy-three Standardbred and Thoroughbred mares in clinical anoestrus during the breeding season were treated with PGF2alpha. The mares were divided into four categories; foaling, barren, maiden and unknown. The response was consistent in all groups. Mares at Days 2 to 4 of dioestrus showed no decrease in plasma progesterone levels, and those at Days 6 to 8 showed a return of progesterone to baseline levels (less than 1 ng/ml) in 24 to 48 hr after treatment. Plasma progesterone levels returned to basal levels in 24 to 48 hr in 93% of mares; progesterone levels had not changed by 96 hr in 7% ...
Whitwell KE, Jeffcott LB.Of 211 consecutive thoroughbred foalings, 145 satisfied a set of criteria for normal parturition and foal viability. The fetal membranes from these and from 10 pony foalings have been systematically examined morphologically and quantitatively and the findings compared to those of other authors. Five sites on the allantochorion were consistently devoid of villi. Expulsion usually occurred with the non-villous side outermost. In 24 per cent of allantochorions the non-pregant horn was of equal length or longer than the pregnant horn. These placentae tended to be shed with the villous side outermo...
Frhr J, Lepel V.A high fertility rate depends on many different factors and is always related to inheritance and enviorment. The successful feritly control system in the German Thoroughbred breeding industry shows that fertility can be increased by good management and veterinary supervision. The insemination of horses with frozen semen is discussed. Replacement of natural service by A.I. with frozen semen is not generally accepted in horsebreeding, as the conditions are entirely different from cattle breeding. However, there are several ways in which A.I. can be assistance in stud management.
Lewis IM, McLan JG.The levels of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), which affects the transport of oxygen by haemoglobin, were examined in horse blood. Resting levels of erythrocyte 2,3-DPG were established in thoroughbred horses, and levels of 2,3-DPG together with haemoglobin levels, were examined in a variety of conditions. A negative correlation was observed between erythrocyte 2,3-DPG and haemoglobin levels. Mares had higher erythrocyte 2,3-DPG levels was observed during training, and this variation may have a significant effect on haemoglobin oxygen transport. Erythrocyte 2,3-DPG levels were not affected by...
Azzie MA.Contrary to common belief, Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus can be pathogenic to horses. History of cases of a particular stud, necropsy findings, diagnosis, and successful treatment with hexachlorophene and with dichlorvos are recorded. The presence of eggs can be established by a special flotation technique.
Blackmore DJ, Elton D.This paper records the concentrations of aspartate amino transferase (A.A.T.), creatine kinase (C.P.K.), sorbitol dehydrogenase (S.D.H.), alpha-hydroxybuturate dehydrogenase (alpha-H.B.D.) and alkaline phosphatase (A.P.) activity observed in the sera of Thoroughbred horses in the United Kingdom, at rest and during training. The methods of analysis have been selected to achieve the optimum precision when used for horse serum. During training A.A.T., C.P.K. and alpha-H.B.D. are related and demonstrate intermittent periods of increasing activity. S.D.H. remains unchanged but demonstrates increase...
Plevin S, McLellan J.The occurrence of bucked shins in young Thoroughbred racehorses in North America is high. Although an altered training regime has demonstrated a significant decrease in this condition, trainers can be opposed to altering something as fundamental as their training routine. Periosteal scraping of the third metacarpal bone (McIII) is a putative prophylactic technique used to prevent bucked shins; therefore, a study to investigate the validity of the procedure is warranted. Objective: To investigate whether prophylactic McIII scraping: 1) reduces the incidence of bucked shins in juvenile Thoroughb...
Speirs VC, Bourke JM, Anderson GA.Four variations of abductor muscle prosthesis for treating laryngeal hemiplegia were evaluated in 153 horses by questionnaire, and in the 100 Thoroughbred racehorses in this group survival analysis was used to compare their racing performances and earnings with those of 400 control horses. The questionnaire indicated that the technique which included a ventriculectomy and 2 prostheses was regarded as being the most successful (P less than 0.01) and resulted in the least residual stertor (P less than 0.001). Survival analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the treated g...
Adkins AR, Yovich JV, Steel CM.To evaluate the outcome of 17 horses that underwent surgical arthrodesis of the tarsometatarsal and distal intertarsal joints for treatment of lameness due to osteoarthritis. Methods: Retrospective clinical study using client-owned animals. Methods: Horses with hindlimb lameness were diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the distal tarsal joints following relief of lameness after intra-articular anaesthesia or intra-articular corticosteroid injection. Surgery to stimulate ankylosis was performed on 27 hocks by placing 3 diverging 3.2 mm drill holes approximately 3 cm through the tarsometatarsal and...
Asin J, Nyaoke AC, Samol MA, Arthur RM, Uzal FA.Epiploic foramen entrapment (EFE) is a common cause of small intestinal colic in horses and may lead to intestinal strangulation. Strangulating intestinal obstruction impairs the gastrointestinal outflow and can lead to secondary gastric rupture and endotoxemia. Clostridioides difficile can cause enterotyphlocolitis with colic in horses of all ages, and the process is commonly referred to as C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD). Here we report the results of the postmortem examination of a 7-y-old Thoroughbred racehorse with concurrent CDAD, EFE, and gastric rupture that was euthanized follo...
Harkins JD, Tobin T.Fentanyl and other opioid drugs have their effect in the central nervous system; however, activity at peripheral sites has also been demonstrated. Pain-suppression activity at peripheral sites raises the possibility of skilled individuals producing local anaesthetic effects with small doses of opioid drugs that would be difficult to detect forensically and could be used to affect the outcome of a race. Therefore, the local pain-suppression effect (peripheral nerve inhibition) of fentanyl was tested using an abaxial sesamoid block/hoof withdrawal model. With this model, fentanyl did not produce...
Cohen ND, Peck KE, Smith SA, Ray AC.The distribution of specific gravity values for 2,599 urine samples collected from racing Thoroughbred horses that were known to have received furosemide prior to racing was compared with that for 1,669 urine samples from racing Thoroughbred horses that reportedly had not received furosemide. Values of specific gravity for furosemide-treated horses were significantly lower (P < 0.001) than those for horses that had not received furosemide, and the proportion of horses with urine specific gravity either <1.010 or <1.012 was significantly greater (P < 0.001) among the furosemide-trea...
Kovár J, Kostelecká B.On the basis of test results, regarding the pulse rate response to the increased load, obtained from 278 three-year-old horses after finishing their elementary training (145 Bohemian warm-blooded horses, 115 Kladrub Black horses and 18 English half-bred horses), a method was worked for the evaluation of their performance. As an evaluating criterion a velocity (v170) was chosen which was obtained from an experimentally determined regression dependence of velocity on the pulse rate at 170 pulses per minute. A set of v170 data were statistically processed and on the basis of quantiles of normal d...
Davies HM.In Thoroughbred racehorses, the dorsal cortex (DC) of the third metacarpal bone (MC3) enlarges when horses are first exposed to fast exercise speeds. It is now possible to measure ultrasound speed through 3 to 5 mm depths of bone around the bone shaft using Sunlight Medical's 'Omnisense' machine. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether the ultrasound speed measured in the surface 3-5 mm of the midshaft dorsal cortex of MC3 could be related directly to the midshaft shape and size of the MC3s of young Thoroughbred racehorses at the same stage of training. Sixteen 2-year-old and sixte...
Aouane N, Nasri A, Bekara MAA, Metref AK, Kaidi R.The Barb horse occupies a prominent place in the history, culture, and equestrian traditions of the Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia). Although many studies on the breed standard and morphometry have been published, there are no studies on its fertility and reproductive potential. Thus, this work aimed to study the fertility of Barb, Arabian Purebred, and Thoroughbred horses in Algeria. Methods: A total of 168 stallions and 1202 mares at the Chaouchaoua Stud farm in Tiaret, Algeria, were included in the study. The reproductive performance during 1592 cycles over 10 consecutive mating sea...
Rumpler MJ, Sams RA, Colahan P.We describe a validated, rapid, sensitive, and specific UHPLC-MS/MS method to detect and quantify glycopyrrolate in 0.5 mL of horse urine. Further, we investigated the elimination of glycopyrrolate in urine after both intravenous and oral administration of clinically relevant doses to Thoroughbred horses. Quantification was performed by weighted, linear regression analysis using a deuterated analogue of glycopyrrolate as internal standard (IS). The method was characterized by a linear range of 5-2500 pg/mL, a lower limit of quantification of 5 pg/mL and a limit of detection of 1 pg/mL. The int...
Ryu SH, Koo HC, Lee YW, Park YH, Lee CW.Infectious upper respiratory disease (IURD) of Thoroughbred racehorses has been a frequent problem (29.6% of incidence) at the Seoul Race Park (Korea). Risk factors for IURD include the season with a high transfer rate (summer and fall), the stabling period (≤ 3 months), and age (2 to 3 years old), suggesting that the movement and new environment may have depressed the immune system of the horses and decreased their ability to respond properly to pathogens. The bacterial strains (n = 98) isolated from IURD horses included Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus...
Simpson CM, Lumsden JM.A 2-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was evaluated for a grade 3 out of 5 unilateral hind limb lameness. Flexion of the right hock and stifle joints (spavin test) exacerbated the lameness. Response to intra-articular and perineural anaesthesia isolated the source of lameness to the tarsocrural area, despite an absence of tarsocrural joint effusion. Routine radiographic examination of the hock did not reveal any significant abnormalities. Skeletal nuclear scintigraphic evaluation revealed a focal region of increased bone activity in the proximal medial trochlear ridge of the talus. Flexed laterome...
Kusano K, Nomura M, Toju K, Ishikawa Y, Minamijima Y, Yamashita S, Nagata S.Procaterol (PCR) is a beta-2-adrenergic bronchodilator widely used in Japanese racehorses for treating lower respiratory disease. The pharmacokinetics of PCR following single intravenous (0.5 μg/kg) and oral (2.0 μg/kg) administrations were investigated in six thoroughbred horses. Plasma and urine concentrations of PCR were measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Plasma PCR concentration following intravenous administration showed a biphasic elimination pattern. The systemic clearance was 0.47 ± 0.16 L/h/kg, the steady-state volume of the distribution was 1.21 ± 0.23 L/kg, ...
George LW, Tanner ML, Roberson EL, Burke TM.A 6-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was examined because of respiratory disease that developed after it was placed on pasture occupied by a donkey. Clinical signs in the gelding included a harsh, dry paroxysmal cough and increased expiratory effort. Eosinophils were seen in smears of mucus aspirated from the trachea and the bronchi. Immature, 5th-stage Dictyocaulus arnfieldi was identified in the tracheal mucus. The cough and other clinical signs were not diminished by corticosteroid therapy or by the administration of bronchodilators. Treatment with 10-fold therapeutic dosages of thiabendazole ...
White DA, Hildebrand SV, Jones JH, Fung DL, Gronert GA.On the basis of results in dogs, conditioning exercise may increase sensitivity to nondepolarizing muscle relaxants. Five Thoroughbreds were exercised/conditioned 3 times weekly on a treadmill for 8 months. Increasing maximal rate of O2 consumption verified that the horses were responding to exercise conditioning. Six nonexercised Thoroughbreds served as the control group. Studies were done with horses under general anesthesia by use of halothane during partial paralysis by a brief constant-rate infusion with the muscle relaxant, metocurine iodide. Quantification of degree of paralysis of the ...
Pascoe RR.A total of 2187 Thoroughbred and Standardbred mares was examined over a 4-year period to determine the location of the fetus at 42 days, the location of the previous fetus as determined by examination 5-15 days after foaling, and pregnancy location the next season. Maiden mares showed 44 and 56% of pregnancies in the left and right horns respectively. No transuterine migration was observed in 139 maiden mares examined after their first foal. Lactating mares showed 62% implantations and full-term pregnancies on one side of the uterus with the next season's pregnancy being in the opposite uterin...
Swerczek TW.Unexplained clinical signs of weight loss and emaciation were reported in a herd of Thoroughbred horses grazing spring pastures on a central Kentucky farm, even though supplemental grain and hay were provided. Results: A buttercup plant, Ranunculus bulbosus L, was abundantly present in all pastures and paddocks on the farm. All horses, especially lactating mares and their foals, had mild to severe weight loss as assessed by body condition. Seven mares on the farm had been confirmed pregnant between 30 and 45 days of gestation, but were later found to have aborted. Two 2-year-old fillies develo...
Palmer AC, Rossdale PD.A neuropathological investigation was carried out on the brains of 18 foals suffering from the neonatal maladjustment syndrome and results were compared with those obtained from the brains of nine foals dying from other causes. Necrosis of the cerebral cortex of an ischaemic nature was found in nine of the neonatal maladjustment foals, frequently accompanied by local haemorrhage. In three of this group of foals there was also necrosis in the diencephalon and brain stem. In the brains of the nine other affected foals there was haemorrhage in the cerebrum and sometimes in the brain stem and cere...
Lovett A, Vokes J, Loghides N, Johnstone L, Sykes B.Formalin intoxication via the gastrointestinal route has not been previously reported in the horse. Whereas ingestion of formalin in humans, although rare, is well documented. Majority of human cases are either accidental, suicidal or homicidal and often lead to fatality, with a reported lethal formaldehyde dose equating to 0.12 - 0.16 g/kg bwt. Objective: To describe a single case report of the clinical management of an adult horse referred to a veterinary teaching hospital following accidental administration of 10% formalin via nasogastric tube. Methods: A 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding or...
Ebert M, Moore-Colyer MJS.The aim of this study was to estimate the energy requirements of Thoroughbred racehorses in active training for flat racing. Twenty-two Thoroughbred racehorses in England were measured over periods from 6 to 15 wk, which included periods of active race training and temporarily reduced training. Energy intake was determined by measuring daily feed consumption. Energy output was measured using heart rate monitors during 730 training sessions, relating heart rate (HR) to oxygen consumption (VO2) and converting VO2 to energy. Field maintenance requirements were calculated by deducting the marginal...
Davies HM.The relationships were explored between measurements of bone quality, size (quantity) and shape, and strain data collected during treadmill exercise at 4 and 12 m/s from the third metacarpal bones of 6 yearling and 6 mature Thoroughbred racehorses. Peak strains in yearling and mature Thoroughbred horses during exercise were related to the size and shape of the third metacarpal bone. The peak strains were significantly lower in horses with a greater cross-sectional area of bone and with a greater proportion of the bone in the dorsal cortex. There was no consistent relationship between peak stra...
Lee JH, Lee T, Lee HK, Cho BW, Shin DH, Do KT, Sung S, Kwak W, Kim HJ, Kim H, Cho S, Park KD.Genetics is important for breeding and selection of horses but there is a lack of well-established horse-related browsers or databases. In order to better understand horses, more variants and other integrated information are needed. Thus, we construct a horse genomic variants database including expression and other information. Horse Single Nucleotide Polymorphism and Expression Database (HSDB) (http://snugenome2.snu.ac.kr/HSDB) provides the number of unexplored genomic variants still remaining to be identified in the horse genome including rare variants by using population genome sequences of...
Finno CJ, McKenzie E, Valberg SJ, Pagan J.Recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) occurs in fit, nervous Thoroughbreds fed high nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) diets. Clinical signs are diminished by feeding low NSC, high fat diets; however, the mechanism is unclear. Objective: To determine if the glucose, insulin and cortisol response to isocaloric diets varying in fat and NSC availability differ in fit vs. unfit Thoroughbreds with RER. Methods: Four fit (10 weeks treadmill training) RER Thoroughbred mares were exercised and fed 3 isocaloric (121 MJ/day) diets in a 5 day/diet block design. Two high NSC concentrates, sweet feed (SF...
Kedzierski W, Bergero D.The objective of the present study was to compare changes of blood parameters induced by the same work and performed in the same conditions in two racehorse breeds, Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian. The effect of moderate-intensity exercise was studied in 20 stallions--ten Thoroughbreds, aged 2-3 years and the same number of Purebred Arabians, 3-4 years old. All the horses were administrated the same effort test consisting in 1200 m gallop at a speed typical of the daily training sessions. Three jugular venous blood samples were collected for each horse: at rest, just after the end of the gal...
Boorman S, Rodgerson DH.To report the outcome of foals treated for metacarpophalangeal varus deformity with a single-incision drilling technique for hemiepiphysiodesis of the distal lateral metacarpal physis. Methods: Retrospective case-control cohort study. Methods: Thoroughbred foals (n = 207), 171 age- and sex-matched maternal siblings. Methods: Medical records (2017-2020) were reviewed for signalment, limb(s) treated, location of the surgery, and any reported complications. Follow-up radiographs obtained for the yearling sale were assessed for abnormalities. Horses were matched to maternal siblings using an onl...
Rangel JPP, de Oliveira APL, Baiotto GC, Junior OS, Figueiró GM, Araujo AL, Rossi Junior JL.Campylorrhinus lateralis, also known as "wry nose," is a congenital malformation that mainly affects Thoroughbreds. These horses have a unilateral deviation of the maxillae that may be to one side or the other side, and it causes airway obstruction and dental malocclusion. The choice of treatment is not necessarily operation; however, the treatment of choice, which aims to repair the maxillae deviation, is surgical to improve the horse's respiratory condition and correct the dental occlusion. There are currently no reports describing the first surgical technique for such deformity described by...
Ohnesorge B, Deegen E.From 1995 to 1997 11 racehorses, one Hanoverian and one Pony were presented to the clinic with a sudden appearing, very loudly gurgling expiratory respiratory noise. Considering the preliminary report and the clinical and endoscopical findings, as exercise induced dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) was found to be the cause of the respiratory noise. The 13 horses were treated in general anaesthesia by transendoscopic coagulation of the caudal margin of the soft palate with a Neodym-YAG-Laser. This surgical intervention had to be repeated on four horses with unchanged signs. Eight of...
van den Wollenberg L, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM.Since it has become possible to make an ante-mortem diagnosis of gastric ulceration in horses by means of endoscopy, interest in the presence and treatment of this syndrome has increased. Several endoscopic surveys have indicated that the frequency of gastric ulceration in Thoroughbreds in training is fairly high. Less is known about other breeds and horses that are kept under different (training) conditions. The equine stomach is covered by two different kinds of mucous membranes: squamous and glandular. These two areas differ from one another in the incidence and aetiology of ulceration and,...
Rutherford DJ, Textor J, Fretz PB.A 4-week-old Thoroughbred filly presented with lameness of acute, severe onset of the left foreleg (LF) of 3 days' duration. Results: Diffuse swelling was present around the distal radius and carpus of the LF. Carpal varus that could be reduced manually was present. Radiographs revealed an intra- articular frontal-plane fracture in the distal radial epiphysis, which continued cranially through the distal radial physis (DRP). The lateral aspect of the DRP was wider than expected. Latero-medial carpal instability was resolved by placement of a lag screw from the dorsal midline through the epiphy...
Warren LK, Whelen A.The gruelling race schedules maintained by horses competing in chuckwagon racing raises concern for the horses' ability to recover quickly and continue to perform at a high level. The amount of bodyweight lost and the time required for recovery of this weight loss have been used to assess the level of stress imposed on horses competing in various multiple-day events. In this study, bodyweights were obtained from 40 Thoroughbred geldings (mean +/- s.e.; bodyweight 521.5 +/- 4.4 kg) before and after racing during a 5 day chuckwagon race meet. Body condition score (BCS) was determined on the firs...
