Participants sought for equine quality of life survey

In a letter to the Veterinary Record, Cory Noble, research associate at pharmaceutical company Zoetis, urged horse owners to complete a short online survey to help learn more about quality of life in horses.

The project, in collaboration with the research team behind VetMetrica, aims to develop a new tool to measure health-related quality of life in horses, focusing particularly on animals living with chronic conditions such as arthritis or laminitis. These conditions can significantly compromise quality of life, and the new questionnaire will help veterinary surgeons assess and monitor how horses are feeling.

 

Prof. Jacky Reid, one of the researchers, explains: “The participation of horse caretakers will help us understand the relevance and clarity of specific horse behaviours. The survey results will support the development and validity of our new measurement tool, especially when used in horses living with chronic conditions like arthritis or laminitis where their quality of life is significantly compromised.”

The researchers add that horse owners and caretakers possess unique insight into equine behaviour and wellbeing, and that their knowledge is essential for ensuring this new assessment tool is accurate, practical, and relevant to everyday equine care.

VetMetrica health-related quality of life instruments have already been developed for dogs and cats through collaboration between Zoetis and the University of Glasgow Veterinary School. These questionnaires are now widely used in clinical practice and research. The current project extends this work to horses, with the goal of providing veterinarians with a reliable tool to monitor and improve equine quality of life.

The research team invite horse owners and carers to contribute to this research and help shape the future of equine healthcare. Completing the survey will directly support the development of a validated quality of life tool for horses.

 

They state that the survey, which is anonymous, will take 15 – 25 minutes to complete. It asks participants to rate the clarity and relevance of different words and phrases used to describe horses when they are well and when they are unwell. Opportunities for feedback and suggestions are provided.

 

For more information and to take part, go to:

 

https://bit.ly/4pjDuSq

Effects of shoeing materials on equine gait

(c) Keseniya Abramova Dreamstime.com

 Horses are often fitted with metal shoes to protect the hoof from wear and to provide additional traction during training and competition. While the practice of shoeing is widespread, the choice of shoe material may influence more than just durability and grip. In particular, subtle changes in gait caused by different shoe types could alter the perceived aesthetic qualities of movement; an important factor in disciplines such as dressage, showing, and other judged sports. However, despite the prevalence of shoeing in equine management, there is relatively little objective scientific evidence on how different shoeing materials influence gait characteristics. 

The two most common metals used in horseshoes are steel and aluminium. Steel is the traditional material, valued for its strength and longevity, while aluminium is lighter and often preferred in certain competitive disciplines, such as racehorsing and showing, because it is believed to produce a more “elevated” or aesthetically pleasing gait. These beliefs are largely anecdotal, and until recently, only a limited amount of research had systematically examined the measurable effects of shoeing on gait mechanics.

To address this gap, Katherine Gottleib and colleagues at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, designed a study to investigate whether shoeing condition influences equine gait. Their specific aim was to compare gait parameters in horses under three different conditions: barefoot, aluminium-shod, and steel-shod, while trotting on two surfaces - hard asphalt and soft footing.

 The researchers hypothesised that shoeing would affect hoof arc height during both the early swing phase  and late swing phase of the stride, but that no other gait variables would be influenced.

Twelve healthy, adult, client-owned horses were enrolled in the study. Each horse was fitted with hoof- and body-mounted motion sensors that allowed precise measurement of stride characteristics. Data were collected while the horses trotted on both asphalt and soft footing under the three shoeing conditions (barefoot, aluminium, and steel).

The results provided some interesting insights. For most gait variables - including stride symmetry, mediolateral hoof deviation, stride length, and the timing of midstance, breakover, swing, and landing phases - there were no significant differences between shoeing conditions. However, shoe material did influence hoof arc height. 

Specifically: 

• Early swing phase: hoof arc height was significantly lower in aluminium shoes compared with steel shoes, on both asphalt and soft footing.
• Late swing phase: hoof arc height was significantly higher in aluminium shoes compared with steel shoes, but only on soft footing.

These findings suggest that the weight of the shoe can affect hoof movement differently depending on the stride phase and the surface type. In other words, while aluminium’s lighter weight did not alter overall stride length or timing, it did influence the vertical motion of the hoof at certain points in the stride cycle.

 From a practical perspective, this research indicates that shoe material may subtly alter aspects of gait that could influence how a horse’s movement is perceived by judges or riders in disciplines where style and aesthetics are valued. However, the measured differences were relatively small, and the study did not assess whether these biomechanical changes were noticeable to human observers. 

The authors concluded that further investigation is needed - not only into other shoe materials and designs, but also into whether changes in hoof arc height translate into meaningful differences in the subjective aesthetics of gait as judged by humans.

 

For more details, see: 

 Gottleib, Katherine, Lauren Trager-Burns, Amy Santonastaso, Sophie Bogers, Stephen Werre, Travis Burns, and Christopher Byron. 

Comparison of Gait Characteristics for Horses Without Shoes, with Steel Shoes, and with Aluminum Shoes

Animals (2025) vol 15, no. 16: 2376. 

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15162376

Do good racehorses make good eventers?

(c) Olga Rudneva Dreamstime.com

 Many Thoroughbreds face the question of “what next?” when their racing careers come to an end. A large number
transition into new disciplines, with eventing being a popular second career. But does success on the racetrack translate into success on the cross-country course, in the dressage arena, or over show jumps? Understanding what makes a good eventer is central to both equine welfare and effective rehoming strategies for retired racehorses.

A good eventer needs a unique combination of physical and mental attributes: stamina, athleticism, scope over fences, trainability, and a temperament suited to handling the variety and intensity of three different phases. Thoroughbreds are naturally athletic, forward-going, and possess cardiovascular fitness, all of which make them appealing as eventing prospects. However, the qualities that make a horse fast and competitive on the racetrack may not always align with what is required for long-term success in eventing.

 

The ongoing debate about the welfare of retired racehorses highlights the importance of matching individuals to appropriate second careers. One of the big knowledge gaps has been whether a horse’s racing record - its number of wins, earnings, or career length - can be used to predict how well it will perform in another equestrian sport.

 

To address this, Elouise Bacon and colleagues from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, conducted a large-scale retrospective study. Their aim was to investigate whether Thoroughbred racing performance metrics are associated with eventing performance outcomes in horses competing within Australia.

 

The study analysed 6,828 off-the-track Thoroughbreds registered with Equestrian Australia. Data included racing metrics (such as wins, earnings, career duration, and best race distance) and eventing metrics (competition level achieved, penalties, and other performance indicators). Horses were grouped according to whether they competed at EvA95 and above (a nationally recognised level equivalent to international 1* eventing, involving a dressage test, a cross-country course up to 95 cm, and a show jumping round of the same height) or below EvA95. Statistical modelling was then used to explore whether racing performance could predict eventing outcomes.

 

The findings were intriguing. Horses that never reached EvA95 or above tended to have significantly better racing records (P < 0.01) and longer careers on the track compared with those that progressed further in eventing. In contrast, horses that achieved higher levels in eventing often came from more modest racing backgrounds. Another interesting trend was that the time elapsed since a horse’s last race was positively associated with most eventing parameters - suggesting that a longer adjustment period after racing may benefit performance in a second career. In addition, horses with a history of racing over longer distances were more likely to progress to higher eventing levels, perhaps reflecting the importance of endurance capacity.

 

The study concluded that while certain factors, such as stamina over longer distances, may point towards greater potential in eventing, racing performance alone is not a reliable predictor of eventing success. Other elements - including stride characteristics, trainability, and, crucially, the quality of the rider-horse partnership - play a vital role.

 

For riders and trainers seeking to source potential eventers from the racing industry, the message is clear: look beyond wins and earnings. Horses that may not have been stars on the track can often thrive in eventing, provided they have the right physical traits, temperament, and support during their transition.

 

For more details, see: 

 

Elouise K Bacon, Danica Parnell, Gary Muscatello, Jaimie McElroy, Brandon D Velie,

How prior racing performance influences competition level in off-the-track Thoroughbred horses’ post-racing eventing careers,

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, (2025) Vol 154, 105679.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105679

Vets with Horsepower – 2025 Update

 In July 2025, Vets with Horsepower toured Italy, stopping in Lodi, Perugia, Ortueri, and Pisa.

 Over the course of the event, the team delivered more than 40 high-quality equine CPD lectures, amounting to 26 hours of learning, to vets both in Italy and worldwide via online streaming. 

The fundraising event in Pisa marked the conclusion of this year’s programme, and we are delighted to share that the recorded lectures are now available to watch online: 

Watch the 2025 Webinars:

https://www.vetswithhorsepower.com/2025webinars.html

Thanks to the generosity of supporters, over £100,000 has been raised and distributed to the team’s chosen charities – an incredible result! 

The team extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to achieving this milestone. 

Any further donations received through the website will be directed towards the charities supported during next year’s tour. Planning is already underway for 2026, with proposed stops in Germany, Poland, Latvia, and Estonia. Webinars will once again be recorded in Poland, and the team has a special focus on supporting vets working in Ukraine, alongside other important causes. 

Stay connected and follow their journey on Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/VetswithHorsePower/

Systemic Immune-Inflammatory Index: A new non-invasive tool for predicting nematode infections in horses?

 Routine monitoring for gastrointestinal nematodes remains a cornerstone of equine health management.
Traditionally, diagnostic methods such as faecal egg counts (FEC) and faecal culture are used to assess infection status and guide treatment decisions. However, these approaches are not without limitations. FEC lacks sensitivity in detecting low-burden infections, may not reflect larval stages, and shows poor correlation between egg counts and actual worm burdens. Faecal cultures can help identify parasite species but are time-consuming and technically demanding. 

A recent study by Falmata Kyari and colleagues from the Departments of Veterinary Parasitology and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria, explored whether a novel blood-based index could provide a more accurate, non-invasive, and cost-effective diagnostic option. Their work focused on the Systemic Immune-Inflammatory Index (SII), a parameter calculated from routine haematological values: platelet count, neutrophil count, and total white blood cell count.

 

The SII is a composite biomarker reflecting the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory immune responses. It is calculated as:

 

SII = (Platelet count × Neutrophil count) ÷ Total white blood cell count

 

In human medicine, SII has been widely studied as a prognostic marker for systemic inflammation, sepsis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer progression. Elevated values typically indicate heightened inflammatory activity and a poorer clinical outlook.

 

In horses, however, the application of SII as a diagnostic tool is still in its infancy. Kyari’s study represents one of the first attempts to apply this marker in equine parasitology.

 

The research team conducted a cross-sectional study involving 164 apparently healthy horses. All animals underwent clinical examination to confirm baseline health and were excluded if they had received recent anthelmintic treatment.

 

Blood and faecal samples were collected. Based on faecal egg counts and faecal culture, the horses were classified as Infected (n = 66) and Non-infected (n = 98).

 

The SII was then calculated for each horse using routine haematology. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied to assess the diagnostic accuracy of SII in predicting nematode infection status.

 

Key Findings:

 

• Prevalence: Overall nematode prevalence was 40.2%. Interestingly, cyathostomin infections were detected in only 14 horses (7 single infections and 7 mixed), a figure much lower than typically reported in temperate regions. This discrepancy may reflect climatic influences, differences in parasite ecology, or management and deworming practices in Nigerian equine populations.
• Infection severity: Horses with mixed nematode infections carried the heaviest burdens, averaging 1,805 ± 293 eggs per gram (epg). Cyathostomum spp. infections were particularly striking, with mean egg counts of 2,264 ± 133 epg.
• SII values: Surprisingly, SII values were lower in infected horses (0.06) compared to non-infected horses (0.19), a reversal of the pattern seen in human inflammatory conditions. This suggests that equine immune regulation during nematode infection may differ fundamentally from human responses.
• Correlation with egg counts: There was a significant negative correlation between SII and epg (r = -0.6023; P < 0.0001).
• Diagnostic performance: The SII demonstrated exceptional predictive accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.990. An SII cut-off value of ≤0.108 offered 98.5% sensitivity and 100% specificity, validated by a high Youden index of 0.985.

 

This study suggests that SII, derived from simple blood parameters already included in routine haematology panels, could serve as a powerful adjunct tool for diagnosing nematode infections in horses.

 

However, certain caveats remain. The study was region-specific, and prevalence data differ markedly from findings in Europe and North America, where cyathostomins are often the dominant nematodes. Furthermore, the inverse SII response compared to human data highlights the need for further research into equine-specific immune mechanisms.

 

The work of Kyari and colleagues supports the potential of the Systemic Immune-Inflammatory Index as a novel diagnostic tool for nematode infections in horses. If validated across different populations and climates, SII could help veterinarians identify infected animals more reliably, enabling targeted anthelmintic treatment and better parasite management strategies.

 

For more details, see: 

Kyari F, Pogu CJ, Mairiga IA, Adamu L. 

The use of systemic immune inflammatory index as a predictor for nematodes infections in horses. 

Parasite Epidemiol Control. (2025) 30:e00453. 

doi: 10.1016/j.parepi.2025.e00453 

How diet affects horse’s teeth: new research on sugar, forage, and oral health

(c) Chelle129 Dreamstime.com

When it comes to dental health, most of us are familiar with the warnings for children: too many
fizzy drinks and sweets can quickly lead to cavities. But what about horses? Does the sugar content of their diet also affect their teeth in a similar way?

Recent research from Milena Lacerenza and colleagues at the University of São Paulo and São Paulo State University in Brazil has shed light on just how important diet is in shaping the oral microbiota (the community of microorganisms in the mouth) and in influencing the development of dental caries (tooth decay) in horses.

In many parts of the world, horse owners are turning to silages and forages with a higher sugar content, such as sugarcane, as a cheap and readily available alternative to traditional forage. While sugarcane may seem like a convenient option, this study raises important questions about what happens inside the horse’s mouth when diets are high in soluble carbohydrates.

For comparison, the researchers looked at horses fed sugarcane versus those grazing on Cynodon spp. (pasture grass also known as Bermudagrass or star grass) which is more in line with the kind of forage horses evolved to eat. It is worth noting, however, thatthe study didn’t account for differences in hard feed or supplements.

The team worked with twenty healthy horses, mixed in age, sex, and breed, with an average age of nine years. Half of these horses had been fed sugarcane as their main roughage for at least three years, while the others had been maintained on Cynodon pasture for the same period. Each horse received a detailed dental examination using an oral endoscope to identify caries and abnormal gaps between teeth (diastemata), and saliva samples were taken to analyse the bacterial communities present in the mouth.

The results were clear: horses fed sugarcane had far more problems with tooth decay than those kept on grass. They not only showed a significantly higher presence of peripheral caries, but also had more cases of diastemata, which can trap food and create further complications.

Interestingly, while the overall diversity of oral bacteria remained similar between the two groups, the types of bacteria dominating the mouth were very different. Sugar-fed horses showed higher levels of Candidatus Saccharibacteria and Bacteroidetes, both associated with disease. In contrast, the grass-fed horses had more Cyanobacteria Chloroplast and Proteobacteria, which seemed to play a more protective role. In fact, more than 35 different bacterial genera were found to vary significantly depending on diet, underlining how strongly forage choices shape the microbial balance in the horse’s mouth.

Horses evolved to graze on fibrous, low-sugar grasses, and their teeth and mouths are adapted to this diet. Feeding forages that are rich in sugar may upset this natural balance, encouraging harmful bacteria to thrive and putting horses at greater risk of painful dental problems. Caries in horses are far from harmless: they can lead to discomfort when eating, difficulty chewing, food packing between the teeth, infections, and even weight loss if left untreated.

This research highlights how closely diet, oral bacteria, and dental disease are linked, and it reinforces the importance of choosing forages that support not only the digestive system but also the long-term comfort and health of the horse’s mouth.

For more details, see: 

Lacerenza, Milena Domingues, Júlia de Assis Arantes, Gustavo Morandini Reginato, Gabriela Luiza Fagundes Finardi, Pedro Henrique Marchi, Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini, Rodrigo Romero Corrêa, Pamela Aparecida Maldaner Pereira, Carlos Augusto Araújo Valadão, and Renata Gebara Sampaio Dória. (2025). Microbiome and Dental Changes in Horses Fed a High Soluble Carbohydrate Diet

 Animals 15, no. 17: 2547. 

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15172547