Horses Inside Out Conference 2026

 Gillian Higgins has announced the 2026 Horses Inside Out Conference, with early bird tickets now available.

The conference will focus on Soundness and Symmetry in the Horse - the balance and harmony of the musculoskeletal system and its impact on movement. Across the programme, speakers will explore what soundness and symmetry mean in practice, how training and management can support them, and the challenges that may arise along the way.

Designed for professionals and equestrians from all disciplines, the event offers a rare opportunity to hear from world-leading experts, share the latest research, and consider practical applications to improve the health, welfare, training, and performance of horses.

The 2026 conference will differ from previous years with a three-day structure: two days of presentations followed by a practical day. The first two days, held at Holywell Park Conference Centre, Loughborough University (UK), will feature lectures from leading equine professionals on anatomy, biomechanics, training, and therapy. The third day, will focus on Soundness and Symmetry in Practice, with live demonstrations and practical sessions led by guest experts.

For more details, see: 

https://www.hioconference.com

Does obesity influence inflammatory responses in horses with equine asthma?

(c) Abby Khoriaty Dreamstime.com

 Equine asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects many horses, particularly those kept in stabled
environments or exposed to dust and allergens. It is characterised by airway inflammation (primarily driven by neutrophils)  leading to symptoms such as coughing, nasal discharge, and laboured breathing. Inflammatory flare-ups can significantly impair lung function and reduce performance.

 At the same time, equine obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent among domestic horses, largely due to overfeeding, limited exercise, and modern management practices. Obesity is already known to affect metabolic health and immune function in other species, including humans. This raises an important question: Could excess body fat make equine asthma worse by altering how the immune system responds to inflammation?

 A research team led by Alejandro Albornoz at the Universidad Austral de Chile set out to investigate whether obesity influences the inflammatory profile of horses with equine asthma. Their study, published in the open-access journal Animals, focused specifically on neutrophils - the white blood cells central to the airway inflammation seen in asthmatic horses.

 The researchers compared two groups of asthmatic horses that were in clinical remission (i.e. not experiencing active symptoms). The horses were divided into obese and non-obese groups, based on their body condition scores (BCS). Blood samples were taken to assess systemic inflammatory markers and to analyse how the horses’ neutrophils responded to immune challenges in the lab.

The results showed clear differences between the two groups:

• ·       Obese horses had significantly higher blood levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a potent inflammatory cytokine involved in many immune responses.
• ·       They also had increased peripheral neutrophil counts, indicating a more active systemic inflammatory state.

When stimulated in the lab, neutrophils from obese horses:

• ·       Produced more reactive oxygen species, a marker of a strong oxidative response.
• ·       Showed greater expression of IL-1β genes after exposure to inflammatory triggers (such as lipopolysaccharide).

These responses point to a hyperinflammatory neutrophil phenotype - meaning these immune cells were more reactive and potentially more damaging to lung tissue if activated in the horse’s airways.

To better understand these changes, the team also conducted metabolomic profiling of the neutrophils - essentially examining the small molecules and biochemical pathways active within the cells.

They identified 139 different metabolites, and found key differences in:

• ·       Fatty acid biosynthesis
• ·       Branched-chain amino acid metabolism
• ·       Glutathione-related antioxidant pathways
• ·       Tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates

In particular, levels of itaconate, citraconic acid, and citrate were significantly elevated in the obese group. These molecules are known to regulate immune cell activity, and their presence suggests a state of metabolic reprogramming that primes neutrophils for a heightened inflammatory response.

The researchers conclude that obesity alters neutrophil metabolism and function in horses with asthma, making these immune cells more reactive to inflammatory stimuli. This may contribute to more persistent or severe airway inflammation, potentially making the disease harder to control. 

The findings highlight the importance of addressing obesity as part of asthma management. Controlling body condition may reduce systemic inflammation and help prevent disease flare-ups. The study also opens the door to future therapies that target neutrophil metabolism as a way to modulate inflammation in chronic equine diseases.

For more details, see:

Albornoz, Alejandro, Beatriz Morales, Valentina Bernal Fernandez, Claudio Henriquez, John Quiroga, Pablo Alarcón, Gabriel Moran, and Rafael A. Burgos. 

Obesity-associated metabolomic and functional reprogramming in neutrophils from horses with asthma

Animals (2025) 15, no. 13: 1992. 

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15131992

New device aims to help asthmatic horses breathe more easily

The new equine respirator (Tim Brouk)

A novel collaboration between Purdue University’s College of Health and Human Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine may offer significant relief for horses suffering from asthma—a common respiratory condition often triggered by inhaled particles such as mould spores found in dusty hay.

Equine asthma, like its human counterpart, is frequently linked to allergic sensitisation to airborne irritants. While a range of treatment and management options exist, the most effective strategy remains straightforward: minimise exposure to the particles that trigger the condition. This is typically attempted by soaking or steam-treating hay to reduce airborne dust. However, researchers at Purdue have taken this one step further by developing a wearable device that could filter out harmful particles before they even reach the horse’s airways.

At the heart of this innovation is an equine respirator—a specially designed breathing mask that attaches directly to a horse’s bridle or head collar. The device allows the horse to breathe filtered air through an intake positioned over the bridge of the nose, while exhalation occurs through valves located near the nostrils. Crucially, the design allows horses to eat and drink while wearing the respirator, making it suitable for continuous use in dusty environments like stables or arenas.

The project was born out of a cross-disciplinary partnership. Dr. Jae Hong Park, associate professor of Health Sciences, had been working on developing human respirators, especially for welders working in manufacturing facilities. His research caught the attention of Dr. Laurent Couëtil, a professor of Large Animal Internal Medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine, who wondered if a similar approach could be adapted for equine use.

Momentum built when Chang Geun Lee, a Ph.D. candidate in Health Sciences with a background in mechanical engineering and industrial design, joined Park’s lab. Lee brought a unique combination of technical skills and practical design experience that proved instrumental in creating a functional and comfortable respirator for horses.

The team, which also includes Laura Murray, RVT and research technologist in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, spent months designing, prototyping, and refining the respirator. Their efforts have culminated in a practical tool that could significantly improve the quality of life for horses affected by respiratory issues—particularly those regularly exposed to dusty environments.

By combining expertise in health sciences, veterinary medicine, and engineering, this collaboration exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary research to solve real-world problems—and could mark a significant advance in the management of equine asthma.

The research team are now looking to see if the device could be made available for general use.

For more details, see: 

https://vet.purdue.edu/news/asthmatic-horses-can-breathe-easier-thanks-to-purdue-health-and-human-sciences-and-college-of-veterinary-medicine.php

Discovery links genes to performance-limiting disease in Thoroughbred racehorses

(c) Miltudog Dreamstime.com

 New research has identified specific genetic markers linked to Recurrent Laryngeal Neuropathy (RLN), a disease that significantly impacts the performance of Thoroughbred racehorses. This discovery, hailed as a major step forward in combating this debilitating condition, paves the way for the development of a genetic test to identify horses with a threefold increased risk of developing RLN. 

Often referred to as laryngeal hemiplegia or "roaring," RLN is an upper respiratory tract (URT) disorder that affects up to 18% of Thoroughbred horses. The condition is characterised by the progressive degeneration of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which controls the muscles that open the horse’s airway. As the disease progresses, airflow during exercise becomes restricted, leading to laboured breathing, reduced oxygen intake, and impaired athletic performance.

 

RLN represents a significant challenge for the Thoroughbred racing industry due to its economic and competitive implications. While pre-purchase examinations, including upper respiratory endoscopy ("scoping"), can detect RLN, resting evaluations in young horses often fail to identify the disease or predict its future onset.

 

To tackle these challenges, researchers at University College Dublin, in collaboration with Equinome and a world-class Thoroughbred training facility, conducted an extensive study funded by Research Ireland. The research team employed state-of-the-art diagnostic methods, including resting and overground exercising endoscopy of the upper airway, as well as laryngeal ultrasonography. This rigorous approach ensured accurate phenotyping of horses as either RLN cases or controls.

 

The study analysed over 200 Thoroughbred horses in training, utilizing both clinical evaluations and genetic testing. The case-cohort group was supplemented with detailed questionnaires to capture additional phenotypic data. A full report of the research is published in the Equine Veterinary Journal.

 

Using advanced DNA technologies, researchers conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic variants associated with RLN. They genotyped 43,831 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 235 horses (110 RLN cases and 125 controls) and estimated the heritability of the trait. The findings revealed a set of genetic markers that significantly contribute to RLN risk, independent of other factors such as height.

 

This discovery is particularly important because it confirms a genetic predisposition to RLN and identifies specific markers that could be used to predict the disease in Thoroughbreds.

This research marks a significant advance in equine genetics and respiratory health, offering new hope for addressing RLN, a disease that has long plagued the Thoroughbred racing industry. The ability to identify horses with a higher genetic risk for RLN has far-reaching implications for the Thoroughbred racing industry. 

 

The next step will involve translating these findings into a practical genetic test that can be readily adopted by breeders, trainers, and veterinarians.

 

UCD Professor in Equine Genomics and Chief Science Officer at Equinome, Emmeline Hill said the new findings would “lay the groundwork for the development of a genetic test to improve the welfare of horses that have a genetic predisposition to the disease. 

“As well as identifying horses with an increased risk of disease, this new information could also inform breeding guidance to reduce the incidence of the disease and provide targets for new therapies.”

Project lead Lisa Katz, UCD Professor in Equine Internal Medicine, added: “Understanding the genetic risk of your horse for roaring can help with early intervention and management. This might include monitoring highly predisposed horses more closely and considering surgical interventions at an earlier stage to improve treatment success.”

 

For more details, see: 

 

A genome-wide association study for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy in the Thoroughbred horse identifies a candidate gene that regulates myelin structure

Charlotte L. McGivney, Beatrice A. McGivney, Gabriella Farries, Katie F. Gough, Haige Han, Amy R. Holtby, David E. MacHugh, Lisa Michelle Katz, Emmeline W. Hill

Equine Vet J (2025)

https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14461

Air sampling for flu detection

(c) Tnmkiley Dreamstime.com

 Air sampling may provide a safe and effective method for detecting horses infected with equine influenza virus (EIV), according to new research from Japan.

EIV, a highly contagious respiratory disease in horses, spreads through aerosolised droplets, direct contact, and contaminated surfaces (“fomites”). Traditionally, confirming EIV infection requires nasopharyngeal swabs, which can be invasive and challenging, especially for untrained or aggressive horses.

 

A study conducted by researchers at the Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, in Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan, has demonstrated that EIV can be recovered directly from the air surrounding infected horses. The research, led by Manabu Nemoto and colleagues and published in Veterinary Microbiology, involved experiments with two horses intentionally infected with EIV and housed in individual stalls.

 

Air samples were collected daily for 13 days post-inoculation using an air sampler. The findings showed that EIV RNA was detected in 26 out of 28 air samples using real-time RT-PCR and in 23 samples using a rapid molecular test kit. Significantly, viral RNA was detected in the air before the horses displayed clinical symptoms, emphasising the potential of air sampling for early detection.

 

The research team highlighted that air sampling is a non-invasive and safe alternative to traditional methods, avoiding the risks associated with swab collection. Additionally, the combination of air sampling with rapid molecular diagnostic kits, which can identify viral RNA in under 30 minutes, offers a practical and efficient approach for monitoring and controlling EIV outbreaks.

 

They suggest that this method could be particularly beneficial in quarantine facilities and other high-risk settings where early detection and containment of EIV are essential.

 

For more details, see:

 

Manabu Nemoto, Nanako Kawanishi, Yoshinori Kambayashi, Hiroshi Bannai, Takashi Yamanaka, Koji Tsujimura,

Detection of equine influenza virus gene in the air around infected horses,

Veterinary Microbiology, (2025), Vol 302, 110388,

 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110388

Horses in Asia Found Infected with H5N1 Avian Influenza

(c) Nawrob Dreamstime.com

A recent study has revealed that horses in Asia have been infected with H5N1 avian influenza,
with these infections occurring undetected.  

The research, led by Professor Pablo Murcia from the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, in collaboration with an international team of scientists from the US and Mongolia, involved antibody testing on horse herds in Mongolia.  The findings, published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, reveal asymptomatic infections in Mongolian horse herds.

 

The researchers tested horse herds in two distinct Mongolian regions: a wetland area with a high population of wild birds and a dry area with low bird density. The results showed higher exposure rates in the wetland region. Importantly, there were no reports of previous respiratory disease outbreaks among the horses, suggesting that the infections were acquired asymptomatically.

 

These findings confirm that avian influenza can spread to other species, including horses. While equine influenza is typically caused by the H3N8 subtype, the detection of H5N1 highlights the potential for avian influenza to infect horses.

The study raises concerns about cross-species transmission, particularly in agricultural environments where horses may be exposed to infected livestock. Since March 2023, the rapid spread of H5N1 in US dairy cattle has amplified the risk of horses contracting avian influenza.

Coinfection with H5N1 and equine influenza (H3N8) could result in genetic reassortment, potentially creating new influenza strains with unpredictable consequences for animals and humans. Professor Murcia noted parallels to the 2009 swine-origin influenza pandemic, emphasizing the importance of preventing such reassortment events.

The researchers conclude by recommending serologic surveys in premises that keep horses. Such studies, they say, would aid early virus detection, provide a comprehensive picture of the changing ecology of avian influenza viruses, and inform the design of control measures to prevent influenza emergence.

This study highlights the need for:

1. Enhanced surveillance of influenza infections in horses, particularly in regions with high wild bird densities or significant interaction with infected livestock.
2. Strengthened biosecurity measures to reduce interspecies transmission in agricultural settings.
3. Further research into the mechanisms of avian influenza spillover and the potential for new virus emergence.

For more details, see: 

 

Batchuluun Damdinjav, Savitha Raveendran, Laura Mojsiejczuk, Ulaankhuu Ankhanbaatar, Jiayun Yang, Jean-Remy Sadeyen, Munir Iqbal, Daniel R. Perez, Daniela S. Rajao, Andrew Park, Mafalda Viana, and Pablo R. Murcia (2025)

Evidence of Influenza A(H5N1) Spillover Infections in Horses, Mongolia.

Emerging Infectious Diseases, 31(1) 

https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3101.241266 

https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/headline_1134067_en.html

Bacterial gut diversity in TB foals improves future racing performance

 The composition of gut bacteria in one-month-old Thoroughbred foals can predict their future
athletic performance, according to a new study from the University of Surrey. Foals with lower bacterial diversity at 28 days old were also found to have a significantly increased risk of respiratory disease later in life.

 Researchers from Surrey's School of Veterinary Medicine and School of Bioscience, led by Professor Chris Proudman, examined the gut bacterial composition of Thoroughbred foals bred for flat racing and its impact on their long-term health and performance.

The three-year cohort study explored the interactions between early-life gut bacterial communities, health outcomes in later life, and athletic performance on the racetrack. The findings were published in Scientific Reports.

 

The study involved analysing 438 faecal samples from 52 foals, tracking their respiratory, gastrointestinal, orthopaedic, and soft-tissue health from birth to three years of age. The researchers also analysed data on race performance, including finishing positions, official ratings, and prize money earnings as measures of athletic performance.

 

Professor Chris Proudman, Professor of Veterinary Clinical Science at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey, said:   "Minimising the risk of disease and injury is important for the welfare of racehorses, and maximising their athletic potential is important for their owners. We have found that gut health, in particular the health of gut bacterial communities very early in life, exerts a profound and enduring impact on racehorse health and performance."

 

The study found a positive association between athletic performance and higher faecal bacterial diversity at one month old. Specifically, a higher abundance of the bacteria Anaeroplasmataceae was linked to a higher official rating, and increased levels of Bacillaceae at 28 days old were associated with better race placings.

 

The researchers concluded that the gut bacterial composition in the first months of life influences the risk of specific diseases and athletic performance up to three years old. Foals with lower bacterial diversity at one month old had a significantly higher risk of developing respiratory disease, which was also associated with a higher relative abundance of the bacteria Pseudomonadaceae.

 

Interestingly, the study revealed that foals treated with antibiotics during their first month of life had significantly lower bacterial diversity at 28 days old compared to those not treated with antibiotics. These foals also earned significantly less prize money and had a higher rate of respiratory disease later in life.

 

Professor Roberto La Ragione, co-investigator from the School of Bioscience at the University of Surrey, commented, "While antibiotics are essential for treating infections and ensuring the long-term health of foals, their use must be carefully managed. Our study demonstrates that antibiotic treatment can disrupt the gut microbiome with long-term consequences for health and performance. The next phase of our research will focus on minimizing this disruption when antibiotics are necessary."

 

Additionally, the researchers found that low gut bacterial diversity in early life is associated with an increased risk of soft-tissue and orthopaedic issues later on. They believe these health impacts are likely related to immunological priming, though the underlying reasons for the observed negative effects on racehorse performance are still not fully understood.

 

Dr. Kirsten Rausing, Chairman of the International Thoroughbred Breeders Federation and study sponsor through her ALBORADA Trust, remarked, "This ground-breaking study has identified the importance of gut health in our very young foals. As breeders, if we can get this right, we will produce foals that will be healthier, and that will grow into more successful racehorses."  

 

Ongoing research aims to develop novel probiotics to enhance foal gut health in early life and to investigate how antibiotics can be used while preserving gut health.

 

The researchers conclude: “For the first time, this study demonstrates a relationship between early-life gut bacterial communities and subsequent athletic performance that has implications for athletes of all species including humans.”

 

 

For more details, see:

 

Early-life gut bacterial community structure predicts disease risk and athletic performance in horses bred for racing

J. Leng, C. Moller-Levet, R. I. Mansergh, R. O’Flaherty, R. Cooke, P. Sells, C. Pinkham,O.  Pynn, C. Smith, Z. Wise, R. Ellis, A. Couto Alves, R. La Ragione and C. Proudman 

Scientific Reports (2024) vol 14, Article number: 17124 

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-64657-6 

New research projects receive funding

 Morris Animal Foundation has provided funding for seven new research projects focused on
equine health. These studies aim to address various equine health issues, including contagious upper respiratory disease, and sepsis in foals. 

The research initiatives receiving support are as follows:

 

• Impact of cyproheptadine on blood variables and clinical signs of Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) in Horses. (Dr. Nicholas Frank, Mississippi State University) 

• Development of an effective intramuscular vaccine against strangles, based on the "S" protein of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (SEE). (Dr. Noah Cohen, Texas A&M University.)

• A novel diagnostic test for Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID).( Dr. Dianne McFarlane, University of Florida )

• Increasing understanding of foal sepsis and potential new treatment options (Dr. Katarzyna Dembek, North Carolina State University)

• Examination of a faecal-based test to aid in the diagnosis of gastric ulcers in horses (Dr. Canaan M. Whitfield-Cargile, University of Georgia)

• A study of remote behavioural and physiologic monitoring to assess changes in equine discomfort behaviours and their association with epidural morphine administration. (Dr. Hope Douglas, University of Pennsylvania)

• Investigation into drugs targeting the non-structural protein 4 of African Horse Sickness (Dr. Constantinos Kurt Wibmer, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa )

 

Dr. Kathy Tietje, Chief Program Officer at Morris Animal Foundation, expressed excitement about supporting these projects, which aim to advance equine health and welfare through innovative research. The studies are scheduled to commence in the current year, contributing valuable insights to improve equid health and well-being.

For more about Morris Animal Foundation, see:

 morrisanimalfoundation.org

Possible new approach to DDSP treatment

 Intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (iDDSP) is a cause of exercise intolerance
and poor performance, particularly in horses involved in strenuous activities such as racing. 

In DDSP, the soft palate, which should fit snuggly around the larynx, flips out of position and obstructs the airway, limiting the horse’s ability to breathe.

 

Various techniques have been used to treat the condition; ranging from the conservative (such as tongue straps, crossed nose bands, glycerine on back of the tongue, treatment of other respiratory problems), to surgery.

 

Laryngeal tie forward (LTF) is a commonly used surgical treatment for the condition with reported success rates up to 80%.  Prosthetic sutures are placed between the thyroid cartilage and the basihyoid bone, to tie the larynx forward and fix it in place to prevent the soft palate dislocating and blocking the airway during exercise.

 

The operation is typically carried out under general anaesthetic, which involves some risk and expense. It has been suggested also that recovery from general anaesthetic may contribute to failure of the prosthesis (sutures). 

 

Clinicians at the University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science have described a series of cases in which they carried out the operation in sedated standing horses.

 

Natasha E. Lean and colleagues reported the work in a recent issue of Veterinary Surgery.

 

They performed Standing LTF in five experimental (normal) horses and five clinical cases with iDDSP. The procedure was carried out under endoscopic guidance, with the horses sedated and the surgical site desensitised with local anaesthetic. No major complications were encountered.

 

The response to surgery was assessed using radiography, and endoscopy. 

The authors conclude that standing LTF is “feasible, mitigates the risk of general anesthesia related complications and reduces cost.”

 

 

For more details, see:

 

Laryngeal tie-forward in standing sedated horses

Natasha E Lean, Albert Sole-Guitart, Benjamin J Ahern 

Vet Surg (2023) Feb;52(2):229-237.

 doi: 10.1111/vsu.13920 

Steaming hay can lead to protein deficiency

 Hay can be treated with steam to reduce the horse’s exposure to inhaled allergens that cause
respiratory disease. Steaming kills potentially harmful microorganisms and binds fungal spores and dust particles to the hay making them less likely to be inhaled 

However, new research shows that steam treatment can have an adverse effect on the digestibility of protein in the hay. 

 

A team of scientists from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) has discovered that steam treatment causes a chemical reaction that damages the proteins in the hay and makes them harder for horses to digest. This can lead to signs of nutrient deficiency in the animals and, for example, impair growth or muscle development. A report of the work is published in the journal Animals.

 

Professor Annette Zeyner from the Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences at MLU explains: “Many horses suffer from lung problems such as equine asthma. The steaming process virtually eliminates all of the living microorganisms and particles in the hay that could be inhaled during feeding and damage the lungs. In theory, the end result is a very good forage," 

 

However, her team discovered that the treatment also has its disadvantages as the steam damages the proteins in the hay. 

 

"A high proportion of the proteins, and the crucial amino acids contained in them, can no longer be digested by the small intestine - in other words the horse lacks these proteins as a result of the steam treatment. However, some of these protein components are essential for horses and they cannot be absorbed in the large intestine," Zeyner continues. 

 

The researchers demonstrated this by examining various hay samples collected from central Germany. In the steamed hay, they found an increased number of products that are generated by the Maillard reaction, an indication that the proteins in the hay have been damaged. This is a reaction that also takes place when food is cooked, baked or fried and is responsible for browning or the development of flavours. 

 

"Proteins are composed of amino acids. The steaming damages them and they form new complexes with sugars in the hay," explains the first author of the study, Caroline Pisch, from MLU. This makes them difficult for horses to digest. According to the researchers’ analyses, the treatment reduced the amount of protein that can be absorbed by the small intestine by almost half. The pre-caecal digestibility of the essential amino acid lysine was over 50% lower after steam treatment.

 

According to Zeyner, this can lead to an undersupply of essential amino acids from the feed, which can be a problem for growing horses or lactating mares; young horses need proteins to grow, and mares need them to produce milk. To make matters worse, protein deficiency causes very unspecific symptoms in the affected animals. These include impaired muscle development and a dull or shaggy coat with so-called "hunger hair" - long isolated hairs in the horse’s coat. 

 

She suggests that horse owners can counteract this risk by enriching the animals’ diet with protein-rich single feedstuffs such as yeast and soybean meal or high-quality protein-rich compound feeds. 

 

The report concludes: “steamed hay is still a proper and sometimes the only possible roughage for horses suffering from respiratory diseases such as equine asthma. Essentially, horse diets based on steamed hay should be balanced accordingly."

 

For more details, see:

 

Effect of Hay Steaming on the Estimated Precaecal Digestibility of Crude Protein and Selected Amino Acids in Horses

Caroline Pisch, Monika Wensch-Dorendorf, Uwe Schwarzenbolz, Thomas Henle, Jörg Michael Greef, and Annette Zeyner. 

Animals(2022) 12, no. 22: 3092. 

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12223092

Help wanted for Canadian quarantine research

(c) Anna Cvetkova Dreamstime.com

Horses travelling to competitions present a risk of bringing infections back home. At the event they encounter other horses and may pick up infectious diseases. As events often last only a few days, horses may return home while incubating the disease, and subsequently infect their stable mates. 

Researchers at the University of Guelph, Canada, are seeking participants for a study entitled “Effectiveness of Equine Facility Quarantine Procedures Following the Arrival of a New or Returning Horse”

The research, conducted at the Ontario Veterinary College, is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Canada Research Chairs program. Principal investigators are Dr. Amy Greer, and Dr. Terri O’Sullivan aided by PhD candidate Gabrielle Turcotte. 

They explain that the research “seeks to examine the effectiveness of a quarantine protocol for an equestrian facility in the case of a potential spread of an infectious pathogen. We also hope to interview equestrian facility owners about the perceptions of risk of travel to off-property equestrian events and existing biosecurity procedures at home facilities.

“With most events in Ontario lasting no more than 4 days, horses can then return to their home facility before showing clinical symptoms of disease, putting the home facility herd at risk. This research study could help your facility evaluate its ability to maintain equine herd health and welfare. Additionally, your insight can have an impact on expectations and importance of quarantine protocols and help inform existing network simulations for equine infectious disease.”

So, if you are based within 90 minutes of Guelph or Toronto, with a horse facility housing between 5 and 20 horses, with more than one horse owner, that engage in off-property events, the research team would like to hear from you.
 
For more details, go to:

https://uoguelph.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dnHYpMsmycaPnEi?jfefe=new

Could stem cells be used to treat equine asthma?

(c) Callipso88 Dreamstime.com

Equine asthma is a common respiratory disease of horses, brought on by repeated exposure to dust and moulds. Although the signs may be improved by medical treatment, this is unlikely to achieve a permanent cure.

 

Doctor Dorothee Bienzle of the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, has been investigating stem cells as a potential treatment option, working with a group of researchers at the University of Slovenia who have expertise in growing stem cells. The research is published in Stem Cell Research and Therapy.

 

She says, “This is not for the casual investigator because it takes some experience to have the right culture conditions to make sure those cells are clean.  They are not cultured for very long, and when the final preparation is administered to an animal, it must be free of cell culture components that could make inflammation worse.”

 

The study used stem cells derived from subcutaneous fat tissue (“adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells”: AD-MSC), which were placed directly in the lower airway.

 

Twenty horses with severe equine asthma (SEA) were divided into two groups: ten horses receiving a single application of autologous AD-MSC; and ten given oral dexamethasone daily for three weeks.

 

Horses were assessed before treatment and three weeks later. The research team also monitored the horses for recurrence of SEA over the following year.

 

They found that AD-MSC administration improved the clinical score and decreased the expression of inflammatory markers (such a IL-4, IL-1b) in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid. 

It took longer for signs of SEA to return in horses treated with stem cells. The researchers noted exacerbations of SEA in the dexamethasone-treated  group shortly after discontinuation of treatment, while most horses in the AD-MSC treated group remained stable for at least 300 days after treatment.

 

They conclude: “In this study, the intrabronchial application of autologous AD-MSC had a modest short-term therapeutic effect and a possible positive long-term effect on SEA.”

 

Speaking about the work in an Equine Guelph webcast* Dr Bienzle added: “Stem cell therapy is a proof of concept at this point. It is not widely available and we don’t want to mislead people ..that this is a commonly available therapy. We’re a long way from that, but horses may get there before humans do.”

 

For more details, see:

 

Effect of intrabronchial administration of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal 

stem cells on severe equine asthma 

Neža Adamič, Sonja Prpar Mihevc, Rok Blagus, Petra Kramarič, Uroš Krapež, Gregor Majdič, Laurent Viel, Andrew M. Hoffman, Dorothee Bienzle and Modest Vengust

Stem Cell Res Ther. 2022; 13: 23. 

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-022-02704-7

 

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=703&v=cgWk_VWuwdU&feature=emb_logo

North American horse owners sought for biosecurity study

Even with vaccination and modern medicines, biosecurity plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of infectious disease.

 The Equine Disease Communication Center, with the support of the United States Department of Agriculture, is conducting a study into the awareness and knowledge of biosecurity in the horse industry. Based at the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, the EDCC provides real-time and accurate information about diseases, vaccination and biosecurity.

 

They have devised an online survey, which they say will take about ten minutes to complete. The findings will be shared with all parts of the horse industry and used to create educational information and resources to help owners protect their horses. 

 

“Dealing with Covid-19 has highlighted the need for biosecurity procedures to reduce risk of infection; however, most horse owners are still not fully aware of the threat to their horses from both endemic and foreign animal diseases either at home or when traveling,” said Dr. Nathaniel White, EDCC director. “We need to understand the gaps in biosecurity knowledge. Armed with that information, we will create specific plans for facilities and events, enabling the industry to react to domestic and foreign disease threats.”

 

Owners or carers of horses in the USA and Canada are asked to participate in the survey

 

To take part in the survey, go to:

 

https://www.research.net/r/EDCCowner

 

For more about the EDCC, see:

 

https://www.equinediseasecc.org