Journal of Equine Science最新文献

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the colostral and foal serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration values in heavy draft horses in Japan and to examine the effects of peripartum mare condition on colostral immunity. Colostrum was obtained 1 hr after foaling (pre-suckling; n=178). Blood was collected from the jugular vein of the foals (n=147) at 24 to 48 hr after birth. The foaling statuses of 73 mares were recorded. The average colostral IgG concentration was 10,540 ± 3,190 mg/dl (median=10,928; range 1,434-17,514 mg/dl). The average serum IgG concentration obtained from neonatal foals 24 to 48 hr after birth was 1,750 ± 919 mg/dl (median=1,890; range 0-3,510 mg/dl). Although colostral IgG did not differ between the normal foaling mare (n=59) and dystocial mare (n=14), foal serum IgG was lower in foals born in dystocia than in foals in normal foaling (P<0.05). This study demonstrates reference values for colostral and foal serum IgG specific to heavy draft horses in Japan and suggests that dystocia may interfere with the acquisition of colostral immunity in neonatal foals.

There is limited knowledge about causes of musculoskeletal injury in jumping Thoroughbred horses. The objective of this study was to describe the relationships between musculoskeletal disorders and linear and angular limb measurements acquired from photographs of horses with markers at specific reference points. The diagnosed musculoskeletal disorders in either fore or hind limbs were flexor tendonitis, suspensory ligaments desmitis, and osteoarthritis of the distal intertarsal and tarso-metatarsal and carpometacarpal joints. Lengths and angles in 17 clinically normal jumping Thoroughbred horses and 34 horses with musculoskeletal problems were measured. Horses with musculoskeletal disorders had significantly shorter neck, shoulder, and pelvis lengths (P<0.05), significantly longer arm and forearm front lengths (P<0.05), and significantly lower front shoulder, elbow, and hind fetlock joint angles (P<0.05). In conclusion, this study describes significant relationships between linear and angular morphometric measurements and musculoskeletal disorders in jumping Thoroughbred horses. These data could possibly provide indicators for better selection of jumpers with less risk of developing orthopedic disorders.

Working equids rely on sound, balanced hooves, but data describing the typical morphology of the legs and feet of working donkeys are currently lacking. To address this gap in knowledge, the front and hind feet of twenty healthy working donkeys were measured and compared. Hoof width, weight-bearing lengths, heel width, dorsal hoof wall length and lateral and medial heel length of the hoof wall were determined, as well as toe angle, heel angle, hoof pastern axis, coronary band angle and a measure of 'ground surface size'. Viewed from the ground surface of the foot, front feet were more rounded and significantly larger than hind feet. Measures of medial-lateral balance and toe-heel angle ratio were within the recommended healthy guidelines for horses. Hoof pastern axis was broken forward for the studied animals, which supports previous research suggesting that a broken forward hoof pastern axis is normal for donkeys, although further study would be required to confirm whether this conformation is natural. Significant correlations were found between estimated body mass and hoof width in both the front and hind feet. These measurements provide valuable insight into the relationship between hoof and body characteristics, which may aid the development of guidelines for the trimming and management of working donkey hooves. Further study is, however, advised to confirm natural hoof conformation.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors influencing the presence of Brucella spp. antibodies in donkeys in Yobe south senatorial zone, Nigeria. The study was aimed at determining the importance of Brucella spp. infection in donkeys (Equus asinus). A total of 200 sera samples from of 105 males and 95 female donkeys were collected and screened for brucellosis using the rose bengal plate test (RBPT) and the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). Data obtained were analyzed to determine associations and risk factors. The analysis revealed that 21.5% and 18.5% were seropositive by RBPT and iELISA respectively, with 22.0% and 20.0% of the male and female donkeys being seropositive by RBPT, and 19.0% and 17.9% of the male and female donkeys being seropositive by iELISA, respectively. There was a statistically significant association between donkey age and positive rate of iELISA for detecting Brucella infection. Though the positive rate was higher for males than females, there was no statistically significant association between sex and location of donkeys and the sensitivities of RBPT and iELISA for detecting Brucella infection. In conclusion, this study indicates that brucellosis exists with high seroprevalence particularly among male and adult donkeys and is of public health significance and economic importance because it can lead to infertility and abortion in the stock.