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Osteochondrosis is a multifactorial pathology that affects up to 75% of equids and impacts their sports career. Feeding excess dietary concentrates, thus inducing increased blood glucose and insulin peaks associated with meals, has been linked to an increased incidence of osteochondrosis in foals. The objective of the study was to analyze the effects of different of concentrate distribution in 2 or 8 meals throughout day and night on glucose metabolism and the incidence of osteochondrosis in foals. Anglo-Arabian foals born to the same sire and bred in the same facilities were used from 6 to 18 mo of age over a 2-year period. At weaning (6 mo), they were housed in stables. After an adaptation period, they received 2.5–3kg of cereal pellets in 2 meals (year 1, 9 females (F) and 10 males (M) and year 2, 5 F and 6 M) or in 8 meals/d (year 1, 10 F, 10 M and year 2, 5 F and 4 M) using an automatic horse feeder (AHF) until 12 mo of age, when the males were gelded and all foals sent to pasture. At 6, 12 and 18 mo, Frequent Sampling Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Tests (FSIVGTT) and joint x-rays were performed. Glucose and insulin FSIVGTT data were analyzed with Bergman minimal model (MinMod software). Data were analyzed using chi2 or linear model test with permutations according to data type. Nutritional intakes per individual were not different in overall terms between year, groups nor sex. Foals receiving 8 meals/day during their first winter had a better average daily gain (562.2 ± 55.0 g/d for 2 meals/d vs 616.1 ± 100.1g/d for 8 meals/d, P

International audience; estational length is highly variable in horses ranging from 320 to 360 days. Thus, determining parturition time is an important challenge for the horse industry. Body temperature can be used in cows and ewes as an indicator of parturition. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine if temperature can also be used as indicator of foaling. Thirty-nine mares were monitored over two foaling seasons (2018 and 2019). They were housed in 16 m2 stalls with access to pasture in group three times a week from 10:00 to 16:00. Night watch as well as video monitoring was ensured during foaling periods. Body temperature was monitored using an identification and temperature sensor microchip implanted in the neckline. Measurement were taken manually every 2 h from 5 days before to 6 h after parturition by moving a microchip reader close to the mares' neck. Mares were equipped with a tail accelerometer recording tail movements and lateral recumbency 24 h before parturition. In addition, behaviour was monitored by video analysis in the hour preceding expulsion of the foal in 8 individuals in 2019. Relationships between behavioural and temperature data were explored throughout principal component analysis (PCA). All foals were born healthy and no human intervention was required during foaling. Mean daily body temperature decreased significantly by 0.3 °C (95%; range: 0.42 to -0.19 °C) between the day of parturition and the mean temperature of the 5 preceding days. A significant temperature decrease was also detected 12 h before and at the onset of parturition. With a 0.5 °C threshold, foaling could be detected 12 h in advance with 96.6% sensitivity and 95.0% specificity, respectively. Tail movements were more frequent and shorter with impending parturition. Body temperature was positively correlated with increased frequency and duration of specific behaviours (flehmen, looking at their flank and rump scratching against the stall wall). In conclusion, as in other species, body temperature was related to signs usually associated with impeding parturition, with a significant temperature drop observed from 12 h before and at the time of foaling. Providing automated measurements become available, temperature monitoring could become an additional tool to predict parturition in mares.

International audience; In clinics, temperature is used as an indicator of health. Mostly rectal temperature is recorded, requiring handling and time. Temperature-sensitive identification microchips could be an alternative. Foals (26 males and 17 females), 4-12 months old, were housed in stalls over two winters (December-February). They were equipped with an identification and temperature sensor microchip implanted in the neckline. Temperature was recorded using an antenna located near the drinking trough. Animals were fed concentrated feed and forage twice daily, with free access to water. Rectal temperatures (79 measurements) were recorded simultaneously in 26 animals. Data were analyzed with a linear mixed model, using natural cubic splines for the mean curve and a random horse effect. All animals remained healthy throughout the study. More than 100,000 recordings were obtained. Mean temperature for all individuals at all times was 37.5 +/- 0.1 degrees C. Time of the day affected temperature with a daily amplitude of 0.96 degrees C (P < .001). Lowest temperatures were observed before dawn, the acrophase occurring around 18:00, with a smaller increase around midday. Mean temperature was 0.26 degrees C higher in males (P < .05). It was also 0.1 degrees C higher in light (