Biomarkers of Stress and Inflammation in Assessing the Quality of Welfare of Conditioned Vaquejada Horses

In recent decades, the intensity of training and equestrian competitions has significantly increased, thus the assessment of the well-being of the equine athlete has become essential in all equestrian modalities. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether equine athletes submitted to a vaquejada simulation test (VqST), comprised of three races, presented changes in blood biomarkers related to stress and health status. Fourteen healthy Quarter Horses, used as pull horses in this equestrian modality, were evaluated. Ten animals were submitted to the VqST and the remaining four were used as a control group. Blood samples were collected pre-test (during fast), immediately after, and at 1, 4 and 24 hours of recovery. The assessed blood biomarkers included cortisol, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, iron, urea, creatinine, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) concentrations and results were analyzed using One Way ANOVA (time) with the SigmaStat 13.0 software. No differences between sample times were detected in both groups (p > 0.05) and no differences were found between groups (p > 0.05). The results suggest that all horses were well conditioned for the level of effort imposed by the three vaquejada races. The adaptation to physical exercise may enable the regulation of the acute response to stress in the tissues involved in the exercises, with no differences being observed in stress and health biomarkers, such as IL-6, IL-1β and cortisol. In conclusion, well-conditioned vaquejada horses exhibit a balanced regulation of biological processes, which contributes an increased athletic longevity and better quality of athletic life.

Polymorphism of Coding Sequences of IGF1R Gene in Baise Horses and Thoroughbred

[ Objective]The aim was to study polymorphism of mat-peptide sequence of IGF1 R gene in Baise horses and thoroughbred, which would af- ford reference for the further studies on the dwarf mechanism and molecular breeding in horses. [Method] A total of 57 blood samples of each breed were collected and genomic DNA was extracted by the standard phenol -chloroform method. Five DNA pools of each breed were constituted and polymorphism sites were identified by sequencing PCR products. Frequencies of genotypes and alleles at these sites of each breed were checked by PCR-RFLP. [Result] Four polymorphism sites were identified in exon 2, 5 and 16, including mutations of T406C, T179 627C, G212 077A and G2.12 110A. No difference was found in the frequency of T179 627C between the Baise horses and thoroughbred. The mutation （3212 077A was only found in the thorou- ghbred, and the mutations, T406C and G212 110A, were only checked out in the Baise horses. [ Conclusion] Whether these mutations are associated with horse growth needs further studies.

Evaluation of Pre-Cecal, Ileal Digestibility and Glycemic Response in Fistulated Horses Fed with Different Starch Sources

The objective of this study was to evaluate the coefficients of pre-cecal, ileal digestibility, and glycemic response in cannulated horses fed with different starch sources. Four male horses were used in a 4 × 4 Balanced Latin Square cannulated in the cecum, with 36 months of age and average weight of 350 kg. The horses were fed with hay and the following sources of starch in concentrates: 1) corn (C);2) oats (O);3) sorghum (S);and 4) corn/oats (CO). The experiment consisted of four periods of eighteen days each, being the first twelve days of adaptation and six days to collect samples. There was no difference in cecal and ileal digestibility of starch, CP, ADF, NDF and OM among diets evaluated. However, horses fed with oats diet had higher values of pre-cecal apparent digestibility of DM in relation at the horses fed to sorghum and corn/oats diets. The values of CF digestibility were higher for equines fed with oats and sorghum diet compared to corn/oats diet. The horses fed with corn/oats diet had lower plasma glucose concentrations 30 minutes before the supply and higher insulin concentrations 210 minutes after ingestion of the foods. The digestibility of nutrients in equine diets, in pre-cecal and pre-ileal evaluation, presents significant differences, depending on the starch source provided, oat, corn or sorghum. The plasma glucose concentrations are directly correlated with the digestibility of starch.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Horses of Central Mexico

Equines are affected by a large number of endoparasites, these can cause gastrointestinal signs, respiratory, poor performance, slow growth and even cause sudden death. The presence of parasites can be associated with various factors related to the animal and environmental or geographical factors. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infection and risk factors in horses were evaluated. Stool samples belonging to 218 horses from different regions of central Mexico were analyzed by coproparasitological concentration-flotation technique. The fecal examinations were carried out from February to August in 2017. Among the 218 samples that were examined, 103 (47.24%) were found to be positive with several gastrointestinal parasites, with Strongylus spp. being the most prevalent (23.85%) followed by Trichostrongylus spp. (21.56%) and Parascaris spp. (11.93%). Breed and place of origin were significantly associated with helminth infection. Sex was associated as a significant risk factor (p < 0.01) with the infection by Strongylus spp. on females and by Anoplocephala, on males. In central Mexico, gastrointestinal helminth infection appears to be relatively low.

Analysis of Tracheal Secretion in Healthy Horses Undergoing a Vaquejada Simulation Test

This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of EIPH in vaquejada horses via endoscopy and tracheal lavage and citology. We used eight Quarter-mile horses that usually perform at vaquejadas. Clinical examination was carried out before the race. After the race, endoscopy and tracheal lavage with 20 ml of saline via the service channel of the endoscope were performed. The samples were sent to the laboratory for processing and confection of the slides. Of the eight horses (four pull and four helper horses), six had hemosiderophages in their tracheal aspirates, confirming the existence of pulmonary hemorrhage after exercise. No difference was observed between the analyzed parameters between the two groups of vaquejada horses (P > 0.05). Tracheal lavage and endoscopy can be used for evaluating this important disease in animal athletes.

Use of Mexican Propolis for the Topical Treatment of Dermatomycosis in Horses

Five horses with lesions compatible with dermatomycosis were selected and skin scrapings were taken from all affected areas. Samples were then treated with 10% KOH and observed by direct microscopic examination;fungal cultures using Mycobiotic Agar and Borelli Agar were also preformed;Trichophyton mentagrophytes was identified in two cases, whereas Candida albicans was identified in the other three. Skin lesions in cases 1 and 2 were treated topically with ketoconazol ointment, while in the remaining cases a weekly bath with propolis-based shampoo and application of propolis-based ointment on the lesions 2 to 3 times a week were implemented. Treatment in all cases lasted 4 weeks. Pictures were taken before and after treatment and, making use of the Image Pro-Express® software, therapy efficacy was determined by measurement of lesion area diameter and a significant reduction in lesion size was observed by the end of the 4 weeks of treatment with ketoconazole and propolis-based products. Thus proving the effectiveness of such propolis-based products, making them a natural therapeutic alternative for the treatment of cutaneous mycoses in horses, and carrying none of the toxic side effects of conventional pharmaceuticals.

First Serological Evidence of Borna Disease Virus in Healthy Horses from Yucatan, Mexico

Borna Disease Virus (BDV) causes a progressive non-suppurative meningoencephalitis that sometimes occurs in mortality;this disease has been reported for over two centuries ago in horses, sheep and cats in Central Europe and some regions of Asia. Currently, it is known that it causes neurological symptoms in various species of vertebrates including human beings. In Yucatan, Mexico, there is a single serological report about the circulation of BDV in schizophrenia patients;however, nothing is known about the circulation in animals. We obtained serum samples of 100 horses without apparent clinical signs caused by BDV infection, from various sites in the region. Antibodies against BDV were detected by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) method with three recombinant proteins: BDV p24, BDV p40 and BDV p10 as antigens;obtaining a high seroprevalence of 44% (44/100). This study generates the first report of the probable activity of the BDV in healthy horses in Mexico and has expanded the infiltration area of BDV in the world. Nevertheless, several molecular investigations are required to detect BDV-RNA circulating and find sequences for clarification of the origin of BDV in Mexican horses.

The Effects of Dexmedetomidine Continuous Rate Infusion (CRI) on Isoflurane Anaesthesia in Healthy Horses

The concept of the modern anaesthesiological technique partial intravenous anaesthesia (PIVA) is by means of infusion of different pharmacological agents as a supplement to inhalation anaesthetics to reduce the concentration of volatile agents maintaining surgical anaesthesia and to decrease their noxious side effects mainly on cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Alpha-2 agonists are agents with frequent use in equine practice either as sedatives or in general anaesthesia PIVA protocols. The most selective amongst them, dexmedetomidine, is characterized by fewer side effects, lower doses, and fast elimination which make it appropriate for application as a continuous rate infusion (CRI). The purpose of this study was to trace out the effects of dexmedetomidine continuous rate infusion (CRI) as part of PIVA using isoflurane on volatile agent requirements, cardiovascular function, respiration and coagulation parameters, and recovery in healthy horses. Six healthy horses with average age 9.0 ± 5.1 year and mean body weight 247.7 ± 71.4 kg were subjected to either 3-hour lasting isoflurane or isoflurane-dexmedetomidine anaesthesia two weeks apart. The main clinical and anaesthesiological parameters were monitored in 10 minutes intervals. Electrolytes, acid-base, blood gases, and coagulation parameters were measured at the beginning and at the end of each anaesthesia. Recovery times and qualities were also recorded. The results showed that, the addition of dexmedetomidine by CRI at 1.75 μg·kg-1·hour-1 to isoflurane anaesthesia slightly reduced isoflurane requirement for maintenance of surgical anaesthesia but had negligible effects on the recovery time and quality. PIVA using dexmedetomidine and isoflurane produced respiratory acidosis similar to isoflurane anaesthesia alone but with significantly more pronounced hypoxaemia and hyperlactaemia. Both investigated anaesthesia protocols did not influence significantly haemocoagulation parameters.

Citrus Pulp in Concentrates for Horses

The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of increasing levels of citrus pulp in horse diets by investigating nutrient digestibility and the diet carbohydrate fractions, as well as to evaluate the correlation observed between the studied digestibility coefficients. Five adult horses were used. The horses were housed in individual stalls and had approximate ages of 3.5 years and live weights of 492.5 ± 44.5 kg. The experimental diets were formulated to meet the animals’ requirements for maintenance, establishing a roughage-to-concentrate ratio of 60:40 with the coast-cross hay as the roughage. The formulated concentrates contained increasing inclusion levels of citrus pulp (0%, 7%, 14%, 21%, and 28%). No effect of the diets was observed (p> 0.05) on the coefficients of digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, nitrogen-free extract, and non-fibrous carbohydrates;however, there was an effect (p< 0.05) on the soluble carbohydrates,y= 66.298 + 0.3724x. Citrus pulp may be used in horse diets at up to 28% concentrate. Citrus pulp is a safe energy source and benefits the digestibility of the nutrients and the carbohydrate fraction (both the fibrous and non-fibrous fractions) of the diet.

Left Alone But Returned With Horses

The author was born in December 1943 in the Qamdo Prefecture and died of illness in 2000. She was a writer and a member of the Tibet Branch of the Chinese Association of Writers. She used to be head of Nagqu Prefecture, Deputy Director of the Nagqu Prefectural Bureau of Animal Husbandry, Vice-Chairman of the Tibet Association of Literary and Art Circles, Chairman of the Tibet Association of Folk Literature Writers, President of the Tibet Society of Folk Culture and Chief Editor of Tibet Folklore. Her works include Changtang Grasslands and I. Here is a story she once wrote.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Horses and Donkeys in and around Gondar Town, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted from October 2010 to June 2011 in and around Gondar town to identify the species and determine prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in donkeys and horses. Gross examination, direct fecal smear, sedimentation and floatation techniques were utilized to identify the eggs and larvae of parasites in feces. A total of 384 horses and donkeys were examined for gastrointestinal parasites. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 92.71% (356 from 384) with 80.95% (85 from 105) and 97.13% (271 from 279) in horses and donkeys, respectively. Prevalence of Strongyle, Parascaris equorum, Oxyuris equi, Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus and Gastrophilus intestinalis was 66.67%, 43.8%, 0.95%, 2.86%, and 0.95%, respectively in horses. Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 87.81%, 42.29%, 4.30%, 5.73%, 1.43%, 3.58% and 0.72% for Strongyles, Parascaris equorum, Oxyuris equi, Fasciola, Tricuris, Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus and Gastrophilus intestinalis in donkeys, respectively. There was a statisticcally significant difference between species, housing and among feed types in prevalence of equine gastrointestinal parasites

Consciousness-raising in animal welfare through practical experience with horses

In Italy, Law no. 189/2004 (enforced by law n. 201/2010) on safeguarding animal welfare establishes penalties for anyone keeping animals in conditions that are incompatible with their physiological or ethological needs. Thus, in order to recognize the condition of poor welfare or mistreatment, the training of a veterinarian needs to adopt a new approach to animal well being —that is somewhat different from the health ideas that have been prevalent so far. In this research we carry out an evaluation of the competence of veterinary students after a theoric 20-hour course in ethology and after three weeks of practical horses handling class. For two years 24 students were selected to took part in a program of horse management, in order to reach a high level of practical competence, from the ability to recognize non-verbal signals from horses, to cleaning and grooming, and to a more specific and refined ability—the establishment of a relationship with horse. While the skill level at the beginning was generally low, being the students’ backgrounds mainly urban, at the end of the practical course nearly 90% of them succeeded in the area of horse-human relationship, reaching evaluations in a range of good-excellent scores (p < 0.01). By combining over the years the applied ethology knowledge with the more profession-oriented health-related subjects, veterinary education will give students the resources that can better assist them in facing the challenges they will meet in their working lives. The fact that too many unlawful horses’ estab-lishments are often found all over the countries point indeed to a need for new experienced, well-trained professional people.

Pituitary Lesions, Obesity, and Mesenteric Lipomas in Insulin-Resistant Horses

The aim of the current study was to identify associations between pituitary lesions, body condition scores, and mesenteric lipomas in horses with insulin resistance. Necropsy examinations were performed following euthanasia in 30 adult horses designated as insulin resistant (n = 11) or insulin sensitive (n = 19). Insulin sensitivity was determined using the insulin-modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test and resting insulin concentrations. At necropsy, mesenteric lipomas were measured. The pituitary and adrenal glands, pancreas, and liver were evaluated histologically;pituitary glands were scored based on published criteria. Insulin-resistant horses had significantly higher pituitary scores (p = 0.0035) and body condition scores (p = 0.0001), even when adjusting for age, and a greater frequency of mesenteric lipomas (p = 0.014) and greater lipoma area (p = 0.0332) than insulin-sensitive horses. Regardless of insulin status, horses with pituitary scores ≥3 (diffuse hyperplasia;n = 25) had higher body condition scores (p = 0.0313) and a greater frequency of mesenteric lipomas (p < 0.0002) than those with lower pituitary scores. High body condition score was not correlated to an increased frequency of mesenteric lipomas. Detection of higher pituitary scores in insulin-resistant horses suggested an association between insulin resistance and pituitary morphology. Horses in the insulin-resistant group and those with high pituitary scores had higher body condition scores and a greater frequency of mesenteric lipomas. These horses might be at increased risk for lipoma-associated colic.

Plasma and Red Blood Cells Concentration Profiles of Ktamine after Single Intravenous Administration in an Anaesthetic Protocol in Horses

The aim of this study was to describe the concentration profile of ketamine in plasma and red blood cells following an intravenous (IV) bolus in the horse. Ten healthy standardbred horses (two males and height females) 7.7 ± 4.6 (mean value ± SD) years old and weighting 380 ± 21 kg (mean value ± SD) were recruited. The horses were premedicated with acepromazine (0.04 mg·kg-1·IV). Fifteen minutes later they received romifidine (0.08 mg·kg-1·IV), and 5 minutes after they were administered midazolam (0.06 mg·kg-1·IV). Immediately, anaesthesia was induced by ketamine (2.2 mg·kg-1·IV). Venous blood samples were collected at scheduled time points. Plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) concentration of ketamine was assayed using a high performance liquid chromatographic method (HPLC/UV-DAD). The high mean recovery rates, the high sensitivity, the good linearity, suggest a clinical applicability of the analytical method. A bicompartmental model resulted as the most appropriate to describe the ketamine concentration—time profile for both plasma and RBCs. The fitted regression line between ketamine plasma concentrations and RBC concentrations supports the good correlation between ketamine concentrations in plasma and in RBCs. The kinetic parameters of ketamine calculated for RBC are equal or very similar to the plasma ones. The study confirms the kinetic behaviour of ketamine used in the horse as anaesthetic inducers in routine surgery. Finally, the bicompartmental model well describes the ketamine profile also in RBCs, that it is very close to the plasma profile, underlining the great importance of RBCs as blood subcompartment.

High Plasma Concentrations of Sclerostin, an Inhibitor of the Wnt Signaling Pathway, in Young Horses Affected by Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis (OC) is a developmental disease in horses with a significant impact on the horse’s welfare and performance. The early disturbance of enchondral ossification progresses to inflammatory and healing process in older horses. Metabolic pathway analysis showed an obvious dysregulation of several signaling pathways related to cartilage formation and cartilage repair such as Wnt/β-catenin, Indian hedgehog and TGF-β signaling pathways. Other regulated genes appeared to be involved in high carbohydrate diet, abnormal insulin metabolism or inflammation. Sclerostin is an osteocyte-secreted soluble antagonist of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. It is crucial for osteoblast development and activity and is increased in naturally occurring lesions of equine osteochondrosis. The aim of this study is to compare the circulating sclerostin levels between OC-affected (n = 20) and healthy horses (n = 19). A significant linear regression between plasma sclerostin and age is observed especially in the healthy young horses. The mean plasma sclerostin concentration is significantly higher in young horses suffering from osteochondrosis compared to the control horses. These results reinforce the possible role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the OC pathogeny. The inhibition of this essential pathway could disturb the osteo-chondral differentiation. More studies are currently needed to define the eventual clinic interest of plasma sclerostin as future biomarker in bone and cartilage diseases.

Riding Horses

Horses are strong and beautiful animals.There are more than 400 breeds of horses.Some are large,and others are small.Small ones are called ponies.Horses can travel long distances while carrying a rider.Some can also pull heavy loads.Before people had cars,they used to use horses for travel and work.Today you don't see many horses.But some people still keep them and ride them for fun.

Social networks of reintroduced Przewalski's horses in the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area (Mongolia)

Analyzing social networks is a powerful tool for understanding the ecology of social species.While most studies focus on the role of each group member,few compare groups with different characteristics.The current population of Przewalski's horses Equus ferus przewalskii at the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area(Mongolia)includes groups of wild-born and captive-bred individuals with different experiences with the area(acclimatizing,long-term reintroduced,and wild-born),therefore serving as an ideal natural behavioral lab.We filmed 11 groups for 141.5 hours in summer 2018(July),late spring 2019(May,June),and autumn 2019(September,October).Affiliative and agonistic interactions were recorded,and social networks were created.We tested the influence of origin,experience,season,sex,age,relative time belonging to the group,relat-edness,and dominance rank on different network indices at the individual and group levels.We found that groups with greater experience in the area are generally better connected than members of the newly formed groups.However,these strong networks were created by wild-born individuals with very low interaction rates.On the contrary,inexperienced groups composed of captive-bred individuals displayed many inter actions but created weak social networks.The results show a trend of behavioral transition from acclimatizing through long-term reintroduced to wild-born groups,supporting that the newly formed groups of released Przewalski's horses need time to display the typical social behavior patterns of wild-born individuals.Long-term monitoring of released Przewalski's horses is recommended to promote the success of this reintroduction program.

Port Cranes, Not Trojan Horses

The U.S.Government is viewing China-made port cranes as a modernday Trojan horse clad in a steel exterior.On February 21,U.S.President Joe Biden signed an executive order authorizing the Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard to address the"cybersecurity threat"posed by Chinese cranes within the United States.

Microelement analysis of source of raw materials of terracotta warriors and horses of Qin's Mausoleum in pits No.1 and No.2

In order to search for sources of the raw material of the Qin’s terracotta warriors and horses, we selected 20 samples of pottery warriors and pottery horses of the Qin’s Mausoleum from pit No. 1,19 samples of pottery warriors and brick from pit No. 2, 20 samples of clays near the Qin’s Mausoleum and 2 samples of Yaozhou porcelain bodies. The 32 kinds of element content of each sample were measured by neutron activation analysis (NAA). These data were analyzed by fuzzy cluster analysis, the trend cluster analysis diagram was obtained. The results showed that samples of terracotta warriors and horses from pits No.1 and No. 2 were closely related to the loam layer near Qin’s Mausoleum, but their relations with the loess layers were not so close, and they were out of all relation to Yaozhou porcelain bodies. Thus, it could be deduced that the Li Mountain clay may be considered as the original place of the raw materials of the terracotta warriors and horses, the kiln sites might be located nearby the Qin’s