Rewilded horses as a nature-based solution for wintertime tick control in Japan: help or hindrance? The control of ticks is challenging owing to their ubiquity, complex ecologies, and difficulties relating to costs and non-target impacts of chemical control programs. Nature-based solutions centre around co-opting natural processes and biodiversity to address socio-environmental problems; and in some cases, rewilded species can provide nature-based solutions. In northern Japan, the winter ecology of ticks is poorly studied, though some species are believed to overwinter under the snow. Winter grazing activity of rewilded horses may disturb overwintering ticks, exposing them to sub-zero temper...
The effect of full-limb flexion tests on static and dynamic muscle activity and locomotion asymmetry in owner-sound horses. Flexion tests are commonly used in equine locomotion examinations to identify underlying locomotor issues, yet their neuromuscular effects remain poorly understood. Response variability raises concerns about their clinical value in lameness assessments and pre-purchase evaluations. Objective: Primarily, to investigate the effect of full-limb flexion tests on static (flexed position) and dynamic (subsequent trot-up) muscle activity. Secondarily, to assess their effect on locomotion asymmetry during trotting. Methods: In vivo experiments. Methods: Sixteen warmblood horses were randomly assigned ...
Metformin Protects Against Persistent Atrial Fibrillation in an Equine Model. Horses are one of the few animals that spontaneously develop atrial fibrillation (AF), making them a powerful model for studying AF mechanisms and treatment effects. Despite the initial effectiveness of treatment in horses and humans, AF-induced atrial remodeling compromises its long-term success. Observational studies have suggested that metformin may reduce the risk of AF, but its effects on progressive AF-induced atrial remodeling have yet to be evaluated in a high-fidelity large animal model. Unassigned: Here, we used a longitudinal horse model of tachypacing-induced self-sustained AF to c...
Equine coronary sinus and great cardiac vein anatomy relevant to cardiac electrophysiology. The coronary sinus (CS) and great cardiac vein (GCV) are crucial in cardiac electrophysiology and can be arrhythmogenic in humans. In horses, CS/GCV catheterisation is increasingly performed for arrhythmia diagnosis and treatment. Improved anatomical understanding of these structures is needed to clarify relationships to surrounding structures. Methods: Postmortem examinations of 64 adult warmblood equine hearts were carried out. Middle cardiac vein and vein of Marshall ostia locations were described. Right atrial myocardial sleeve (MS) length was measured from the CS ostium. In 23 horses, CS/...
Subchondral and Osteochondral Unit Bone Damage in the Fetlock Region of Sport Horses Using Low-Field MRI: Case Series. Damage to the osteochondral unit is a common cause of lameness in horses. Published descriptions of MRI findings of osteochondral unit and subchondral damage are currently lacking, and only a few reports describe outcomes in sport horses. The aims of this case series retrospective study were to describe different MRI patterns of osteochondral/subchondral pathology in the fetlock joint using low-field MRI and to provide outcome information. A total of 35 sport horses were included. Data regarding detailed clinical history, treatment and outcome were evaluated. MRI identified a total of 39 bone ...
Long-Term Prognosis of Complete Rupture of the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon in 25 Horses – A Retrospective Study. A total of 48 horses with unilateral (n = 44) or bilateral (n = 4) overstrain-induced complete rupture of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in the forelimbs were retrospectively analysed. A telephone questionnaire, carried out an average of 5,9 years post-injury, served as a long-term follow-up in 25 horses. The mortality rate associated with SDF tendonitis was 12,0 % (3/25). Superficial digital flexor tendonitis did not recur in 76,0 % (19/25) of the horses, but at least one subsequent episode occurred in 24,0 % (6/25). The results of this study indicate that it is reasonable...
Histomorphometric characterization of the endometrium in mules (Equus mulus): An approach to endometritis/endometrosis. Mules (Equus mulus), as sterile hybrids between mares and donkeys, present a unique uterine morphology and physiology that remains poorly characterized. This study provides the first histomorphometric evaluation and transcriptional profiling of the endometrium in adult mules. To achieve this, endometrial biopsies were analysed using quantitative stereology, histological classification (Kenney-Doig system), and qPCR of key immune-related and fibrotic genes. Histometric analyses revealed that the stratum spongiosum was the predominant component of the mule endometrium (mean volume density: 84.7â...
Dexmedetomidine Prolongs the Duration of Ropivacaine Corneal Anesthesia After Subconjunctival Injection in Healthy Horses. To determine whether dexmedetomidine prolongs corneal anesthesia following subconjunctival ropivacaine injection in healthy equine eyes. Methods: Ten horses with normal ophthalmic exams were enrolled in a randomized, blinded, crossover experiment with a minimum 4-week washout between treatments. Baseline corneal touch thresholds (CTT, cm) were measured via esthesiometry and a subconjunctival injection was performed in the treatment eye with ropivacaine (R, 0.3 mL 0.5%) or dexmedetomidine-ropivacaine (DR, 0.1 mL 0.5 mg/mL + 0.2 mL 0.5%) and saline (control, 0.3 mL) in the contrala...
Generalized steatitis in a miniature horse filly with laminitis and a positive outcome at 18-month follow-up. A 12-month-old miniature horse filly was presented because of laminitis, suspected lymphangitis, and pyrexia. Although the filly's initial physical examination and diagnostic tests suggested an infectious etiology, ultrasonographic findings were suspicious for generalized steatitis. This was confirmed histopathology. The filly experienced full recovery with continued resolution of clinical signs at 18 mo after presentation. This case included aspects similar to those of previously reported clinical presentations, as well as long-term follow-up in a breed that is not overrepresented, providing...
Multi-pathogen lower respiratory tract infection including a fungal agent in a yearling mustang filly. This report describes the diagnosis and successful management of a yearling filly with Coombs-positive anemia, thrombocytopenia, and fungal pneumonia. Diagnostic procedures, including thoracic ultrasonography and radiography, respiratory pathogen PCR testing, and evaluation of tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage samples established multi-pathogen lower respiratory tract infection including a fungal agent. Orally administered voriconazole was a key component of treatment in this case to successfully eliminate fungal infection, alongside therapies for managing hematologic disease. This case...
Localisation and outcome of presumed thoracolumbar vertebral stress fracture in 35 UK Thoroughbred racehorses using nuclear scintigraphy. Stress fracture is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in racing Thoroughbreds. Nuclear scintigraphy is the imaging modality of choice for investigating unlocalised stress-related bone remodelling in horses. Stress fractures of the caudal lumbar vertebral column have been previously described in both racing Quarter horses and racing Thoroughbreds post-mortem. There is a lack of literature describing the imaging appearance of vertebral stress fractures in racehorses ante-mortem. Objective: To describe: (1) ante-mortem scintigraphic appearance of presumed thoracolumbar vertebral stress...
An in vitro investigation into the effects of postbiotic supplementation on stabilising equine hindgut pH. Dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiome is a precursor to hindgut acidosis. As microbial diversity and fermentation are influenced by diet, including a postbiotic could help maintain healthy gastrointestinal microbes and reduce acidosis risk. Objective: It was hypothesised that including a postbiotic in batch culture would reduce the degree of pH decline and lactate accumulation during fermentation. Methods: In vitro batch cultures with faecal inoculant were prepared with either low starch (LS) or high glucose (G) substrate to represent normal and acidic fermentation. Saccharomyces cerevisiae d...
Use of a Fogarty balloon catheter for management of distal nasolacrimal duct atresia in a standing sedated horse. A 4-year-old Arabian cross paint mare was referred for evaluation of chronic mucopurulent discharge and epiphora of the left eye. Ophthalmic and radiographic evaluations confirmed distal nasolacrimal duct atresia with absence of the nasolacrimal orifice. Initial minimally invasive treatments, including guidewire-assisted catheterization and diode laser photoablation, were unsuccessful. Definitive treatment was achieved using a Fogarty arterial embolectomy catheter under standing sedation. Controlled balloon inflation and deflation enabled progressive dilation of the obstructed duct, and a surg...
Using culture ‘omics to explore the microbial structure and function in an equid in vitro digestion model. The in vitro gas production system (GPS), developed to estimate degradation of ruminant feedstuffs, has been adapted for equine use. This study aimed to characterise the bacterial community profile and metabolome of donor faeces and faecal inoculum within the GPS when fermenting the same diet as faecal donors. Six Welsh ponies on identical diets were faecal donors with samples collected for microbiome profiling and system inoculation. Gas production (manual pressure transducer technique) was performed for 156Â h with 2 replicate bottles from each donor harvested at 8,20,28 and 36Â h. Faecal an...
Differential Energy Metabolism in Skeletal Muscle Tissues of Yili Horses Based on Targeted Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analysis. Skeletal muscle is the largest organ system in mammals. To investigate the differences in energy metabolism across various skeletal muscles in Yili horses, this study examined muscle fiber type distributions through immunohistochemical staining of muscles, including the splenius, triceps brachii, longissimus dorsi, and gluteus medius. The splenius and gluteus medius muscles, which exhibited the greatest differences in the proportion of slow-twitch fiber area, were selected for further comparison of differential metabolites and transcriptomic expression profiles between slow-twitch and fast-twi...
Treatment evaluation using ultrasonographic scanning of the spleen in Arabian horses affected by babesiosis. Equine babesiosis is a widespread protozoan disease in Saudi Arabia. The most common finding of clinical babesiosis is splenomegaly, which can be detected using non-invasive splenic ultrasonography. Unassigned: This study aimed to investigate changes in the spleen size in horses infected with babesiosis using ultrasonography before and after treatment. Unassigned: This study employed 15 male and female Arabian horses. Each animal was examined clinically for clinical signs, and blood samples were collected in plain tubes to detect antibodies against . The spleens of healthy and affected horses ...
Emotional contagion in human-horse interactions: A pilot study investigating the role of stress and body language in emotional transfer. Emotional contagion in human-horse interactions has been widely studied; however, the role of body language in stress transfer remains insufficiently explored. Unassigned: This study examines whether human emotional states, particularly stress and anxiety, influence horses and whether the transmission occurs primarily through body language. Unassigned: A repeated-measures within-subjects design was used. The order of interaction styles was randomized across subjects during 33 HCIs. Participants were categorized as high-anxiety (HA) or low-anxiety (LA) based on State Anxiety Scale scores and he...
Introducing an Innovative Pain Scale for Assessing Postpartum Pain in Mares: Preliminary Clinical Evaluation. Pain after giving birth is commonly observed in horses, yet there has not been a specific tool developed for assessing this pain in postpartum mares. The goal was to adapt existing equine pain scales and to preliminarily validate a practical pain scale for use by veterinarians and caregivers after foaling. Methods: The pain scale was developed by adapting items from other pain scales, including established orthopedic and colic equine pain scales, and incorporating caregiver feedback. The final scale includes eight areas for assessing pain: behavior, facial expressions, vital signs, udder exami...
Enhanced detection of equine strongyles: Insights from morphological and nemabiome metabarcoding approaches in northern Iran. Strongyles pose significant health concerns for equids globally. Strongyles, comprising over 60 species, can lead to severe morbidity and mortality, with Strongylus vulgaris posing higher risks due to its migratory behaviour. Routine diagnostic methods, such as faecal egg counts, lack species-level resolution, while traditional morphological techniques require advanced expertise. DNA metabarcoding offers a high-throughput alternative. Objective: To characterise the diversity of strongyles infecting horses in northern Iran and evaluate how age, sex, diagnostic methods and host population influe...
Comparison between SNP array and imputed data to estimate population structure and ROH hotspots in horse breeds. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays are commonly used for studying the genomic structure and diversity of livestock breeds, but whole-genome sequencing (WGS) provides higher-resolution genomic data. Genotype imputation has become a standard practice for increasing the genomic resolution of association studies. This work aimed to extend imputation to biodiversity analyses, comparing SNP array data before and after imputation. A 40 k SNP dataset of 281 horses from 12 breeds (DS) was imputed to sequence-level using a reference panel of 327 sequenced individuals, generating approximately 9...
Metabolic Profiles of Finishing and Nonfinishing Horses in Uruguayan Raid Competitions. The Raid HÃpico Uruguayo (RHU) is the oldest equestrian endurance sport in Uruguay. A high percentage of horses fail to complete RHU rides. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether weather conditions (comfort index [CI]), horse experience, and ride distance affect horse performance (finishing ride [FR] or nonfinishing ride [NFR]) in the RHU. An additional objective was to determine whether finishing the ride affects the hematological and biochemical parameters of the horses. This study involved 17 RHU rides over distances of 60-90 km and 284 horses. Blood samples were tak...
Naloxone supplementation during vitrification of equine in vitro matured oocytes after overnight holding: insights from a comparative study with the bovine model. Cryopreservation of equine mature oocytes remains a major challenge in assisted reproduction, mainly due to the limited availability of material and logistical constraints requiring a holding phase. To address these issues, this study evaluated whether naloxone (NX), an opioid receptor antagonist with reported antioxidant properties, could improve vitrification outcomes and whether bovine oocytes could serve as a suitable preliminary and supportive model. Two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, immature (bGV) and mature (bMII) bovine oocytes were vitrified without (VIT) or with NX (VI...
A Pilot Observational Study in Ohio, USA of the Healing of Our Veterans Equine Services Intensive Intervention for Veterans with Trauma Histories. : Equine-assisted services are being increasingly utilized as complementary interventions for military veterans who have experienced trauma. However, rigorous research is lacking, and randomized controlled trials are needed. The H.O.O.V.E.S. Intensive intervention was developed for this population. This intensive program is an equine-assisted learning approach developed for veteran and active-duty military trauma survivors. The program integrates equine-assisted learning, peer mentorship and experiential learning in a residential retreat format. The primary aim of this pilot study was to deter...
Maximal Lactate Steady State Prediction Using Two DMAX Methods in Horses Subjected to Treadmill-Graded Exercise Test. Maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) and its predictive thresholds, including the lactate threshold (LT), are widely used to estimate endurance capacity, prescribe training, and assess the effects of training. The human literature identified approximately twenty-five methods to predict the MLSS. This communication compares the concordance between the two D methods and the MLSS. Under laboratory conditions, ten teaching horses underwent a submaximal graded exercise test (GXT) on a treadmill to obtain their lactate-velocity curves (LVC). They performed three to five 30-min continuous running sess...
Tackling equine antimicrobial resistance: introducing REIN In AMR. Charlotte Barber, Abigail McGlennon, Fleur Whitlock, John Grewar, Sophie Spalding, Richard Newton and Tamsin Dewé introduce a new government-funded initiative to strengthen the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in the equine sector.
The Impact of MEI1 Alternative Splicing Events on Spermatogenesis in Mongolian Horses. Normal spermatogenesis in Mongolian horses depends on the mitotic division of spermatogonia, two successive meiotic divisions, and the morphological transformation of spermatids into mature spermatozoa. The gene is involved in the meiosis cycle and is required for normal chromosome association during meiosis. Previous studies have shown that alternative splicing of may promote spermatogenesis in Mongolian horses. In this paper, the regulatory effects of different alternative splicing events on Mongolian horse spermatogenesis are investigated. Results: In this study, two overexpressed lentiv...
Geographic diversity of the Streptococcus equi subsp. equi accessory genome: implications for vaccines and global surveillance. Strangles, caused by the host-adapted subsp. (. ), imposes significant welfare and economic losses on the equine industry worldwide. Understanding its genomic features, virulence-associated genes (VAGs), antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) is essential for disease control and vaccine development. This study aimed to characterize the accessory genome composition, geographic distribution of VAGs and MGEs, and AMR profiles of . by a large-scale genomic analysis of global publicly available . sequences. All publicly available . sequences in the Sequence Read Arch...
Cannabinoid and cannabinoid related receptors in fibroblasts, inflammatory and endothelial cells of the equine hoof with and without laminitis: novel pharmacological target. Evidence suggests that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is crucial for regulating inflammation, cell proliferation and pain. The ECS is composed of cannabinoid receptors such as type 1 (CBR1), type 2 (CBR2) and GPR55, endocannabinoids and enzymes. Proteins of ECS have previously been localized in the epidermal cells of the horse hooves. Given the physio-pathological role and cellular distribution of the ECS across species, the authors hypothesized that cannabinoid receptors are expressed within the inflammatory cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells of the equine hoof laminae, going beyond t...
A SLC45A2 mutation is strongly associated with the cream dilution in Baroque donkeys. Domestic Baroque donkeys are popular animals in many European parks and zoos. Although their cream coat color is very charismatic, the underlying genetics is still undiscovered. Addressing this question, a candidate approach was used to search for the causative mutation.Considering the knowledge from domestic horses, the () was identified as the most promising candidate. Samples from 77 domesticated donkeys, 11 wild equids, 1 mule and 2 domestic horses were included in comparison. All exons and the flanking intron sequences of the were sequenced (2774bp).Sequence comparison revealed that a m...
Bile acids segregate metabolic syndrome in a cohort of 100 deeply phenotyped horses. Metabolic syndrome (MetS)-encompassing obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension-is prevalent in both humans and horses, offering a unique opportunity to explore shared pathophysiological mechanisms across species in a controlled model organism. In this first report from the Pioneer 100 Horse Health Project (P100HHP), we conducted a longitudinal, multi-omic analysis of 108 deeply phenotyped horses to interrogate individual health trajectories for precision insights into MetS. We identified two primary metabotypes: one characterized by elevated unsaturated triglycerides (TGs) ...
Popular Topics
- Equine Health (60555)
- Veterinary Medicine (50830)
- Horses (46803)
- Veterinary Research (32203)
- Equine Diseases (26328)
- Clinical Study (26298)
- Veterinary Care (25309)
- Disease Diagnosis (24098)
- Diagnosis (23749)
- Animal Health (18888)
- Physiology (18216)
- Disease Treatment (17363)
- Equine Science (16985)
- Disease (14385)
- Animal Science (14226)
- Clinical Pathology (14202)
- Infection (12466)
- Comparative Study (12298)
- Diagnostic Technique (11390)
- Infectious Disease (11060)
- Epidemiology (10834)
- Disease Etiology (10283)
- Genetics (9921)
- Animal Studies (9563)
- Veterinary Science (9440)
- Veterinary Procedure (8658)
- Clinical Symptoms (8612)
- Case Reports (8223)
- Reproduction (8105)
- Biochemistry (7736)
- Clinical Findings (7341)
- Laboratory Methods (7234)
- In Vivo (7083)
- Disease Management (6314)
- Anatomy (6221)
- Surgery (6146)
- In Vitro Research (5940)
- Public Health (5875)
- Immunology (5841)
- Mares (5823)
- Musculoskeletal System (5197)
- Pharmacology (5141)
- Molecular biology (5041)
- Inflammation (5002)
- Veterinary Practice (4709)
- Foals (4664)
- Virus (4308)
- Equine Studies (4268)
- Blood (4261)
- Thoroughbreds (4194)