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Artificial insemination (AI) with liquid-preserved stallion semen is a widely used reproductive technology. As the demand for AI doses of high-class stallions is transnational, they are frequently exposed to long-distance transport. Since recent studies in boars indicated that vibration emissions caused by transport negatively affected sperm quality in vitro , this study questioned whether sperm quality in stallions is similarly impaired. Furthermore, we investigated stallion and extender-related differences in the spermatozoa's resistance to transport-related quality loss. Stallion ejaculates (n = 30) were collected at a German AI center, split in half, and subsequently diluted to a final sperm concentration of 50 × 106 sperm/mL using the semen extenders EquiPlus or Gent (both Minitüb GmbH, Germany). Four 12 mL aliquots of each sample were filled in plastic syringes according to a split-sample design and exposed to vibration (Displacement index D i = 3.0 ± 0.1) at 5 °C for 0 h (control), 3 h, 6 h or 9 h. All samples were stored for four days at 5 °C after transport simulation and analyzed for total sperm motility, thermo-resistance, membrane integrity, and mitochondrial activity determined by flow cytometry as well as the pH. After calculating generalized linear mixed models for each sperm quality trait, a negative impact of the duration of transport simulation could be shown on total sperm motility (P = 0.001), thermo-resistance (P = 0.030), and the pH (P = 0.001). Simulated transport for 6 h and 9 h diminished sperm quality (P ≤ 0.01), with 9 h reducing thermo-resistance by 5 ± 2.2% points (PP) for EquiPlus and sperm motility by 2.2 ± 1.7 PP for Gent compared to the control group. In contrast, samples exposed to vibration for 3 h showed no decline in sperm quality (P > 0.05). The individual stallion influenced every semen trait (P < 0.05) and transport-related losses in sperm thermo-resistance of up to 15.9 PP were demonstrated. Furthermore, EquiPlus was superior to Gent in all semen assessments (P < 0.001). We conclude that in vitro sperm quality is impaired by vibration. As the quality loss depends on the transport time, we recommend keeping shipping time as short as possible especially for spermatozoa of stallions that are susceptible to vibration-induced sperm quality loss. • Transport-related vibrations affect the quality of AI doses in stallions. • Long transport times reduce sperm motility and thermo-resistance in stallions. • The ability of sperm to resist transport stress varies greatly between stallions. • There is an individual stallion effect influencing all sperm quality traits. • EquiPlus is superior to Gent over all investigated stallion sperm parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'positive list for equines' (Regulation (EC) No 1950/2006) was implemented in the European Union in 2006. The drugs listed are approved for use in slaughter equines under certain conditions, although those drugs are not approved for use in livestock and are not listed in Table 1 of the annex to Regulation (EU) No 37/2010. The usage of such drugs has to be documented in the equine passport and a withdrawal period of six months must be adhered to before the equine can be slaughtered for human consumption. Since the withdrawal period is long, correct documentation is particularly important. This study compared the results of two sub-studies. In sub-study 1, 116 veterinarians and nine equine clinics in Germany were surveyed about the methods and drugs used for castration of equine stallions. In sub-study 2, the documentational findings of 195 equine passports, belonging to 194 horses and one donkey, were analyzed. Regarding sub-study 1, the most commonly used method for castration was reported as 'laid down'. Drug combinations entailing at least one drug from the 'positive list' were used by 86.7% (91/105) of veterinarians castrating horse stallions 'laid down' and by 64.3% (36/56) of veterinarians utilizing this method on donkey stallions. Regarding sub-study 2, drug documentation was verified in the passports of 4.6% (9/195) of all equines and in just 12.0% (3/25) of those belonging to slaughter equine geldings. Anesthetics from the 'positive list' were documented in 4.0% (1/25) of equine passports belonging to slaughter geldings. Because of the high discrepancy of the drug combinations used by veterinarians and the documentation actually found in equine passports, we conclude that drug administration is very seldom documented in equine passports in Germany. This could result in drug residues in equine meat and poses a potential risk for consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erosive and ulcerative lesions of the squamous and glandular gastric mucosa are a common disease of the equine stomach. In the past, these lesions in different regions of the mucosa were summarized as one disease (Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome) and research focused mainly on the squamous gastric mucosa. Today, findings raised awareness of different underlying pathologies depending on the gastric region. This led to the development of a more precise terminology and the differentiation in Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD). However, therapy especially of the glandular regions (EGGD) is challenging as treatment protocols such as omeprazole/sucralfate seem less effective as the effects are on squamous lesions. The retrospective study was performed to investigate the efficacy of a monotherapy with misoprostol in comparison to omeprazole/sucralfate and a combined therapy of omeprazole and misoprostol. Therefore, 67 horses which underwent gastroscopic examination were included in the study. The horses were either presented due to acute colic as an emergency and examined during the hospitalisation or had been referred due to behavioural abnormalities and intermittent mild colic symptoms. The horses had glandular and squamous gastric lesions and the group included 31 geldings, 35 mares and one stallion. 50 of the equine patients were Warmblood horses and 17 of them were ponies. Scoring was performed following suggestions of the Consensus statement of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine (2015) and Banse and Andrews (2019). Findings before and after treatment were evaluated retrospectively. 29 horses were treated with omeprazole (2–4mg/kg q. 24h) and sucralfate (12mg/kg q. 12h), 28 horses were treated with misoprostol (5µg/ kg q. 12h) and 10 horses were treated with omeprazole (2–4mg/kg q. 24h) and misoprostol (5µg/kg q. 12h). Mean duration of therapy was 28 days (omeprazole/sucralfate and misoprostol) and 35 days (omeprazole/misoprostol). The horses were discharged from the clinic after the first gastroscopic examination and respective treatment was done at home by their owners until the follow-up examination. A detailed medication protocol was explained and given to the owners as well as a feeding and management advice. Four horses were excluded from the study because they developed mild colic symptoms and lethargy under therapy with misoprostol. Mean EGGD scores decreased significantly under therapy with misoprostol in all examined localisations as follows: fundus p=0.005, antrum pyloricum p=0.003, pylorus p=0.001. Significant improvements after therapy with omeprazole/sucralfate in the glandular region included exclusively the pylorus (p=0,038). EGGD scores decreased non-significantly after treatment with omeprazole and misoprostol. Post-treatment ESGD scores did not show improvement after the therapy with omeprazole/sucralfate. Monotherapy with misoprostol was superior to omeprazole/sucralfate and omeprazole/misoprostol for ameliorating glandular lesions of the equine stomach. This resembles the results of Varley et al. (2019). There was no worsening of ESGD-lesions following therapy with misoprostol like it has been reported in a study of Pickles et al. (2020). Therapy with omeprazole and sucralfate had only little efficacy on lesions of the glandular mucosa and did not have positive effects on squamous lesions. To date, there is no compound containing misoprostol available for equine veterinary medicine in Germany. The authors highly request further research concerning alternative therapeutical options for horses with EGGD and the improvement of their availability for veterinary medicine in Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is common in horses and of high clinical and economic importance. The objective of this study was to review the current known risk factors and to gain new knowledge about EGUS. In addition, the symptoms previously known from the literature which allow suspicion of a gastric disease were evaluated for their relevance. For this purpose, a multicentric study based on an owner questionnaire was designed, which addresses these factors and signs of disease in detail. At the same time a veterinary report sheet was developed, which enables a uniform classification of the endoscopic findings. It was planned to include all horses presented for gastroscopy in the study. From the total of eight regularly participating clinics and practices in Germany, a total of 133 complete owner and veterinary report questionnaire combinations returned within 20 months. 113 of the evaluable questionnaire combinations were analysed for significant correlations with the occurrence of the EGUS. In the study population examined, the median age of the horses was eleven years (Range). 58% were geldings, 39% mares and 3% stallions. Most horses (67.3%) were used for leisure activities, only 22.1% were sport horses. In the current report, 83.2% of examined horses suffered from EGUS. In 43.4% of the horses both the glandular and the non-glandular mucosa were affected. Only the non-glandular part was affected in 21.2% of the horses and 17.7% suffered from lesions of the glandular mucosa only. The most common reason for presentation was recurrent colic (31.9%). The analysis of the identified risk factors and symptoms for correlation with the presence of gastric lesions showed that the horses from the groups breed: „pony”, horses with „open stables in one group”, „open stables all year round”, „open stables plus grass pasture seasonally”, „hay feeding from a net”, kind of use: Gnadenbrot (keeping of old horses)” and „Omeprazole as prophylaxis during stress „ mostly showed no or only minor gastric findings (EGUS) (p≤0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accordance with their historically evolved origin and task, most of the German main and land studs go back to courtly stud estates, so-called „Hofgestüte“, in the majority of the 18th century. According to Lehndorff (1925), these studs had and would serve the purpose of serving as a model and pioneer for a proper and prosperous horse breeding until it reached the level that made the state stallions superfluous. This goal has been achieved in Germany for several decades. The main effort of the „Hofgestüte“ consisted of acquiring suitable stallions from Germany and abroad for covering the respective mares for their and their offspring improvement. The purpose of the horses of this time was to represent the hunting, riding and breeding of carriage horses, but above all, the breeding of suitable remontes for military service, in order to secure the military policy of the respective rulers. Above all, the selection of suitable stallions of different breeds and blood lines was used in order to produce the most suitable, genetically stabilized offspring from the heterogeneous gene pool of the mares. The capital for these financially and breeding-consuming enterprises came first from the various princely studs, then from the state, occasionally at that time by a few private breeders. The capital of these studs, from which they were to finance themselves, were and had to be the bred and sold horses as well as the revenues from the breeding business. This has not been guaranteed since the middle of the 20th century when it comes to state studs. Breeding and provision of large numbers of horses on the remounting was before their use in the various wars of the past, which would have been impossible without cavalry and infantry. To illustrate it is recalled that, for example, in the First World War on the part of the German army, 1.8 million horses fought, in the Second World War, this was then 2.7 million, of which 1.8 million did not survive this war. These figures also prove the eminent importance of the horse in this regard. In order to ensure this, the numbers of coverings of state stud farms during the last years of the war and post war years increased to three times the pre-war period. After that, the decline began. In the first 25 years after the end of the war, the number of National Studs was more than double that of today. This is demonstrated by examples of the stud farms of the ndividual federal states. At the end of the Second World War, the horse country Germany was also bled in hippological terms. With the rapid motorisation in agriculture and transport at that time, the disappearance of the horse from the armies, there seemed to be no future. How-ever, with the following economic boom, the German economic miracle, a slow, then nearly explosive development of equestrian sport and sport horse breeding went hand in hand. The meanwhile documented enormous number of national and international victories in all relevant disciplines, as well as the associated profit sums of German horses prove this. That the "German riding horse" has become a trademark was increasingly the merit of private breeders and stallion owners more than the German National Studs. The formerly significant influence of these studs with their breeders management, had to give way to the financially dominating businessmen. That's why, influence and horse numbers of National Studs in the sports segment fell. The horse has also become an economic factor through recreational and professional sport, which currently counts about 350 000 employees in horse related employment relationships and about one million registered horses in Germany. In this competitive economic structure, which disputes the National Studs largely their historically grown tasks and resulting business foundations, they must find alternative ways to survive, which are dictated by the commercial needs. Nevertheless, keeping these studs vital to life must be required because of the horses. The culture around the horse is to be seen and to be found in handling with this – respect with equine keeping and use. Above all, this should be taught and practiced in the National Studs, where the families of the stud guards have traditionally often worked for generations. In this, the real culture of man for the horse exists and must survive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Horses are increasingly being kept in group stables where they are given the opportunity to move freely and to contact conspecifics. This study examined how the horses of a large group move in an active stable and which areas or resources they use over a period of 7.5 months with the help of linear mixed models. Therefore, a grid with the size of 3 × 3 m per square was applied. The horses used, on average, 53.2 ± 19 different squares per hour. It was shown that observation day (p < 0.001) and covariate age (p < 0.001) had significant effects on squares visited per hour. Sex (p = 0.30) and breed (p = 0.65) had no significant effects. A large variation in the squares visited per hour was determined for the individual horses. Most frequently visited were the individual resources, such as the feed stalls or lying halls. An open tarp skin lying hall was preferred over a metal hall. The shelters were only partly popular. An overview of the usage frequency of the paddock could be created by using heatmaps. Overall, specific conclusions about the use of individual areas and potential for improvement could be pointed out. The aim of this study was to analyze the utilization of different stable areas of a total of 52 group-housed horses as well as their preferred stable parts and the use of resources. The study was situated in a "HIT Active Stable®" in Northern Germany for a period of 227 observation days. After dividing the whole farm area in a grid of 3 × 3 m, the dataset was examined with and without the pasture area. Furthermore, linear mixed models were applied. On average, horses used 53.2 ± 19 different squares per hour. The observation day (p < 0.001) and the covariate age (p < 0.001) had significant effects on the different squares visited per hour. No significant effects were found for sex (p = 0.30) and breed (p = 0.65) as only geldings and no stallions were part of the group and the distribution of the breeds was unfavorable. The random effect animal showed that the horse-individual estimates from −19.2 to 17.6 different squares visited per hour were quite large. Furthermore, it could be shown that the horses used resources such as feed stalls with a frequency of up to 0.14% more than other paddock areas without resources. Open lying halls with tarp skin were also preferred over the metal hall. The shelters were only partly popular. Use could be visualized with the help of heat maps. This study gives a good overview of the use of individual areas and resources and possible improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) is enzootic in equine populations throughout the world. A large outbreak of EHV-4 respiratory infection occurred at a Standardbred horse-breeding farm in northern Germany in 2017. Respiratory illness was observed in a group of in-housed foals and mares, which subsequently resulted in disease outbreak. Out of 84 horses in the stud, 76 were tested and 41 horses were affected, including 20 foals, 10 stallions, and 11 mares. Virological investigations revealed the involvement of EHV-4 in all cases of respiratory illness, as confirmed by virus isolation, qPCR, and/or serological follow-up using virus neutralization test and peptide-specific ELISA. Among infected mares, 73% (8 out of 11) and their corresponding foals shed the virus at the same time. EHV-4 was successfully isolated from four animals (including one stallion and three foals), and molecular studies revealed a different restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profile in all four isolates. We determined the complete 144 kbp genome sequence of EHV-4 isolated from infected horses by next-generation sequencing and de novo assembly. Hence, EHV-4 is genetically stable in nature, different RFLP profiles, and genome sequences of the isolates, suggesting the involvement of more than one animal as a source of infection due to either true infection or reactivation from a latent state. In addition, epidemiological investigation revealed that stress caused by seasonal changes, management practices, routine equestrian activities, and exercises contributed as a multifactorial causation for disease outbreak. This study shows the importance of implementing stress alleviating measures and management practices in breeding farms in order to avoid immunosuppression and occurrence of disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]