Husbandry & Training

A portable device to test equine lung function has been developed, that would allow on-farm testing.

Based on research to date, it is believed that thoroughbreds who experience a catastrophic injury during racing will demonstrate multiple pre-race differences in mRNA expression when compared with non-injured, race-matched control horses.

The horses’ healed wounds had smaller immature scar sizes, which may signal a better repair in terms of cosmetics and function.

“They may have these drugs sitting out where they are available for kids to access or people who know nothing about them.”

Donkeys in the study who had their first bout of laminitis were likely to be younger, less likely to have had concentrate feed, and more likely to have another medical condition.

The scoping review highlights the need for more work, with a particular look at the influence of the risk factors identified.

Findings reveal fresh insights into this important ecosystem, while also showcasing the advantages of shotgun metagenomics.

“Horse sport is under scrutiny, people have an opinion on animal welfare. In the past horses were owned by the wealthy, now they are increasingly accessible and often seen as pets. We need to be clear on what is acceptable.”

The eyes of healthy donkeys have a natural colony of bacteria that largely live in harmony.

Generally, a horse that has fully recovered from colic surgery is no less healthy than it was before the colic episode.

The treatment selectively kills cancerous cells without harming the surrounding healthy tissue.

Riders who had completed more starts in previous competitions accumulated fewer faults in first rounds and jump-offs.

The future could involve enhanced and individualized therapies, providing a better outcome for affected animals.

“It remains open whether S. aureus plays a rather primary or secondary role in the development of equine pastern dermatitis,” say researchers.

Heart-rate changes seen in horses in the French study suggested that pet-directed speech had an arousing effect.

The relationship found between discomfort and performance highlights the importance of recognition and management of pain for optimising performance, researchers say.

The condition, which affects the upper chambers of the heart, needs to be identified early to prevent it becoming persistent, say researchers.

“When you encapsulate the cells within hydrogel, you can keep the cells in the joint longer, and this may lead to better treatment outcomes.”

System could ultimately be used in a competition setting, according to the researchers.