The application of videodermoscopic examination in assessing the skin and its products in pure Arabian horses in the summer and winter seasons.

The research paper discusses the use of videodermoscopic examinations in assessing the skin and hair of Arabian horses during both summer and winter seasons.

Objective of the Research

• The primary objective of the study was to compare the dermoscopic parameters in specific areas of Arabian horses’ bodies across different seasons. The researchers aimed to identify any significant changes that occur between summer and winter seasons.

Research Methodology

• The research was conducted over the course of one year, throughout 2018 and 2019, on 42 purebred Arabian horses.
• The horses ranged in age from 1 to 25 years old and included 39 mares and 3 stallions.
• The examination was performed on seven specific areas of the horse’s body: the head, neck, chest, flank, rump, mane, and tail. The procedure was performed on the left side of the horse’s body.
• The research used an Italian Video-Dermascope 7 for the dermatoscopic evaluations. This device is specifically designed to analyse hair and skin conditions.
• The analysis of microscopic images was done using specialist Cellsens Olympus software.

Key Findings

• The study found that, regardless of the specific area examined, the skin of the horses was darker during the summer months compared to the winter months. This change in pigmentation is likely due to the increased exposure to sunlight during the summer months.
• The thickness of the hair varied across the different body areas, with the hair on the chest in summer being the thinnest and the hair in the mane in winter being the thickest.
• The density of the hair, measured as the number of hairs in the field of view of the dermatoscope, also varied. The lowest hair density was observed in the mane during the summer, and the highest hair density was observed in the head during the winter.
• The researchers concluded that the season of the year impacts the amount of hair on these horses but does not significantly affect its thickness.

Implications of the Research

• This research contributes to the field of veterinary medicine by providing insights into how seasons affect the skin and hair of horses.
• The findings can be used to inform more targeted care and treatment strategies for horses based on the season.