Analyze Diet

Topic:Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary medicine for horses encompasses the study and application of medical practices to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases in equine species. This field involves a comprehensive understanding of equine anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. Veterinary practitioners employ a range of diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions to address health issues in horses, including lameness, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory conditions, and infectious diseases. Preventative care, such as vaccination and deworming programs, is also a significant aspect of equine veterinary medicine. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of veterinary medicine as it pertains to horses, including advancements in diagnostic techniques, treatment protocols, and preventive health strategies.
Aspergillus fumigatus toxicity and gliotoxin levels in feedstuff for domestic animals and pets in Argentina.
Letters in applied microbiology    November 6, 2009   Volume 50, Issue 1 77-81 doi: 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2009.02756.x
Pena GA, Pereyra CM, Armando MR, Chiacchiera SM, Magnoli CE, Orlando JL, Dalcero AM, Rosa CA, Cavaglieri LR.To evaluate gliotoxin production by Aspergillus fumigatus strains isolated from feedstuff intended for domestic animals and pets, and to determine the amount of gliotoxin in these substrates. Results: A total of 150 feedstuff samples were collected. They were composed of 30 samples each of five different feed types (pigs, poultry, cattle, horse and pets). Aspergillus fumigatus gliotoxin production ability and gliotoxin presence in feedstuff was determined by HPLC. Aspergillus fumigatus strains were isolated from all of the tested samples. Strains from cattle, horses and pet food were able to p...
Effect of selenium supplementation and plane of nutrition on mares and their foals: foaling data.
Journal of animal science    November 6, 2009   Volume 88, Issue 3 982-990 doi: 10.2527/jas.2008-1646
Thorson JF, Karren BJ, Bauer ML, Cavinder CA, Coverdale JA, Hammer CJ.To investigate the maternal plane of nutrition and role of Se yeast on foaling variables and passive transfer of IgG, 28 Quarter Horse mares were used in a study with a randomized complete block design. Mares were blocked by expected foaling date and assigned randomly within block to dietary treatments. Dietary treatments were arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial with 2 planes of nutrition, pasture or pasture + grain mix (fed at 0.75% of BW on an as-fed basis) and 2 concentrations of Se yeast (0 or 0.3 mg/kg of DMI). This resulted in 4 treatments: pasture (PA), pasture + Se (PS), pasture + grain mix ...
Equine herpesvirus type 1 quantification in different types of samples by a real-time PCR.
Polish journal of veterinary sciences    November 5, 2009   Volume 12, Issue 3 311-315 
Dzieciatkowski T, Przybylski M, Cymerys J, Turowska A, Chmielewska A, Tucholska A, Banbura MW.Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is one of the major viral agents causing diseases in horses common worldwide. A variety of techniques, including PCR, have been used to diagnose EHV-1 infections. In this paper, an attempt of real-time PCR has been described, which uses specific fluorochrome-labeled TaqMan probes for detection of viral DNA. This method does not require post-amplification manipulations, thereby reducing the risk of cross-contamination. The assay was sensitive enough to detect EHV-1 sequences in different clinical samples, as well in mice neuronal cell cultures. The technique wa...
The effect of siRNA treatment on experimental equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection in horses.
Virus research    November 5, 2009   Volume 147, Issue 2 176-181 doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2009.10.017
Brosnahan MM, Damiani A, van de Walle G, Erb H, Perkins GA, Osterrieder N.Available vaccines fail to induce lasting and protective immunity to equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) associated diseases. RNA interference is a novel approach showing promise for therapeutic use in outbreak situations. This study examined the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) on clinical signs as well as the presence of live virus and viral DNA in nasal secretions and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in horses experimentally infected with EHV-1. siRNA targeting two EHV-1 genes (glycoprotein B and the origin binding protein) was administered 12h before and 12h after intranasal infe...
Effect of topical 1% tropicamide on Schirmer tear test results in clinically normal horses.
Veterinary ophthalmology    November 4, 2009   Volume 12, Issue 6 369-371 doi: 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2009.00734.x
Selk Ghaffari M, Sabzevari A, Radmehr B.To observe the effect of topical 1% tropicamide on equine tear production as measured by Schirmer I tear test. Methods: Fourteen adult horses received one drop of 1% tropicamide ophthalmic solution in one eye and the opposite eye served as the control. The tear production in both eyes was tested at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 h after 1% tropicamide administration. Results: Measurements made 1 h after treatment revealed a significant reduction in Schirmer tear test values in tropicamide treated eyes (P = 0.002). The observed decrease in tear production was maintained up to 4 h after treatment (P = 0.002...
Evolutionary patterns of eastern equine encephalitis virus in North versus South America suggest ecological differences and taxonomic revision.
Journal of virology    November 4, 2009   Volume 84, Issue 2 1014-1025 doi: 10.1128/JVI.01586-09
Arrigo NC, Adams AP, Weaver SC.The eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) complex consists of four distinct genetic lineages: one that circulates in North America (NA EEEV) and the Caribbean and three that circulate in Central and South America (SA EEEV). Differences in their geographic, pathogenic, and epidemiologic profiles prompted evaluation of their genetic diversity and evolutionary histories. The structural polyprotein open reading frames of all available SA EEEV and recent NA EEEV isolates were sequenced and used in evolutionary and phylogenetic analyses. The nucleotide substitution rate per year for SA EEEV (1.2 x 10(-4...
Proliferation of Streptococcus zooepidemicus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa within a simulated subpalpebral lavage flushed with equine serum.
Veterinary ophthalmology    November 4, 2009   Volume 12, Issue 6 343-349 doi: 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2009.00725.x
Jacobi S, Townsend WM, Bolin CA.To evaluate whether equine serum administered via a simulated subpalpebral lavage system (SPL) supports proliferation of Streptococcus zooepidemicus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa within the tubing. Methods: A sterile i.v. catheter with injection cap was inserted into sterilized silicone tubing (Mila). To mimic an SPL within the dorsal conjunctival fornix, the tubing was secured to an elevated platform. The tip of the tubing extended from the platform into a vial containing culture medium just inoculated with approximately 1.5 x 10(8) CFU/mL P. aeruginosa or S. zooepidemicus. To mimic administratio...
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis caused by Neospora hughesi in an adult horse in Saskatchewan.
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne    November 3, 2009   Volume 50, Issue 8 851-853 
Wobeser BK, Godson DL, Rejmanek D, Dowling P.A protozoal parasite identified as Neospora hughesi was found in inflammatory lesions in the central nervous system of a Canadian-born adult horse presented with neurological signs. This is believed to be the first case of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) caused by Neospora hughesi in a horse outside of the United States. Un parasite protozoaire identifié comme a été trouvé dans les lésions inflammatoires du système nerveux central d’un cheval adulte né au Canada présentant des signes neurologiques. On croit qu’il s’agit du premier cas d’encéphalomyélite protozoai...
Changes in growth of the hoof wall and hoof morphology in response to regular periods of trotting exercise in Standardbreds.
American journal of veterinary research    November 3, 2009   Volume 70, Issue 11 1354-1364 doi: 10.2460/ajvr.70.11.1354
Faramarzi B, Thomason JJ, Sears WC.To quantitate changes in hoof wall growth and hoof morphology induced by mild exercise in Standardbreds. Methods: 18 Standardbreds. Methods: Horses were exercised at approximately 6 m/s (4,200 to 5,600 m/d) on 4 d/wk for 17 weeks. Both exercise (n = 9) and nonexercise (control group; 9) groups were housed in a large paddock throughout the study. At the beginning and end of the study, right forelimb feet of all horses were digitally photographed and underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Hoof wall measurements were obtained from the images to evaluate hoof wall growth and morphometric variables....
Comparison of characteristics and enzymatic products of leukocytes in the skin and laminar tissues of horses administered black walnut heartwood extract or lipopolysaccharide.
American journal of veterinary research    November 3, 2009   Volume 70, Issue 11 1383-1390 doi: 10.2460/ajvr.70.11.1383
Riggs LM, Krunkosky TM, Noschka E, Boozer LA, Moore JN, Robertson TP, Peroni JF.To compare characteristics and enzymatic products of leukocytes detected in the skin and laminar tissues of horses administered black walnut heartwood extract (BWHE) and horses administered purified lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: 25 healthy 5- to 15-year-old horses. Methods: Horses were randomly assigned to receive LPS (20 ng of O55:B5 Escherichia coli endotoxin/kg; n = 5) IV or 6 L of BWHE (10) or water (control group; 10) via nasogastric intubation. Horses were euthanatized 12 hours after treatment or at onset of Obel grade 1 lameness. Laminar tissue samples and skin samples from the mid...
Effect of topical application of 1% diclofenac sodium liposomal cream on inflammation in healthy horses undergoing intravenous regional limb perfusion with amikacin sulfate.
American journal of veterinary research    November 3, 2009   Volume 70, Issue 11 1323-1325 doi: 10.2460/ajvr.70.11.1323
Levine DG, Epstein KL, Neelis DA, Ross MW.To determine whether topical application of 1% diclofenac sodium cream would decrease inflammation at sites of IV regional limb perfusion (IVRLP) in healthy horses. Methods: 6 healthy adult horses (12 forelimbs). Methods: Bilateral IVRLP with 2.5 g of amikacin sulfate was performed twice in each horse, with 24 hours between each session. Horses were treated with topical 1% diclofenac liposomal cream (treated limbs) or a placebo cream (control limbs). All injection sites were evaluated before the first IVRLP session and 24 hours after the second session by means of ultrasonographic examination ...
Effect of furosemide and furosemide-carbazochrome combination on exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in Standardbred racehorses.
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne    November 3, 2009   Volume 50, Issue 8 821-827 
Perez-Moreno CI, Couëtil LL, Pratt SM, Ochoa-Acuña HG, Raskin RE, Russell MA.The objective was to quantify the effect of furosemide and carbazochrome on exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in Standardbred horses using red blood cell count and hemoglobin concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Six healthy Standardbred horses with prior evidence of EIPH performed a standardized treadmill test 4 h after administration of placebo, furosemide, or furosemide-carbazochrome combination. Red blood cell (RBC) counts and hemoglobin concentrations were determined on the BAL fluid. The RBC count in BAL ranges were (2903-26,025 cells/microL), (45-24,060 cells/m...
Comparison of survival rates for geriatric horses versus nongeriatric horses following exploratory celiotomy for colic.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association    November 3, 2009   Volume 235, Issue 9 1069-1072 doi: 10.2460/javma.235.9.1069
Krista KM, Kuebelbeck KL.To determine how survival rates in geriatric horses (>or= 20 years old) undergoing abdominal exploratory surgery for colic compare with survival rates for younger (nongeriatric) horses. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Methods: 56 geriatric horses and 487 nongeriatric horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy for colic. Methods: Medical records of all horses undergoing emergency abdominal exploratory surgery for primary gastrointestinal tract lesions over a 10-year period were reviewed. Data retrieved included signalment, primary gastrointestinal tract lesion, whether the horse was ...
In vitro and in vivo studies of androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione in horses by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Biomedical chromatography : BMC    November 3, 2009   Volume 24, Issue 7 744-751 doi: 10.1002/bmc.1358
Leung GN, Tang FP, Wan TS, Wong CH, Lam KK, Stewart BD.This paper describes the application of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for in vitro and in vivo studies of 6-OXO in horses, with a special aim to identify the most appropriate target metabolite to be monitored for controlling the administration of 6-OXO in racehorses. In vitro studies of 6-OXO were performed using horse liver microsomes. The major biotransformation observed was reduction of one keto group at the C3 or C6 positions. Three in vitro metabolites, namely 6alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (M1), 3alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-6,17-dione (M2a) and 3beta-hydroxyandrost-...
Evaluation of athletic performance in horses with jugular vein thrombophlebitis: 91 cases (1988-2005).
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association    November 3, 2009   Volume 235, Issue 9 1073-1078 doi: 10.2460/javma.235.9.1073
Moreau P, Lavoie JP.To evaluate effects of thrombophlebitis of 1 or both jugular veins on athletic performance of horses. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 91 horses with jugular vein thrombophlebitis. Methods: Medical records of horses with jugular vein thrombophlebitis examined between 1988 and 2005 were reviewed for signalment, history, clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment. Performance was evaluated in 2 ways. A questionnaire was used to obtain a subjective assessment from the owner or trainer of the horse's performance after thrombophlebitis, compared with the performance before thrombophlebiti...
Cloning, sequencing and expression analysis of the equine hepcidin gene by real-time PCR.
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology    November 2, 2009   Volume 135, Issue 1-2 34-42 doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2009.10.027
Oliveira Filho JP, Badial PR, Cunha PHJ, Cruz TF, Araújo JP, Divers TJ, Winand NJ, Borges AS.Equine serum or plasma iron concentration drops quickly during inflammation. Accumulation of iron inside macrophages and reduction of the intestinal absorption of this element cause hypoferremia during systemic inflammatory processes. These mechanisms are mediated by hepcidin, a 25 amino acids peptide synthesized mainly in the liver in response to iron stores and inflammation. Hepcidin is an important peptide for systemic iron homeostasis and also has antibacterial and antifungal activities. Hepcidin up-regulation is particularly useful during acute inflammation, especially before adaptive imm...
A non-invasive technique for standing surgical repair of urinary bladder rupture in a post-partum mare: a case report.
Irish veterinary journal    November 1, 2009   Volume 62, Issue 11 734-736 doi: 10.1186/2046-0481-62-11-734
Stephen J, Harty M, Hollis A, Yeomans J, Corley K.An 11-year-old mare presented 36 hours after foaling with a ruptured bladder. Uroperitoneum was diagnosed on ultrasound and from the creatinine concentration of the peritoneal fluid. Bladder endoscopy demonstrated tissue necrosis and a rent in the dorsocranial aspect of the bladder. Following stabilisation, including abdominal drainage and lavage, the mare was taken to standing surgery. Under continuous sedation and epidural anaesthesia, and after surgical preparation, a Balfour retractor was placed in the vagina. Using sterile lubricant and moderate force, it was possible to insert a hand int...
The pharmacokinetics of the weakly protein-bound anionic compound diatrizoate in serum and synovial fluid of the horse.
Pharmaceutical research    October 30, 2009   Volume 27, Issue 1 143-150 doi: 10.1007/s11095-009-9988-x
Frost AB, Larsen F, Larsen SW, Østergaard J, Thomsen MH, Stürup S, Andersen PH, Larsen C.To establish a pharmacokinetic model for the model drug, sodium diatrizoate (DTZ), allowing joint disappearance kinetics to be estimated from serum appearance kinetics following intra-articular administration, and to calculate the relative joint exposure after intravenous and intra-articular DTZ administration (F(iv/IA)). Methods: Each of five horses received an aqueous solution of 3.9 mg/kg sodium diatrizoate both intravenously and intra-articularly separated by a one-week wash out period. Serum and synovial samples were collected over 7 h and analyzed for content of model compound using indu...
Spinal kinematics in horses with induced back pain.
Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T    October 29, 2009   Volume 22, Issue 6 448-454 doi: 10.3415/VCOT-08-09-0088
Wennerstrand J, Gómez Alvarez CB, Meulenbelt R, Johnston C, van Weeren PR, Roethlisberger-Holm K, Drevemo S.Back problems are important contributors to poor performance in sport horses. It has been shown that kinematic analysis can differentiate horses with back problems from asymptomatic horses. The underlying mechanism can, however, only be identified in a uniform, experimental setting. Our aim was to determine if induction of back pain in a well-defined site would result in a consistent change in back movement. Back kinematics were recorded at a walk and trot on a treadmill. Unilateral back pain was then induced by injecting lactic acid into the left longissimus dorsi muscle. Additional measureme...
Comparison of two modern vaccines and previous influenza infection against challenge with an equine influenza virus from the Australian 2007 outbreak.
Veterinary research    October 29, 2009   Volume 41, Issue 2 19 doi: 10.1051/vetres/2009067
Bryant NA, Paillot R, Rash AS, Medcalf E, Montesso F, Ross J, Watson J, Jeggo M, Lewis NS, Newton JR, Elton DM.During 2007, large outbreaks of equine influenza (EI) caused by Florida sublineage Clade 1 viruses affected horse populations in Japan and Australia. The likely protection that would be provided by two modern vaccines commercially available in the European Union (an ISCOM-based and a canarypox-based vaccine) at the time of the outbreaks was determined. Vaccinated ponies were challenged with a representative outbreak isolate (A/eq/Sydney/2888-8/07) and levels of protection were compared.A group of ponies infected 18 months previously with a phylogenetically-related isolate from 2003 (A/eq/South...
Characterization of pentraxin 3 in the horse and its expression in airways.
Veterinary research    October 29, 2009   Volume 41, Issue 2 18 doi: 10.1051/vetres/2009066
Ramery E, Fievez L, Fraipont A, Bureau F, Lekeux P.The long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) plays an important role in host defence and its over-expression may contribute to airway injury. The aim of the present study was therefore to characterize in more detail PTX3 and its expression in the horses' airway. Six healthy horses and six horses affected by recurrent airway obstruction (R.A.O.) were submitted to a dusty environment challenge. PTX3 DNA and cDNA were cloned and sequenced. PTX3 expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells, BALF supernatant and bronchial epithelial cell...
In vitro comparison of cortical bone temperature generation between traditional sequential drilling and a newly designed step drill in the equine third metacarpal bone.
Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T    October 29, 2009   Volume 22, Issue 6 442-447 doi: 10.3415/VCOT-09-03-0029
Bubeck KA, García-López J, Maranda LS.To compare heat generation and time to finish between a new step drill and sequential drilling in order to create a 6.2 mm pilot hole for insertion of a positive profile transfixation pin into the equine third metacarpal bone. Methods: Nine pairs of equine third metacarpal bones from cadavers of adult horses were used. Maximum temperature rise of the bone was measured continuously at the cis- and trans-cortices 1, 2 and 3 mm from the final pilot hole during creation of a 6.2 mm hole using a step drill and sequential drilling with 4.5, 5.5 and 6.2 mm drill bits. Five holes were drilled into the...
Effect of the administration of an oral hyaluronan formulation on clinical and biochemical parameters in young horses with osteochondrosis.
Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T    October 29, 2009   Volume 22, Issue 6 455-459 doi: 10.3415/VCOT-09-01-0001
Carmona JU, Argüelles D, Deulofeu R, Martínez-Puig D, Prades M.The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and biochemical effects of the administration of oral hyaluronan (Hyal-Joint [HJ]) on young horses with osteochondrosis (OC). Our hypotheses were that HJ administration is safe, would decrease the degree of synovial effusion and the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in synovial fluid, and would increase the concentration of hyaluronic acid (HA) in plasma and synovial fluid. Eleven young horses with tarsocrural OC were included in a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial. Six horses rece...
Equine neutrophil elastase in plasma, laminar tissue, and skin of horses administered black walnut heartwood extract.
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology    October 29, 2009   Volume 135, Issue 3-4 181-187 doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2009.10.024
de la Rebière de Pouyade G, Riggs LM, Moore JN, Franck T, Deby-Dupont G, Hurley DJ, Serteyn D.Laminitis is a local manifestation of a systemic inflammatory response that is characterized by neutrophil activation and movement of neutrophils into the laminar tissues. Given the evidence for the involvement of neutrophils in the development of laminitis, we measured concentrations of neutrophil elastase, a serine protease released from the azurophilic granules of neutrophils, in plasma, skin and laminar tissues obtained from control horses and horses given black walnut heartwood extract (BWHE) to induce laminitis. Healthy horses (5-15 years old) were randomly assigned to 4 groups: 3 experi...
Abdominal wall reconstruction using biological tissue grafts.
AORN journal    October 29, 2009   Volume 90, Issue 4 513-524 doi: 10.1016/j.aorn.2009.05.024
Brown P.Synthetic mesh products have been used to repair abdominal wall defects (eg, hernias) for many years. Biological mesh products are now available as an option when synthetic mesh products are not appropriate. To correctly prepare biological tissue grafts for use in the OR, perioperative nurses must understand the types of grafts available. Biological tissue grafts may be harvested from human, porcine, bovine, or equine hosts and from skin, pericardium, or small intestine submucosa.
Functional role of alpha2-adrenoceptor subtypes in the cooling-enhanced vasoconstriction of isolated cutaneous digital veins of the horse.
European journal of pharmacology    October 28, 2009   Volume 627, Issue 1-3 194-202 doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2009.10.046
Zerpa H, Berhane Y, Elliott J, Bailey SR.Cooling-enhanced contractile responses in cutaneous arteries have been reported to involve the activation of alpha(2C)-adrenoceptors, but their role in cutaneous veins is not clearly understood. The aim was to pharmacologically characterize the subtype of postsynaptic alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in the equine digital vein mediating contraction at two temperatures. The increase in isometric tension of endothelium-denuded equine digital vein in response to UK-14304 was studied in the absence and presence of relatively selective alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonists at temperatures of either 30 degrees C ...
Differences in replication kinetics and cell tropism between neurovirulent and non-neurovirulent EHV1 strains during the acute phase of infection in horses.
Veterinary microbiology    October 28, 2009   Volume 142, Issue 3-4 242-253 doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.10.015
Gryspeerdt AC, Vandekerckhove AP, Garré B, Barbé F, Van de Walle GR, Nauwynck HJ.Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) replicates in the respiratory tract of horses, after which infected leukocytes transport virus throughout the body, resulting in abortion or nervous system disorders. Two EHV1 strains circulate in the field: neurovirulent and non-neurovirulent. To investigate differences in replication in the upper respiratory tract (URT), an experimental inoculation study in ponies was performed with both strains. Two groups of six ponies, were inoculated intranasally with 10(6.5) TCID(50) of either strain. Clinical signs, nasal shedding and viremia were evaluated. At early time po...
Case report: Repair of a type IV Monteggia fracture in a foal.
Australian veterinary journal    October 28, 2009   Volume 87, Issue 11 463-466 doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2009.00508.x
Jalim SL, McKinnon AO, Russell TM.A Monteggia fracture is a humero-radial luxation combined with a fracture of the ulna. It is a rare injury, infrequently reported in the horse. This case report describes the surgical repair of such a fracture in a 4-month-old filly.
Stress-related hormones in horses before and after stunning by captive bolt gun.
Meat science    October 28, 2009   Volume 84, Issue 4 634-637 doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.10.023
Micera E, Albrizio M, Surdo NC, Moramarco AM, Zarrilli A.In this work the slaughter-linked plasma modifications of some stress-related hormones in horses subject to standardized butchering procedures were investigated in order to highlight the compromised animal welfare during pre-slaughter handling. During pre-slaughter, animals show strong hardship behavioural patterns, probably due to being under life-threatening conditions. Blood samples from 12 male horses, ageing from 3 to 5 years, were collected before slaughtering in lairage, and during exsanguination after stunning. Catecholamines, cortisol and beta-endorphin concentrations were assessed in...
Could work be a source of behavioural disorders? A study in horses.
PloS one    October 28, 2009   Volume 4, Issue 10 e7625 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007625
Hausberger M, Gautier E, Biquand V, Lunel C, Jégo P.Stress at work, as shown by a number of human studies, may lead to a variety of negative and durable effects, such as impaired psychological functioning (anxiety, depression...). Horses share with humans this characteristic of working on a daily basis and are submitted then to work stressors related to physical constraints and/or more "psychological" conflicts, such as potential controversial orders from the riders or the requirement to suppress emotions. On another hand, horses may perform abnormal repetitive behaviour ("stereotypies") in response to adverse life conditions. In the present st...