Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Atypical myopathy in grazing horses: a first exploratory data analysis.
Abstract: Over the last decade, atypical myopathy (AM) in grazing horses has emerged in several European countries. An exploratory analysis was conducted to determine horse- and pasture-level indicators or factors associated with AM in Belgium. Belgian cases of AM confirmed by histology (n=57) were compared to their healthy co-grazing horses (n=77) and to pastured horses not involved with AM as controls (n=386). The pastures where confirmed cases were grazing (42 pastures; 38 sites; 44 incidences of AM) were compared with those of the controls (216 pastures; 96 sites; no incidence of AM). Statistically significant (P< or =0.05) exploratory variables, identified by means of adjusted odds ratios, suggested that indicators or factors associated with individual horses (young age, inactivity, body condition poor to normal), management practices (permanent pasturing, spreading of manure) and pasture characteristics (humid, sloping pastures, accumulated dead leaves, presence of waterway) may increase the risk of AM. Specific interventions based on these factors might help to reduce the incidence of AM.
Publication Date: 2008-04-08 PubMed ID: 18396430DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.01.016Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
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.
The research article investigates the factors associated with atypical myopathy (AM), a disease seen in grazing horses, particularly in Belgium. The study conducts an exploratory analysis to identify horse- and pasture-related indicators linked to AM.
About the Research
- Atypical myopathy (AM) is a type of disease noticed in grazing horses and has been emerging in various European countries over the past decade.
- In this research, an exploratory analysis was undertaken to identify key horse-related and pasture-related factors connected with AM specifically in Belgium.
- The study compares Belgian horses that had confirmed incidences of AM with healthy co-grazing horses and other pastured horses not linked to AM to determine critical differences or risk factors.
Method of Research
- Horses with confirmed cases of AM, identified via histology (57 in number), were contrasted against their healthy co-grazing counterparts (77) and others not involved with AM in pastures (386).
- The pastures where confirmed cases were grazing were also compared with those pastures where the control group horses (those not having AM) were grazing.
Findings of the Research
- The research found statistically significant variables associated with AM conditions in horses. The appearance of AM is seemingly linked to indicators or factors relating to individual horses, management practices, and pasture characteristics.
- For individual horses, a young age, periods of inactivity, and a body condition categorized as poor to normal were found to increase the likelihood of AM.
- Regarding management practices, permanent pasturing, and the spreading of manure were identified as potentially risk augmenting for AM.
- Pasture factors contributing to AM include humid, sloping pastures, abundance of dead leaves, and the presence of a waterway.
Implications of the Research
- This research provides valuable insights into the possible risk factors associated with AM in horses. Understanding these can be instrumental to managing and containing the disease.
- Interventions based on these identifications may help in reducing the incidence of AM in grazing horses. For example by: assessing and adjusting management practices, creating appropriate grazing conditions, and focusing on individual health and behavioural assessments.
Cite This Article
APA
Votion DM, Linden A, Delguste C, Amory H, Thiry E, Engels P, van Galen G, Navet R, Sluse F, Serteyn D, Saegerman C.
(2008).
Atypical myopathy in grazing horses: a first exploratory data analysis.
Vet J, 180(1), 77-87.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.01.016 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Teaching Hospital, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium. dominique.votion@ulg.ac.be
MeSH Terms
- Animal Husbandry / methods
- Animals
- Belgium / epidemiology
- Case-Control Studies
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Male
- Muscular Diseases / epidemiology
- Muscular Diseases / etiology
- Muscular Diseases / prevention & control
- Muscular Diseases / veterinary
- Poaceae
- Rhabdomyolysis / epidemiology
- Rhabdomyolysis / etiology
- Rhabdomyolysis / prevention & control
- Rhabdomyolysis / veterinary
- Risk Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- González-Medina S, Hyde C, Chang YM, Piercy RJ. Assessment of tree-associated atypical myopathy risk factors in Acer pseudoplatanus (sycamore) seeds and leaves. Equine Vet J 2025 Nov;57(6):1656-1665.
- Kruse CJ, Dieu M, Renaud B, François AC, Stern D, Demazy C, Burteau S, Boemer F, Art T, Renard P, Votion DM. New Pathophysiological Insights from Serum Proteome Profiling in Equine Atypical Myopathy. ACS Omega 2024 Feb 13;9(6):6505-6526.
- Renaud B, Kruse CJ, François AC, Grund L, Bunert C, Brisson L, Boemer F, Gault G, Ghislain B, Petitjean T, Gustin P, Votion DM. Acer pseudoplatanus: A Potential Risk of Poisoning for Several Herbivore Species. Toxins (Basel) 2022 Jul 26;14(8).
- Wimmer-Scherr C, Taminiau B, Renaud B, van Loon G, Palmers K, Votion D, Amory H, Daube G, Cesarini C. Comparison of Fecal Microbiota of Horses Suffering from Atypical Myopathy and Healthy Co-Grazers. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 15;11(2).
- Votion DM, François AC, Kruse C, Renaud B, Farinelle A, Bouquieaux MC, Marcillaud-Pitel C, Gustin P. Answers to the Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Horse Feeding and Management Practices to Reduce the Risk of Atypical Myopathy. Animals (Basel) 2020 Feb 24;10(2).
- Pinn TL, Divers TJ, Southard T, De Bernardis NP, Wakshlag JJ, Valberg S. Persistent hypoglycemia associated with lipid storage myopathy in a paint foal. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Jul;32(4):1442-1446.
- Bunert C, Langer S, Votion DM, Boemer F, Müller A, Ternes K, Liesegang A. Atypical myopathy in Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus) associated with ingestion of hypoglycin A. J Anim Sci 2018 Jul 28;96(8):3537-3547.
- Boemer F, Detilleux J, Cello C, Amory H, Marcillaud-Pitel C, Richard E, van Galen G, van Loon G, Lefère L, Votion DM. Acylcarnitines profile best predicts survival in horses with atypical myopathy. PLoS One 2017;12(8):e0182761.
- Westermann CM, van Leeuwen R, van Raamsdonk LW, Mol HG. Hypoglycin A Concentrations in Maple Tree Species in the Netherlands and the Occurrence of Atypical Myopathy in Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2016 May;30(3):880-4.
- Votion DM. The story of equine atypical myopathy: a review from the beginning to a possible end. ISRN Vet Sci 2012;2012:281018.
- Votion DM, Gnaiger E, Lemieux H, Mouithys-Mickalad A, Serteyn D. Physical fitness and mitochondrial respiratory capacity in horse skeletal muscle. PLoS One 2012;7(4):e34890.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
