Veterinary research in horses encompasses the study of diseases, health management, and medical treatments specific to equine species. This field investigates various aspects of horse health, including infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions. Researchers focus on understanding the pathophysiology of equine ailments, developing diagnostic tools, and evaluating therapeutic interventions. The study of horse health also involves examining preventive measures such as vaccination protocols and nutritional management to promote overall well-being. This page collects peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the diverse areas of veterinary science related to horses, providing insights into disease mechanisms, treatment strategies, and advancements in equine healthcare.
Yorke EH, Judy CE, Saveraid TC, McGowan CP, Caldwell FJ.Distal border fragments of the navicular bone are increasingly being detected due to the improved capabilities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but their clinical significance remains unclear. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the location, size, and frequency of fragments in a cohort of horses presented for MRI of the foot and to compare MRI findings with severity of lameness. Archived MRI studies and medical records were searched from March 2006 to June 2008. Horses were included if a distal border fragment of the navicular bone was visible in MRI scans. Confidence ...
Fisher K, Dodam J, Bailey J, Thombs L, Hodgson D, Bukoski A.To compare PaO2 and PaCO2 in horses recovering from general anesthesia maintained with either apneustic anesthesia ventilation (AAV) or conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV). Methods: Randomized, crossover design. Methods: A total of 10 healthy adult horses from a university-owned herd. Methods: Dorsally recumbent horses were anesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen [inspired oxygen fraction = 0.3 initially, with subsequent titration to maintain PaO2 ≥ 85 mmHg (11.3 kPa)] and ventilated with AAV or CMV according to predefined criteria [10 mL kg-1 tidal volume, PaCO2 40-45 mmHg (5.3-6.0 kP...
McIlwraith CW.The article discusses the key findings and discussions from the fifth Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit. This summit presented several ways in which data collection and analysis can […]
Whan G, Runciman RJ, Hurtig M.Whole bone in vitro biomechanical compressive testing can be complicated by three factors: sample asymmetry, heterogeneous material properties, and unknown effective centroid location. Methods: The technique presented here facilitates the calculation of effective centroid position, modulus of elasticity and equivalent uniform strain magnitude for a cross section of bone from a simple whole bone compressive test. Simplification of section response to load is achieved through a combination of linear beam and simple planer geometry theory. The technique requires three longitudinal strain gauges b...
Bishop J, Heffron B, Taddei L, Benoit M, Hurt L, Costello S, Gross M, Negrusz A.Clenbuterol (CLE) is used in horses as a bronchodilator and for its anabolic steroid-like effects. CLE is a Class 3 drug according to current Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) Uniform Classification Guidelines. The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium recommended a urine CLE threshold of 140 pg/mL after careful scientific review of the results of studies describing the disposition of CLE in the horse and this threshold was adopted by the ARCI. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was previously used to screen samples for CLE in Illinois, but could not detect such low co...
Chavatte-Palmer P, Duchamp G, Palmer E, Ousey JC, Rossdale PD, Lombès M.Progesterone, oestrogen and glucocorticoid receptor concentrations in the uterus and mammary glands of pregnant mares during mid- to late gestation (from day 150 of gestation to term) were measured by binding assays to investigate the hormonal mechanisms involved in pregnancy maintenance and lactation. Uterine progesterone receptor concentrations did not increase significantly with increasing gestational age (from 67.8 +/- 13.7 to 126.1 +/- 48.7fmol mg(-1) protein), whereas oestrogen receptor concentrations were significantly higher in pregnant mares (271.7 +/- 28.9 fmol mg(-1) protein) than i...
Aubert MF.The author describes a method for evaluating the minimal number of diagnosis failures for each animal species (this diagnosis uses the Fluorescent Rabies Antibodies Test and mouse inoculation simultaneously). The percentage of well diagnosed rabid animals on total rabid ones is called sensibility of the diagnosis: it varies according to the species of animal examined: from 99.98% for the fox, to 98.61% for the horse. The percentage of errored negative diagnosis on total negative diagnosis is called infidelity of negative responses: it varies for each species according to the sensibility of the...
Borges LM, Ferreira LA, da Silva LS, de Oliveira RA, Mussi SV, Faria KA, Melo LS, Abud LJ, Costa GL, Soares SF.This study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the efficacy of a 2,6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP) lure to control Dermacentor nitens (Acari: Ixodidae). Slow-release formulations of the pheromone formulated with and without cypermethrin were prepared. Olfactometer bioassays were used to define the best dose of the pheromone and to evaluate the effect of cypermethrin with 2,6-DCP attractiveness. Sexually active males were released 15 cm from 2 cmx1 cm pieces of polypropylene treated with different odors: 2,6-DCP in a liposphere system (1.5, 30 and 300 microg--without cypermethrin and 30...
Ogilvie GK, Engelking LR, Anwer MS.Ten horses, a pony, and 13 cats were used to evaluate base-line blood ammonia, bilirubin, and urea nitrogen concentrations and to determine The effects of prolonged cold storage (-20 degrees C) before assay. Base-line plasma ammonia concentrations in cats (0.992 +/- 0.083 [SE] micrograms/ml) did not change significantly after 48 hours of storage (0.871 +/- 0.073 micrograms/ml); however, they were increased 4.2- and 13-fold after 168 and 216 hours of storage, respectively. In contrast to base-line plasma-ammonia values in cats, those of horses were significantly (0.265 +/- 0.044 micrograms/ml) ...
Vyslouzil L, Seidl K, Svarcová J, Landsmannová V.A case history of mass foal disease which affected ten of the total stock of 50 foals and killed eight is described. The disease was characterized by respiratory disorders and extensive pneumonias with abscess formation, metastatic abscesses in mesenterial lymph nodes and in other organs. As a result of the examination of two dead foals and three nasal smears from diseased animals, gram-positive bacteria were isolated from the lungs, pulmonary and abdominal abscesses and the nasal smears of the affected foals; with their cultivation, morphological and biochemical characteristics these bacteria...
Rabinovsky ED, Yang TJ.A tumor antigen (TA) associated with murine leukemia-lymphoma L5178Y cells has been identified by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) techniques. The antigen was present in both non-solubilized and 0.5% NP-40 solubilized membrane extracts. Rabbit anti-L5178Y lymphoma serum (RALS), extensively absorbed with normal mouse tissues, identified TA in extracts of L5178Y lymphoma and L5178Y leukemia cells grown in horse serum (L5178Y/HS), but not in extracts of L5178Y cells grown in fetal calf serum (L5178Y/FCS). Similarly, absorbed rabbit anti-L5178Y/HS...
van de Lest CH, van den Hoogen BM, van Weeren PR, Brouwers JF, van Golde LM, Barneveld A.Osteochondrosis (OC) is a disturbance in the process of endochondral ossification, a process in which cartilage is mineralised and transformed into bone. In this process different biochemical events occur, of which the cartilage component has been studied so far almost exclusively. In this study we concentrated on the biochemical characterisation of normal and osteochondrotic subchondral bone, by analysis of enzyme activities, DNA content and phospholipids (PL). In subchondral bone, lysyl oxidase and both total and bone alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly increased in all degrees ...
Sitkowska J, Sitkowski W, Sitkowski Ł, Lutnicki K, Adamek Ł, Wilkołek P.Numerous studies focused on the bioaerosols in the areas of industry, agriculture and animal husbandry, concerning both residential and public buildings, have been conducted continuously for many years. The aim of the present work was to determine the concentration and composition of mesophilic bacterial flora in the air of selected medical and veterinary clinics located in the cities and in the countryside. Air sampling was carried out in 2011-2013 in 44 veterinary practices in autumn-winter and spring-summer seasons. The concentration of bacteria ranged from 39 - 5,034 cfu/m(3) , with higher...
López-Correa RD, Peñagaricano F, Rovere G, Urioste JI.The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of performance in a 750-km, 15-day ride in Criollo horses. Heritability (h2 ) and maternal lineage effects (mt2 ) were obtained for rank, a relative placing measure of performance. Additive genetic and maternal lineage (rmt) correlations among five medium-to-high intensity phase ranks (pRK) and final rank (RK) were also estimated. Individual records from 1,236 Criollo horses from 1979 to 2012 were used. A multivariate threshold animal model was applied to the pRK and RK. Heritability was moderate to low (0.156-0.275). Estimates of mt...
Bocking T, Singh B.The lung is a complex organ, and its physiology and immunology are regulated by various immune molecules and cells. Lung surfactant, a mixture of phospholipids and proteins produced by the bronchiolar and type II alveolar epithelial cells, is one such important player in lung physiology. Compared to knowledge about the biology of the surfactant in rodents and humans, only limited data are available on the surfactant in the horse. Although there are data linking levels of surfactant proteins with respiratory disease in the horse, there are no data on the cellular localization of surfactant prot...
Skelly-Smith E, Ireland J, Dyson S.There have been no detailed descriptions of the radiological appearance of the centrodistal joint interosseous ligament region in horses with and without distal tarsal joint pain. Objective: To describe the normal radiological appearance of the centrodistal joint interosseous ligament region; to determine the prevalence of mineralisation or ossification of the interosseous ligament; and to describe radiological abnormalities surrounding the interosseous space and concurrent radiological abnormalities in the tarsus. The association between interosseous ligament region abnormalities and radiolog...
During the last century and today, the Tennessee walking horse has been used primarily for pleasure and show competition. Unique and natural to the breed is a smooth four-beat “running walk” gait. In the 1950s the accentuated or exaggerated running walk, known as the “big lick” became popular at high-level competitions. The combination of exaggerated high-action step in front and long stride behind is still considered desirable in today's horse show competitions, and it is often achieved through soring. Soring is the practice of applying a substance or mechanical device to the lower li...
Nieforth LO, Kaufman S.Given the nature of horse-human interactions in equine-assisted services (EAS), death of a horse may have significant impacts. In this study, an online survey was distributed to EAS practitioners. The goal of the study was to explore the experiences of practitioners and identify the socioemotional processes that occur upon the death of an equine within an EAS program. Open-ended responses ( = 84) were analyzed qualitatively using a grounded theory and constant-comparative approach. Responses are situated into two themes (1) Processing the death of an equine and (2) Practical implications. Expe...
Esterl-Byrne LL, Huseman CJ, Haynes C, Kinman LA, Jones TN.The welfare of unwanted horses presents a significant concern for the equine industry. However, there is a lack of research on how unwanted horses are affected by major crises. The drastic changes that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic presented ample opportunity to investigate how unwanted horses are impacted by challenging circumstances. Study objectives were to evaluate the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the unwanted horse population and determine the current perceptions of horses in-transition. A 23-question online survey designed using Qualtrics was administered electronically to adults ...
Hewitt-Dedman CL, Kershaw LE, Schwarz T, Del-Pozo J, Duncan J, Daniel CR, Cillán-García E, Pressanto MC, Taylor SE.Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has been used to investigate metabolic changes within human bone. It may be possible to use MRS to investigate bone metabolism and fracture risk in the distal third metacarpal/tarsal bone (MC/MTIII) in racehorses. Objective: To determine the feasibility of using MRS as a quantitative imaging technique in equine bone by using the H spectra for the MC/MTIII to calculate fat content (FC). Methods: Observational cross-sectional study. Methods: Limbs from Thoroughbred racehorses were collected from horses that died or were subjected to euthanasia on racecourses...
Melchert M, Aurich J, Ertl R, Reichart U, Walter I, Gautier C, Kaps M, Aurich C.Mares resume ovarian activity rapidly after foaling. Besides follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), the pituitary synthesizes prolactin and growth hormone which stimulate insulin-like growth factor (IGF) synthesis in the liver. We tested the hypothesis that follicular growth is initiated already antepartum, mares with early and delayed ovulation differ in IGF-1 release and that there is an additional IGF-1 synthesis in the placenta. Plasma concentrations of LH, FSH, IGF-1, IGF-2, activin and prolactin. IGF-1, IGF-2, prolactin and their receptors in placental tissues w...
Emmerich IU.In 2023, no new active pharmaceutical ingredients were released on the German market for horses and food-producing animals. Two established veterinary active pharmaceutical ingredients became available for additional species: The phosphorus compound butafosfan was also approved for horses, dogs, and cats and the mineral sodium chloride as an isotonic sodium chloride solution was also approved for rabbits and guinea pigs. In addition, for small animals, there were new releases of an agent (pergolidmesilate) in a novel pharmaceutical formulation and a lower content of the active ingredient, one ...
Valle AP, Brown KA, Reilly P, Ciamillo SA, Davidson EJ, Stefanovski D, Stewart HL, Ortved KF.Lameness examinations are commonly performed in equine medicine. Advancements in digital technology have increased the use of video recordings for lameness assessment, however, standardization of ideal video angle is not available yielding videos of poor diagnostic quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of video angle on the subjective assessment of front limb lameness. A randomized, blinded, crossover study was performed. Six horses with and without mechanically induced forelimb solar pain were recorded using 9 video angles including horses trotting directly away and ...
Vaske A, Gautier C, Winter J, Aurich C.We followed the hypothesis that equine neonates with reduced transfer of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) are at increased risk of neonatal infection. We investigated TNFα concentrations in colostrum of healthy mares and blood of their neonates in a non-hospitalized population of Warmblood mares where delivery, neonatal adaptation and health was closely monitored by veterinarians. Concentration of TNFα and IgG was determined in colostrum respective milk and in neonatal blood collected immediately after delivery and 18 h thereafter in 97 foals that were assigned to groups failure of passive ...
Gisler J, Chiavaccini L, Blum S, Montavon S, Spadavecchia C.Osteoarthritis is a prevalent degenerative joint disease initiating chronic pain and lameness in horses. While several objective gait analysis systems have been developed and validated to quantify lameness severity in horses, methods to evaluate whether peripheral sensitization contributes to the pain experienced are missing. Unassigned: To evaluate whether periarticular pressure pain mapping could be proposed as an auxiliary assessment tool in horses. Specific aims were to evaluate the feasibility and intra- and inter-rater reliability of pressure pain thresholds (PPT) determination at sites ...
Wadbled L, Finck C, Santschi EM, Morehead JP, Fogarty U, Lemirre T, Beauchamp G, Richard H, Laverty S.Assess femorotibial features in foals with and without medial femoral condyle (MFC) subchondral radiolucencies (SR+ and SR-). Methods: 3 independent, sequential radiographic studies were performed. Study 1 retrospectively measured femorotibial morphological parameters in repository radiographs (SR- and SR+). Study 2 qualitatively compared drawings of intercondylar notch shape in postmortem radiographs (SR-). Study 3 prospectively measured femorotibial parameters in 1-month-old foals (SR-). In studies 1 and 3, 13 morphologic parameters were measured. Limb directional asymmetry was assessed in 2...
Lang JJ, Li X, Micheler CM, Wilhelm NJ, Seidl F, Schwaiger BJ, Barnewitz D, von Eisenhart-Rothe R, Grosse CU, Burgkart R.Femoral fractures are often considered lethal for adult horses because femur osteosynthesis is still a surgical challenge. For equine femur osteosynthesis, primary stability is essential, but the detailed physiological forces occurring in the hindlimb are largely unknown. The objective of this study was to create a numerical testing environment to evaluate equine femur osteosynthesis based on physiological conditions. The study was designed as a finite element analysis (FEA) of the femur using a musculoskeletal model of the loading situation in stance. Relevant forces were determined in the mu...
Schöpper H, Egerbacher M.The vascularization pattern of the equine stifle joint is insufficiently described in the literature, even though there is a growing need for knowledge of the exact blood supply, as (i) arthroscopy and endoscopic surgery techniques are increasingly performed in horses and (ii) ex vivo models of menisci need nutrient supply that mimic the in vivo situation. The aim of this study was to describe the vessels involved in the stifle joint supply and the exact branching pattern of the popliteal artery. Colored latex was injected into the arteries of nine pelvic limbs of equine cadavers (n = 6) to ev...
Guedes JRB, Vendruscolo CP, Tokawa PKA, Carvalho AM, Johnson PJ, Faleiros RR.Postural adaptation is a prominent feature in horses affected by laminitis. Laminitis induces intense pain, especially in the forelimbs, prompting affected horses to assume a caudally displaced trunk posture, resulting in the hyperflexion of the thoracolumbar spine. This study assessed the nature and prevalence of thoracolumbar injuries in horses with chronic laminitis compared to horses without it. Sixty horses were used (thirty laminitic and thirty non-laminitic) of different athletic purposes and ages (2-20 years). The experimental protocol entailed a single assessment of horses' thoracolum...
