Updated HBLB Codes of practice now available

The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) Codes of Practice, first introduced in 1977, were developed in response to the growing threat of Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) and the lack of standardised biosecurity measures in the equine industry. CEM outbreaks were causing significant reproductive issues in mares and financial losses for breeders. The introduction of the Codes aimed to establish uniform disease prevention and control protocols, helping to safeguard equine health and protect the breeding industry.

The HBLB Codes of Practice outline voluntary, yet highly recommended, guidelines designed to assist breeders and their veterinary surgeons in the prevention, management, and control of specific infectious diseases in all breeds of horses and ponies.

While the Codes were originally intended for breeding enterprises and stud farms, their value extends beyond this sector. They have become a comprehensive resource on infectious disease control, biosecurity, and equine health management, making them relevant to:

• Horse owners aiming to prevent disease outbreaks in their yards.
• Riders and trainers seeking to maintain healthy horses and implement sound biosecurity practices.
• Veterinarians using the Codes as a reference for best practices in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Since their introduction, the HBLB Codes of Practice have been regularly updated and expanded to include recommendations for controlling other significant equine diseases, such as:

• Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) – which can cause respiratory disease, abortion, and neurological symptoms.
• Equine Influenza (EI) – a highly contagious respiratory infection that can spread rapidly.
• Strangles – a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus equi, known for its painful abscesses and potential complications.
• Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) and Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) – both serious infectious diseases that threaten equine health.

As a result, the Codes have evolved into an essential reference not only for breeding establishments but also for all equine professionals, owners, and riders, offering a wealth of practical information on biosecurity, vaccination, and disease management. They are an invaluable resource for anyone involved in equine care and management, providing evidence-based guidance on reducing the risk of infectious disease outbreaks and promoting the overall health and welfare of horses.

 

The HBLB Codes of Practice are freely available online and can be accessed at:

https://codes.hblb.org.uk

 

Ultrasound appearance of patellar ligaments

(c) Sergeii Kumer Dreamstime.com

 A new report highlights that ultrasonography should not be solely relied upon to diagnose patellar ligament damage as a cause of lameness in horses.

Ultrasonography is a valuable tool for evaluating soft tissue injuries, but accurate interpretation requires an understanding of normal tissue appearance. Changes in tissue structure may be mistaken for disease when they are, in fact, normal variations.

Since tendons and ligaments do not appear well on X-rays, ultrasound is a preferred method for diagnosing soft tissue injuries in horses’ legs. Ultrasonography works by using high-frequency sound waves, which are emitted from a handheld transducer. These waves bounce off different tissues, such as tendons and ligaments, and return to the device to generate a live image on the screen.

When fluid accumulates between tissue fibres, it can disrupt the normal tissue structure. Because fluid does not reflect ultrasound waves, it appears dark on the screen, while tissue fibres, which reflect sound waves, appear as white spots or lines. Fatty tissue has a different ultrasound appearance compared to fibrous tendon and ligament tissue.

Ultrasonography is increasingly used to investigate potential patellar ligament damage in horses. However, researchers question how much variation in ligament appearance is normal.

A team from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, led by Ellen Law and colleagues from the Diagnostic Imaging Clinic and the Department of Animal Biosciences, conducted a study to examine the ultrasonographic appearance of patellar ligaments (PLs) and the patellar fat pad in healthy horses.

The prospective observational study included 116 horses in training—Cavalry horses, Warmbloods, and Standardbred Trotters. To be eligible, the horses had to be in training with no reported lameness or performance issues according to their riders or trainers.

Researchers used B-mode and colour Doppler ultrasound to examine the PLs and infrapatellar fat pad in both hind limbs. They also conducted objective gait analyses on all 116 horses.

Findings showed that hypoechoic (darker) regions in the intermediate patellar ligament were common (24/116), particularly in the caudal aspect of the mid-third of the ligament. The infrapatellar fat pad typically had a hypoechoic striated appearance, except in one horse, where it was hyperechoic.

There was no association between ultrasonographic findings in the PLs and infrapatellar fat pad and lameness. 

The researchers emphasised that patellar ligament appearance varies among horses, and these variations may or may not be linked to pain. They stressed the importance of using local analgesia to accurately determine the source of lameness before making a diagnosis.

 

 

For more details, see: 

 

Ellen Law , Linda Wright , Margareta Uhlhorn , Elin Hernlund , Carolina Nilemo , Marie Rhodin 

Hypoechoic ultrasonographic findings in the patellar ligaments are common in riding and trotting horses in training (116 cases)

Vet Radiol Ultrasound (2025) 66(1):e13446

 https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.13446

Working towards a sarcoid vaccine

Equine sarcoids are the most frequently diagnosed skin tumours in horses. Although they are generally non-malignant, they can be highly problematic. 

Sarcoids are believed to be associated with bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV1). The virus is implicated in the transformation of equine skin cells, resulting in tumour development. Although the exact transmission route is not fully understood, BPV1 DNA has been detected in many equine sarcoid lesions, strengthening the link between the virus and the disease.

Currently there is no universally effective treatment, and if treatment fails the sarcoids will often come back worse than they were in the first place. Although the disease is rarely life-threatening, many horses with sarcoids are euthanased because the condition is untreatable or because the horse is unsellable.  

Various treatment options are available for equine sarcoids, including:  surgical removal, laser excision, cryotherapy (freezing the tumour), topical and intralesional chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

However, treating sarcoids is challenging due to their high recurrence rates, especially following surgical removal. Residual tumour cells left behind during surgery often lead to regrowth, making long-term management difficult.

Currently, there is no approved vaccine available to prevent or treat equine sarcoids. However, given the association with BPV1, the development of a vaccine could potentially offer protection against the disease.

Researchers at the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, have made a significant step toward developing a sarcoid vaccine.

A team led by Olivia Jacob and colleagues has developed an experimental vaccine using a recombinant baculovirus vector. This vaccine expresses the L1 protein of BPV1.

(The L1 protein is a major structural component of the BPV1 viral capsid. It plays a key role in triggering the immune system to recognize and neutralize the virus, making it a prime target for vaccine development.)

The researchers conducted a trial involving 15 horses. Ten healthy, sarcoid-free horses received two doses of the experimental vaccine, administered three weeks apart. Five control horses were injected with a placebo vaccine containing only the culture medium.

Blood samples were collected before and after vaccination to assess the immune response.

Vaccinated horses produced strong neutralising antibody responses, with antibody titres ranging from 40 to over 1280. In contrast, the control horses showed no detectable immune response.

The researchers concluded that since neutralising antibodies are recognised as an indicator of protection against BPV1, this experimental vaccine has the potential to protect horses from developing sarcoids.

The study offers promising evidence that a BPV1-based vaccine could provide immunity against equine sarcoids. Although still in the experimental stage, the vaccine demonstrated a good safety profile and the ability to elicit a strong immune response in horses. If further trials confirm its effectiveness, this vaccine could provide a novel tool in preventing and managing equine sarcoids, significantly improving equine health and welfare.

For more details, see:

 

O. Jacob, B. Hause, K. Peters-Smith, E.N. Adam, A.E. Page, C. Floyd, C. Tucker, L.G. Eertink, D. Wang, F. Li,

Safety and immunogenicity of a sarcoid vaccine in horses,

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science,(2025) 146, 105381,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105381

Investigating changes in salivary oxytocin in horse with EGUS

(c) Dahlskoge Dreamstime.com

 Gastric ulcers are common in horses, with studies indicating their presence in approximately 60% of sport horses and up to 90% of Thoroughbred racehorses in training.

Gastric ulcers have been associated with various non-specific clinical signs, including weight loss, reduced appetite, poor physical condition, dullness, colic, diarrhea, poor performance, and behavioural changes. However, many adult horses with gastric ulcers exhibit no obvious signs.

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is categorised into two types: equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) and equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD). A definitive diagnosis requires gastroscopy, a relatively straightforward yet costly procedure.

There is growing interest in identifying biomarkers to assess gastric health non-invasively. One such biomarker is oxytocin, a peptide hormone that plays a role in stress regulation and gastric protection. Salivary oxytocin has been explored as a potential welfare indicator due to its antiulcer and gastric antisecretory properties. It helps reduce acid production and promotes mucosal protection by enhancing blood flow to the stomach lining. Additionally, as oxytocin is involved in social bonding and stress regulation, it may help prevent stress-induced ulcers.

Researchers aimed to investigate differences in salivary oxytocin levels in horses with and without gastric ulcers while also validating an AlphaLISA-based immunoassay for measuring oxytocin in horse saliva. A report of the work is published by BMC Veterinary Research. 

The study involved 102 horses, which were divided into five groups:

·       25 horses with both ESGD and EGGD

·       23 horses with only EGGD

·       21 horses with only ESGD

·       19 horses with other diseases

·       14 healthy horses

Diseased horses were admitted to the Large Animal Teaching Hospital at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, while healthy horses were sampled at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Extremadura, Spain. All examinations took place between February 2022 and March 2023.

The research team found that the assay demonstrated high precision and accuracy for measuring oxytocin in equine saliva. They highlighted the advantages of the AlphaLISA method over conventional ELISA kits, including the elimination of washing steps and the need for a lower sample volume (10 µL vs. 100 µL for ELISA). They point out that this is makes it a more practical option in clinical settings.

Their results showed that healthy horses had higher salivary oxytocin levels compared to those with EGGD or both EGUS types. Horses with only ESGD also had higher oxytocin levels than those with EGGD or both forms of EGUS. Additionally, horses with other diseases had higher oxytocin levels than those with EGGD or mixed EGUS cases.

The findings suggest a potential link between lower oxytocin levels and EGGD or mixed EGUS cases. However, further research is necessary to fully understand oxytocin's role in EGUS development and progression.

For more details, see: 

 

Botía, M., Muñoz-Prieto, A., Martínez-Subiela, S., Martín-Cuervo,^, M.,  Hansen, S. ,  Manteca, X. , Joaquín Cerón, J.,  López-Arjona, M.

Oxytocin in horse saliva: validation of a highly sensitive assay and a pilot report about changes in equine gastric ulcer syndrome. 

BMC Vet Res (2025) 21, 90 

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04569-3

Enhancing welfare in horse breeding

(c) Zuzana Tillerová. Dreamstime.com

 Researchers at Hartpury University are working with the World Breeding Federation for Sport
Horses (WBFSH) on a research project to improve equine welfare in horse breeding.

WBFSH, which represents 86 studbooks across 36 countries, serves as the key link between sport horse breeding and international equestrian sport. As the only global federation of studbooks for sport horses, WBFSH collaborates closely with the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) to support breeders and advance sport horse development.

This research aims to provide fact-based recommendations and achieve measurable improvements in the welfare of sport horses worldwide.

The project, led by Hartpury University’s Head of Research, Prof. Jane Williams, followed a three-stage approach, combining industry consultation with a review of existing research.

First, interviews with 17 WBFSH members identified key welfare concerns in horse breeding. Next, a systematic review of scientific literature explored breeding practices, conditions, and interventions affecting horse welfare. Finally, focus groups were held with industry experts and leading academics in equine welfare.

The interviews highlighted three main welfare areas across the breeding cycle: selection of breeding stock, management of breeding stock, and care of foals and young horses. The literature review revealed that existing research often fails to take a holistic view of horse welfare needs.

Prof. Williams commented: ​ “Our research has demonstrated that welfare in horse breeding practices is still under-researched. ​ Our systematic review of the existing literature has highlighted areas where further work is needed. ​ We also found that to translate our findings into improving horse welfare in practice, we need to support a strong implementation strategy that is accessible and achievable.”

She added: “​ We are grateful for the support from the WBFSH not only in funding this research project, but also in their unwavering commitment to ensuring its findings lead to real improvements in horse welfare worldwide.”

The next step is for WBFSH to work with its member studbooks to implement the project’s findings. This includes incorporating a welfare statement into its statutes and promoting the consideration of behaviour, health, and longevity in breeding strategies. WBFSH states that it will also continue working with industry partners to prioritise equine welfare and support breeders through clear communication, resources, and webinars.

Study into early detection of injury risk

Racing Australia’s Research and Development Fund, in collaboration with the Equine Genetics
Research Centre (EGRC) and Telemedvet, has announced a joint investment exceeding $400,000 for a 12-month project aimed at studying a serum biomarker in the clinical investigation of equine musculoskeletal injuries. This initiative has the potential to develop real-time capabilities that could help prevent injuries to both horses and jockeys.

The project focuses on evaluating the serum bone biomarker Osteocalcin (OC) as a potential predictor of equine lameness and fractures. Dr. Natasha Hamilton, a leading global equine geneticist and Director of the EGRC, highlights the significance of this research:

“Pilot studies have shown a correlation between OC level and abnormal radiomic scintigram findings that can indicate a horse is at elevated risk of catastrophic fracture. This study will investigate whether OC is an effective biomarker to identify at risk horses in a broader population. We are very excited to be able to support this work.”

The research is led by Prof. Dominique Blache from the University of Western Australia’s School of Agriculture and Environment, alongside a team of co-investigators headed by Dr. Peter Tually, Co-director and Nuclear Medicine Practitioner at Telemedvet. Dr. Tually envisions integrating advanced nuclear technology into Thoroughbred welfare practices:

“Our passion for horse racing and a lifelong dedication to science and advanced imaging has given us a unique perspective. The support of trainers has been essential and has shown us the enthusiasm the industry has for modern advancements. To be supported by the regulators in this important research is something we are immensely proud of.”

The Racing Australia Research and Development Fund is supported by industry contributions, with $20 from every Thoroughbred registration allocated to its investment initiatives. All research projects undergo rigorous assessment in alignment with Racing Australia’s commitment to horse welfare. Racing Australia CEO Paul Eriksson reinforces this dedication:

“Racing Australia has a national role and firm commitment to advance research and development to enhance and support positive welfare outcomes for athletes both human and horse. The Racing Australia Research and Development Fund and the EGRC led by Dr Natasha Hamilton is excited to invest in research that takes steps in assessing the risk of fractures to mitigate injuries and support trainers in managing the training schedules of their equine athletes.”

(edited press release)