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Evaluation of Machine Learning Models for Predicting Breeding Values of Key Performance Traits in Iranian Crossbred (Thoroughbred × Turkmen) Racehorses. Accurate prediction of breeding values (BVs) is fundamental to genetic improvement in racehorses. Although single-trait mixed models (STM), typically implemented using BLUP-based procedures, remain the standard framework for genetic evaluation, machine learning (ML) methods offer a flexible, data-driven approach for learning complex relationships among phenotypic, environmental, and pedigree-derived information. These capabilities have encouraged researchers to explore the application of ML methods for predicting breeding values. Objective: This study compared the performance of 13 ML algorith...
The Impact of Systemic Treatment With Flunixin Meglumine on the Two Antiproteases Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M) and Alpha-1-Antitrypsin (A1AT) in Equine Plasma and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF). To evaluate the effect of flunixin meglumine, a systemic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), on the antiproteases, A2M and A1AT, in equine plasma and PRF. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study. Plasma, solid PRF, and liquid PRF were collected from a control-group that included healthy horses not treated with NSAIDs within the last 3 months. The NSAID-group were ophthalmology patients with no systemic inflammatory disease, and all received a full dose of flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg BID PO or IV) for three or more days prior to collection. Samples were collected and prepar...
Medical Therapies for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis in the Horse – 20 years later…. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating joint disease, characterized by a degenerative catabolic cascade resulting in detrimental changes to all aspects of the joint including the irreversible destruction of articular cartilage. In 2006, a narrative review by Goodrich and Nixon outlined the available treatments for the medical management of OA; however, since that time substantial progress has been made. In recent years the therapeutic options for veterinarians managing horses with OA has increased significantly with a multitude of products available on the market. While many of the conventional...
Equine-Assisted Learning and Social-Emotional Competence in Higher Education: An Exploratory Study of Emerging Adults’ Experiences. Equine-assisted learning (EAL) is an experiential educational approach that engages learners in structured human-horse activities to support character development, interpersonal growth, and life skills. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is increasingly recognized as an important aspect of student development, supporting both wellbeing and academic success. Although much studies have explored how horses may support human health and wellbeing, limited research has explored how undergraduate students experience EAL in relation to SEL within non-Western higher education contexts. An exploratory stud...
Global prevalence of equine piroplasmosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of evidence from 2020-2025. Equine piroplasmosis remains a major constraint to equine health, productivity, and international movement. In compliance with PRISMA 2020 criteria, a systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out to estimate the pooled global prevalence of equine piroplasmosis and identify possible sources of risk variables. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Springer Nature, Europe PMC, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, CABI Digital Library, and Google Scholar were searched between 2020 to 2025. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to calculate pooled prevalence estima...
New Noninvasive Long-Term Stress indicator in Horses: Analysis of Cortisol Levels in the Hoof of Foals. Noninvasive sampling methods are recommended in animals as far as possible. However, there has been no way to safely measure long-term stress in all horses including foals and stallions. Currently, nail cortisol in humans has been reported to be a promising noninvasive long-term stress indicator. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of a horse's hoof as a noninvasive long-term stress indicator by determining whether hoof cortisol levels varied similarly to hair cortisol levels noted in a previous study. All hooves were sampled by one farrier after a foal's birth. They were divided into ...
The Western Ecotype of the Kazakh Horse: Current Status and Genomic Characterisation. The Kazakh horse comprises several locally adapted types and ecotypes of the Eurasian Steppe. The Adai is its western ecotype, kept year-round on desert pasture in Mangystau, Western Kazakhstan, and recognised as a separate breed in 2024 without genetic evaluation. We asked whether that label corresponds to a genetic unit and whether the population has remained closed. We genotyped 533 horses recorded as Adai, 500 traced to five farms in Mangystau, against 988 reference horses of 45 breeds on 36,193 shared autosomal SNPs. Structure was assessed by principal component analysis, pairwise with...
Multimodal characterization of equine synovitis: Correlation between arthroscopic, histopathological, and biomarker assessments in septic vs. aseptic cases. Endoscopy and synovial membrane histology are complementary modalities for evaluating synovial inflammation. Cytokine involvement in non-septic arthritis is well documented but remains poorly characterized in septic synovitis. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the inflammatory cytokine profile associated with septic and non-septic synovitis and assess correlations among endoscopic, histological, and synovial fluid biomarker findings. Methods: Three groups were defined: horses undergoing elective or therapeutic endoscopy (Group 1, n=26), horses with confirmed septic synovitis (Group 2...
Influence of the anaesthetist´s perception on the evaluation of recovery quality in horses undergoing general anaesthesia. In horses, anaesthetic recovery is evaluated using subjective scales. Previous studies examined the influence of scale type and evaluator-related factors but the impact of operator perception (unconscious bias) has received limited attention. Unassigned: To analyse the influence of operator perception on recovery scoring. Unassigned: Anaesthetic recoveries at an equine hospital (May 2019-May 2023) were assessed in real time (RT) by attending anaesthetists and retrospectively using video recordings (VR) by a single evaluator. Horses aged 1 - 21 years undergoing a single anesthetic procedure wit...
Pasture area increases livestock rabies risk in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: a geospatial analysis of neurological syndrome cases (2020-2024). Animal rabies poses a risk to livestock in Brazil due to transmission by hematophagous bats. The Brazilian sanitary surveillance system mandates rabies testing for any livestock exhibiting signs of neurological syndrome. This geospatial, retrospective, longitudinal, observational study analyzed rabies test results for 204 cattle and 56 horses presenting with neurological syndrome in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, from 2020 to 2024. We calculated correlations and linear models between rabies results and municipal land-use types, as well the population of herbivores. Most neurological syndrome ca...
Melanin as a Multifunctional Molecular System: Biosynthesis, Genetics, and Functional Roles in Livestock Species. Melanin is the primary pigment found in the skin, hair, wool and feathers of many vertebrates and plays a crucial role in determining the physical appearance and physiological performance of livestock species. Melanin functions in thermoregulation as well as coloration, photoprotection, and adaptation to diverse environmental conditions. This review examines the biosynthesis of melanin and the genetics of melanogenesis in major livestock species such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, and poultry, and the roles of melanin-based pigmentation within different systems of animal production. Th...
Humoral immune responses and adverse effects of inactivated West Nile virus and tetanus toxoid vaccines administered via the subcutaneous or intramuscular route in horses. Myosin heavy chain myopathy (MYHM) is a genetic disorder in Quarter Horse-related breeds that can result in non-exertional rhabdomyolysis and immune-mediated myositis. Infectious diseases and muscle damage, particularly from intramuscular (IM) vaccination, have been implicated as potential triggers for this condition. However, the subcutaneous (SC) injection route has not been investigated as an alternative vaccination method for MYHM-affected horses. The hypothesis was that there would be no difference in humoral immune responses or injection site reactions in healthy horses receiving killed ...
An in-feed oral glucose test increases post-prandial high molecular weight adiponectin concentration in horses. Adiponectin is a fat-derived adipocytokine that has been associated with laminitis risk in ponies. Factors that affect sampling timing for measurement of adiponectin concentration have been inadequately investigated. This study aimed to determine the effect of an oral glucose test (OGT) and fed-state on adiponectin concentration in horses and ponies. Blood samples were collected before and after an OGT in 85 horses and ponies and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin concentration was measured. Total adiponectin concentration was measured in a subset of 25 animals. Assays validated for use w...
Host-mediated filtering and interspecific associations structure strongyle parasite communities in Sable Island horses. Mixed-species parasite infections are common in wildlife, yet the ecological processes that structure these communities remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that host-mediated and extrinsic environmental filtering, alongside biotic interactions, act concurrently to shape parasite community composition, and that these structuring patterns would depend on parasite traits or evolutionary history. We applied nemabiome DNA metabarcoding to 3147 faecal samples from 916 feral horses with no history of anthelmintic treatment, collected over 10 years as part of a long-term individual-based study...
Effect of Different Equilibration Times in the Freezing Process on Post-Thaw Motility Parameters in Equine Spermatozoa. Cryopreservation of stallion semen remains suboptimal, with approximately one-third of stallions producing semen that is poorly tolerant to freezing. As optimization of pre-freezing procedures may improve post-thaw sperm quality, this study evaluated the effect of different equilibration times before freezing on the post-thaw quality of stallion semen. For this purpose, 21 ejaculates were initially collected from 5 stallions and 15 were included in the final analysis after predefined exclusions. These ejaculates were separated from the seminal plasma via centrifugation in INRA 96 medium. After...
From bodyweight to biomarkers: Season-associated metabolic, endocrine and haematological shifts in breeding stallions. Breeding stallions are subjected to sustained seasonal metabolic, endocrine, and immune demands requiring systemic energy engagement. Prospective longitudinal data in the same individuals are limited. Objective: To screen adaptive responses of breeding stallions of clinical relevance through longitudinal characterisation of temporal changes across the mating season and negative photoperiod: (i) health and nutritional status; (ii) oxidative status and immune modulation; and (iii) metabolic and endocrine biomarkers as correlates of reproductive potential. Methods: Prospective longitudinal observ...
Superior Post-Thaw Sperm Quality and Fertility of Epididymal Compared with Ejaculated Sperm in Subfertile Stallions. Despite the benefits of seminal plasma during breeding, its value is questionable when utilizing biotechnological approaches such as artificial insemination. In addition, deleterious effects of secretions from accessory glands on sperm viability and conception rate have been reported, especially in stallions with poor semen quality. Objective: The present study aimed to compare the kinetics, structural and functional viability, and fertility parameters of spermatozoa obtained from the ejaculate and from the cauda epididymis of subfertile stallions, as well as to evaluate the differences in the...
Understanding Stallion Sperm Capacitation: Species-Specific Mechanisms, Cryocapacitation, and Implications for IVF. Until recently, no repeatable protocol for equine in vitro fertilization (IVF) had been established, despite decades of trying. Recent studies have demonstrated reproducible IVF outcomes under specific experimental conditions, bringing equine IVF into a new perspective. Prolonged incubation of stallion spermatozoa in a TALP based medium supplemented with penicillamine, hypotaurine and epinephrine (PHE) appears to be important factors of protocols that support sperm capacitation and markedly improved IVF outcomes. The sperm capacitation procedure has now been applied successfully using both fre...
Heel movement and foot biomechanics in aluminium nail-on and indirect glue-on fabric cuff shoes in horses. Heel movement is critical to shock absorption and vascular perfusion of the equine digit. Conventional horseshoeing techniques are suspected to restrict natural hoof deformation, affecting hoof biomechanics. Several studies have explored the effects of shoeing on hoof function, though many have been limited to artificial conditions, cadavers, or homogenous populations. Objective: We aimed to compare the effects of two aluminium shoeing techniques, nail-on versus indirect glue-on fabric cuff shoes, on heel movement in horses. Our objective was to determine which technique allowed greater heel m...
The Effect of Training Exercise on Cartilage Zonal Composition and Structure at Two Differently Loaded Sites in the Juvenile Equine Metacarpophalangeal Joint. BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the depth related spatial distribution of biochemical and structural components in articular cartilage at different topographical sites experiencing different loading within the juvenile equine metacarpophalangeal joint in two groups of foals subjected to different exercise conditions.MethodsSixteen Warmblood foals were included in the study and were randomly assigned into 1 of 2 exercise groups (box rest and box rest plus training) during the first 5 months of life and subsequently euthanized. Osteochondral plugs were harvested from two sites...
Cranial Shape Variation in Adult Kyrgyz Horses: Associations with Size and Sex. Cranial diversity within indigenous horse populations remains incompletely characterized. Cranial shape variation and its associations with skull size and sex were investigated in 37 adult Kyrgyz horses aged 4-5 years (18 females and 19 males). Three-dimensional configurations of 25 cranial landmarks were evaluated using Procrustes alignment, principal component analysis, and permutation-based multivariate models. Skull size was quantified using centroid size calculated from the landmark configurations. The first two principal components represented 29.41% of shape variance, with changes distr...
Echocardiographic characteristics and evidence of ventricular remodeling in subclinical insulin-dysregulated Warmblood horses. In humans, systemic hypertension and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy are common sequelae of metabolic syndrome and pre-diabetes warranting investigation in horses with insulin dysregulation (ID). Objective: To compare echocardiographic variables, non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP), and adipokines between Warmblood (WB) horses with and without ID. Methods: Nineteen client-owned WB horses, 5-15 years of age, presenting for elective procedures were included. Horses had no history of metabolic disease, ID, laminitis, renal or cardiac disease. Methods: Blinded cross-sectional study. Horses were ...
Validation of a point-of-care assay for simultaneous quantification of equine adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticotropin-like intermediate peptide. Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations are used to diagnose equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). The reference chemiluminescent immunoassay for immunoreactive ACTH (iACTH) cross-reacts with corticotropin-like intermediate peptide (CLIP), which is also abnormally high in PPID. Objective: To compare the performance of a novel point-of-care (POC) immunoassay that concurrently measures ACTH and CLIP against the reference iACTH assay. Methods: Twenty-eight university-owned horses (13 PPID, 15 non-PPID). Methods: Prospective observational study. Resting plasma hormo...
Detection of Shamonda Virus in Two Horses with Neurological Signs in Germany. Shamonda virus (SHAV), which has recently emerged in Central Europe and has caused disease in numerous cattle herds, was detected in brain tissue from two horses that showed clinical signs, including neurological disorder, and underwent pathological examination. The horses reportedly exhibited seizure-like episodes (Horse A) as well as fever and ataxia (Horse B). In both horses, severe lymphohistiocytic meningoencephalitis with hemorrhages was observed in various parts of the central nervous system (CNS), while outside the CNS no abnormalities were found. The virus genome could be detected by ...
Effects of Incorporating Horses into Occupational Therapy on Adrenocortical and Sympathetic Nervous System Reactivity and Regulation in Autistic Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The study prospectively investigated adrenocortical and autonomic nervous system reactivity and regulation as autistic children participated in a randomized controlled trial of occupational therapy in an equine environment (OT-Equine). Methods: Autistic children (n = 72, ages 6-11 yrs) were randomly assigned for 10 weeks to OT-Equine or clinic-based occupational therapy (OT-Clinic). Saliva samples (later assayed for cortisol and alpha-amylase, [sAA]) were collected before (pre-session), during (within-session), immediately after (post-session), and 20-minutes after (post-session + 20) ...
Distribution of Losses Among Horse Race Bettors: An Analysis of Account-Based Player Tracking Data. Previous research on gambling loss patterns has mainly relied on self-reported data, which has some inherent biases (e.g., low accuracy). While some studies are based on large samples of horse bettors, few have examined how losses are distributed among them. The aim of this exploratory study was to examine the concentration of losses among gamblers playing horse betting games. Norsk Rikstoto, the Norwegian horse betting monopoly, provided account-based gambling data for all customers who bet with them between 2021 and 2023, covering 13 horse betting formats. To describe the shape of the loss d...
Ivermectin enhances the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines in equine leukocytes stimulated with LPS and nigericin. Ivermectin has been reported to exert immunomodulatory effects on the innate immune system; however, the available evidence is contradictory, with both anti-inflammatory and, paradoxically, pro-inflammatory effects described depending on species, dose, and experimental context, while data specific to horses remain scarce. We hypothesised that ivermectin would exert a context-dependent immunomodulatory effect on equine leucocytes. To test this, total leucocytes isolated from six healthy horses were incubated with ivermectin (2 and 4 µg/mL) before stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and n...
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