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.
Bhavnani BR, Short RV, Solomon S.A mixture of 14C-sodium acetate and 3H-cholesterol was injected into the umbilical circulation of a pregnant mare in the 3OOth day of gestation. The abdomen was closed and urine was collected for 3.5 days. The mare delivered a normal live foal 23 days later. Steroid conjugates present in the maternal urine were hydrolyzed and separated into neutral and phenolic fractions. From the phenolic “sulfate” fraction estrone, 17α-estradiol, equilin, equilenin, and 17α-dihydroequilenin were isolated. Only estrone and 17α-estradiol contained both 3H and 14C, while the ring-B unsaturated estrogens ...
Vaerman JP, Querinjean P, Heremans JF.Equine serum and secretions were found to contain a protein which cross-reacted with an antiserum against human IgA, but not with antisera against any other human immunoglobulin. The physicochemical properties of equine IgA resembled those of human IgA. IgA was found to be the immunoglobulin having the highest secretion serum concentration ratio in equine lacteal and salivary secretions, and to be the protein produced by the majority of immunoglobulin-containing cells in the of the equine intestine.
The Journal of physiologyAugust 1, 1971
Volume 216, Issue 3 659-682 doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1971.sp009546
Comline RS, Silver M.1. The content and output of adrenaline and noradrenaline from the equine adrenal medulla has been investigated under different conditions in foetuses, foals and adult mares.2. In the foetus only small amounts of both amines were secreted in response to stimulation of the peripheral ends of the splanchnic nerves to the gland; during anoxia the adrenal discharge was far greater and was independent of any nervous mechanism.3. Whereas in the ruminant a direct adrenal response to low P(O2) is confined to the noradrenaline cells during foetal life only, the adrenal medulla of the foetal foal secret...
Fisher J.The life and work is told of John Pottie (1832-1908), a Scotsman who graduated from Edinburgh Veterinary College in 1858. A year later, he contracted to provide veterinary care to a consignment of horses bound for Australia. Once there, he founded a firm that has survived to the present day, still marketing products that originated in his own veterinary remedies. John Pottie brought with him a European tradition of livestock care and treatment that was epitomised in Clater's title and book, Every man his own farrier. His career is of interest for several reasons. Firstly it is because he used ...
Caure S, Bonomelli N, Carro M, Leveillard D, Blanville F, Mortagne P, Cousty M, Weller R.Although the effects of both the surfaces and plantar angles on equine locomotion have been widely discussed, limited scientific data are available. Methods: Our objectives were to determine the effects of two surfaces (asphalt and sand) and of 3-degree hind toe or heel elevation on horse kinematics in an experimental study. Six saddle horses were shod with a reference shoeing (REF), characterized by a fore aluminium (REF F) and hind steel racehorse (REF H) shoeing. Two dimensional kinematic videos compared horse's kinematic parameters when walking and trotting on asphalt and sand. On asphalt,...
Monet-Kuntz C, Guillou F, Fontaine I, Combarnous Y.Using a suspension of seminiferous tubule cells, we had previously shown that equine FSH is superactive in the male rat, i.e. that it exhibits a higher biological potency than expected from its binding activity. In this work we investigated equine FSH superactivity in rat, pig and sheep, by comparing in each species the equine FSH with the homologous FSH, both for their binding activities (in a radioreceptor assay using a testicular membrane fraction) and for their in vitro biological potencies (in a plasminogen activator assay using a Sertoli cell-enriched population cultured on plastic). In ...
Pereira EL, Bataglion GA, Mazo JZ.Based on the theoretical assumptions of Norbert Elias, we sought to understand the figurations of equine-assisted therapy in Rio Grande do Sul from 1970 to 2000. To this end, the research corpus consisted of official documents, newspapers and magazines. Based on the concept of figuration, the documentation analyzed demonstrated technical-scientific elements linked to the fields of healthcare, education and horseback riding, coming from equestrianism and shared in the practice of equine-assisted therapy. The interrelations established between these different areas allowed the practice to take o...
The Journal of heredityFebruary 20, 2014
Volume 105, Issue 3 429-435 doi: 10.1093/jhered/esu005
Coizet B, Nicoloso L, Marletta D, Tamiozzo-Calligarich A, Pagnacco G, Crepaldi P.The dietary demand of the modern horse relies on high-cereal feeding and limited forage compared with natural grazing conditions, predisposing the horse to several important diseases. Salivary and pancreatic alpha-amylases (coded by AMY1 and AMY2 genes, respectively) play a crucial role in carbohydrate digestion in nonruminants, but little is known about these 2 genes in the horse. Aim of this work has been to distinguish genomic sequences of horse AMY1 and AMY2 genes and to analyze any polymorphisms in breeds historically characterized by marked differences in nutritional management. A single...
Hall SJ.An objective and accountable method is needed for deducing the number of registered animals in a breed from registration data. By following the principle that individual breeders register sufficient young females to be certain of having enough replacements for their current breeding stock, the ratios were calculated of the number of adult females in a breed to the number of female registrations, in a given year. Number of breeds considered were 8 cattle, 16 sheep, 8 pigs, 1 goat and 2 equines, all in the United Kingdom or Ireland. This yielded multipliers (4.4 for cattle, 3.3 for sheep, 3.1 fo...
Hatami M, Qasemi-Panahi B, Daghigh Kia H, Moghaddam G, Janmohammadi H.Equine semen cryopreservation is one of the major procedures for the genetic conservation of rare and endangered genotypes. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of egg yolk plasma (EYP) enriched with β-carotene as an antioxidant supplement on INRA-96 extender regarding freezing Arabic stallion sperm. For this purpose, β-carotene various concentrations were utilized as a supplementary ingredient in formulating the diets of laying hens. Birds were randomly divided into four groups, fed with 0 (control), 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg in a supplemented diet with β-carotene. Subse...
Davies MR.Despite tight biosecurity measures, an outbreak of respiratory disease rapidly spread across the Icelandic equine population in 2010. Horse transportation was brought to a halt in order to contain the spread of the infectious agent. In a recent article, Björnsdóttir and colleagues (S. Björnsdóttir et al., mBio 8:e00826-17, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00826-17) employ the power and resolution of "genomic epidemiology," the combination of whole genomic sequencing and epidemiological approaches, to examine the source and spread of the outbreak. Intriguingly, the outbreak was not viral ...
Yildirim F, Yildiz A, Cengiz MM, Temel M, Küreksiz A.Horses in stalls generally remain in single-stall housing, so abnormal behavior can be observed in this management condition. Abnormal behavior can harm the horse's keeper, rider, or even the animal itself. The present study aims to examine the effect of goats on abnormal behaviors in horses. For this purpose, it placed six horses and six goats in the single-stall housing of the horses, one horse and one goat, and monitored them for 45 d. The research was divided into three observation phases during this time: in the first observation, the horses were left alone (0-15 d), in the second obs...
Abdulkadir A, Kabir J, Mohammed B, Olayinka B.Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as an infectious organism of public health significance has evolved to a genetically distinct community-acquired MRSA with extended resistance to other than β-lactams. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 149 participants handling 446 animals (240 horses and 206 companion animals). The isolates were characterised as S. aureus and MRSA based on polymerase chain reaction detection of the nuc, mecA and mecC genes and the pvl gene for differentiation as community associated/livestock associated or hospital associated. The isolation rate of...
Arantes JA, Borges AS, Zakia LS, Surette MG, Weese JS, Costa MC, Arroyo LG.Iron is an essential element for all living organisms, including bacteria, as several virulence factors and replication components are influenced by iron concentration. The objective of this study was to determine whether the composition and diversity of the fecal microbiota of adult horses are affected by supplemental dietary iron. Ten clinically healthy horses were randomly divided into a control and an iron-supplemented group ( = 5). The treated group was supplemented with oral ferrous sulphate monohydrate (720 ppm of iron), whereas the control group received 320 ppm of iron daily for 15 d....
Skrabalak DS, Cuddy KK, Henion JD.Micro-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (micro-LC-MS) was utilized to quantitatively determine betamethasone and its major unconjugated metabolite, 6 beta-hydroxybetamethasone, in equine plasma and urine. The advantage of micro-LC-MS over conventional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in corticosteroid determination is illustrated and the reliable, steadfast nature of micro-LC-MS is demonstrated through example.
Pizzi GLBL, Valente ALS, Rechsteiner SMEF, Bruhn FRP, Cruz LAX, Silva PM, Barbosa AA, Ribeiro PF, Martins CF.This study evaluated the influence of the Body Condition Score (BCS) and subcutaneous fat thickness on the tissue composition of the digital cushion in horses. Sixty mixed breeds of Criollo horses (21 males and 39 females) were sent for slaughter. All animals were submitted to BCS analysis, through visual antemortem evaluation, and then ultrasound evaluation to estimate the subcutaneous fat thickness. Macroscopic analyses of the thoracic and a pelvic limb (weight, volume, and density of the hooves and digital cushions) were performed. In addition, measurements of the area of internal structure...
Havelka B, Skarková A.During the period from 1985 to 1988 we determined 228 strains of streptococci isolated from samples of various sorts of biomaterials, mainly animals. From this set of streptococci we classified 207 strains into serological groups according to the Lancefield classification and about 30% strains into species by means of serological and biochemical methods. Most of the strains were allocated to group C (37.28%) and group Q (17.39%). 89 streptococci strains originated from pigs, 40 strains from horses, 13 from cattle, 12 from dogs, 9 from poultry and 8 from coypu. The other streptococci strains or...
Webbon PM.The radiography of horses on behalf of a purchaser has become an inevitable part of a veterinarian's work. Radiography should, in theory, pose no more problems than a general clinical examination. In practice, difficulties arise when insufficient or inadequate films are taken or the films are misinterpreted. Radiographs of a diagnostic quality need to be taken and interpreted by a veterinarian who is reasonably well versed in radiological interpretation. Occasionally a lesion will be overlooked or misinterpreted and the radiographs will be retained so that the veterinarian's judgement can be c...
Kau S, Motter KS, Moser VJ, Kunz JR, Pellachin M, Hartl B.Incisor malocclusions are common in horses. As yet, an evidence-based understanding of incisor occlusal surface angle dynamics and normocclusal range is missing. Orthodontic measuring devices could help unravel this information objectively but imply measurement validation. We evaluated intra- and interexaminer variability of repeated sagittal and transversal incisor occlusal surface angle measures using a commercial orthodontic gauge device (). Five examiners (two experienced, three inexperienced) measured six cadaver heads on 2 consecutive days in a blinded block-randomization design, resulti...
Smit LA, Wouters IM, Heederik D, Douwes J.Endotoxins are cell-wall components of Gram-negative bacteria that are commonly present in plants and plant products and in faecal matter. This review presents an overview of endotoxin exposure levels, associated health effects, and relevance regarding veterinary practice. Exposure to airborne endotoxin is especially high in the agricultural sector and among veterinarians, and in particular among those working with horses or farm animals. Inhalation of endotoxins may cause acute airway inflammation and respiratory symptoms that can lead to (non-allergic) asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonar...
Souza CRS, Farnsworth KD, Ragle CA.The objective of this study was to assess and compare the bursting pressure and mode of failure of a 2-strand continuous crossing suture pattern and a simple continuous suture pattern for closure of the equine linea alba. No difference in bursting strength or mode of failure was found between the 2 suture patterns. Comparaison de la force d’éclatement des incisions des sutures simples continues et des sutures croisées continues à deux fils pour la fermeture de la linea alba des équidés. Cette étude avait pour objectif d’évaluer et de comparer la pression d’éclatement et le mode d...
de Vries PJ, Zandee AR.As part of the veterinary surveillance of horse breeding management, the veterinarian is increasingly often requested to predict ovulation and to give a breeding or insemination advice accordingly. The result of a teasing procedure is indispensable for this advice. A suggestion is made for the quantification of oestrus signs. Oestrus symptoms are classified into four categories. In addition, various factors are mentioned, which affect the result of a teasing procedure.
Thein P, Essich G.An investigation was carried out upon occurrence and course of infectious and non infectious diseases as well as the mortality in foals born and raised at the State Stud Marbach/Lauter between 1982 and 1991. The foals have been investigated from birth to weaning, they consisted of 177 Thoroughbred Arabians and 285 German Warmblood foals (total 462 foals). The diseases were divided into pre-, peri- and postnatal according to their known or assumed cause and onset. There was a preponderance of prenatal diseases (11.25%) whereas the perinatal rate was 1.30% and the postnatal rate of diseases was ...
Shires GM, Adair HS, Patton CS.In an attempt to ablate the laryngeal saccule as an alternative method of sacculectomy (conventially done through a laryngotomy incision for laryngeal hemiplegia) a neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser was used transendoscopically in noncontact fashion in 6 horses. The procedure was easy, quick, and labor-saving, with few complications. Endoscopically, the lased sacculectomy site appeared healed at postsurgical day 42. On postsurgical day 42, microscopic examination revealed mucosal remnants under the granulation bed. Laser energy caused thermal damage to tissues adjacent to the lased saccu...
Vacchina V, Ionescu C, Oguey S, Lobinski R.A method was developed for the quantification of Zn-, Cu- and Mn-glycinates in supplemented feed samples. The coupling of capillary electrophoresis (CE) with ICP MS detection after purification of the extract by ultrafiltration was shown to be efficient for the quantitative recovery of glycinates. The method developed was then applied to evaluate the bioaccessibility of glycinates using a sequential enzymolysis approach. The data obtained indicated a strong bioaccessibility of each element (79-94%). A new complex was also found to be formed during the digestion process. Bioavailability was the...
Wickens C, Arias Esquivel AM, Hendricks C, Heleski C.Several studies have indicated higher incidence of stereotypic behaviors (STBs) in Thoroughbreds. The aftercare of Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) has received increased attention in the last decade; however, research on the impact of STBs on placement of OTTBs after their racing career is limited. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) accredits centers throughout North America that work to rehome OTTBs in a safe, welfare-friendly manner. Although the authors have suspected that having an STB would make OTTBs more challenging to rehome, this hypothesis remains to be empirically tested. The...
Wijnberg ID, van der Kolk JH, van Garderen E, Binkhorst GJ.A 18-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare was referred for colic. Upon arrival, lethargy, blindness, head pressing, ataxia, and circling were the main clinical signs. On rectal examination a hard mass and oedema around the cranial mesenteric artery were palpated. Plasma liver enzyme activities and the ammonia level were elevated. Atrial fibrillation with a pulse frequency of 36-52 beats per minute was noticed. On both sides a holosystolic murmer with the maximum intensity on the right side could be auscultated. Postmortem examination revealed eccentric hypertrophy of the right atrium and a pale spott...
Al-Wabel NA.Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) activity was measured spectrophotometrically using benzylamine as a substrate, in the serum of healthy males and females of horses, camels, cattle, sheep and goats. The animals were born and raised in the same area, and the blood collection was made on the same day to avoid variations. Also the concentrations of protein and copper were measured in the same samples. There were no significant gender-related differences in SSAO activity between the tested animals regardless of species. Activities of SSAO in either male or female of horse were significa...
Gareau L.Over the past decade, the cattle industry has experienced practically a full circle. With the promising beef prices in the early 1970s, with the glut of grain and a generous assist from government incentive programs, the forage acreage and cattle population have increased at a record rate. By 1974, the tide began to turn - grain prices went up sharply and beef prices became sluggish - and by 1976 a major crisis faced the producers. The cattle industry which had been developing on a cheap grain economy was now obliged to rely more on forage for its survival. Unfortunately, the forage was not ex...
Schulman ML, Harper CK, Bell E, Nel A, Guthrie AJ.The aim of this study was to establish and validate a method to permit microsatellite analysis of DNA profiles obtained from frozen-thawed stallion sperm cells. This would provide reliable and accurate verification of the identification of a semen donor. Ejaculates from 5 pony stallions were collected, processed and frozen in 0.5 ml plastic straws. Aliquots of 100 microl of the frozen-thawed semen thus obtained were either placed directly, or diluted (1:10; 1:100; and 1:1000) and placed on slides of FTA paper. Similarly, blood samples obtained from each of the stallions were placed onto slides...
Guan F, Uboh CE, Soma LR, Luo Y, Jahr JS, Driessen B.Oxyglobin (OXY) and Hemopure (HMP) are produced from bovine hemoglobin (Hb) and were developed for the treatment of anemia in animal and human patients, respectively. Hemolink (HML) is a blood substitute of human Hb origin under development. The ability of these agents to carry oxygen in circulating blood and their promise to improve oxygen delivery to tissues supports the potential for their abuse in equine and human athletes. To deter athletes from abuse of these agents, a method has been developed for the detection, confirmation and quantification of OXY, HMP, and HML in equine and human pl...
Bennet ED, Hayes ME, Friend L, Parkin TDH.Endurance competitions over distances of 80-160 km are required by Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules to be divided into a number of stages between three and six. These stages are also known as "loops". Veterinary inspections, designed to ensure horse welfare, are conducted at the end of each loop, with details recorded on a separate "vet card" for each horse. Objective: To identify risk factors recorded on vet cards that were associated with elimination at subsequent loops. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Data relating to 3213 horse starts worldwide in internation...
Patterson PH, Coon CN, Hughes IM.Eighteen mature horses were used to study proteins requirements of working horses. Treatments included intense exercise, medium exercise and maintenance in a 3 X 3 factorial arrangement with three levels of calculated dietary crude protein (CP; 8.5, 7.0 and 5.5%). The horses were on the various exercise-protein treatments for 60 d, then fasted 4 d to evaluate their N status after the treatment period. Exercise had no significant effect on body weight over the feeding and fasting periods. No one exercise or protein treatment expressed the classical low plasma albumin or total protein concentrat...
