Heritability Estimates of Traits Assessed in Field Performance Tests of Polish Warmblood Mares. : Knowledge of the genetic background of evaluated traits has been the basis for genetic progress in every horse-breeding population and is essential for precise breeding and up-to-date decision-making. The study aimed to estimate the heritability coefficients for field performance traits in mares. : The research was based on 1408 evaluations of mares conducted during the years 2002-2021 in 51 training centers in Poland. The preliminary analyses of the effects, significant for the investigated traits, were obtained using analysis of variance, and these additional data are also presented (SAS p...
Successful Treatment of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus in a Horse With Tacrolimus Ointment. A 9-year-old gelding Quarter Horse with a lesion on the right upper eyelid was diagnosed with cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Clinical resolution and control of UV-induced flares were achieved with topical tacrolimus and a UV-blocking mask without adverse effects over the following 3 years.
Ocular Causes for Undesired Behaviors in the Horse. Numerous ocular diseases cause visual impairment and induce ocular pain that may be associated with undesired behaviors in horses. Horses with ocular pain, indicated by the presence of blepharospasm, blepharoedema, ocular discharge or rubbing the eye, should be rested from work to avoid worsening the ocular disease and to avoid undesired behaviors associated with pain or vision impairment. Horses with ocular disease are frequently head shy. Some stoic horses may not have obvious outward clinical signs despite significant visual impairment, and as such, undesired behaviors such as spooking, bal...
Commentary on MacKechnie-Guire et al. Measuring Noseband Tightness on the Lateral Aspect of the Horse’s Face. Animals 2015, 15, 537. The use of horses for sport is under scrutiny due to evidence that common practices such as tight nosebands may impair horse welfare. Restrictive nosebands prevent horses from performing normal comfort behaviour such as coughing and yawning. To address these concerns, the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) developed a noseband tightness-checking device, the ISES "taper gauge," along with a validated method that assesses how far the device can be inserted beneath the noseband at the dorsal midline of the nasal planum. However, citing concerns about the reliability of dorsal mid...
Cross-Species Analysis of Transcriptomic Response to Alpha-Herpesvirus Infection in Human, Bovine and Equine Cells. Comparative transcriptomics offers a powerful approach to elucidate host-virus interactions across related pathogens, yet systematic evaluations across species-matched cellular systems remain limited. We performed a cross-species RNA sequencing analysis of respective species' cells infected with three alphaherpesviruses-herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), and equid alphaherpesvirus 1 (EHV-1)-to dissect conserved and virus-specific transcriptional responses. We show that certain orthologous genes and orthologous pathways are differentially regulated upon infection...
The trajectories of relative concentrations of antirhodococcal immunoglobulin A differ from those of immunoglobulin G subisotypes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid but not serum of foals. To characterize age-related trajectories of the relative concentrations of anti-virulence-associated protein A (VapA) immunoglobulin (Ig)-G1, IgG3/5, IgG4/7, and IgA in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as indicators of systemic and intrapulmonary immune responses in foals naturally exposed to Rhodococcus equi. Unassigned: Blood and BALF samples were collected at ages 4, 14, 28, and 56 days from healthy Quarter Horse foals (n = 19) naturally exposed to R equi. Samples were tested via ELISA for relative concentration of IgG1, IgG3/5, IgG4/7, and IgA recognizing the VapA of R equi. D...
Tafenoquine succinate inhibits the growth of the equine piroplasmosis hemoparasites Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of equids caused by the intraerythrocytic apicomplexan parasites Theileria equi, Babesia caballi and the recently identified Theileria haneyi. Acute cases can be severe, with anemia, jaundice, abortion or sudden death. Survivors remain lifelong carriers, serving as reservoirs for tick-borne and iatrogenic transmission. No vaccines are currently available, and control strategies rely heavily on accurate diagnostics and chemotherapeutic intervention. Imidocarb dipropionate (ID) is the current standard of care for both acute treatment and radical ...
Identifying Host-Characteristics and Management Risk Factors in a California Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) Outbreak. Equine alphaherpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is a highly contagious virus that can cause the neurological form, equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). Understanding transmission-related risk factors is crucial for improving prevention strategies and guiding effective control measures. In this study, we collected data from 63 horses that had previously participated in the February 2022 winter horse show season at the Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) (26 cases and 37 controls) to identify host and management factors associated with EHV-1 infection and/or EHM development during the February 202...
Occurrence, antibiotic susceptibility and genetic variation of Streptococcus zooepidemicus in Finnish weanling horses with and without respiratory infection. subsp. (), an opportunistic pathogen often found in the stable environment and upper respiratory tract of young horses, can cause severe pneumonias in Equidae. In this study we investigated the occurrence, genetic variation and antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates from 63 weanling horses kept in loose housing or conventional stables. The bacterial isolates were typed by using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). The possible associating factors (stable type, age, breed and clinical signs) for positive finding were analysed using logistic regre...
Determining the timeline of gonadal and genital differentiation in male and female equine fetuses allows for early detection and intervention in malformations. Sexual differentiation in the equine fetus involves coordinated morphogenetic processes that shape both the gonads and the genital ducts. Although the formation of testes and ovaries has been relatively well documented, the temporal dynamics and morphometric patterns of the mesonephric (Wolffian) and paramesonephric (Müllerian) ducts remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to detail the timeline of gonadal and ductal differentiation in male and female equine fetuses during the critical developmental window between 60 and 80 days of gestation. Gross anatomical evaluation, histo...
A Novel Equine F[ab’]2 Veterinary Antivenom for North American Viperid Snake Envenomation Demonstrates Efficacy by Rapid Serum Venom Removal and Improvement in Snakebite Severity Score. To assess the efficacy of a new equine F[ab'] antivenom (US Department of Agriculture code 6101.05) in removing serum venom and lowering the snakebite severity score (SSS) in animals suffering from naturally occurring viperid envenomation. Methods: Retrospective study, April 2020 to October 2021. Methods: Veterinary hospitals across four North American regions. Methods: Twenty-two dogs, one cat, and one horse. Methods: All patients received the new antivenom intravenously and were assessed for clinical response. Most dogs required one vial for clinical control of signs. Results: Among the dogs...
Pharmacokinetics of Intragastric Ursodeoxycholic Acid and Its Impact on Bile Acid Profiles in Horses. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a secondary bile acid (BA) with therapeutic applications, is standard therapy for cholestatic hepatopathies in humans. In recent years, its use has been increasingly explored in equine medicine for similar indications. Pharmacokinetic data for UDCA in horses are currently lacking. This study aimed to describe the pharmacokinetic parameters following a single intragastric administration of 15 mg/kg in nine healthy, fasted horses and to characterize the changes in their BA profiles. Plasma concentrations of UDCA were measured at specific time points using liquid ch...
Integrated targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis reveals heterogeneity of subcutaneous and pericardial adipose tissues in Yili horses. Fat deposition is a key economic trait in livestock, yet distinct adipose depots often display marked functional heterogeneity. The molecular basis underlying this divergence in Yili horses, however, remains poorly understood. Therefore, we hypothesized that the heterogeneity in fatty acid composition between subcutaneous (SAT) and pericardial adipose tissues (PCAT) in Yili horses is associated with distinct transcriptional programs, which can be explored using an integrated multi-omics approach. Using targeted metabolomics, we found that PCAT contained significantly higher levels of total, sa...
Development of an Explainable Machine Learning Computational Model for the Prediction of Severe Complications After Orchiectomy in Stallions. The objective of the present study was to apply supervised Machine Learning to predict severe complications after equine orchiectomy. A dataset of 612 cases of orchiectomies in stallions was used for the development of a computational model, among which in 8.5% of cases severe complications (colic, continued stallion-like behaviour, evisceration, funiculitis, haemorrhage, and scrotal infection) were diagnosed post-orchiectomy. Three supervised Machine Learning tools were employed: Logistic Regression (12 different models evaluated), Random Forest (64 models), and Gradient Boosting (8 models). ...
Antibody responses to equine parapoxvirus reveal a re-emerging pattern. Parapoxviruses (PPV) cause skin and mucous membrane signs to several animal species and humans worldwide. Equine parapoxvirus (EqPPV) was first detected in a sick horse in Finland in 2013. It is potentially zoonotic, and a similar virus has been detected in humans in the USA. In winter 2021–2022, EqPPV caused a large-scale pastern dermatitis epidemic in racehorses all over Finland. Field reports suggest that similar epidemics of unverified cause have also occurred in 2015 and 2019. The aim of this study was to develop a serological test and study the immune response, seroprevalence, and hist...
Biosecurity perspectives of equestrian competition organizers in Ontario, Canada. Biosecurity plays an important role in the prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks in the equine population. With competition organizers responsible for implementing and upholding biosecurity requirements at competitions, it is important to understand the biosecurity landscape at these locations where Ontario horses commonly travel and interact in large group settings. Unassigned: The objective of this study was to describe the perspectives, challenges and experiences of competition organizers of both sanctioned and unsanctioned events in Ontario, Canada regarding implementing e...
Equine water treadmill. To describe the application of water treadmill exercise for equine fitness and/or rehabilitation in a scientific and clinically reasonable manner. Unassigned: Horses owned by Spy Coast Farm were used for video content. Unassigned: A literature review was performed and compiled in this brief video to provide veterinarians with a comprehensive, evidence-based guide for implementing water treadmill exercise within fitness and rehabilitation programs. Unassigned: Equine water treadmill exercise is an aerobic modality that increases distal limb flexion and range of motion, with no reported adverse ...
Barrel racing horses demonstrate a high incidence of nonclinical postrace airway disorders. To describe the prevalence of postrace airway abnormalities in a population of barrel racing horses competing in Oklahoma. Unassigned: A descriptive field study was conducted at a single event. Horses underwent resting endoscopy within 60 minutes of competition. Recordings were evaluated and numerical and/or binary scores assigned for pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia, recurrent laryngeal neuropathy, dorsal displacement of the soft palate, epiglottic entrapment, and exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Clients completed a questionnaire detailing the horse's medical history and run time. A line...
Odontoblasts in Equine Hypsodont Teeth-How They Cope with Permanent Occlusal Wear. Horses' hypsodont (high-crowned) teeth face permanent dental wear. This is compensated for by a continuous eruption, which requires a high adaptability of odontoblasts; otherwise, the dental pulp would be exposed. Here, we report on how equine odontoblasts respond to the challenge of maintaining a high production rate of dentin. We analyzed CD90, a marker of odontoblastic differentiation, and nestin, a marker of mature odontoblasts, in equine pulpal tissue via immunofluorescence. For comparison, we examined the hypselodont (ever-growing) incisors and brachydont (short-crowned) molars of rats. ...
Feed intake, digestibility and passage kinetics in grazing horses. Feed intake and digestibility are important indicators for sufficient nutrient supply, but they can be assessed only to a limited extent in horses on pasture. In horses, feed intake is embedded in a complex behavioural pattern of searching, selecting, chewing and almost constant movement called foraging. The objectives of this study were to estimate organic matter intake (OMI) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) in six horses, 24 h/day on pasture, based on plant alkanes and synthetic n-hexatriacontane (C) excretion. A multi-compartmental model was fitted to the marker excretion and the C m...
A narrative review of factors influencing rider performance and horse welfare in equestrian activities. Equestrian sport is a unique multi-species discipline in which the performance of a horse-rider dyad depends on the harmonious interaction of two athletes with distinct biomechanics and needs. Although the sport contributes substantially to the global economy and is the only Olympic event involving two species, research on rider-centered factors has been fragmented. Current narrative review centered peer-reviewed evidence addressing three questions: (RQ1) how rider biomechanics and posture influence horse performance and welfare; (RQ2) what causes and consequences rider asymmetry has; and (RQ3...
Experimental infection of horses with African horse sickness virus results in overt disseminated intravascular coagulation. African horse sickness (AHS), caused by the vector-borne African horse sickness virus (AHSV), is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and infection results in high mortality in naïve equine populations. Clinical signs include submucosal petechiae and prolonged bleeding post venepuncture indicative of hypocoagulation. Pathological activation of haemostasis may result from tissue factor expression as a result of vascular endothelial damage or dysfunction, the proposed pathologic mechanism in AHS, potentially resulting in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Objective: To describe haemostatic ...
Chromosome-scale nuclear genome and proteome of Anoplocephala perfoliata elucidate lineage-specific features of a ‘neglected’ equine tapeworm. is the most prevalent and pathogenic tapeworm (cestode) of horses worldwide, yet it remains molecularly understudied. Here, we present the mitochondrial and chromosome-scale nuclear genomes and matched somatic proteome for this parasite, establishing the first high-resolution molecular resource for the family Anoplocephalidae. This parasite was first characterised morphologically and then by its mitochondrial genome (size: 13,776 bp). Its complete nuclear genome (size: 372.3 Mb) was assembled and characterised; it encodes 9,711 protein-coding genes, 78.2% of which were functionally annotate...
Complications Following Orchiectomy in Stallions in Field Conditions: Descriptive Results and Predictors in a Study of 612 Cases. The objectives of this work were (i) to evaluate the incidence of complications in male horses after orchiectomy performed in the field, i.e., away from a veterinary hospital, (ii) to describe the post-operative complications that occurred in these animals and (iii) to study the potential predictors for the development of such complications. This study involved 612 animals, on which orchiectomy was performed. The operative part of the study was carried out by one of three experienced veterinary surgeons. Standard pre-operative procedures were followed. Orchiectomy was performed using one of th...
Comparison of a Single-Shot Antibiotic Protocol Compared to a Conventional 5-Day Antibiotic Protocol in Equine Diagnostic Laparotomy Regarding Pre- and Postoperative Colonization with Multi-Drug-Resistant Indicator Pathogens. The emergence and spread of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria pose a growing threat in veterinary medicine, particularly in equine hospitals. This study investigated the colonization and infection dynamics of horses undergoing emergency laparotomy with two distinct antibiotic protocols (single-shot versus 5-day protocol) during hospitalization. Nasal swabs and fecal samples were collected from 67 horses undergoing emergency laparotomy at clinic admission as well as on postoperative days 3 and 10. These were screened for multi-drug-resistant indicator pathogens. As multi-drug-resistant indi...
Spatial strategies in non-territorial societies: how feral horses maintain boundaries with other groups. Encounters between competitive individuals or groups are common in social animals and can involve costly aggression; thus, animals often employ strategies to minimize direct conflict. However, research on whether and how animals adjust their group spatial structure when they encounter or spatially co-occur with a different group remains limited. We investigated how non-territorial units in feral horse multilevel societies manage spatial encounters with neighbouring units. We observed 25 reproductive units in northern Portugal, using drones, and employed statistical analyses to quantify spatial...
Three-dimensional anatomical description of the microarchitecture of the distal sesamoid bone in healthy and navicular syndrome-affected horses by computed microtomography. Navicular syndrome (NS) is a chronic, degenerative condition of the equine thoracic limb that compromises the distal sesamoid bone (DSB) and associated structures responsible for stabilization and load absorption during locomotion. Although historically attributed to vascular alterations, its etiology is now recognized as biomechanical, characterized by chronic overload of the deep digital flexor tendon. Conventional diagnostic techniques-radiography, scintigraphy, and ultrasonography-lack the sensitivity and precision required to detect early microarchitectural alterations. This study aimed t...
Evaluation of oxidative stress in the newborn foal: a multibiomarker approach. During the perinatal period, neonates experience a sudden increase in oxygen exposure, predisposing them to oxidative stress. Objective: This prospective, in vivo study aimed to evaluate biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defence in healthy neonatal foals during the first 48 hours of life. Methods: Ten Standardbred foals were enrolled. Blood samples were collected at birth, 24 hours, and 48 hours after birth and analyzed for biomarkers using spectrophotometry assays. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric tests and linear regression. Results: The results revealed s...
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