Treatments for horses encompasses a range of medical and therapeutic interventions aimed at maintaining or restoring equine health. This field involves the use of pharmaceuticals, surgical procedures, and alternative therapies to address various conditions affecting horses. Common treatments include the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and vaccines, as well as physical therapies and nutritional management. Research in this area focuses on evaluating the efficacy, safety, and outcomes of different treatment modalities. This page collects peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the methods, advancements, and clinical outcomes associated with equine treatment practices.
A 3-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was examined because of clinical signs of pneumonia and shock. Mucous membrane petechiation and ventral edema were observed and considered to be a result of vasculitis. Epidermal necrosis developed on the distal portions of the limbs. The horse had a persistent high fever that was unresponsive to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory treatment, and Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from a nasal swab specimen and 2 transtracheal wash fluid samples. Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and supportive treatment resulted in clinical improvement. However, resolution of the ...
O'Brien K, Mair T, Mudhar HS, Pesavento P, Miller H, Priestnall SL, Suárez-Bonnet A.Equine squamous cell carcinomas (eSCCs) are common, and a proportion are likely induced by papillomavirus 2 (EcPV-2). Accurate prediction of clinical outcomes is challenging with no recognized prognostic criteria or consistent histopathological classification scheme for eSCC. The aims of this study were to histopathologically subtype a large case series of eSCCs (genital and ocular) and correlate them with p16 and HER-2 expression, equine papillomavirus infection status, and various clinical and histopathological parameters to predict tumour behavior and prognosis. One hundred and eighty-five...
Patterson HE, Yocom AF, Seabaugh KA, Kawcak CE, Contino EK.Recent evidence has shown that perineural analgesia may be less specific than previously thought. Objective: To compare the effects of four distal limb perineural analgesia techniques on resolving synovitis-induced lameness of the equine metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ). Methods: Nine horses had one MCPJ injected with 75ng of recombinant equine interleukin-1β (reIL-1β). Ten hours later, horses underwent one of two blocking patterns: (1) a palmar digital (PDNB) followed by an abaxial sesamoidean (ASNB) nerve block or (2) a palmar metacarpal (PMNB) followed by a palmar (PaNB) nerve block. Skin...
Miller GP, Cornille JL, Hanning R, Lee AKK, Uhl EW, Osborn ML.Lameness is often associated with degenerative joint disease (DJD). Current therapies focus on minimizing pain or treating specific lesions but generally do not address the pathomechanical forces that are the root cause of degeneration. Treatments based on specific, whole-body therapies are becoming common in humans with DJD, but are still not routinely applied in equine cases. Designing targeted therapies for horses requires recognizing habitual postures and movements that are pathological. An important but often missing component for understanding movement postures is accurate and manipulata...
Clarysse M, Leps A, Haspeslagh M, Schauvliege S, Martens A, Vlaminck L.To assess long-term outcome, complications, and return to function in horses with maxillofacial fractures. Methods: Retrospective observational study. Methods: A total of 30 horses with skull fractures (2020-2024). Methods: Clinical records were reviewed for signalment, fracture characteristics, imaging, treatment, and hospitalization. Long-term outcome was obtained via structured owner questionnaires addressing healing, complications, cosmetic appearance, and performance. Descriptive statistics were applied. Results: A total of 29 of 30 horses received treatment (25 surgical, 4 conservative);...
Badin L, Bailly N.This study evaluated the psychological benefit of equine-assisted intervention (EAI) for older adults living with Alzheimer disease (AD). A non-randomized, controlled, multicenter study was conducted in 14 nursing homes. A total of 74 older adults were recruited and divided into three groups: a group benefiting from an EAI program, a group following an adapted physical activity program (APA), and a control group continuing their daily activities (CG). Psychological health was assessed. The results showed reduced psychobehavioral disorders by week six of EAI, improved quality of life, and sligh...
Berg EL, Gooch M, Feldmann LM, Knight B, Verlaine J, Bach-Gorman A.Characteristics of individuals with disruptive behavior disorders often include elevated externalizing behaviors such as impulsivity, defiance of authority and antagonism of social norms. Evidence shows that adolescents diagnosed with these types of disorders are particularly challenging to treat; however, therapies incorporating horses have shown some success. We examined the impact of an equine-assisted intervention compared to a non-manualized cognitive behavioral therapy in youth between 12- and 18-years old living in a residential childcare facility. Upon admittance, youth were administer...
Rodrigues GJ, Monteiro FDO, Teixeira PPM.This case report describes the successful application of video-assisted hysteroscopy to evaluate endometrial recovery in a 6-year-old mare following treatment for complete uterine prolapse secondary to dystocia. Upon presentation, the uterus was manually reduced and supported with a Buhner's suture. A multimodal medical protocol, including broad-spectrum antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and uterine lavage, was initiated. Five days after reduction, an endoscopic evaluation was performed using a dedicated videovaginoscope without uterine insufflation. The procedure provided high-resolution i...
Kapadia CL, Crook RA, Coleman S, Unger G, Douglas RH, Fedorka CE.Altrenogest is commonly used in equine veterinary medicine for the control of estrus, behavioral modifications, and maintenance of pregnancy. Recent studies have found that altrenogest may impact aspects of the immune system, including altering cytokine production in circulation and within the reproductive tract. Therefore, we hypothesize that this alteration may lead to a deviated immune response to vaccination. Sixteen mares were divided into two groups, with ten mares (n = 10) receiving long-acting injectable altrenogest (100 mg/mL; IM) administered every 10 days, and six mares (n =...
Luedke LK.This comprehensive review outlines the anatomy, diagnostic methods, pathophysiology, treatment, and prognosis of common equine upper airway disorders. It discusses the structure and function of the larynx and pharynx, and details diagnostic tools such as endoscopy and ultrasound. Major conditions-recurrent laryngeal neuropathy, arytenoid chondropathy, epiglottic entrapment, dorsal displacement of the soft palate, and nasopharyngeal collapse-are described with emphasis on their etiology, clinical signs, and management options for optimizing performance outcomes.
Luedke LK.This article provides an overview of equine paranasal sinus disease with emphasis on relevant anatomy, diagnostic considerations, and commonly encountered pathologic conditions. It outlines the structure and drainage of the paranasal sinuses to establish a foundation for understanding disease development and spread. The discussion reviews available diagnostic modalities and their roles in localizing disease and determining underlying causes. Common sinus disorders are presented with attention to their general pathophysiology, diagnostic features, treatment approaches, and expected outcomes. Co...
Breton AL, Storme J, Gibbons J, Lewis N.Fungal endometritis is an uncommon uterine condition associated with poor fertility. Objective: This study aimed to 1) provide a descriptive summary of 11 cases of fungal endometritis, 2) assess prevalence trends of fungal endometritis over time, 3) assess fungal species distribution in diagnostic samples, and 4) evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of cytology. Methods: Study 1 reviewed records of 11 mares diagnosed with fungal endometritis for history, presentation, treatment, and outcome. Study 2 analysed 6,727 uterine samples (swabs and lavages; 2019-2024) for factors influencing fungal cultur...
Bruneel E, Hermange T, Casamatta JM, Pereira A, Pimenta J, Caseiro AR.Immune-mediated keratitis (IMMK) is a chronic inflammatory corneal disease in horses. Long-term topical therapy with cyclosporine is often impractical, highlighting the need for sustained-release alternatives. Objective: To assess clinical response, tolerability, and duration of effect of episcleral silicone matrix cyclosporine implants (ESMC) in horses with presumed IMMK. Methods: Medical records of 12 horses (14 eyes) treated between 2019 and 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. IMMK subtypes were classified as epithelial (n = 3 eyes), anterior stromal (n = 9), or mid-stromal (n =...
Giotis D, Konstantinidis C, Plakoutsis S, Vardakas D, Panagiotopoulos V.The purpose of this study was to demonstrate a rare case of pelvic ring injury in a healthy man without a history of high energy damage. A 43-year-old man presented to the emergency with local pain in pubic symphysis and difficulty walking after horseback riding. The patient did not report any fall or injury during this recreational activity, and apart from tachycardia, he was hemodynamically stable with normal blood pressure. Additionally, no deficit of neurological function was observed. The radiological imaging demonstrated an injury of the pelvic ring APC II with a diastasis of pubic symph...
Helmer A, Delore E, Bart O.This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Attention Skill Training (ASTride) protocol-an Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy (EAOT) intervention-in improving participation, performance skills, and daily function among children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Unassigned: A prospective cohort study with an Interrupted Time-Series design was conducted with 50 children (mean age = 9.51 years, Standard Deviation = 1.52) diagnosed with ADHD. Assessments were conducted at baseline (Time 1), pre-intervention (Time 2), post-intervention (Time 3), and three-month follow-up (...
Lani NR, Schoonover MJ, Williams MR, Messina A, Rudra P.To establish whether tourniquet type and number influence synovial fluid amikacin concentrations of the tarsocrural joint (TCJ) or metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) after standing saphenous IV regional limb perfusion (IVRLP) with 2 g of amikacin. Unassigned: 8 healthy adult horses underwent 4 saphenous IVRLP protocols with amikacin, differing in tourniquet type (pneumatic vs wide rubber) and number (1 placed mid-gaskin vs 1 placed mid-gaskin and 1 mid-metatarsus) in a randomized, crossover design. Amikacin concentrations were measured in serum and synovial fluid of the TCJ and MTPJ at 15 and 30...
Schmidt J, Wartenberg-Demand A, Forstmeier S.Preventive approaches for depression in adults aged 50 years and older have received little attention, despite increasing needs arising from demographic changes. In particular, subclinical depression is often underdiagnosed and associated with anxiety, a poorer quality of life, and greater need for assistance from the healthcare system. This multicentre, randomised, controlled phase III trial investigated if Equine-Assisted Biographical Work (EABW) is effective to improve subclinical depression. Qualified sites in Germany enrolled 52 participants ≥ 50 years (Full Analysis Set (FAS),...
Öztürk Z, Tozoğlu EÖ, Eymır M, Karakurt N, Ulusoy S.To examine the effectiveness of equine-assisted therapy on symptoms, quality of life, anxiety, and loneliness in individuals with schizophrenia. Unassigned: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with individuals with schizophrenia registered at a community mental health center. The study involved 61 participants (30 in the intervention group, 31 in the control group). An 8-week equine-assisted therapeutic intervention was implemented for the intervention group. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Trait Anxiety Inventory...
Story MR, Nout-Lomas YS.Recognizing possible causes of equine head and neck problems requires a careful and systematic evaluation. While for some disorders reaching a diagnosis and treatment plan is relatively straightforward, for others this can be a complicated road requiring extensive diagnostic techniques, treatment trials, and management strategies. The ability to determine whether the patient is in a painful state, experiencing functional deficits, or in a combination of pain and dysfunction is critical to developing an effective treatment plan. Frequently, behavioral concerns often associated with pain must be...
Mattila-Rautiainen S, Venojärvi M, Sobolev A, Tikkanen H, Keski-Valkama A.Equine Facilitated Physical Therapy (EFPT) lacks consistent documentation due to being an unconventional physical therapy treatment to chronic low back pain patients (LBP) and lacking rehabilitation outcome measure tools for a stable (equestrian) environment. The objectives were to develop an online evaluation tool as well as to define inter- and intra-rater reliability to validate the outcome measurement tool "Evaluation of maintaining sitting position (on a horse) and walking (short distances)" designed for LBP patients in EFPT". A total of 48 movement related functions (n = 48), were deri...
Murphy S.Cancer is disease of the genome. The Hallmarks of cancer are a way of thinking of cancer to help rationalize what occurs in this disease process. A solid tumor is a complex of normal and neoplastic cells, arising through an evolutionary process to survive and grow. By understanding how normal cellular mechanisms are subverted to promote cancer we can refine our approach to improve outcomes. It gives us opportunities to prevent some cancers and allowing earlier diagnosis. We can refine conventional diagnostic tools and give more accurate prognoses. It offers novel targets to improve treatment o...
Sánchez A, Durán G, Cerdas M, Gutiérrez J, Segura Á, Herrera M, Vargas M, Sánchez A, Sánchez P, Solano G, Villalta M, Moscoso E, Umaña D....Recent research suggests that a polygeneric immunogen made from the venoms of the most medically important viperid and elapid snakes in sub-Saharan Africa could elicit a broader antibody response in horses compared to the current EchiTAb-plus-ICP antivenom, especially against neurotoxic elapid venoms. To test this, 25 horses that have been regularly immunized to produce this antivenom were reimmunized with an immunogen containing 22 venoms from various snake species from the genera , , , and both spitting and non-spitting . The plasma collected from these horses was processed using the capryli...
Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A....Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of an essential oil from the flowering tops of (L.) Cav. (Spanish type origanum oil) when used as a sensory additive in feed and in water for drinking for all animal species. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the additive under assessment is considered safe up to the maximum use level in complete feed of 15 mg/kg for poultry species, 30 mg/kg for pigs and horses, 20 mg/kg for ruminants, 25 mg/kg for rabbits...
Hakeem A, Kumar H, Anwer M, Khan AV, Kumar D, Sridhar R, Kumar A, Kumar A.Farm-related head injuries are a significant cause of death and disability in rural households. Traumatic brain injury can result in long-term disability. The use of modern farming equipment has increased in the Indian agricultural sector over the last few decades. Machines such as threshers and winnowing devices can cause open skull fractures or scalp avulsions, while the fall of heavy tools may lead to severe head trauma. Farm animals such as bullocks and horses can also inflict traumatic brain injuries with their pointed horns, through trampling, kicking, or rarely biting. We present a case...
Singh B, Sulaiman ZI, Raynor EM.We present a rare case of subspecies zooepidemicus (SEZ) bacteremia in a 73-year-old male with a history of Parkinson's disease, pulmonary embolism, and recent left knee total arthroplasty who developed fever and sepsis complicated by septic arthritis of a prosthetic knee and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Blood cultures grew in four out of four bottles, and history revealed frequent horse exposure, suggesting zoonotic transmission with hematogenous seeding of the prosthetic joint. The diagnosis was further challenged by systemic computed tomography (CT) abnormalities and the concurrent DVT, wh...
Günay Yazıcı C, Özden F, Çoban O, Tarakçı D, Aydoğdu O, Sarı Z.: Horse riding simulators (HRS) provide rhythmic, repetitive, and multidirectional movements analogous to horseback riding, which may facilitate postural control, balance, and functional abilities in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This study aimed to investigate the effects of the HRS application on the muscle tone of the lower extremity, gross motor function, trunk postural control, balance, gait functions, and functional independence in children with CP. : A quasi-experimental study included 30 children with cerebral palsy (17 hemiparetic, 13 diparetic; mean age, 9.3 ± 3.2 years). All p...
Curti F, Marsocci A, Massarelli D, Magnifica F.Several studies have highlighted the association between low back pain (LBP) and horse riding, but none have specifically analyzed the underlying causes. Furthermore, there is a lack of literature addressing LBP in equestrian athletes, as the focus is often placed on the health of the horse rather than that of the rider. This study aims to determine if surface electromyography can identify changes in spinal erector activation pre- and post-training in an equestrian athlete with recurring nonspecific LBP by measuring the flexion relaxation phenomenon (FRP). The patient, an equestrian athlete, e...
Geibel MA, Kildal D, Geibel AM, Ott S.Dysfunctions and disorders of the craniomandibular system are accompanied by pathophysiological changes of muscle groups in the throat/neck and facial area, e.g., pain in the jaw and muscles of mastication and disturbance of occlusion, leading to teeth injury (loss of dental hard tissue, fractures/sensibility disorders, etc.). For muscular dysfunctions, even in the context of psychosomatic disorders and chronic stress, hippotherapy is particularly suitable, since it helps actively to relieve muscle tensions. In the current project we combined hippotherapy with progressive muscle relaxation (PM...
Ma S, Luo T, Zheng Y, Wang Y, Yu J, Qu H, Liu B, Wang T, Wu C, Zhu Y, Bai X, Wang Z, Li J.Endometritis is a major cause of infertility in intensively farmed donkeys. Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) is a predominant pathogen that readily forms biofilms in equine endometritis, conferring resistance to conventional treatments. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the biofilm dynamics of SEZ isolates obtained from donkeys and to evaluate potential anti-biofilm strategies with different drug combinations. Methods: Uterine lavage samples were collected from 30 Dezhou Black donkeys with clinical endometritis. Bacterial cultures were performed on blood agar and MacConk...
Gulcelik GE, Sever E, Atalay B, Dursun E, Memisoglu I.PurposeThis study aimed to assess the acute effects of hippotherapy performed on different seating surfaces on sitting balance and walking speed in children with special needs.Materials and MethodsChildren aged 3-18 years with special needs were included. Participants were assigned to three groups: Group 1 (Saddle), Group 2 (No saddle, direct horse contact), and Group 3 (Saddle with additional texture material). Each group received a 30-min hippotherapy session in a riding arena. Sitting balance was measured with the BeCure balance system, and walking speed was assessed using the 10-meter walk...
