High-level competition exercise and related fatigue are associated with stride and jumping characteristics in eventing horses.

Background: Fatigue and related injuries to the musculoskeletal system are among the most frequent reasons for the withdrawal of high-level eventing horses from the sport. The safety of both horse and rider is very important, and early detection of fatigue is crucial.

Objectives: To investigate elite eventing horses in competitive events focusing on biomechanical, cardiovascular and metabolic variables across the cross-country test and to identify their potential associations with fatigue.

Quantitative Gait Analysis Before and After a Cross-country Test in a Population of Elite Eventing Horses.

Early recognition of lameness is crucial for injury prevention. Quantitative gait analysis systems can detect low-grade asymmetries better than the human eye and may be useful in early lameness recognition. The aims of this study were (1) to investigate the frequency of gait asymmetries based on head and pelvic movement in elite eventing horses using inertial mounted measurement units and (2) to assess the association between asymmetries and muscle enzymes and blood lactate (LA) levelspost-exercise.

Diagnostic and prognostic potential of eight whole blood microRNAs for equine sarcoid disease.

MicroRNAs have been proposed as biomarkers for equine sarcoids, the most prevalent equine skin tumors globally. This study served to validate the diagnostic and prognostic potential of whole blood microRNAs identified in a previous study for long-term equine sarcoid diagnosis and outcome prediction. Based on findings of a clinical examination at the age of 3 years and a follow-up following a further 5-12 years, 32 Franches-Montagnes and 45 Swiss Warmblood horses were assigned to four groups: horses with regression (n = 19), progression (n = 9), new occurrences of sarcoid lesions (n = 19) and tumor-free control horses (n = 30).

The relationship between equine pastern dermatitis, meteorological factors, and the skin microbiota.

Background: Equine pastern dermatitis (EPD) is a multifactorial syndrome, with prolonged exposure to moisture assumed to be a predisposing or primary factor.

Hypothesis/objectives: To examine the course of EPD lesion severity, changes in bacterial skin microbiota, and the influence of meteorological factors.

Animals: Prospective, longitudinal cohort study over a one-year period, with six Franches-Montagnes stallions, four affected by EPD and two unaffected, that were kept under the same conditions.

The influence of clinical severity and topical antimicrobial treatment on bacteriological culture and the microbiota of equine pastern dermatitis.

Background: Equine pastern dermatitis (EPD) is a common dermatological problem in horses, yet its aetiology and pathogenesis are poorly understood.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of lesion severity and topical antimicrobial treatment on bacterial flora of EPD-affected skin.

Animals: Sixteen horses with EPD were investigated.

Radiography and Standing Computed Tomography of an Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesion Found at the Dorsodistolateral Aspect of the Calcaneus in a 3-Year-Old Horse.

An incidental osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesion was found in a left tarsus of a 3-year-old Freiberger stallion presented for a prepurchase examination. The lesion was best visualized on the dorsomedial-plantarolateral oblique and dorsoplantar projections. A standing computed tomographic examination confirmed a fragmentation of the dorsodistolateral aspect of the calcaneus.

Effects of breed, management and personality on cortisol reactivity in sport horses.

Sport horses need to fulfill high physical and psychological requirements during training and competition. These as well as certain conditions of modern husbandry may affect their wellbeing. Here we aimed to (1) evaluate effects of demographic and management factors as well as personality traits on stress reactivity of sport horses, (2) investigate if elite sport horses have elevated stress levels compared to amateur sport horses, and (3) assess whether different equestrian disciplines differentially influence equine adrenal cortex responsiveness.

Complications associated with closed castration using the Henderson equine castration instrument in 300 standing equids.

Objective: To describe a closed castration technique in standing equids, report associated complications, and identify potential risk factors.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study of 300 standing equids that were castrated with the Henderson Equine Castrating Instrument.

Methods: Thirteen participating veterinarians recorded intraoperative difficulties and postoperative complications.

Effect of three types of horseshoes and unshod feet on selected non-podal forelimb kinematic variables measured by an extremity mounted inertial measurement unit sensor system in sound horses at the trot under conditions of treadmill and soft geotextile surface exercise.

Therapeutic farriery is part of the management of certain orthopaedic conditions. Non-podal parameters are important as most horses shod with therapeutic shoes are expected to perform again and the choice of shoe type may be influenced by the effects they may have on gait. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of three different shoe designs and unshod front feet on forelimb non-podal kinematic variables using an extremity mounted inertial measurement unit (IMU) system under conditions of treadmill and overground exercise on a soft geotextile surface at the trot.

Diagnostic accuracy of post-ACTH challenge salivary cortisol concentrations for identifying horses with equine glandular gastric disease.

The aims of this study were to better characterize the adrenal response to i.v. adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in horses with and without gastric disease and to validate and simplify the ACTH stimulation test by determining the diagnostic accuracy of six consecutive sampling time points after ACTH administration for equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) and equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD).

Effect of trotting speed on kinematic variables measured by use of extremity-mounted inertial measurement units in nonlame horses performing controlled treadmill exercise.

OBJECTIVE To assess effects of speed on kinematic variables measured by use of extremity-mounted inertial measurement units (IMUs) in nonlame horses performing controlled exercise on a treadmill. ANIMALS 10 nonlame horses. PROCEDURES 6 IMUs were attached at predetermined locations on 10 nonlame Franches Montagnes horses.

Effects of genetic and environmental factors on chronic lower airway disease in horses.

Background: Environment and genetics influence the manifestation of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), but the associations of specific factors with mild, moderate, and severe clinical signs are unknown.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that sire, feed, bedding, time outdoors, sex, and age are associated with clinical manifestations of mild, moderate, and severe lower airway disease.

Animals: Direct offspring of 2 RAO-affected Warmblood stallions (F1S1, n = 172; F1S2, n = 135); maternal half-siblings of F1S1 (mHSS1, n = 66); and an age-matched, randomly chosen control group (CG, n = 33).