Chicory: a natural anthelmintic?

(C) Malsa et al CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Recent research in France suggests that chicory shows promise as a natural anthelmintic for horses.

 

Cyathostomes (small redworms) are the most common gastrointestinal parasites in horses and are now the leading cause of parasite-related equine diseases. The larval stages of these worms can damage the large intestinal wall, leading to diarrhoea, colic, and loss of condition.

 

These parasites are also important because they are the most likely to develop resistance to the anthelmintics used to control them. Consequently, there is a shift away from regular deworming to reduce the development of anthelmintic resistance. Limiting unnecessary anthelmintic use is also important due to its environmental impact, particularly on insects that feed on horse manure.

 

Chicory (Cichorium intybus), a common forage plant, has been studied for its potential anthelmintic (anti-parasitic) properties, particularly in ruminants. Research has shown that certain compounds in chicory, such as sesquiterpene lactones, may have effects against gastrointestinal parasites.

 

Joshua Malsa and colleagues investigated the effect of horses grazing pasture containing a high proportion of chicory on faecal worm egg production and larval development. The research is reported in the International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance.

 

Twenty naturally infected 2-year-old saddle horses were used in the study. All horses were born and raised on the premises where the study took place and were naturally exposed to the same parasite populations. They had not been dewormed for 264 days before the onset of the trial. The last treatment given had been moxidectin.

 

 The horses were divided into two groups, each of ten horses, and were grazed either a field of chicory or a control field of mixed pasture

 

The researchers found a significant reduction in FEC after 16 days of grazing on chicory. By the end of the study grazing on chicory had an efficacy slightly lower than that of pyrantel treatment (85.5% vs 99.3% FECR for chicory and pyrantel respectively). 

 

The chicory diet also reduced the development of eggs into third-stage larvae in faeces and affected the diversity of the cyathostomin community.

 

They conclude: “Our study demonstrated the efficacy of grazing chicory (cv. Puna II) to reduce cyathostomins egg excretion and larval development in horses. The magnitude of this effect was almost as high as expected from synthetic drugs, although we identified differential sensitivity between species.”

 

Integrating chicory into a broader parasite management plan could be beneficial, especially in reducing reliance on chemical dewormers and combating drug resistance.

 

 However, while it might complement conventional parasite control methods, it should not yet be considered a replacement for standard anthelmintics without further research.

 

 

For more details, see:

 

Joshua Malsa, Leslie Boudesocque-Delaye, Laurence Wimel, Juliette Auclair-Ronzaud, Bertrand Dumont, Núria Mach, Fabrice Reigner, Fabrice Guégnard, Angélique Chereau, Delphine Serreau, Isabelle Théry-Koné, Guillaume Sallé, Géraldine Fleurance,

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) reduces cyathostomin egg excretion and larval development in grazing horses.

International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, (2024) Vol 24,100523

 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpddr.2024.100523

Do haynets affect tooth wear in horses?

(c) Nigel Baker Dreamstime.com

Using haynets to feed horses has several benefits, including reducing hay waste and slowing down consumption. 

However, there are potential downsides, such as the risk of injury and unnatural feeding positions. When individual haynets are hung too high, horses may eat with their heads raised, which may lead to muscle discomfort and long-term problems. This position also increases the chance of inhaling dust or hay particles, which may cause respiratory issues.Do haynets also influence tooth wear.?

 

Michelle DeBoer and colleagues conducted a study to compare horse body weight and condition, hay consumption, tooth wear, and dental conditions between horses fed with or without hay nets. 

 

The work was presented at the Equine Science Society Symposium 2023, and a report is published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.

 

Thirteen adult geldings were recruited for the cross-over study and divided into two groups.

 

They were housed in adjacent dry lots with access to shelter and water. Both groups were fed round hay bales in feeders, with one group of six horses receiving hay wrapped in hay nets, while the other five horses were given hay without nets.

 

The study spanned two years, with the two groups switching halfway through: the five horses that initially had their hay wrapped switched to unwrapped hay, while the six horses moved to wrapped hay.

 

The researchers tracked hay consumption and monitored dental health, including incisor length, dental abnormalities, and conditions. They also recorded horse body weight and body condition scores annually—before, during, and after the study.

 

Results showed that horses eating unwrapped hay consumed more and had higher body weight (BW) and body condition scores (BCS). No significant differences were found in incisor length, incisor bevels, or dental abnormalities.

 

The researchers concluded that hay nets do not negatively affect dental health but can reduce hay consumption and help manage horse body weight and condition.

 

 

 

For more details, see:

 

M. DeBoer, L. Keener, J. Layeux-Parks, O. Schueller, L. Johnson, K. Martinson,

Effect of hay nets on horse bodyweight, body condition score, hay usage, and dental health in mature adult horses,

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science,(2024) Vol 136,105051

 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105051

Inflammatory marker increase after routine vaccination

 Routine vaccination can lead to a temporary increase in Serum Amyloid A (SAA), according to a recent study in the USA.

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute-phase protein, meaning its levels in the blood increase rapidly in response to infection, injury, or stress. Due to its rapid increase during inflammatory conditions, SAA is often used in horses as a biomarker to assess inflammation or infection 

 

Researchers at the Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, conducted a two-part study to monitor the response to vaccination. Cassandra M. Baumgarten was the lead author of the study, which was published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

 

The study included a total of 36 clinically normal horses. Twenty-eight horses received routine booster vaccinations recommended for horses in the southern states of the USA (rabies, tetanus, West Nile virus, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, equine herpesvirus-1/-4, and influenza). Eight horses received placebo injections of saline.

 

The research team conducted daily clinical examinations of the horses, which included measuring their temperature and collecting blood samples to monitor serum amyloid A (SAA) levels for the first ten days after vaccination.

 

They found that, compared to the control group, vaccinated horses had higher SAA concentrations for up to ten days after vaccination, generally returning to normal by the ninth day. About 85.7% of the horses had their SAA levels return to normal within ten days of vaccination.

 

Fever (temperature >38.4°C) was observed in 78.6% of the horses after vaccination, but there was no correlation between fever and SAA concentration.

 

The authors suggest that elevated SAA levels for 10 days after vaccination and fever lasting 12 to 24 hours cannot be used as indicators of illness. They recommend that clinicians, when assessing a patient’s condition after vaccination, should not rely on just one or two clinical signs but rather evaluate the patient as a whole. They also state that measuring SAA for 10 days post-vaccination cannot reliably indicate illness.

 

Based on their findings that routine vaccination increases SAA concentrations, the authors suggest that when advising horse owners about travel or competition, practitioners should recommend a recovery period following vaccination.

 

They also suggest the need for further studies to investigate the effect of travel or competition on the antibody response.

 

 

 

For more details, see: 

 

Baumgarten, C. M., Delph Miller, K. M., Davis, E. G., Beard, L. A., Blevins, C. A., Wottowa, M., Hill, M., & Larson, R. L. (2024). 

Serum amyloid A increases following routine vaccination of healthy adult horses. 

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 262(9), 1181-1187. 

https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.04.0244

Adverse effect of bute on assisted reproduction in mares

(c) Zuzana Tillerova Dreamstime.com

 Phenylbutazone (“bute”) may not be as harmless for breeding animals as previously thought.

 Recent research from the USA indicates that bute can interfere with oocyte maturation and development after fertilization when assisted reproduction techniques are used.

 

While Thoroughbred mares often start breeding young, many other mares only begin breeding after a long working life. Many of these mares retire from work or start breeding due to orthopaedic problems that limit their performance and require regular NSAID treatment.

 

Researchers at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) have found that phenylbutazone, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly prescribed in horses, can affect a mare’s egg cells (oocytes), hindering their ability to mature into viable embryos, which is crucial for assisted reproduction.

 

The study, led by Dr Luisa Ramírez-Agámez and colleagues, looked at the effect of bute on the developmental competence of in vitro-matured equine oocytes subjected to Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). Their findings are published in the journal Theriogenology.

 

In a press release, Ramírez-Agámez explained: “Mare’s oocytes need approximately 30 hours to mature in the laboratory once they have been collected before they can be fertilized. Then, we have to inject the eggs with sperm to induce fertilization, a process known as Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).

 

“We discovered that phenylbutazone, commonly known as bute, can affect both the ability of a mare’s eggs to mature correctly when cultured and whether the fertilized eggs will develop into a viable embryo. In either of those cases, the eggs affected by bute cannot be used in assisted reproduction.”

 

In a preliminary study, the research team compared cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) harvested from two mares treated with bute for 10 days before collection with those from four untreated mares. (The term "cumulus-oocyte complex" (COC) refers to an oocyte and the surrounding cumulus cells within the follicle. The cumulus cells are essential for the oocyte's development and maturation, providing nutrients and signals, and aiding in fertilization and embryo development.)

 

They found that oocyte in vitro maturation and blastocyst rates were lower in bute-treated mares compared to the control mares.

 

In the main experiment, nine healthy mares received a daily dose of bute (4.4 mg/kg, orally, once a day) for 10 days, while ten control mares received a placebo.

 

The researchers performed ultrasound-guided transvaginal oocyte aspiration (TVA) on days 3, 33, and 77 following the last dose of bute. The COCs recovered from both groups were matured in vitro and subjected to ICSI.

 

They observed that while the in vitro oocyte maturation rate was similar between the bute and control groups, oocyte recovery, cleavage, and blastocyst rates were significantly lower in the bute-treated group. However, these effects were short-lived, as by 33 and 77 days post-treatment, in vitro maturation, cleavage, and blastocyst rates were similar between the two groups.

 

“In a future study, we hope to determine an alternative to bute that supplies the same level of pain management but does not interfere with reproduction,” she added. “The good news is that bute’s effect on equine oocytes appears to wear off within a few weeks.

 

“We found that eggs collected three days after administration of bute were not able to produce embryos, but those collected at 33 days were successful. We hope to find a more exact answer in terms of how bute affects egg cell quality in a future study.”

 

 

For more details, see:

 

Ramírez-Agámez L, Hernández-Avilés C, Whitfield-Cargile CM, Coleman MC, Love CC. 

Treatment of mares with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) phenylbutazone transiently affects in vitro maturation of equine oocytes and blastocyst development after Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). 

Theriogenology (2024) 223:53-58.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.04.017

Promising use of stem cells for tendon injuries in flat racehorses

Research from Australia suggests that treatment with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM
MSCs) results in improved healing compared with a controlled exercise rehabilitation program alone. 

 Strain of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injury is one of the most common and significant injuries in racehorses. The tendon plays a crucial role in the movement and stability of a horse's limb, particularly during high-speed activities like racing. 

 The primary treatment is rest, often for months, to allow the tendon fibres to heal. Full recovery can take over a year, but even then, the tendon may remain weaker and more prone to re-injury, especially if the horse returns to high-intensity activities. Tendons have a limited ability to regenerate, and the damaged fibres are often replaced by scar tissue, which is mechanically inferior and increases the risk of future injury. 

 Research by Rachel O. Salz and colleagues investigated how SDFT (superficial digital flexor tendon) injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses respond to different treatments. They compared the effects of a controlled exercise recovery program alone with those of the same program combined with either autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells (BM-MSCs) or allogenic adipose-derived stem cells (A-MSCs). (Autologous stem cells are taken from the same individual receiving the treatment. Allogenic stem cells come from a donor) 

 The study analysed clinical and race records of 213 Thoroughbreds to see if stem cell treatments improved the chances of horses returning to racing compared to just using the exercise recovery program.  

One group of horses followed a controlled exercise rehabilitation program (CERP) without stem cell treatment, while another group followed the CERP with additional treatment using either BM-MSCs or A-MSCs injected into the damaged tendon. 

The study found that horses treated with intralesional bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells were three times more likely to return to racing compared to those undergoing only the controlled exercise rehabilitation program. Additionally, these horses were at least twice as likely to participate in five or more races after returning, indicating that the treatment had a lasting impact beyond just recovery. 

 In contrast, the response to adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (A-MSCs) was less encouraging. The analysis showed no significant increase in the likelihood of returning to racing or completing five or more races with A-MSC treatment compared to the rehabilitation program alone. However, the researchers noted that the smaller number of horses in this treatment group might have limited the ability to detect a potential effect. 

 For more details, see: 

 Treatment of racehorse superficial digital flexor tendonitis: A comparison of stem cell treatments to controlled exercise rehabilitation in 213 cases 

Rachel O. Salz, Christopher R. B. Elliott, Tomas Zuffa, Euan D. Bennet, Benjamin J. Ahern 

Equine Veterinary Journal (2023) Vol 55, pp 979-987 

https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13922

EVJ presents growing evidence for regenerative medicine

Processing autologous conditioned serum
for intra-articular injection 
(photo courtesy of Lynn Pezzanite)

Regenerative therapies have become more widely used in equine practice over the past 20 years. They involve treatments that aim to repair or replace damaged tissues and promote healing using the body's natural regenerative capabilities. These therapies are increasingly used to treat injuries, particularly those affecting tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage.

 

Despite considerable advances in the field, the true efficacy of veterinary regenerative medicine is still questioned in many instances. To enable easy access to the latest knowledge on the topic, the Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) has published a ‘Special Collection’.

Guest edited by Lynn Pezzanite, the Special Collection contains the ‘Top 10’ recent publications from EVJ relating to regenerative therapies over the past five years which may help practitioners select one treatment over another for a specific clinical indication.

 

The term ‘regenerative therapies’ is a broad definition for innovative medical therapies that enable the body to repair, replace, restore, and regenerate damaged or diseased cells, tissues, and organs, while ‘biological products’ are those made from living material (human, animal, plant, microorganisms) used to treat or prevent disease. 

 

Options available to clinicians in equine practice include point-of-care blood or tissue derived products (autologous – derived from the same individual) including platelet rich plasma (PRP), autologous conditioned serum (ACS or interleukin receptor antagonist protein/IRAP), autologous protein solution (APS), bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC or stromal vascular fraction) or cultured stromal cell-based products (autologous or allogeneic – derived from a different individual of the same species). 

 

“Equine practitioners have access to use regenerative medicine to treat joint and soft tissue disorders as well as a variety of other conditions such as wounds, ophthalmic or theriogenology indications,” said Lynn. “However, in some instances due to lack of rigour in clinical study design, lack of demonstrated consistency in product formulation and lack of regulatory oversight that would assure appropriate standards, the true efficacy of some therapies remains controversial. We aim for this special collection to bring some clarity, to aid vets in their treatment choices.”

 

To see the Special Collection, go to::

 

https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/20423306/homepage/regenerative-therapies-collection

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 

Horses smarter than previously thought, study suggests

Horses are more intelligent than previously believed, according to a new study that shows how they cleverly adapted their behaviour to maximise rewards with minimal effort.  

Researchers at Nottingham Trent University sought to understand more about equine learning processes, as this knowledge could lead to more humane training methods and improved welfare for horses. A full report of the study is published in the journal  Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 

 

The study involved twenty horses, aged 11 to 22 years, including seven females and thirteen castrated males of mixed breeds. 

 

The team devised a task where horses had to touch a piece of card with their nose to receive a treat. They then made the task more challenging. Horses would not get a treat if they touched the card while a bright white “stop” light was on but would do if they touched it while the light was off.

 

 As the task was made more challenging, the horses initially struggled, indiscriminately touching the card whether a light was on or off, though they continued to receive rewards for correct responses.

 

In the final stage, a penalty was introduced: touching the card when a “stop” light was on resulted in a ten-second timeout during which no rewards could be earned. Remarkably, the horses quickly adapted, showing a significant reduction in errors and only touching the card at the correct times to receive treats.

 

The researchers suggest that rather than misunderstanding the game, the horses may have understood it all along but found a way to play that required less attention. They suggest that their findings indicate a higher level of cognitive processing than was previously thought possible, as the horses instantly switched strategies when faced with the risk of losing rewards. 

 

This approach requires the horse to think into the future, the researchers say, and is very goal directed, with horses required to focus on what they want to achieve and the steps they need to take to do this. 

This, they argue, is something which has previously been considered beyond a horse’s cognitive capacity.

“At first we found that horses would just keep touching the card over and over, as they probably realised they would still get a frequent reward with minimal mental effort,” said lead researcher Dr Carrie Ijichi. 

She said: “There was no cost for indiscriminate hitting, sometimes it paid off, sometimes it didn’t. When we introduced a cost for their errors, however, they could instantly understand and play the game properly. 

“Horses are not natural geniuses, they are thought of as mediocre, but this study shows they’re not average and are in fact more cognitively advanced than we give them credit for. 

“We now think that horses may be able to use a form of learning called ‘model-based learning’ which was thought to be too complex for them. This will now help us to understand their behaviour and capabilities much better.

“It’s fascinating because they have a very underdeveloped pre-frontal cortex which is what we typically credit with producing that type of thinking in humans. This means they must be using another area of the brain to achieve a similar result and this teaches us that we shouldn’t make assumptions about animal intelligence or sentience based on whether they are ‘built’ just like us.”

Researcher Louise Evans, based in Nottingham Trent University’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, said: “We were expecting horses’ performance to improve when we introduced the time-out, but were surprised by how immediate and significant the improvement was. 

“Animals usually need several repetitions of a task to gradually acquire new knowledge, whereas our horses immediately improved when we introduced a cost for errors. This suggests that the horses knew all along what the rules of the game were.” 

For more details, see:

Louise Evans, Heather Cameron-Whytock, Carrie Ijichi,

Whoa, No-Go: Evidence consistent with model-based strategy use in horses during an inhibitory task,

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, (2024) Vol 277, 106339,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106339

Edited press release

Effect of music on response to sudden and unexpected stimuli

Photo of audio cap attached
 to head collar. (c) Eyraud et al

The living conditions imposed on horses inevitably expose them to stress-inducing situations. 

Music appears to be a promising tool for managing such stress, although its benefits may diminish with repeated exposure. 

 

A study by Camille Eyraud and colleagues aimed to determine whether music could mitigate horses' reactions to unexpected stimuli and whether playing the same music daily reduces its effectiveness.

 

The research in, published in the International Journal of Equine Science, involved three groups of 12 horses, each led along a route with potentially stressful stimuli for 10 consecutive days. Each group wore headphones and was subjected to one of three conditions: a "music" condition with the same music track played, a "noise" condition with pink noise.

 

The authors explain: “Pink noise is a random signal with constant energy in the octave bands and is therefore weighted according to the properties of the human audiogram (and, by extension, also those of horses.)”

 

“The music was played directly into the horse's outer ear using an "audio cap" (see Figure 1).  This is a traditional earcap equipped with a pair of earphones in front of the pinnae and a pocket to hold a small MP3 player between the two ears.”

 

The findings indicated that music had a calming effect on both horse behaviour and heart rate in response to visual stimuli. Interestingly, the parameters for the pink noise condition were intermediate between those of the music and no-music conditions. 

 

Regarding the potential loss of music's effectiveness with repeated exposure, the study showed that music continued to mitigate stress-related behaviours effectively for up to seven consecutive exposures, although this effect was not consistent every day.

 

In conclusion, music can enhance human-horse interactions by reducing horses' stress in unexpected situations. The study also showed that the use of music did not interfere with the horses' awareness of and response to environmental noise, which is crucial in case of real danger.

 

However, the researchers suggest that to maintain music's efficiency, it should be used sparingly to target specific, time-limited events. They question whether playing music continuously throughout the day, as is often done in stables, might be counterproductive.

 

However, the researchers suggest that to maintain music's efficiency, it should be used sparingly to target specific, time-limited events. They question whether playing music continuously throughout the day, as is often done in stables, might be counterproductive.

 

They recommend further research to understand the mechanisms behind this effect and to ensure its safe and consistent application in practical settings.

For more details, see:

 

Eyraud, C., Valenchon, M., Cairo, M., Adam, O. and Petit, O. 2024. 

Can Repeated Exposure to Music Mitigate Horses’ Reactions to Sudden and Unexpected Stimuli?. 

International Journal of Equine Science. 3, 1 (Apr. 2024), 58–65.

https://rasayely-journals.com/index.php/ijes/article/view/102

Optimising Youngstock Growth and Development

 An international panel focused on "Optimising Youngstock Growth and Development" at the Gerald Leigh Lectures on June 12, 2024. 

Organized by the Beaufort Cottage Educational Trust on behalf of the Gerald Leigh Charitable Trust, the event honours Mr. Leigh’s accomplishments as a racehorse owner and breeder and his dedication to scientific knowledge and horse welfare. The speakers included experts from the UK, USA, and Europe.

 

Key topics included:

·      Influence of prenatal maternal and environmental factors on foal athletic potential (Pascale Chavatte-Palmer, France)

·      Seasonal effects on mare and foal nutrition (Joe Pagan, USA)

·      Overview of foal purchase at public auctions (Jamie Railton)

·      Parasite resistance on UK stud farms and parasite control strategies (Professor Jacqui Matthews and Paul Overton)

·      Sustainable equine helminth control (Professor Jacqui Matthews)

·      Surgical solutions for limb deformities (Abigail Kent)

·      Raising foals for optimal performance (Dr. Rebecca Mouncey)

·      A stud manager's approach to soundness (Julian Dollar)

·      Balancing youngstock growth and development (Joe Pagan).

 

To watch recordings of the lectures (and those from previous years) go to:

 

https://www.beaufortcottage.com/news-events/category/gerald-leigh-memorial-lectures/

Movement sensors help identify horses at risk of injury

A sensor worn in the saddle cloth may help reduce the risk of catastrophic injury in racehorses. 
 

Researchers, led by Warwick Bailey at Washington State University, have been working with the biometric sensor, developed by the company Stride Safe, to monitor Thoroughbred racehorses during racing and training.

 

By analysing the collected data, the team identified subtle stride changes linked to a increased risk of injury, enabling interventions before catastrophic breakdowns occurred. The researchers highlighted three horses flagged in 2023 at Churchill Downs in a report published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Association.

 

The sensor tracks changes in the rate and direction of a horse's leg and body movements, generating graphs of its stride pattern. An algorithm processes this data and compares it to an "ideal stride" derived from high-performing, sound racehorses. Using data from over 6,500 starts, the algorithm also identifies similarities with strides from horses that suffered catastrophic injuries. The horse is then assigned an injury risk factor from 1 to 5, based on how much its stride deviates from the ideal and how similar it is to an injury-associated stride.

 

Risk status was categorized from 1 to 5. Horses with a risk factor of 1 had a stride pattern within 2 standard deviations (SDs) of the ideal stride, while those with a risk factor of 5 had a stride pattern more than 5 SDs from the ideal stride. Horses with a risk factor of 5 were 950 times more likely to suffer a catastrophic injury than those with a risk factor of 1. 

 

In a database of 6,618 starts, 70% were categorized as risk factor 1, 16.5% as risk factor 2, 7% as risk factor 3, 3% as risk factor 4, and 3.5% as risk factor 5.

 

“These racehorses get extensive examinations before races, but catastrophic injuries still happen, and not because they stepped in a hole or took a bad step. A large percentage have a pre-existing pathology not readily apparent on clinical examination,” said Dr. Denise Mc Sweeney, an equine surgery resident at WSU who was the first author on the study. “From our sensor data, we know most catastrophic injuries have a distinct stride pattern. Now we can see when there's something wrong with their strides and step in before a major injury occurs.”

 

“We know there are about 1.25 catastrophic injuries per 1,000 starts, but identifying those horses before such an event occurs is like finding a needle in a haystack, as they are often subjectively sound during a pre-race examination, and many don’t show any decrease in performance,” Mc Sweeney said. “But if you can narrow it down, like the 3.5% we had out of that group, it is a lot easier to intervene and hopefully prevent injuries.”

 

To test and refine the algorithm, a sensor was placed on horses starting at Churchill Downs and Ellis Park in Kentucky from April 29 to July 2, 2023. Mc Sweeney was responsible for collecting clinical data on the high-risk horses.

In their report, the team focused on a pair of 3-year-old colts and a 4-year-old stallion flagged as category 5. 

 

In each instance, the sensors alerted veterinarians and trainers to potential injury risks.  The abnormal stride pattern was detected either during racing (cases 1 and 2) or while breezing (case 3) (a training run where the horse is allowed to run at a swift pace, often close to its maximum speed)

 

Subsequent veterinary examinations and 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) positron emission tomography were conducted in each case. The research team discovered significant 18F-NaF uptake in the condyles of the third metacarpal bone in cases 1 and 2, identifying these horses as being at increased risk for condylar fractures. In the third case, the 18F-NaF uptake pattern indicated that the third carpal bone was likely causing the horse’s lameness. Radiography confirmed an impending slab fracture.

 

The researchers report that “following periods of convalescence, cases 1 and 2 returned to racing and were identified by the sensor system as no longer being at high risk of catastrophic musculoskeletal injury. Case 3 returned to training but has yet to return to racing.”

 

“These are prime examples of how this technology can prevent horses from breaking,” Mc Sweeney said. “With this information, the trainers and their vets were able to put the brakes on, and now these horses are going on to have longer careers and, hopefully, avoid a catastrophic injury.”

 

Mc Sweeney is hopeful the sensors will become standard for all thoroughbred racing and training. “I believe this is going to make a huge impact,” she said. “The sensors can save the lives of horses and jockeys – they already have.”

 

 

For more details, see: 

 

Using accelerometers to identify a high risk of catastrophic musculoskeletal injury in three racing Thoroughbreds

Denise Mc Sweeney DVM, MS,  Mikael Holmström DVM, PhD, Kevin D. Donohue PhD , David H. Lambert BVSc, and Warwick M. Bayly BVSc, PhD, DACVIM  

 

https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.02.0114

 

See also: https://www.stridesafeusa.com

Fascinating Fascia

Horses Inside Out has released details of a series of courses coming up in September,
presented by Gillian Higgins.

 

Discover More About Fascinating Fascia! (1st September – Online)

 

Healthy fascia is vital for a healthy horse. Understanding the fascial system is crucial for riders, trainers, and equine therapists. Fascia impacts posture, movement, force transmission, proprioception, reflexes, energy, sensation, and potentially the horse’s emotions. Proper hydration of fascia is essential for its function and the overall musculoskeletal health of the horse.

 

This seminar is open to anyone interested in learning more about fascia for the benefit of their horse.

 

Developing Palpation (5th & 6th September)

 

A practical 2-day course designed to improve palpation skills and techniques. Participants will revise anatomy knowledge, learn new techniques, and practice on various horses to refine their skills.

 

Fascia Release Techniques (9th & 10th September)

 

This course delves into the anatomy of different types of fascia, their connections, functions, dysfunctions, and maintenance. Participants will learn and practice various palpation and fascia release techniques over two days.

 

Joint Mobilisations (12th & 13th September)

 

Learn to assess subtle changes and recognize abnormalities in soft tissues and joints. The course covers musculoskeletal testing and appropriate mobilisation techniques.

 

For all the details, see: 

 

https://www.horsesinsideout.com/whats-on-list

Ontario riding schools sought for research study

 Do you run a riding school within three hours of Guelph, Ontario? If so, you may be able to play
a part in a forthcoming study at the University of Guelph aimed at identifying strategies to help riding school horses thrive.

The researchers, led by Dr Katrina Merkies in the. Department of Animal Biosciences, are seeking 23 hunter/jumper lesson establishments, each with a minimum of four horses, to volunteer their facilities for data collection in the study. 

They assure that the study will have no impact on the day-to-day running of the school. Participants will receive a $100 honorarium.

 

If interested, please contact the research team for more details on how to participate.

 

Contact kmerkies@uoguelph.ca or ccopelin@uoguelph.ca for more information or 

register online