Veterinary science and horses encompass the study and application of medical, surgical, and therapeutic practices to maintain and improve the health and welfare of equines. This field addresses a wide range of topics, including disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as nutrition, reproduction, and behavior. Research in veterinary science for horses often involves understanding the pathophysiology of equine-specific diseases, developing advanced diagnostic techniques, and improving treatment protocols. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of veterinary science related to horses, providing insights into the latest advancements and methodologies in equine healthcare.
Uzun M, Karkhan A, Kopar A.Analysis of the blood protein system was used to study the genetic composition of Arabian horses. Biochemical markers of eight polymorphic loci (Tf, Al, Es, AlB, Gc, Hb, PGD, and PGM) were electrophoretically identified in blood samples. A total of 43 phenotypes were identified for these polymorphic systems. The Tf, Hb, and Es loci appeared to be more polymorphic than the other loci studied. Statistically significant differences between the observed and expected genotypic frequencies were found for the PGD and PGM loci (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Individual allele frequencies,...
Smith RD.In this article, I have discussed the principles and methods of outbreak investigation, reinforcing important concepts with examples from the veterinary literature. The approach presented is applicable to outbreaks caused by any agent whether it is infectious versus noninfectious or contagious versus noncontagious. The solutions vary. The experience of others presented with similar situations may be especially helpful. Because of their nature, outbreaks are difficult to prepare for. When faced with a potential outbreak, the best strategy is to approach it scientifically, systematically, and wi...
Kollias-Baker C.Analytic chemistry laboratories responding to the concerns of the industry over drug use and abuse in performance horses should continue to develop more sensitive methods of drug detection. The unwanted result of this increase in sensitivity is the detection of therapeutic medications days to weeks after administration. The adoption of decision or threshold concentrations for residues of nonpermitted medications should allow laboratories to focus their efforts on drugs of abuse in the performance horse industries and permit veterinarians to provide appropriate medical care to these equine athl...
Johnson BJ.Immediately record the findings. A tape recorder would be excellent for this. If none is available, findings should be written down as soon as possible before memory of the examination fades. It is important to record comments on every organ that you examined. Three years from now in a court deposition, it may be difficult for the practitioner to remember if he looked at the adrenal glands or if there was no gross evidence of hyperplasia. When writing a report, it is a good idea to describe the tissue changes rather than just to give an interpretation. An example of the latter would be, "The h...
Wilson AM, McGuigan MP, Su A, van Den Bogert AJ.The muscular work of galloping in horses is halved by storing and returning elastic strain energy in spring-like muscle-tendon units.These make the legs act like a child's pogo stick that is tuned to stretch and recoil at 2.5 strides per second. This mechanism is optimized by unique musculoskeletal adaptations: the digital flexor muscles have extremely short fibres and significant passive properties, whereas the tendons are very long and span several joints. Length change occurs by a stretching of the spring-like digital flexor tendons rather than through energetically expensive length changes...
Obuch-Woszczatyński P, Pituch H, Martirosian G, Silva J, Meisel-Mikołajczyk F, Łuczak M.Seven Bacteroides fragilis strains were cultured from samples collected from horses. From all the tested strains, as well as from the reference B. fragilis strains: enterotoxigenic NCTC 11925 and nonenterotoxigenic IPL 323 strain, DNA was isolated using Genomic DNA PREP PLUS isolation kit manufactured by A&A Biotechnology (Poland). To detect the enterotoxin (fragilysin) gene, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied, using the following starters: 404 (GAG CCG AAG ACG GTG TAT GTG ATT TGT) and 407 (TGC TCA GCG CCC AGT ATA TGA CCT AGT). DNA obtained from bacterial cells was amplified in a ...
Yildiz H, Yildiz B, Arslan K, Ozgür C.In this study we present a geometric model of the ascending colon of the horse, especially the left ventral colon and the right ventral colon, the left dorsal colon and the right dorsal colon and the pelvic flexure. We also present a mathematical model of the cross sections of these ascending colon parts with the exceptions of the pelvic flexure. We show that these cross-sections correspond to the closed algebraic curves known as epitrochoid.
Dobrinsky JR.The development of embryo freezing technologies revolutionized cattle breeding. Since then, advancements in cryobiology, cell biology, and domestic animal embryology have enabled the development of embryo preservation methodologies for our other domestic animal species, including sheep and goats. Recently, technologies have been developed to cryopreserve pig embryos, notorious for their extreme sensitivity to cooling; horse embryo cryopreservation is in its infancy. While cryopreservation can enhance the utilization of in vitro embryo production technologies, cryosurvival of in vitro-produced ...
Tozaki T, Kakoi H, Mashima S, Hirota K, Hasegawa T, Ishida N, Miura N, Choi-Miura NH, Tomita M.Microsatellite 15 TKY System was characterized for parentage verification of horse registry. The Microsatellite 15 TKY System was constructed by using 15 microsatellites, TKY279, TKY287, TKY294, TKY297, TKY301, TKY312, TKY321, TKY325, TKY333, TKY337, TKY341, TKY343, TKY344, TKY374, and TKY394, to provide stringent PCR-based microsatellite typing specifically optimized for multicolor fluorescence detection. The Microsatellite 15 TKY System showed good resolutions for 250 unrelated Thoroughbred horses, and the probability of exclusion (PE) at each microsatellite ranged from 0.437 to 0.621, resul...
Jansen WL, van Alphen M, Berghout M, Everts H, Beynen AC.The ratio of calculated net energy intake (NEi) to calculate net energy requirement (NEr) might serve as an indicator of the efficiency of dietary energy utilization. The ratio was determined for 93 horses and ponies from 10 riding schools. For each animal with an assumed constant body weight, energy intake and energy requirements were assessed. On average, the estimated NEi was 14% greater than NEr. There was a significant, negative association between crude fibre intake and the NEi: NEr ratio. Earlier work indicated that extra fat intake may lead to over estimation of the calculated energy v...
Watt BC, Edwards RB, Markel MD, McCabe R, Wilson DG.To compare the biomechanical characteristics and mode of failure of two different dynamic compression plate (DCP) techniques for proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) arthrodesis in horses. Methods: Randomized block-design blocking on horse (1-5), method of fixation (two 7-hole, 3.5-mm broad DCP vs two 5-hole, 4.5-mm narrow DCP), side (left, right), and end (front, hind). Constructs were loaded to failure in 3-point bending in a dorsal-to-palmar (plantar) direction. Methods: Ten paired limbs from 5 equine cadavers. Methods: Two 7-hole, 3.5-mm broad dynamic compression plates (bDCP) were used i...
Devireddy RV, Swanlund DJ, Olin T, Vincente W, Troedsson MH, Bischof JC, Roberts KP.Optimization of equine sperm cryopreservation protocols requires an understanding of the water permeability characteristics and volumetric shrinkage response during freezing. A cell-shape-independent differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) technique was used to measure the volumetric shrinkage during freezing of equine sperm suspensions at cooling rates of 5 degrees C/min and 20 degrees C/min in the presence and absence of cryoprotective agents (CPAs), i.e., in the Kenney extender and in the lactose-EDTA extender, respectively. The equine sperm was modeled as a cylinder of length 36.5 microm a...
Gellman KS, Bertram JE, Hermanson JW.The semispinalis capitis and splenius muscles of the horse were analyzed for gross morphology, microarchitecture, fiber length, and fiber type. Although these two muscles are similar in size and anatomical position, they are very different from one another in structural design and histochemistry, implying diverse functional roles in the animal's behavior. The histochemical staining profile was limited to two fiber types: slow oxidative and fast glycolytic. The splenius muscle has simple architecture, long fibers, and a 60/40 ratio of SO to FG cross-sectional area. The semispinalis capitis has ...
Katila T.The uterus of domestic animals, including the horse, has a dual role in the interaction of the uterus and sperm. On one hand, uterine contractions carry sperm toward the oviduct, and on the other hand the uterus eliminates excessive sperm. The selection of sperm for the small numbers of "good" cells that gain access to the oviduct and for the majority of sperm that will be destroyed takes place in the uterus. The sperm-uterine interaction works both ways; sperm and seminal plasma also have several effects on the uterus. Sperm and seminal plasma probably provoke uterine contractions. Sperm indu...
Roser JF.The specific nature and relative contribution of the major hormones involved in regulation of reproductive function of the stallion are not well defined nor have paracrine or autocrine factors been identified. Over the last 12 years, our laboratory has been engaged in characterizing the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPT) in stallions. A number of endocrine factors and mechanisms important for normal reproductive function have been investigated. Studies investigating poor fertility in stallions suggest that a closer look at the testicular level is warranted. For a complete understandi...
Cunningham EP, Dooley JJ, Splan RK, Bradley DG.The thoroughbred (TB) horse is one of the oldest breeds of domestic animals, with pedigree records spanning three centuries. Because the population is essentially closed, there is concern about loss of genetic variation. Here we report two parallel analyses. In the first, genetic variation in the current population is measured using data from 13 microsatellite loci in 211 horses with relationships calculated based on allele sharing. In the second analysis, pedigree information is used to calculate genetic relationships between animals based on shared ancestry. These two measures of relationshi...
Stoica G, Tasca SI, Kim HT.Thirty-four peripheral nerve sheath tumors of four domesticated animal species were characterized and assayed for point mutation of the neu oncogene. Based on their morphoimmunophenotype, 32 tumors were classified as schwannomas. Schwannoma morphology was characterized by the presence of Antoni type A and B pattern and immunoreactivity for S-100 protein and vimentin. Two anaplastic and metastatic tumors originating from spinal cord root, immunonegative for S-100 protein and positive for vimentin, were classified as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). Four malignant schwannomas a...
McDonald TL, Larson MA, Mack DR, Weber A.Mammary-associated serum amyloid A 3 (M-SAA3) was secreted at highly elevated levels in bovine, equine and ovine colostrum and found at lower levels in milk 4 days postparturition. N-terminal sequencing of the mature M-SAA3 protein from all the three species revealed a conserved four amino acid motif (TFLK) within the first eight residues. This motif has not been reported to be present in any of the hepatically-produced acute phase SAA (A-SAA) isoforms. Cloning of the bovine M-Saa3 cDNA from mammary gland epithelial cells revealed an open reading frame that encoded a precursor protein of 131 a...
Zips S, Peham C, Scheidl M, Licka T, Girtler D.The toelt of the Icelandic horse is a symmetric 4-beat gait, with alternating single and double support phases. By definition, the duration of the diagonal and ipsilateral stance phases should be similar. The aim of this study was to investigate the stride characteristics of horses ridden at toelt, and to compare these to previous descriptions of this gait. The kinematics of 23 Icelandic horses was measured using the Expert Vision System. Mature and sound horses, used for pleasure riding and/or competitions, were ridden at toelt at 3 different speeds. For each horse, 10 strides were measured a...
Cano MR, Miro F, Monterde JG, Diz A, Martin J, Galisteo AM.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of growth on biokinematic characteristics at the trot in a group of 9 Andalusian foals from age 12 to 36 months in order to identify which stride variables change or remain invariable. Biokinematic analysis was performed by using a computer-assisted videography system (25 Hz frame rate). An increase in stride length as well as the fore- and hindlimb stride duration was found. A tendency to increase flexion of the shoulder, elbow and carpal joints was observed while the forelimb fetlock increased its maximal extension. In the hindlimb, most o...
Chateau H, Degueurce C, Jerbi H, Crevier-Denoix N, Pourcelot P, Audigié F, Pasqui-Boutard V, Denoix JM.The purpose of this study was to quantify small amplitude rotational movements in the metacarpophalangeal joint (MPJ) of the horse and to measure the influence of asymmetric placement of the foot on these articular angles. Trihedrons, supporting kinematic markers defining a local frame, were screwed into the third metacarpal bone and the proximal phalanx of 4 isolated forelimbs. The limbs were loaded in a press, and the lateral or medial aspects of the foot were raised alternately by a 12 degrees wedge. The use of the joint coordinate system permitted the simultaneous and continuous computing ...
Arabian AK, Lanovaz JL, Clayton HM.Determination of net joint moments and powers requires accurate measurements of mass and centre of mass (COM) for the limb segments. The objective of this research was to develop regression equations for calculating mass and COM of the hoof segment that are applicable over a wide range of hoof morphologies. Ninety-one hooves (mean +/- s.d. 0.99 +/- 0.50 kg) were weighed and the 3-dimensional COM determined using a mass balance technique. Ten morphological variables were measured and used as independent variables in linear regressions with dependent variables of mass and centre of mass. The reg...
Wilson AM, Pardoe CH.Studies on horseshoe materials have been limited to the analysis of kinematic data to determine slip times and distances, since equine force plate analysis is traditionally undertaken on a rubber-surfaced force plate. The purpose of this study was to modify a force plate for measuring ground reaction forces on a road surface and report preliminary data from the system. A steel-reinforced concrete top plate of 18 mm thickness and mass 23 kg, and a 12 mm thick top plate of 6 mm bituminous macadam wear coat (road surface) contained in a tray constructed of 2 mm thick steel, mass 21 kg, were const...
Lanovaz JL, Clayton HM.Estimations of segmental inertial parameters are required for true inverse dynamics calculations during the swing phase of locomotion. This study attempts to quantify the effect of inertial parameter errors on inverse dynamic solutions. Swing phase forelimb net joint moments and powers at the trot (mean +/- s.d 3.03 +/- 0.16 m/s) were calculated with sagittal plane kinematic data from 5 Dutch Warmbloods using inertial parameters based on published regression equations for the breed. Significant peaks in the net moment and power curves for each forelimb joint were identified and measured. Net j...
Thomason JJ, Bignell WW, Sears W.The relative contribution of a number of random and fixed variables to variation in surface strain magnitudes on the hoof capsule was assessed for healthy feet under normal conditions. Principal strains were recorded in vivo from 5 rosette gauges glued around the circumference of the right forefeet of 4 horses on 4 occasions over a 9 month period. Recordings were made at every other trimming and reshoeing. During each session, gauges were positioned with a template for repeatability. Strains were recorded at the trot and canter (at consistent speeds), for straight motion and turns, and before ...
Colborne GR, Birtles DM, Cacchione IC.Muscle fatigue can be quantified using Fourier analysis of the recorded EMG signal. Median frequency is the frequency at which the Fourier profile is bisected, and this measure typically shifts to smaller values during fatigue. This technique was combined with kinematic analysis to describe the time course of fatigue in horses galloping on an inclined treadmill. It was hypothesised that EMG median frequency would decrease in tandem with changes in kinematic variables through the exercise test. Three fit Thoroughbred horses had retroreflective markers placed on their hooves and withers. Surface...
Becker K, Keller B, von Eiff C, Brück M, Lubritz G, Etienne J, Peters G.Staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP) caused by enterotoxigenic staphylococci is one of the main food-borne diseases. In contrast to Staphylococcus aureus, a systematic screening for the enterotoxins has not yet been performed on the genomic level for the coagulase-positive species S. intermedius. Therefore, the enterotoxigenic potential of 281 different veterinary (canine, n = 247; equine, n = 23; feline, n = 9; other, n = 2) and 11 human isolates of S. intermedius was tested by using a multiplex PCR DNA-enzyme immunoassay system targeting the staphylococcal enterotoxin genes sea, seb, sec, sed...
Wiśniewska A, Janczarek I, Ryżak M, Tkaczyk E, Kędzierski W.It is not clear, if modern Konik Polski horses have retained the ability to identify sounds in terms of danger. The aim of the study was to identify differences in their behaviour in response to the reproduction of volcanic eruption and sea storm sounds, assumed to be unfamiliar to these horses, as compared to their response to a thunderclap sound, considered by the horses as potentially dangerous. The study included 13 adult mares of the Konik Polski breed, kept under a free-range system. Their behavioural responses to the reproduction of the three natural sounds with an intensity of over 50...
Zhao CJ, Qin YH, Lee XH, Wu Ch.An alleged male foal of a female mule, whose sire and grandparents were unknown, was identified for its pedigree. Parentage testing was conducted by comparing polymorphism of 12 microsatellite DNA sites and mitochondrial D-loop sequences of the male foal and the female mule. Both the sequence analysis of species-specific DNA fragments and a cytogenetic analysis were performed to identify the species of the foal and its parents. The results showed that the alleged female mule is actually a hinny, and the male foal, which possesses 62 chromosomes, qualifies as an offspring of the female hinny an...
Howard RD, McIlwraith CW, Trotter GW, Nyborg JK.To clone equine interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and equine interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) and determine their full-length cDNA sequences. Methods: The mRNA isolated from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cultured equine monocytes was reverse transcribed, and a cDNA library was constructed in a lambda phage. The cDNA library was screened by means of plaque hybridization with radiolabeled human IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta cDNA probes. The cDNA nucleotide sequences for equine IL-1 alpha and equine IL-1 beta were determined by use of the dideoxy chain termination technique. The cDNA sequences were analy...
Lepage OM, Marcoux M, Tremblay A, Dumas G.The influence of sex on serum osteocalcin levels was studied in 99 Standardbred horses, 52 males and 47 females. The age varied between the day of birth and five years old. A significant inverse correlation (r = -0.87, p 0.05). When the subjects were divided into five age groups of six months or less, 6 to 18, 18 to 24, 24 to 36 and between 36 and 60 months, no significant influence of sex was noted. A predictive model for serum osteocalcin levels (y = 52.19 - 0.026 age in days, r2 = 0.76) for Standardbred horses aged between the day of birth and five years is described.
Gerard MP.This article provides an overview of foot anatomy and physiology, with a focus on fundamental knowledge. The foot is defined as the epidermal hoof capsule and all structures enveloped by the capsule. The anatomy is described using terminology published in Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria.
Roberts H, Lopez M, Hartley M.African swine fever in the Caucasus and Leningrad regions of Russia. Equine infectious anaemia in several EU member states. Foot-and-mouth disease in Bulgaria--the first in an EU member state since 2007. Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in the Far East. West Nile virus in southern Europe. These are among matters discussed in the international disease monitoring report for October to December 2010, prepared by Defra's Food and Farming Group, Veterinary Science Team.
Davis LE.Adverse drug reactions occasionally occur in the horse. The majority can be anticipated and avoided. The practicing veterinarian should understand the various types of adverse reactions as well as their mechanisms so that should such a reaction occur, the practitioner can promptly recognize the problem and institute corrective measures.
Heyneman RA, Vercauteren RE.The subcellular components of purified neutrophil leukocytes from horse blood were fractionated by isopyknic equilibration in sucrose and metrizamide gradients. Five classes of particles have been identified: dense azurophil granules containing the bulk of the lysosomal acid hydrolase and peroxidase activity (A); less dense particles, containing all the lysozyme activity, but not resolved from a second population of azurophils B, and particles of low density, biochemically characterized as a plasma membrane fraction (C). Isopyknic equilibration in sucrose disclosed a minor membrane fraction (D...
Virtanen J, Hautaniemi M, Dutra L, Plyusnin I, Hautala K, Smura T, Vapalahti O, Sironen T, Kant R, Kinnunen PM.We report a sequencing protocol and 121-kb poxvirus sequence from a clinical sample from a horse in Finland with dermatitis. Based on phylogenetic analyses, the virus is a novel parapoxvirus associated with a recent epidemic; previous data suggest zoonotic potential. Increased awareness of this virus and specific diagnostic protocols are needed.
Martinelli M.Digitization of clinical data is becoming increasingly important in veterinary medicine. Current veterinary applications range from digital cameras to computed radiography. The opportunity for increased productivity and diagnostic capabilities makes the computerization of veterinary medicine especially exciting. Future trends seem to indicate that more veterinarians should have better technology available in their practices and more veterinarians should be connected to experts, clients, and each other.