Omneity® Pellets
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Comparative Evaluation of Follicular Flushing Frequency and Scraping Time During Ovum Pick-Up in Mares: Effects on Oocyte Recovery Rate and Technical Considerations. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration or ovum pick-up (OPU) has become the standard technique for oocyte collection in mares for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Although repeated follicular flushes and wall scraping are commonly used to improve oocyte recovery rate (ORR), the relative contribution of each remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the effects of multiple flushes versus controlled scraping time on ORR in mares. A controlled trial was conducted in two phases: (1) an ex vivo phase using slaughterhouse ovaries (n = 32), and (2) an in vivo phase in c...
Thoroughbred Geldings’ Career: Influence of Age at the Start of Training and Racing. This retrospective report investigated whether starting racehorses' training and racing early is associated with a less successful and a shorter racing career. The data of 600 Thoroughbred racehorses from the German Racehorse Association's archiving programme were evaluated. The horses were classified into three groups regarding their different ages when starting training and racing: early training (16-24 months old)/early racing (two years old); early training/late racing (>two years old); and late training (25-30 months). Statistical models investigated effects on the horses' length of ca...
Blood and fecal metabolic responses of mature horses fed rhizoma peanut hay. Rhizoma peanut (RP, Arachis glabrata Benth) is an alternative legume forage to alfalfa (ALF, Medicago sativa L.) with less non-structural carbohydrates and crude protein. Yet, metabolic responses to consuming RP hay have never been evaluated in horses. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of feeding RP 'Florigraze' hay on fecal and blood metabolic variables compared to alfalfa 'Legendary XHD' and bermudagrass (BMG, Cynodon dactylon L. 'Coastal') hays fed to maintenance horses. Methods: Six mature Quarter Horse geldings (596±40 kg) were randomly assigned to one ...
Comparison of two doses of lidocaine constant rate infusion on cardiopulmonary function and recovery in isoflurane-anesthetized horses. To compare cardiopulmonary variables and recovery scores in isoflurane-anesthetized horses undergoing arthroscopy using two different intravenous (IV) lidocaine constant rate infusions (CRIs; 50 or 100 μg kg minute) under intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) or spontaneous ventilation (SV). Methods: Prospective, randomized, clinical study. Methods: A group of 30 client-owned horses, 8-156 months old (range), with body masses of 280-550 kg. Methods: Anesthesia protocol consisted of xylazine, ketamine and diazepam, and maintenance with isoflurane and a CRI of dexmedetomidine. All g...
Sex-Related Differences in Show-Jumping Performance of Retired Thoroughbred Racehorses in Relation to the Interval Since Race Retirement. To investigate the factors affecting the utilization of retired Thoroughbred racehorses in equestrian disciplines, Bayesian linear mixed models were separately fitted using rank, round time, and obstacle faults from show-jumping competitions restricted to retired Thoroughbred racehorses as dependent variables, with the interaction between horse sex and the interval from race retirement to competition (as a proxy for transition training to show-jumping) as a fixed effect. When the interval was short (≤1 year), the estimated marginal mean of rank was statistically significantly lower in stalli...
Beyond the host: Unveiling the independent microbiome of equine gastrointestinal nematodes. Gastrointestinal nematode infections significantly impact equine health and welfare, with rising anthelmintic resistance demanding alternative control strategies. Emerging evidence suggests that parasitic nematodes harbour distinct microbiomes, potentially influencing host-parasite dynamics and parasite survival. This study aimed to characterize and compare the microbiomes of equine gastrointestinal nematodes and their hosts, focusing on differences in composition, diversity, and core microbiota structure across different intestinal sites, nematode subfamilies, and sexes. Faecal and nematode s...
A novel oral immunotherapy strategy using transgenic barley induces Culicoides allergen-specific immune responses in horses. Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a seasonal, IgE-mediated allergic dermatitis of horses caused by salivary gland proteins of biting midges ( spp.). Current management relies on relief of clinical signs and on physical protection. In a previous pilot study, healthy horses were fed transgenic barley expressing a allergen via a special spiral bit, which successfully induced allergen-specific antibody responses. Building on this concept, the present study aimed to evaluate a more practical feeding approach, delivering transgenic barley expressing the major allergen Cul o 2p in a feed-compat...
Evaluation of computed tomographic anatomy of the foot in Jeju horses. Foot diseases are common causes of lameness in horses. Computed tomography (CT) is a valuable tool for diagnosing musculoskeletal lesions in horses and providing a detailed evaluation of foot diseases. Objective: The objective of this study was to establish reference ranges related to the feet of normal Jeju horses by measuring the angles and length of the hoof, and the Hounsfield Unit (HU) value of soft tissues in the foot. Methods: Sixteen normal Jeju horses (mean age: 4.25 years; mean body weight: 282.06 kg) without lameness were examined using CT. After CT scanning, the angles and lengths ...
Proteomic profiling of equine airway mucus reveals compositional changes in asthmatic phenotypes. Mucus hypersecretion and accumulation are hallmark features of equine asthma (EA), a meaningful respiratory disorder in horses occurring in mild to moderate (MEA) and severe (SEA) forms. Changes of the proteomic composition of airway mucus in EA are poorly understood. Using label-free quantitative liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we analyzed airway mucus from SEA (n = 10), MEA (n = 6), and healthy (n = 8) horses. We identified and quantified 2,275 proteins including gel-forming mucins MUC5AC and MUC5B and membrane-bound mucins MUC1 and MUC4. Compared with healthy controls, ...
Tissue-Engineered Osteochondral Allograft Versus Fresh Osteochondral Allograft: Comparable Cartilage and Subchondral Bone Repair in a 14-Month Equine Osteochondral Defect Model. Fresh osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation effectively repairs cartilage and subchondral bone; however, the persisting shortage of available donor OCAs and their short shelf-life make scheduling surgeries and meeting patient demand challenging. Attempts have been made to develop tissue-engineered solutions to address the limitations of OCA; nonetheless, these have failed to progress beyond the preclinical stage. Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of a tissue-engineered osteochondral allograft (TE-OCA) as compared with equine OCA in an equine osteochondral defect model. Metho...
Where Dinner Roams: The Role of Feral Horses as a Resource Subsidy for Wolves and Cougars in West-Central British Columbia. Feral horses () have established large populations in west-central British Columbia (BC), Canada, where they overlap with native ungulates, including a declining woodland caribou () herd. In addition, feral horses co-occur with large carnivore species including wolf () and cougar (). Feral horses may act as a resource subsidy for predators, potentially altering predator-prey dynamics, yet empirical observations of predator interactions with feral horses are scarce in Canada. Between 2019 and 2025, we documented 21 instances of wolf predation or scavenging of feral horses, including one direct ...
Engineered biopolymeric hydrogels for in vitro modeling of equine sarcoid tumors in comparative oncology. Developing advanced preclinical in vitro cancer models is essential for understanding tumor biology, improving drug discovery, and enhancing the clinical translation of new therapies. Papillomaviruses (PVs) cause diverse lesions in humans and animals; notably, bovine papillomavirus (BPV) is the main cause of equine sarcoid, the most common skin tumor in horses. Its pathogenesis involves viral infection, fibroblast transformation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. These processes highlight the limitations of conventional two-dimensional (2D) culture systems, which fail to replicate the...
Molecular Identification and Benzimidazole Resistance Analysis of Cyathostomins in Chinese Grazing Horses. This study investigated the cyathostomin species composition, anthelmintic efficacy, and potential resistance-associated mutations in Chinese grazing horses. Fecal samples were collected from 90 adult horses. Fecal egg counts (FECs) were determined using a modified McMaster method. Third stage larvae (L3) cultured from the eggs were identified to species level by PCR amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer-2 (ITS-2). The main species included and spp. However, differences in the relative abundance of less common species, including and , suggests regional variation. A...
Advances in ELISA-based detection of equine leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a globally distributed zoonosis that affects both humans and animals, with being the main causative agent. In horses, the disease is associated with considerable economic losses. The Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) is the reference test for diagnosis but has limitations, emphasizing the need for effective diagnostic alternatives. In this study, was evaluated the use of a recombinant chimera, composed of ErpY-like and LemA proteins, as an antigen for ELISA-based detection of equine leptospirosis. The chimera was successfully expressed, purified and tested on 915 horse ser...
Single-cell atlas of the equine placenta reveals cellular heterogeneity and gestational-stage-associated programs. The placenta mediates critical interactions between mother and offspring that guide development and impact long-term health. Despite its importance, the cellular organization of the equine (Equus caballus) placenta remains poorly defined. The equine epitheliochorial placenta, characterized by the absence of trophoblast invasion and prominent endocrine activity, provides a unique comparative model for studying placental cellular composition and development. Methods: We applied single-cell RNA sequencing to chorioallantois tissue collected from first-trimester (n = 1) and term (n = 2) equine...
Genomic Epidemiology of Fungi Identified in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid from Asthmatic Horses in the US. Fungal exposure is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma in horses, but the importance of specific fungi is unknown. Geographic variation in equine asthmatic endotypes is suspected and might be related to different fungal exposures due to different climatological and geographical conditions. This study had two objectives: evaluate the effect of the ecoregion upon BALF inflammatory cells and fungal community composition in horses with asthma and evaluate the effect of BALF fungal community composition upon the likelihood of neutrophilic, mastocytic and eosinophilic inflammation in t...
Pharmacokinetics and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Intramuscular Betamethasone in Exercised Thoroughbred Horses. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of betamethasone following intra-articular administration to horses have been described; however, studies characterizing intramuscular administration are lacking. Twenty-four horses received an intramuscular dose of 12 mg betamethasone sodium phosphate/betamethasone acetate. Blood and urine were collected at post administration for up to 408 h. Concentrations of betamethasone were determined using LC-MS/MS and pharmacokinetic parameters determined using a Population PK three-compartment model. The duration of pharmacodynamic effects was assessed by...
Spirulina supplementation regulates inflammation and supports cartilage health in adult sedentary horses following moderate-intensity exercise. Horses experience rapid physiological, inflammatory, and oxidative responses during exercise. Spirulina, a nutrient-dense microalga with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may help modulate these responses and support recovery. Objective: This study evaluated the effects of 30-day dietary Spirulina supplementation on physiological, inflammatory, and oxidative stress responses to moderate-intensity exercise in sedentary horses. We hypothesized that 30-day Spirulina supplementation would modulate hematologic and inflammatory responses and support recovery from moderate-intensity exerc...
Enhancing African horse sickness virus detection: comparing and adapting PCR assays. African horse sickness (AHS) is the only equine disease for which the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) gives official disease-free status, given that it poses a major threat to the equine industry. The disease is caused by AHS virus (AHSV; family , taxon species ), which is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) is a rapid, sensitive detection method used in the diagnosis of AHS and the certification of animals as negative for AHSV for the purpose of movement. Genetic variability of AHSV may influence the accuracy of RT-qPCR detecti...
Biomechanics of the Head and Neck. The horse's head and neck account for about 10% of body weight, and this, combined with the fact that they are cantilevered in front of the trunk, produces considerable leverage around the joints at the base of the neck. During locomotion, the neck is moved primarily by gravitational and inertial forces controlled by eccentric-concentric cycles of contraction in the topline muscles assisted by energy-saving, stretch-recoil cycles in the nuchal ligament. The functional part of the nuchal ligament is the caudal funicular region and the lamellae to the second cervical vertebra that acts as the po...
Differential profiles of GH, IGF-1, and fructosamine in follicular fluid and plasma of cyclic mares. Growth hormone (GH) influences follicular development mainly by stimulating insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which acts systemically and locally within the ovary. However, the metabolic profile of follicular fluid (FF) in mares, particularly markers such as fructosamine (FRUCT), an indicator of glucose metabolism, remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to evaluate GH, IGF-1, and FRUCT concentrations in plasma and FF and their variation across follicle sizes. Sixty ovaries were collected during the breeding season from 30 clinically normal mares raised for meat production. Blood sa...
Current and Future Central Nervous System Surgery-Part 2: Radiculopathy, Vertebral Fractures, and Intracranial Surgery. Equine neurosurgery is a challenge for many surgeons, particularly when central nervous system (CNS) disease is not addressed through ventral cervical stabilization, the most performed neurosurgical procedure. Advances in diagnostic imaging, minimally invasive instrumentation, and computer-assisted surgery are expanding therapeutic possibilities beyond cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy, including radiculopathy, vertebral fractures, and intracranial or intraspinal masses. Emerging techniques-such as percutaneous foraminotomy, facet fixation, targeted decompression, novel implant systems...
Disorders of the Equine Head and Neck: Larynx and Pharynx. This comprehensive review outlines the anatomy, diagnostic methods, pathophysiology, treatment, and prognosis of common equine upper airway disorders. It discusses the structure and function of the larynx and pharynx, and details diagnostic tools such as endoscopy and ultrasound. Major conditions-recurrent laryngeal neuropathy, arytenoid chondropathy, epiglottic entrapment, dorsal displacement of the soft palate, and nasopharyngeal collapse-are described with emphasis on their etiology, clinical signs, and management options for optimizing performance outcomes.
Current and Future Central Nervous System Surgery-Part 1: Cervical Spinal Cord Compression. Ventral cervical stabilization remains the primary surgical approach, in general, for horses with spinal cord compression. Advancements in volumetric imaging offer a more comprehensive understanding of central nervous system dysfunction elucidating that other modes of compression exist. Minimally invasive instrumentation and computer-assisted surgery are expanding therapeutic possibilities for cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy, radiculopathy, vertebral fractures, and intracranial or intraspinal masses. Emerging techniques-such as articular process joint fixation, targeted decompression...
Stress Responses in Dressage Horses: Insights from FEI Noseband Measurements Across National Competition Levels. This pilot study investigated stress-related behaviors in 238 dressage horse-rider combinations competing at national levels from Elementary (A) to Grand Prix (GP). Noseband tightness was assessed on-site using the FEI noseband measuring device (FNMD), and all but two horses complied with FEI regulations. Video-based analysis quantified conflict behaviors including mouth opening, tail swishing, and changes in head-neck position. Because noseband tightness showed minimal variation, no meaningful association with behavioral expression could be determined. In contrast, competition level had a cle...
RNA-seq evaluation of equine alveolar macrophages and monocyte-derived macrophages exposed to an inflammatory stimulus (short communication). Macrophage populations in the lung, including resident alveolar macrophages (AMs) and recruited monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs), recognize the inhaled particulates in barn dust that cause severe equine asthma and orchestrate an immune response though the cytokines they produce. Despite their importance, the specific contributions of these macrophage subsets to lower airway inflammation remain poorly understood. This exploratory in vitro study investigated the likely contributions of AMs and MDMs from healthy horses to the early inflammatory response using RNA-seq. If biologically importan...
Congenital Cervical Vertebral and Spinal Cord Anomalies. Congenital cervical vertebral anomalies in horses are structural changes in the neck vertebrae that develop during the fetal stage. These anomalies can vary in their severity and effects. Some horses may not show any clinical signs and can live normally, while others may develop serious problems such as spinal cord compression. This compression can lead to issues like ataxia or even paralysis, affecting the horse's mobility and quality of life. Recognizing and diagnosing these anomalies early are very important, as it helps guide decisions about the best treatment options and overall managemen...
Nicotinic acid treatment improves the developmental potential of equine oocytes for cloned embryo production. Nicotinic acid (NA) treatment during in vitro maturation (IVM) has been shown to elevate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels and improve oocyte developmental competence. Suboptimal equine oocyte IVM systems currently limit the efficiency of viable embryo in vitro production. This study evaluated NA supplementation during IVM for cloned equine embryo production, using oocytes from abattoir-sourced ovaries and live mares via ovum pick-up (OPU). Abattoir-derived oocytes (n = 694) were treated without or with 50 or 200 μM NA during the 18 h holding period (Pre-IVM). Next, OPU-deriv...
The first molecular detection of equine piroplasmosis in Vietnam and genetic characterization of three co-circulating genotypes of Theileria equi. Equine piroplasmosis, caused by , and , significantly impacts on the veterinary and economic aspects of the global horse industry. However, many countries, including Vietnam, have not yet conducted epidemiological surveys to determine the prevalence of these haemoparasites. This study aimed to detect and/or infections in horses and to identify their genotypes. Blood samples were collected from 154 apparently healthy horses in eight districts of Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, and Son La provinces located in the northern part of the country. Twenty-four horses (15.58%, 95%CI: 10.70–22.14%) were found ...
Survey describing the perspectives and practices of Australian veterinarians to pain management in horses. To describe Australian practices and attitudes regarding equine analgesia. Methods: Cross-sectional anonymous, voluntary survey of Australian veterinarians treating equine patients. Methods: Australian veterinarians in equine or mixed practices completed a six-section, 60-question survey between November 2019 to August 2020. Information was gathered on demographics, analgesia prescription, pain assessment and attitudes surrounding specific analgesics. Respondents assigned a pain score ranging from 0 to 10 for various conditions; these were averaged to give each respondent an "average pain scor...
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