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Topic:Veterinary Research
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.
Meat Quality Characteristics of Mongolian Horses in Inner Mongolia: Regional Superiority and Transcriptomic Insights into Tenderness Differences Between Muscular Locations. Horse meat is a high-quality protein source. A total of 50 two-year-old male horses with similar body weights (300 ± 50 kg) were used: 30 for regional comparison (10 each from Bulgan province region of Mongolia (BPM), Tuv province region of Mongolia (TPM), and Inner Mongolia region of China (IMC)) and an additional 20 from the IMC region for muscle-site analysis. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying regional and muscle-site differences in the meat quality of Mongolian horses, with particular emphasis on tenderness, this study analyzed chemical composition, minerals, fatty acids, a...
Radiographic identification and description of the equine middle conchal sinus (ethmoidal sinus): Implications for diagnosing middle conchal sinusitis. The middle conchal sinus (MCS) (ethmoidal sinus) remains one of the least understood equine paranasal compartments. Despite recognition of its involvement in sinonasal disease, disorders of the MCS often remain underdiagnosed in the absence of computed tomographic (CT) imaging due to limited anatomical understanding and challenges with radiographic visualisation. Objective: The objectives of the study were (1) to characterise the radiographic features and anatomical location of the MCS in horses and (2) to illustrate the practical relevance of the anatomical and radiographic findings in two cl...
Prevalence, genomic diversity and emerging antimicrobial resistance of Taylorella asinigenitalis in Grand Noir du Berry breeding donkeys. Taylorella asinigenitalis is a fastidious Gram-negative bacterium of the equine genital tract, found more commonly in donkeys than horses. Although considered non-pathogenic, it is closely related to Taylorella equigenitalis, the agent of contagious equine metritis, and has been linked to experimental and natural cases of endometritis. The SAFRAN project (French acronym for "Sauvegarde de la fertilité de l'âne", meaning "Preservation of donkey fertility"), launched in 2024 by the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) with support from the Centre-Val...
Estrous cycle-dependent changes in platelet indices in healthy mares. Platelets (PLTs) are key regulators of hemostasis, inflammation, and tissue remodeling, and their phenotype is known to fluctuate with sex steroid concentrations in several species. However, the influence of the estrous cycle on PLT characteristics in mares has not been investigated. We hypothesized that PLT indices vary between reproductive phases in association with changes in estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone (P4). The aim of this study was to characterize PLT indices in estrus and diestrus and to determine how these hematological parameters relate to circulating E2 and P4 concentrations...
Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography for Evaluation of Cervical Vertebral Nerves and Synovial Tissues in Horses with Cervical Spinal Disease. Pathology of the cervical spine is an important cause of poor performance in sport horses. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have improved musculoskeletal diagnostic capabilities. CT is well-suited to assess osseous pathology, although it is limited for assessing soft tissues. MRI, the gold standard for imaging soft tissues, cannot be used for antemortem imaging of the equine cervical spine. The diagnostic potential of CT for evaluating soft tissues of the equine cervical spine compared to MRI is not well-defined and warrants investigation. Postmortem MRI was perfor...
Reduced centrifugation duration improves diagnostic performance of an equine tapeworm egg counting technique. Anoplocephala perfoliata, can cause severe health problems in horses. Standard coprological tests have performed poorly for detecting A. perfoliata, and while a centrifugation-enhanced flotation technique is superior to other techniques, it is time consuming due to three 10-minute centrifugation steps. This study aimed to evaluate modifications of this technique that reduce the centrifugation durations to 5 and 1 min, respectively. Fecal samples were collected from ten adult A. perfoliata egg count positive mares and divided into 9 subsamples to allow for three replicate counts for each of th...
Evidence of Physiological Comodulation During Human-Animal Interaction: A Systematic Review. This review examines the evidence in the literature for physiological co-modulation during human-animal interaction, identifying studies that assessed comodulation via simultaneous measurement of physiological signals in both species, performing quantitative comparisons. We searched (last search: August 5, 2025) PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, Animal Studies Repository, Cochrane, and the Consensus App academic search engine. Risk of bias was assessed using an adapted version of the ROBINS-I V2 tool. The results, grouped by data analysis method, interaction context, and physiological pa...
Syndrome of High Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase in Racehorses. Horses in racing and race training can develop high gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) syndrome (HGS), or increased GGT without overt evidence of primary liver disease. Current evidence points toward overtraining and a response to oxidative stress, but the etiology is incompletely understood. Evidence for an association of HGS with poor performance is mixed. Without a clear understanding of the etiology, the only evidence-based treatment option is rest or reduced training intensity. More research is needed to determine whether HGS is a physiologic adaptation, perhaps indicative of overtraining b...
Morbidity associated with inhalation anesthesia in horses: the role of opioid use in a university teaching hospital. Despite concerns among equine practitioners, the effects of opioid administration on intraoperative complications during inhalation anesthesia remain incompletely characterized. This retrospective study evaluated intraoperative complications and perianesthetic mortality in horses undergoing inhalation anesthesia according to opioid use. Medical records from a university veterinary hospital were reviewed (2014-2025) and grouped based on opioid inclusion in anesthetic protocols and surgery type (colic vs. non-colic). Intraoperative hypotension (MAP < 70 mmHg), hypothermia (temperature 65 mmH...
Evaluation of autologous fecal microbiota transplantation for restoring equine gut microbiota after antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. Microbial resilience is important to maintain a healthy gut environment in horses, especially after antibiotic administration, but the efficacies of post-antibiotic recovery strategies remain poorly characterized. We used microbial amplicon sequencing to compare spontaneous recovery, autologous fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and probiotic administration in 18 horses following antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. Clinically healthy horses received a combination of cephalothin and minocycline for 5 consecutive days before intervention. Fecal microbial recovery was longitudinally evaluated by u...
Comparative metagenomic analysis of gut microbiomes in Yunnan ponies and Dutch warmblood horses. The Yunnan pony is an officially protected pony breed in China. However, its gut microbiome characteristics remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to compare the gut microbiome and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) profiles between Yunnan ponies and Dutch warmblood horses. Unassigned: A total of 14 fresh fecal samples were collected from Yunnan ponies and Dutch warmblood horses. Metagenomic sequencing was employed to comprehensively analyze and compare the gut microbial composition, function, and ARGs profiles between the two breeds. Unassigned: The results showed no significant differen...
Plasma and urinary exposure of cannabidiol and cannabidiolic acid in horses following consumption of contaminated feed. Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) are non-psychoactive cannabinoids naturally present in hemp-derived products. While these compounds are prohibited during equine competition, horses may be inadvertently exposed through contaminated feed. Data describing systemic and urinary exposure to CBD and CBDA following such low-dose, involuntary intake are limited. This study aimed to describe plasma and urine concentration-time profiles of CBD and CBDA in horses after consumption of experimentally contaminated feed. Results: Twelve Standardbred horses received feed containing low doses (1...
First molecular detection of Theileria haneyi infection in horses in Southern Spain. Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of equids caused by the hemoparasites , and . , a close relative of that causes mild clinical signs under experimental conditions, has been reported in several countries, adding complexity to EP ecology, diagnosis, and treatment. However, its presence in Spain remains unknown, which is concerning given the country's importance in equine genetics and international trade. Hereby, we investigated the presence of in blood samples from equids in Spain. Unassigned: Blood samples from 222 equids (218 horses, two donkeys, two mules) suspected of EP a...
Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices for equine Endoparasite control among livestock owners in South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study. Endoparasites are a major health concern affecting equine productivity and welfare worldwide. Understanding farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward parasite control is critical for designing effective interventions. This study assessed KAP levels among farmers in South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, and identified factors associated with good KAP. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 farmers. KAP scores were initially categorized into three levels (low, moderate, and high) and analyzed using chi-square (χ) tests to explore bivariate associations....
The Early Ophthalmic Effects of Vatinoxan in Healthy Detomidine-Sedated Horses. To evaluate the short-term ophthalmic effects of vatinoxan, a peripherally selective alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist, in detomidine-sedated horses. Methods: Seven healthy horses without ophthalmic disease in a randomized, masked, two-period crossover study design, with a ≥ 7-day rest period. Methods: After a bilateral palpebral block (lidocaine 40 mg) and baseline data collection, horses received intravenous detomidine (20 μg/kg [DET]) or DET with vatinoxan (200 μg/kg [DET-VAT]). Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured from the left eye while tear production (Schirmer tear test -1; ...
Cerebral arterial mapping in the equine brain: a detailed anatomical study. Detailed knowledge of the cerebral arterial system in equine brain is required for advancing neuroanatomical understanding and supporting the interpretation of neurological disorders. The equine cerebrum, characterized by extensive cortical organization and functional specialization, requires a continuous arterial blood supply; however, detailed information on its arterial anatomy remains limited. This study aimed to describe the arterial supply to the equine cerebrum, including the origin, branching patterns, and distribution of the major cerebral arteries. Unassigned: Ten adult horse heads w...
Vitrification of in vivo produced equine embryos: Size really does matter! Vitrification rather than slow-freezing has become the method of choice for the cryopreservation of in-vivo produced embryos. It is a simple technique that does not require a programmable freezing machine and relies chiefly on placing the embryo on a surface, rather than within a straw, in a small volume of vitrification solution to achieve extremely rapid cooling rates. However, in the field of equine embryo vitrification size truly does matter. Methodologies for both vitrification and warming prior to transfer are largely dictated by the size of the embryo. Since embryo size is directly rela...
Short-interval longitudinal analysis of immune cell dynamics in heavy draft foals after colostrum intake. Maternal cells and antibodies are present in equine colostrum, but their relationship with immune cells in foals after colostrum ingestion remains unclear. This study longitudinally analyzed immune cells in the peripheral blood of neonatal foals at short intervals and investigated their relationship with colostral immune cells. Eleven clinically healthy draft mares and their foals were examined. Foal blood was collected before colostrum intake (0 hr) and at 2-3, 6, 12, 36-48 hr, and 3 and 7 days after ingestion. Mare blood and milk (0, 36-48 hr; 0 hr milk defined as colostrum) were also collec...
Renal Perfusion in Healthy Horses: A Feasibility Study With Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound. This study assessed the feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for evaluating renal perfusion in horses and compared perfusion parameters between age groups. In a prospective study, eight healthy horses were divided into young (3-5 years, n = 4) and old (16-17 years, n = 4) groups. All animals underwent B-mode, Doppler ultrasonography, and CEUS of the right kidney after an intravenous bolus of SonoVue (0.02 mL/kg). Qualitative analysis assessed contrast kinetics, whereas quantitative parameters (peak intensity, time to peak [TP], area under the curve, and wash-out time) were o...
Embryo developmental kinetics and vitrification in relation to pregnancy outcome, foaling percentage and foal sex. While fast in vitro embryo development has been associated with improved outcomes, the relationships of slow in vitro embryo development and vitrified versus fresh in vitro produced (IVP) embryo transfer to foaling percentage and foal sex are less explored. Objective: To determine the relationships of (1) day of blastocyst formation (D7-11 after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)) and (2) vitrification and warming method (one- and three-step) versus fresh transfer with pregnancy, early pregnancy loss (EPL), foaling percentage and foal sex. Methods: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: B...
Oclacitinib for Controlling Pruritus and Associated Skin Lesions in 16 Horses With Allergic Dermatitis. Oclacitinib is a Janus kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis in dogs and may be effective in horses. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of oclacitinib in reducing pruritus and skin lesions in horses with allergic dermatitis. Methods: Sixteen horses aged ≥ 18 months. Methods: Horses received oclacitinib at 0.25 mg/kg orally once daily for 21 days. Changes in haematological and biochemical parameters were measured on Day (D)0 and D21. The owners were instructed to evaluate the horses using the pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS) on...
Development of a prognostic scoring system for systemic inflammatory response syndrome in donkeys. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is associated with increased mortality in horses with gastrointestinal (GI) disease. However, there are no data relating to naturally occurring SIRS in donkeys. Objective: To determine SIRS frequency in donkeys with GI disease. To develop a donkey-specific prognostic SIRS score. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Clinical records from donkeys presenting with GI disease in two independent cohorts (development cohort: n = 400, UK; validation cohort: n = 36, Australia) were reviewed. Age, sex, heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal te...
Prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias in poorly performing horses. Electrocardiogram abnormalities are common in racehorses and can affect performance. Unassigned: This study aimed to analyze the results of electrocardiographic problems and measure the frequencies of various cardiac arrhythmias. Unassigned: This cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2023 and August 2024. Standard electrocardiographic recordings were obtained from all horses, and cardiac troponin levels were measured. Out of the 114 poorly performing adult horses, 10 cases without arrhythmia were considered the control group. Seventy-four horses (64.9%) had at least one type of...
Pathology of sudden death in racehorses: a review. Sudden death (SD) is the second most important syndrome associated with death in racehorses. The cause of SD in a large number of horses remains undetermined, and, in many of these cases, causes are not found by gross or microscopic postmortem examinations. Among the known causes of SD are traumatic injuries, including fractures of skull, neck, and pelvis; intoxications (e.g., anticoagulant rodenticides); and others. For many cases of SD in which no significant lesions are found, heart failure, probably associated with arrhythmias, is suspected. Precise phenotypic characterization of SD in hor...
Evaluation of two point-of-care molecular diagnostic platforms for rapid detection of equine Hendra virus. Hendra virus (HeV) is a lethal zoonotic pathogen endemic to eastern Australia, posing significant risks to equine and human health. Rapid field detection of HeV enables timely intervention and outbreak management. This study evaluated candidate point-of-care (POC) molecular diagnostic platforms for HeV detection in equine samples: including a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (DARQ RT-LAMP) assay and real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Comparative analytical evaluation demonstrated that RT-qPCR exhibited superior analytical sensitivity relativ...
Pilot Study of an Alpha-2-Macroglobulin-Enriched Plasma-Derived Orthobiologic Preparation in Sport Horses with Chronic Degenerative Joint Disease. Chronic joint disease is a major cause of lameness and reduced performance in sport horses and is characterized by persistent synovial inflammation and protease-mediated matrix degradation. This exploratory prospective pilot study investigated clinical outcomes and synovial biomarker changes following intra-articular administration of an α-2-macroglobulin plasma-derived preparation. Twenty client-owned sport horses were observed in the treatment group (n = 10) or a comparison group (n = 10) and monitored for up to 180 days under field conditions. Clinical outcomes were assessed longitudinally...
Efficacy of 0.5% Tretinoin in the Treatment of Equine Aural Plaques. Equine aural plaques are a benign form of auricular papillomatosis caused by equine papillomavirus. Despite the efficacy of 5% imiquimod cream, a marked local reaction is frequently observed during therapy, often requiring sedation before application. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and potential adverse effects of 0.5% topical tretinoin in the treatment of equine aural plaques. We hypothesised that tretinoin would be effective, with fewer adverse effects compared to imiquimod. Methods: The study included 10 horses of both sexes, aged between 7 months and 15 y...
Horse species symposium: Current and future outlook on equine industry, research trends, and opportunities: How to promote a sustainable field into the future. The equine industry represents a complex and evolving sector with substantial economic, social, and scientific significance, yet it faces growing challenges related to funding constraints, societal expectations for animal welfare, regulatory pressures, and rapid scientific and technological change. This article synthesizes perspectives presented at the 2025 Horse Species Symposium, held during the joint Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science and Canadian Society of Animal Science, which convened experts from academia, government, and industry to evaluate the current state and...
Association Between Vaquejada Practice and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Muscle Damage in Quarter Horses. Vaquejada (VQ) is a traditional Brazilian sport demanding high performance from Quarter Horse (QH) athletes. This study aimed to identify modifications in hematological, biochemical, inflammatory, and oxidative stress biomarkers associated with VQ training, comparing conditioned and non-conditioned horses. Blood samples were collected at rest from 70 healthy QH horses: 60 athletes (VQ-conditioned athlete group-AG) and 10 sedentary controls (breeding horses-CG). Using Linear Mixed Models alongside comprehensive hematological and biochemical analyses, the study found that AG horses exhibited an ...
Comparative analysis of mesenchymal stromal cells derived from ovarian follicular aspirates of young and aged mares. Mesenchymal stromal cells from equine ovarian follicular aspirates represent a promising source for cell-based therapies. However, the age of the donor mare may alter their biological properties and therapeutic potential. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of age on MSCs from ovarian follicular aspirates of young (< 10 years, n = 5) and aged (≥ 18 years, n = 5) mares. MSCs were isolated, expanded, cryopreserved at passage 3, and subsequently thawed to evaluate proliferation, immunophenotype, differentiation capacity, and gene expression profiles. Proliferation rates, total cel...
