FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Vet Scand / Circulating beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone and...
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2008; 50(1); 6; doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-50-6

Circulating beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol levels of stallions before and after short road transport: stress effect of different distances.

Abstract: Since transport evokes physiological adjustments that include endocrine responses, the objective of this study was to examine the responses of circulating beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels to transport stress in stallions. Methods: Forty-two healthy Thoroughbred and crossbred stallions were studied before and after road transport over distances of 100, 200 and 300 km. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein: first in a single box immediately before loading (pre-samples), then immediately after transport and unloading on arrival at the breeding stations (post-samples). Results: An increase in circulating beta-endorphin levels after transport of 100 km (P < 0.01), compared to basal values was observed. Circulating ACTH levels showed significant increases after transport of 100 km (P < 0.001) and 200 km (P < 0.001). Circulating cortisol levels showed significant increases after road transport over distances of 100, 200 and 300 km (P 0.05) between horses of different ages and different breeds were observed for beta-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol levels. Conclusions: The results obtained for short term transportation of stallions showed a very strong reaction of the adrenocortical system. The lack of response of beta-endorphin after transport of 200-300 km and of ACTH after transport of 300 km seems to suggest a soothing effect of negative feedback of ACTH and cortisol levels.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2008-03-03 PubMed ID: 18315878PubMed Central: PMC2268694DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-50-6Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 investigated how short distance road transportation affects the stress-related hormones – beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol in stallions. The research indicated an increase in these hormones with the stress from transport, but with a possible soothing effect from the negative feedback of ACTH and cortisol after covering longer distances.

Research Methodology

  • The research was conducted with forty-two healthy Thoroughbred and crossbred stallions.
  • These stallions were subjected to road transport covering distances of 100km, 200km, and 300km.
  • Blood samples were collected from each of them before they were loaded for transport (pre-samples) and after the transport upon arrival at the breeding stations (post-samples).

Findings and Observations

  • There was an observed increase in the levels of beta-endorphin after 100km transport in comparison to their levels before the transport.
  • There were also significant increases in the levels of ACTH after 100km and 200km transport in comparison to their pre-transport levels.
  • Increased levels of cortisol were also observed post-transportation for distances covering 100km, 200km, and 300km.
  • The researchers found no significant differences in the levels of these hormones based on the age or breed of the horses.

Conclusion

  • The results imply a strong reaction of the adrenocortical or stress-response system in stallions subjected to short-term transportation.
  • Interestingly, the researchers also observed a potential soothing effect of negative feedback of ACTH and cortisol levels because beta-endorphin did not respond after transport of 200-300 km and ACTH did not respond after transport of 300 km.
  • These observations suggest that the stress from transportation triggers an increase in these hormones but the body might initiate a self-mitigation mechanism by damping the response of these hormones after covering certain distances.

Cite This Article

APA
Fazio E, Medica P, Aronica V, Grasso L, Ferlazzo A. (2008). Circulating beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol levels of stallions before and after short road transport: stress effect of different distances. Acta Vet Scand, 50(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-50-6

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 1751-0147
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 1
Pages: 6

Researcher Affiliations

Fazio, Esterina
  • Department of Morphology, Biochemistry, Physiology and Animal Production, Unit of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy. esterina.fazio@tin.it
Medica, Pietro
    Aronica, Vincenzo
      Grasso, Loredana
        Ferlazzo, Adriana

          MeSH Terms

          • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
          • Animal Husbandry
          • Animals
          • Horses / blood
          • Hydrocortisone / blood
          • Male
          • Stress, Physiological / blood
          • Stress, Physiological / veterinary
          • Transportation
          • beta-Endorphin / blood

          References

          This article includes 55 references
          1. Broom DM. Welfare assessment and welfare problem areas during handling and transport. .
          2. Thornton J. Effect of the microclimate on horses during international air transportation in an enclosed container.. Aust Vet J 2000 Jul;78(7):472-7.
            pubmed: 10923182doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2000.tb11863.xgoogle scholar: lookup
          3. Collins MN, Friend TH, Jousan FD, Chen SC. Effects of density on displacement, falls, injuries, and orientation during horse transportation(1).. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2000 Apr 3;67(3):169-179.
            doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(99)00105-7pubmed: 10736527google scholar: lookup
          4. Tischner M Jr, Niezgoda J. Effect of transport on the intensity of stress reactions in mares and foals.. J Reprod Fertil Suppl 2000;(56):725-30.
            pubmed: 20681189
          5. Waran NK. The behaviour of horses during and after transport by road. Equine Vet Educ 1993;5:129–132.
          6. Canali E, Ferrante V, Mattiello S, Sacerdote P, Panerai AE, Lebelt D, Zanella A. Plasma levels of β-endorphin and in vitro lymphocyte proliferation as indicators of welfare in horses in normal or restrained conditions. Pferdeheilkunde 1996;12:415–418.
          7. Cregier SE. Reducing equine hauling stress: a review. J Equine Vet Sci 1982;2:186–198.
            doi: 10.1016/S0737-0806(82)80025-7google scholar: lookup
          8. Foreman JH, Ferlazzo A. Physiological responses to stress in the horse. Pferdeheilkunde 1996;12:401–404.
          9. Grandin T. Assessment of stress during handling and transport.. J Anim Sci 1997 Jan;75(1):249-57.
            pubmed: 9027573doi: 10.2527/1997.751249xgoogle scholar: lookup
          10. Waran NK, Cí·¯ord D. Effects of loading and transport on the heart rate and behaviour of horses. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1995;43:71–81.
            doi: 10.1016/0168-1591(95)00555-7google scholar: lookup
          11. Fazio E, Ferlazzo A. Evaluation of stress during transport.. Vet Res Commun 2003 Sep;27 Suppl 1:519-24.
            doi: 10.1023/B:VERC.0000014211.87613.d9pubmed: 14535461google scholar: lookup
          12. Ferlazzo A, Fazio E, Murania C, Piccione G. Physiological responses of stallions to transport stress. Proceedings of the International Congress on Applied Ethology Berlin, Germany; 1993. pp. 544–546.
          13. Leadon D, Frank C, Backhouse W. A preliminary report on studies on equine transit stress. J Equine Vet Sci 1989;9:200–202.
            doi: 10.1016/S0737-0806(89)80051-6google scholar: lookup
          14. Stull CL, Spier SJ, Aldridge BM, Blanchard M, Stott JL. Immunological response to long-term transport stress in mature horses and effects of adaptogenic dietary supplementation as an immunomodulator.. Equine Vet J 2004 Nov;36(7):583-9.
            doi: 10.2746/0425164044864589pubmed: 15581322google scholar: lookup
          15. Yamauchi T, Oikawa M, Hiraga A. Effects of transit stress on white blood cells count in the peripheral blood in Thoroughbred race horses. Bull Equine Res Inst 1993;30:30–32.
          16. Leadon DP. Transport Stress. In: Hodgson DR, Rose RJ, editor. The Athletic Horse. WB Saunders Comp, Philadelphia; 1994. pp. 371–378.
          17. Linden A, Art T, Amory H, Desmecht D, Lekeux P. Effect of 5 different types of exercise, transportation and ACTH administration on plasma cortisol concentration in sport horses. In: Persson SGB, Lindholm A, editor. Equine Exercise Physiology 3. LB Jeffcott ICEEP Publications, Davis, California; 1991. pp. 391–396.
          18. Baucus KL, Ralston SL, Nockels CF, McKinnon AO, Squires EL. Effects of transportation on early embryonic death in mares.. J Anim Sci 1990 Feb;68(2):345-51.
            pubmed: 2312427doi: 10.2527/1990.682345xgoogle scholar: lookup
          19. Baucus KL, Squires EL, Ralston SL, McKinnon AO, Nett TM. Effect of transportation on the estrous cycle and concentrations of hormones in mares.. J Anim Sci 1990 Feb;68(2):419-26.
            pubmed: 2312431doi: 10.2527/1990.682419xgoogle scholar: lookup
          20. Houpt KA, Lieb S. Horse handling and transport. In: Grandin T, editor. Livestock Handling and Transport. Wallingford, Oxon, CABI; 1993. pp. 233–252.
          21. Oikawa M, Takagi S, Anzai R, Yoshikawa H, Yoshikawa T. Pathology of equine respiratory disease occurring in association with transport.. J Comp Pathol 1995 Jul;113(1):29-43.
            doi: 10.1016/S0021-9975(05)80066-0pmc: PMC7130345pubmed: 7490335google scholar: lookup
          22. McCarthy RN, Jeffcott LB, Clarke IJ. Preliminary studies on the use of plasma β-endorphin in horses as an indicator of stress and pain. J Equine Vet Sci 1993;13:216–219.
            doi: 10.1016/S0737-0806(06)81015-4google scholar: lookup
          23. Mehl ML, Sarkar DK, Schott HC 2nd, Brown JA, Sampson SN, Bayly WM. Equine plasma beta-endorphin concentrations are affected by exercise intensity and time of day.. Equine Vet J Suppl 1999 Jul;(30):567-9.
            pubmed: 10659319doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05285.xgoogle scholar: lookup
          24. Mehl ML, Schott HC 2nd, Sarkar DK, Bayly WM. Effects of exercise intensity and duration on plasma beta-endorphin concentrations in horses.. Am J Vet Res 2000 Aug;61(8):969-73.
            doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.969pubmed: 10951992google scholar: lookup
          25. Ferlazzo A, Fazio E, Aronica V, Di Majo R, Medica P, Grasso L. Circulating concentrations of β-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol in horses after jumping over fences of different size. Proceedings of the 2nd Conference on Equine Sports Medicine and Science Córdoba, Spain; 1998. pp. 53–56.
          26. Hamra JG, Kamerling SG, Wolfsheimer KJ, Bagwell CA. Diurnal variation in plasma ir-beta-endorphin levels and experimental pain thresholds in the horse.. Life Sci 1993;53(2):121-9.
            doi: 10.1016/0024-3205(93)90659-Qpubmed: 8515686google scholar: lookup
          27. Hydbring E, Nyman S, Dahlborn K. Changes in plasma cortisol, plasma β-endorphin, heart rate, haematocrit and plasma protein concentration in horses during restraint and use of a naso-gastric tube. Pferdeheilkunde 1996;12:423–427.
          28. Lebelt D, Zanella AJ, Unshelm J. Physiological correlates associated with cribbing behaviour in horses: changes in thermal threshold, heart rate, plasma beta-endorphin and serotonin.. Equine Vet J Suppl 1998 Nov;(27):21-7.
            pubmed: 10484999doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb05140.xgoogle scholar: lookup
          29. McGreevy P, Nicol C. Physiological and behavioral consequences associated with short-term prevention of crib-biting in horses.. Physiol Behav 1998 Aug;65(1):15-23.
            doi: 10.1016/S0031-9384(98)00070-5pubmed: 9811360google scholar: lookup
          30. Pell SM, McGreevy PD. A study of cortisol and beta-endorphin levels in stereotypic and normal Thoroughbreds. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1999;64:81–90.
            doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(99)00029-5google scholar: lookup
          31. Card CE, Manning ST. Response of newborn foals with thyroid musculoskeletal disease to adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH).. J Reprod Fertil Suppl 2000;(56):709-15.
            pubmed: 20681187
          32. Orth DN, Holscher MA, Wilson MG, Nicholson WE, Plue RE, Mount CD. Equine Cushing's disease: plasma immunoreactive proopiolipomelanocortin peptide and cortisol levels basally and in response to diagnostic tests.. Endocrinology 1982 Apr;110(4):1430-41.
            pubmed: 6277607doi: 10.1210/endo-110-4-1430google scholar: lookup
          33. Asa CS, Robinson JA, Ginther OJ. Changes in plasma cortisol concentrations during the ovulatory cycle of the mare.. J Endocrinol 1983 Nov;99(2):329-34.
            pubmed: 6686244doi: 10.1677/joe.0.0990329google scholar: lookup
          34. Flisińska-Bojanowska A, Gill J, Komosa M, Kompanowska-Jezierska E. A study of diurnal changes in cortisol and glucose levels and FDPA activity in foals during the first 13 weeks of life and in their lactating mothers.. Comp Biochem Physiol A Comp Physiol 1989;94(2):283-8.
            doi: 10.1016/0300-9629(89)90550-1pubmed: 2573474google scholar: lookup
          35. Gill J, Kompanowska-Jezierska E, Jakubow K, Kott A, Szumska D. Seasonal changes in the white blood cell system, lyzozyme activity and cortisol level in Arabian brood mares and their foals.. Comp Biochem Physiol A Comp Physiol 1985;81(3):511-23.
            doi: 10.1016/0300-9629(85)91019-9pubmed: 2863038google scholar: lookup
          36. Alberghina D, Medica P, Cusumano F, Fazio E, Ferlazzo A. Effects of transportation stress and influence of different distance and age on β-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol levels of horses. Proceedings of the 34th International Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology Florianópolis, Brazil; 2000. p. 108.
          37. Ferlazzo A, Fazio E, Medica P, Campo GM, Grasso L, Aronica V. Circulating levels of catecholamines, β-endorphin, ACTH, cortisol, total and free iodothyronines in horses after transport on road of different lengths. Proceedings of the 5th World Equine Veterinary Association Padua, Italy; 1997. p. 53.
          38. Przewlocki R. Opioid systems and stress. In: Herz A, editor. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology: Opioids II. Berlin, Springer-Verlag; 1993. pp. 293–324.
          39. Lagerweij E, Nelis PC, Wiegant VM, van Ree JM. The twitch in horses: a variant of acupuncture.. Science 1984 Sep 14;225(4667):1172-4.
            doi: 10.1126/science.6089344pubmed: 6089344google scholar: lookup
          40. Li WI, Chen CL. Running and shipping elevate plasma levels of beta-endorphin-like substance (B-END-LI) in thoroughbred horses.. Life Sci 1987 Apr 6;40(14):1411-21.
            doi: 10.1016/0024-3205(87)90332-8pubmed: 2951572google scholar: lookup
          41. McCarthy RN, Jeffcott LB, Funder JW, Fullerton M, Clarke IJ. Plasma beta-endorphin and adrenocorticotrophin in young horses in training.. Aust Vet J 1991 Nov;68(11):359-61.
            pubmed: 1663738doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1991.tb00736.xgoogle scholar: lookup
          42. Axelrod J, Reisine TD. Stress hormones: their interaction and regulation.. Science 1984 May 4;224(4648):452-9.
            doi: 10.1126/science.6143403pubmed: 6143403google scholar: lookup
          43. Guillemin R, Vargo T, Rossier J, Minick S, Ling N, Rivier C, Vale W, Bloom F. beta-Endorphin and adrenocorticotropin are selected concomitantly by the pituitary gland.. Science 1977 Sep 30;197(4311):1367-9.
            doi: 10.1126/science.197601pubmed: 197601google scholar: lookup
          44. Clark DK, Friend TH, Dellmeier G. The effect of orientation during trailer transport on heart rate, cortisol and balance in horses. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1993;38:179–189.
            doi: 10.1016/0168-1591(93)90018-Kgoogle scholar: lookup
          45. Friend TH, Martin MT, Householder DD, Bushong DM. Stress responses of horses during a long period of transport in a commercial truck.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998 Mar 15;212(6):838-44.
            pubmed: 9530423
          46. Friend TH. Dehydration, stress, and water consumption of horses during long-distance commercial transport.. J Anim Sci 2000 Oct;78(10):2568-80.
            pubmed: 11048922doi: 10.2527/2000.78102568xgoogle scholar: lookup
          47. Friend TH. A review of recent research on the transportation of horses. J Anim Sci 2001;79:E32–E40.
          48. Smith BL, Jones JH, Hornof WJ, Miles JA, Longworth KE, Willits NH. Effects of road transport on indices of stress in horses.. Equine Vet J 1996 Nov;28(6):446-54.
            pubmed: 9049493doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb01616.xgoogle scholar: lookup
          49. Stull CL, Rodiek AV. Responses of blood glucose, insulin and cortisol concentrations to common equine diets.. J Nutr 1988 Feb;118(2):206-13.
            pubmed: 3276847doi: 10.1093/jn/118.2.206google scholar: lookup
          50. Stull CL, Rodiek AV. Physiological responses of horses to 24 hours of transportation using a commercial van during summer conditions.. J Anim Sci 2000 Jun;78(6):1458-66.
            pubmed: 10875627doi: 10.2527/2000.7861458xgoogle scholar: lookup
          51. Lay DC Jr, Friend TH, Randel RD, Jenkins OC, Neuendorff DA, Kapp GM, Bushong DM. Adrenocorticotropic hormone dose response and some physiological effects of transportation on pregnant Brahman cattle.. J Anim Sci 1996 Aug;74(8):1806-11.
            pubmed: 8856435doi: 10.2527/1996.7481806xgoogle scholar: lookup
          52. Lassourd V, Gayrard V, Laroute V, Alvinerie M, Benard P, Courtot D, Toutain PL. Cortisol disposition and production rate in horses during rest and exercise.. Am J Physiol 1996 Jul;271(1 Pt 2):R25-33.
            pubmed: 8760200doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.1996.271.1.r25google scholar: lookup
          53. James VH, Horner MW, Moss MS, Rippon AE. Adrenocortical function in the horse.. J Endocrinol 1970 Nov;48(3):319-35.
            pubmed: 4320413doi: 10.1677/joe.0.0480319google scholar: lookup
          54. Stull CL. Responses of horses to trailer design, duration, and floor area during commercial transportation to slaughter.. J Anim Sci 1999 Nov;77(11):2925-33.
            pubmed: 10568460doi: 10.2527/1999.77112925xgoogle scholar: lookup
          55. Irvine CH, Alexander SL. Factors affecting the circadian rhythm in plasma cortisol concentrations in the horse.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 1994 Apr;11(2):227-38.
            doi: 10.1016/0739-7240(94)90030-2pubmed: 8045104google scholar: lookup

          Citations

          This article has been cited 22 times.
          1. Miller AB, Harris PA, Barker VD, Adams AA. Short-term transport stress and supplementation alter immune function in aged horses. PLoS One 2021;16(8):e0254139.
            doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254139pubmed: 34411137google scholar: lookup
          2. Tatum RC, McGowan CM, Dean RS, Ireland JL. Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction: Identifying research priorities for diagnosis, treatment and prognosis through a priority setting partnership. PLoS One 2021;16(1):e0244784.
            doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244784pubmed: 33395695google scholar: lookup
          3. Gehlen H, Jaburg N, Merle R, Winter J. Can Endocrine Dysfunction Be Reliably Tested in Aged Horses That Are Experiencing Pain?. Animals (Basel) 2020 Aug 14;10(8).
            doi: 10.3390/ani10081426pubmed: 32824027google scholar: lookup
          4. Spelta CW. Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction: current perspectives on diagnosis and management. Vet Med (Auckl) 2015;6:293-300.
            doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S74191pubmed: 30101114google scholar: lookup
          5. Sauer FJ, Bruckmaier RM, Ramseyer A, Vidondo B, Scheidegger MD, Gerber V. Diagnostic accuracy of post-ACTH challenge salivary cortisol concentrations for identifying horses with equine glandular gastric disease. J Anim Sci 2018 Jun 4;96(6):2154-2161.
            doi: 10.1093/jas/sky074pubmed: 29762691google scholar: lookup
          6. Padalino B, Raidal SL, Knight P, Celi P, Jeffcott L, Muscatello G. Behaviour during transportation predicts stress response and lower airway contamination in horses. PLoS One 2018;13(3):e0194272.
            doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194272pubmed: 29566072google scholar: lookup
          7. Connysson M, Muhonen S, Jansson A. Road transport and diet affect metabolic response to exercise in horses. J Anim Sci 2017 Nov;95(11):4869-4879.
            doi: 10.2527/jas2017.1670pubmed: 29293735google scholar: lookup
          8. Secombe CJ, Tan RHH, Perara DI, Byrne DP, Watts SP, Wearn JG. The Effect of Geographic Location on Circannual Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Plasma Concentrations in Horses in Australia. J Vet Intern Med 2017 Sep;31(5):1533-1540.
            doi: 10.1111/jvim.14782pubmed: 28661009google scholar: lookup
          9. Fazio E, Medica P, Cravana C, Ferlazzo AA. Pituitary-adrenocortical adjustments to transport stress in horses with previous different handling and transport conditions. Vet World 2016 Aug;9(8):856-61.
            doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.856-861pubmed: 27651674google scholar: lookup
          10. Campbell ML. Embryo transfer in competition horses: Managing mares and expectations. Equine Vet Educ 2014 Jun;26(6):322-327.
            doi: 10.1111/eve.12182pubmed: 25977596google scholar: lookup
          11. Hoffman CJ, McKenzie HC 3rd, Furr MO, Desrochers A. Glucocorticoid receptor density and binding affinity in healthy horses and horses with systemic inflammatory response syndrome. J Vet Intern Med 2015 Mar-Apr;29(2):626-35.
            doi: 10.1111/jvim.12558pubmed: 25818217google scholar: lookup
          12. Fazio E, Medica P, Bruschetta G, Ferlazzo A. Do Handling and Transport Stress Influence Adrenocortical Response in the Tortoises (Testudo hermanni)?. ISRN Vet Sci 2014;2014:798273.
            doi: 10.1155/2014/798273pubmed: 24977048google scholar: lookup
          13. Schulman M, Becker A, Ganswindt S, Guthrie A, Stout T, Ganswindt A. The effect of consignment to broodmare sales on physiological stress measured by faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in pregnant Thoroughbred mares. BMC Vet Res 2014 Jan 17;10:25.
            doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-25pubmed: 24433380google scholar: lookup
          14. Ochi T, Nishiura I, Tatsumi M, Hirano Y, Yahagi K, Sakurai Y, Sudo Y, Koyama H, Hagita Y, Fujimoto Y, Kitamura S, Hashimoto H, Nakamura T, Yamada A, Tanimoto M, Nishina N. Effects of transport stress on serum alkaline phosphatase activity in beagle dogs. Exp Anim 2013;62(4):329-32.
            doi: 10.1538/expanim.62.329pubmed: 24172197google scholar: lookup
          15. Hart KA, Barton MH. Adrenocortical insufficiency in horses and foals. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2011 Apr;27(1):19-34.
            doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2010.12.005pubmed: 21392651google scholar: lookup
          16. Saeb M, Baghshani H, Nazifi S, Saeb S. Physiological response of dromedary camels to road transportation in relation to circulating levels of cortisol, thyroid hormones and some serum biochemical parameters. Trop Anim Health Prod 2010 Jan;42(1):55-63.
            doi: 10.1007/s11250-009-9385-9pubmed: 19544085google scholar: lookup
          17. Raidal SL, Freccero F, Carstens A, Weaver S, Padalino B. Road transportation is associated with decreased intestinal motility in horses. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1647236.
            doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1647236pubmed: 40901066google scholar: lookup
          18. Menzies-Gow NJ. Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. Vet Sci 2025 Aug 20;12(8).
            doi: 10.3390/vetsci12080780pubmed: 40872730google scholar: lookup
          19. Lindqvist A, Nyman G, Rydén A, Wattle O. Effect of an adjustable ceiling to prevent premature rising attempts after general anesthesia in healthy ponies and horses: A pilot study. Vet Surg 2025 Jul;54(5):851-859.
            doi: 10.1111/vsu.14181pubmed: 39887480google scholar: lookup
          20. Takahashi Y, Niwa H, Ebisuda Y, Mukai K, Yoshida T, Raidal S, Padalino B, Ohmura H. Increased freedom of head movement mitigates stress and bacterial load in the airways of horses during transport. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1477653.
            doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1477653pubmed: 39430384google scholar: lookup
          21. Aragona F, Rizzo M, Arfuso F, Acri G, Fazio F, Piccione G, Giannetto C. Eye Temperature Measured with Infrared Thermography to Assess Stress Responses to Road Transport in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 26;14(13).
            doi: 10.3390/ani14131877pubmed: 38997989google scholar: lookup
          22. Sanigavatee K, Poochipakorn C, Huangsaksri O, Wonghanchao T, Yalong M, Poungpuk K, Thanaudom K, Chanda M. Hematological and physiological responses in polo ponies with different field-play positions during low-goal polo matches. PLoS One 2024;19(5):e0303092.
            doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303092pubmed: 38753824google scholar: lookup
          Subscribe to our newsletter
          Join 99,383 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.