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Equine veterinary journal2024; 57(4); 889-897; doi: 10.1111/evj.14427

A survey of ocular pathology in Warmblood horses in South Africa.

Abstract: Warmblood horses are a popular breed around the world for equestrian sports. Previous studies have investigated ocular findings in other breeds of horses; however, no studies exist for the Warmblood breed. Objective: To determine the prevalence of ocular abnormalities in a convenience sample of Warmblood horses in South Africa and to determine if the prevalence of lens and chorioretinal lesions increase with age. Methods: Descriptive, observational study. Methods: Warmblood horses underwent a full ophthalmic examination which included a Schirmer tear test (STT), tonometry, fluorescein dye testing, slit lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Age was categorised into three groups namely <8 years old, 8-13 years old and 14+ years old for statistical analysis. Prevalence of lens and chorioretinal lesions were compared between age categories. Results: One hundred and four horses (208 eyes) were examined. The age range was 5 months to 30 years (mean 11 years, standard deviation [SD] 6 years). Ocular pathology was noted in 125 eyes (60.1%) and 79 horses (76%). The highest number of lesions were noted in the choroid and retina, iris and lens. Chorioretinal lesions were seen in 100 eyes (48.1%) and in 65 horses (62.5%). Iridial lesions were seen in 19 eyes (9.1%) and 12 horses (11.5%). Cataracts were seen in 19 eyes (9.1%) and in 13 horses (12.5%). The presence of total chorioretinal lesions (eye level [p = 0.002]; horse level [p = 0.004]), focal chorioretinal lesions (eye level [p = 0.004]; horse level [p = 0.008]) and cataract (eye [p = 0.03]; horse level [p = 0.02]) were all shown to statistically increase with age. Conclusions: A small sample size and limited geographic area. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of ocular pathology in this population of Warmblood horses in South Africa. This reiterates the importance of an ocular examination as a part of routine health checks, as well as during prepurchase examinations. Background: Les chevaux Warmblood constituent une race populaire pour les sports équestres au niveau mondial. Alors que d'autres études ont investigué les trouvailles oculaires chez les chevaux d'autres races, il n'existe aucune étude de ce type pour la race Warmblood. Objective: Déterminer la prévalence des anomalies oculaires dans un échantillon de convenance comprenant des chevaux Warmblood en Afrique du Sud et si la prévalence des lésions du cristallin et choriorétinales augmentent avec l'âge. TYPE D'ÉTUDE: Descriptive, observationnelle. MÉTHODES: Des chevaux Warmblood ont été soumis à un examen oculaire complet incluant un test de Schirmer, tonométrie, test à la fluorescéine, microscope à lampe à fente, et ophtalmoscopie indirecte. Les chevaux ont été catégorisé par âge en trois groupes soit <8 ans, 8–13 ans et plus de 14 ans pour les analyses statistiques. La prévalence des lésions du cristallin et choriorétinales ont été comparées par catégorie d'âge. RÉSULTATS: Cent quatre chevaux (208 yeux) ont été examinés. L'étendue d'âge était de 5 mois‐30 ans (moyenne 11 ans, déviation standard 6 ans). Des pathologies oculaires ont été notées dans 125 yeux (60.1%) et 79 chevaux (76%). Le nombre de lésions le plus élevé était dans la choroïde et la rétine, l'iris et le cristallin. Des lésions choriorétinales étaient présentes dans 100 yeux (48.1%) et chez 65 chevaux (62.5). Des lésions de l'iris étaient présentes dans 19 yeux (9.1%) et chez 12 chevaux (11.5%). Des cataractes étaient présentes dans 19 yeux (9.1%) et chez 13 chevaux (12.5%). La présence totale de lésions choriorétinales (niveau de l'œil p = 0.0023; niveau du cheval p = 0.0042), de lésions choriorétinales focales (niveau de l'œil p = 0.004; niveau du cheval p = 0.008) et de cataractes (niveau de l'œil p = 0.03; niveau du cheval p = 0.02) étaient toutes significativement augmentées avec l'âge. Unassigned: Petite taille d'échantillon et région géographique limitée. Conclusions: La prévalence de pathologies oculaires est. élevée dans cette population de chevaux Warmblood en Afrique du Sud. Ceci renforce l'importance de l'examen oculaire comme partie intégrante des examens de santé de routine, de même que lors d'examens d'achat.
© 2024 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-11-13 PubMed ID: 39535442PubMed Central: PMC12135749DOI: 10.1111/evj.14427Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study aims to understand the prevalence of eye abnormalities in Warmblood horses in South Africa and how these issues increase with horse’s age. It finds that there is a high occurrence of ocular pathology in these horses and these conditions tend to rise as the horse grows older.

Study Objectives and Methods

  • The objective of this descriptive and observational research was to identify the prevalence of eye abnormalities like lens and chorioretinal lesions in Warmblood horses in South Africa and how these pathological conditions tend to rise with age.
  • 104 Warmblood horses of varying ages from 5 months to 30 years were examined. The horses were segregated into three age groups for the ease of statistical analysis: less than 8 years old, between 8 to 13 years old, and more than 14 years old.
  • Each horse underwent a comprehensive ocular check-up, including a Schirmer tear test, tonometry, fluorescein dye testing, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and indirect ophthalmoscopy.
  • This arrangement enabled the researchers to compare the prevalence of lens and chorioretinal lesions across the three age groups.

Key Findings

  • The study found that ocular pathologies existed in 60.1% of examined eyes and in 76% of the total horses.
  • The most prevalent abnormalities were identified in the choroid and retina, followed by the iris and lens.
  • Chorioretinal lesions were observed in 48.1% of the eyes and 62.5% horses. Similarly, iridial lesions were recorded in 9.1% eyes and 11.5% horses. Meanwhile, cataracts were observed in 9.1% eyes and in 12.5% of the total horse count.
  • The research also confirmed that the presence of overall chorioretinal lesions, focal chorioretinal lesions, and cataracts statistically augmented with the age of the horses.

Conclusions

  • While the study acknowledges its small sample size and the limited geographic area coverage as limitations, it concludes that there is a remarkably high prevalence of ocular pathology in Warmblood horses in South Africa.
  • This finding emphasizes the importance of regular eye examinations as a part of regular health checks and pre-purchase assessments of horses, especially in older populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Allen R, Goodhead AD. (2024). A survey of ocular pathology in Warmblood horses in South Africa. Equine Vet J, 57(4), 889-897. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14427

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 4
Pages: 889-897

Researcher Affiliations

Allen, Ramona
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoor, Pretoria, South Africa.
Goodhead, Antony D
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoor, Pretoria, South Africa.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • South Africa / epidemiology
  • Eye Diseases / veterinary
  • Eye Diseases / epidemiology
  • Eye Diseases / pathology
  • Female
  • Male
  • Prevalence

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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