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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Stabling is associated with airway inflammation in young Ara...
Equine veterinary journal2001; 33(3); 244-249; doi: 10.2746/042516401776249606

Stabling is associated with airway inflammation in young Arabian horses.

Abstract: We examined the effect of stabling on upper and lower airway inflammation in 14 yearling Arabian horses that had been at pasture since birth. Horses were divided into 2 groups of 7. One group was stabled for 3 months and the other remained at pasture. The groups were then switched over for another 3 months. The nasopharynx, guttural pouches and trachea were examined endoscopically and bronchoalveolar lavage performed every month. An upper airway inflammation score was devised based on the magnitude of pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia and guttural pouch inflammation. During stabling this score remained constant, whereas it decreased during the 3 months at pasture. Stabling was also associated with a higher number and percentage of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and with a smaller percentage of lymphocytes. There was no correlation between upper airway inflammation score and bronchoalveolar lavage cytology. During a nasal occlusion test, dorsal displacement of the soft palate occurred more times in stabled than in pastured horses, but this was heavily biased by the results from one animal. We conclude that stabling is associated with inflammation of both the upper and lower airway of young horses.
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Publication Date: 2001-05-16 PubMed ID: 11352345DOI: 10.2746/042516401776249606Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • 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 article investigates how stabling affects airway inflammation in young Arabian horses and concludes that it increases inflammation in both the upper and lower airway.

Research Methodology

  • The study involved 14 Arabian horses, all one-year-olds who had been kept in pastures since their birth.
  • The horses were divided into two groups of seven. One group was stabled for three months while the other group stayed in the pasture.
  • After three months, the groups were switched. The group initially in the stable was moved to the pasture and vice versa, for another three months.
  • Every month, researchers performed endoscopic examinations of the nasopharynx, guttural pouches, and trachea of the horses, along with a bronchoalveolar lavage – a medical procedure in which a bronchoscope is passed through the mouth or nose into the lungs to obtain cells from the bronchioles and alveoli.

Scoring & Findings

  • The researchers devised an upper airway inflammation score based on the level of pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (an abnormal increase in the lymphoid cells in the pharynx) and guttural pouch inflammation.
  • The findings suggest that during the stabling period, this inflammation score remained constant, meaning the inflammation in the horse’s upper airway did not decrease. However, when the horses were moved back to the pasture, the inflammation lessened.
  • Furthermore, stabling was linked with a higher number and percentage of neutrophils (a type of immune cell) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, indicating an amplified immune response and hence, increased inflammation. A lower percentage of lymphocytes (another variety of immune cell) was also observed in the stabled horses.

Additional Observations and Conclusion

  • The researchers also performed a nasal occlusion test, during which dorsal displacement of the soft palate (a condition where the soft part of the roof of the mouth, or the soft palate, moves out of its normal position) occurred more in stabled horses than in those kept in pasture. Nevertheless, this result was heavily influenced by one particular animal’s results.
  • The study found no correlation between the upper airway inflammation score and the cytology (cell characteristics) of the bronchoalveolar lavage.
  • In conclusion, the research suggests that stabling is associated with both upper and lower airway inflammation in young horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Holcombe SJ, Jackson C, Gerber V, Jefcoat A, Berney C, Eberhardt S, Robinson NE. (2001). Stabling is associated with airway inflammation in young Arabian horses. Equine Vet J, 33(3), 244-249. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516401776249606

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 3
Pages: 244-249

Researcher Affiliations

Holcombe, S J
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1314, USA.
Jackson, C
    Gerber, V
      Jefcoat, A
        Berney, C
          Eberhardt, S
            Robinson, N E

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Bronchoalveolar Lavage / veterinary
              • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
              • Bronchoscopy / veterinary
              • Cell Count / veterinary
              • Cross-Over Studies
              • Female
              • Horse Diseases / etiology
              • Horses
              • Housing, Animal
              • Inflammation / veterinary
              • Male
              • Respiratory Tract Diseases / etiology
              • Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary

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