Search

Background: Early‐life locomotor activity during turn out may alter susceptibility to musculoskeletal disease and injury via modulation of behaviours and tissue development during growth. Objectives: Investigate associations between turn out practices and rates of musculoskeletal disease and injury in young Thoroughbreds on stud farms in the United Kingdom. Study design: Prospective cohort. Methods: Daily records were kept on location and duration of turn out for 134 Thoroughbred foals on six stud farms, from birth until leaving the farm or study exit. Data on veterinary‐attended episodes of musculoskeletal disease or injury were collated concurrently. Average daily turn out times (hours), areas (acres) and group size (n foals) were calculated for rolling 7‐ and 30‐day periods of age. Multivariable Cox regression, including farm as a random effect, was used to investigate associations between turn out practices and musculoskeletal disease and injury. Results: The overall incidence of musculoskeletal disease or injury was 5.3 cases/100 foal‐months at risk (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.2–6.6). Compared with 24/7 turn out, average daily turn out times of between 9 and 23 hours over a 7‐day period were associated with a 4.6‐fold increase in musculoskeletal injury rate (95% CI: 1.7–12.3; P < 0.001), adjusting for farm and paddock area. Each 1‐acre increase in the average daily turn out area during the 4th month of life, reduced the rate of musculoskeletal disease and injury between 6 and 18 months of age by 24% (hazard ratio 0.76, 95% CI: 0.58–0.99; P < 0.001), adjusting for farm and turn out time. Main limitations: Non‐random sample of participants may affect generalisability. Use of veterinary‐attended events likely underestimates disease/injury rates. Conclusions: Results suggest that disruptions or alterations to turn out time routines increase injury risk and should be avoided where possible. Turn out in larger paddocks, particularly before weaning, may confer protection against subsequent musculoskeletal disease and injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Equine Veterinary Journal is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Simple Summary: Equestrian sport incorporates a number of different disciplines. To optimize equine welfare, a consistent method of ethical decision making is needed. The research presented in this paper was undertaken to test the practical applicability of a previously published theoretical ethical framework for the use of horses in sport. Stakeholders from a range of equestrian disciplines were invited to test the framework through using it both as individuals and in small groups to consider various relevant ethical dilemmas. Stakeholders fed back to the researchers their experiences of using the framework and suggestions for improving it, and the feedback was used to refine the framework across three rounds of engagement. Stakeholders found that the useability of the framework increased with each round, so that the finalised refined framework is a practical decision-making tool which can be used to optimize equine welfare through facilitating consistent, transparent decision making by a wide variety of stakeholders in equestrian sport. In 2021, in response to an acknowledged need for universal, consistent ethics to guide decision making in the horse sport sector, Campbell published a theoretical ethical framework for the use of horses in competitive sport. The research reported here tested the applied usefulness of that theoretical ethical framework through stakeholder engagement in a three-round modified Delphi study and refined it to develop a practical decision-making tool which can be applied consistently across multiple equestrian disciplines. Stakeholders from a broad range of equestrian competitive disciplines participated in the research. Participants were required to apply the ethical framework to a pre-determined ethical dilemma, individually (Rounds 1 and 2) and within a group (Round 3), and at the end of each round to complete a questionnaire designed to gauge opinion and user experience. At the completion of each round of testing, the theoretical framework was refined based on stakeholder feedback. Results showed that participants perceived useability and application of the framework to generally increase with each round. Qualitative content analysis identified key concepts, including cognition (e.g., broadens/deepens thinking) and application (e.g., considers multiple angles from a variety of information sources, needs to be a short/simple process). Results suggested that the refined framework is beneficial for group decision making across a wide variety of ethical issues and equestrian competitive disciplines. The framework thus has the potential to improve equine welfare through facilitating consistent ethical decision making in which the interests of the horse are prioritized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pregnancy loss after Day 70 of gestation manifests as abortion, stillbirth or perinatal death. While previous studies have reported the diagnoses of laboratory submissions, none have quantified the incidence and causes of abortions, stillbirths and perinatal mortality at a population level. Objectives: To report the incidence and causes of pregnancy loss after Day 70 of gestation in a cohort of Thoroughbreds. Study design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Outcomes of Day 70 pregnancies were collected from eight Thoroughbred farms over the 2013‐2017 breeding seasons. Stud, veterinary and laboratory records were supplemented with publicly available data. Cause of loss was categorised using custom criteria. Results: Data were collected on 3,586 pregnancies from 1,802 mares. The incidence risk of a pregnancy failing to produce a live foal at 24 hours post parturition was 7.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.5‐8.2, equating to 7.3 cases per 100 Day‐70 pregnancies). The incidence of pregnancy loss between Day 70 and 300 of gestation, Day 301‐315 and stillbirth/perinatal death was 4.0% (95% CI 3.4‐4.7), 0.3% (95% CI 0.2‐0.6) and 1.4% (95% CI 1.1‐1.9) respectively. Of the pregnancy losses where tissue was available, 61.1% were submitted for post‐mortem examination. The incidence risk of loss due to umbilical cord‐related pathologies was 1.5% (95% CI 1.1‐1.9), 0.4% (95% CI 0.2‐0.6) for noninfectious placental disease and 0.3% (95% CI 0.2‐0.6) for both infectious placentitis and Equine Herpesvirus infection. No primary diagnosis was made in 11.2% of the cases which underwent full post‐mortem examination. Main limitations: It was not possible to differentiate between intra‐partum stillbirth and early post‐partum death. Conclusion: Pregnancy loss after Day 70 of gestation is a significant source of loss in the Thoroughbred with umbilical cord‐related pathologies being the most commonly diagnosed cause. Reporting the incidence of pregnancy loss at a population level with clear case definitions will allow for accurate global comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Racehorses are at an increased risk of stress fracture within the first 12 months of racing and when resuming training after a break. Research in these high‐risk periods and on the effect of performance post‐recovery is limited. Objectives: To describe the occurrence of stress fractures, diagnosed by nuclear scintigraphy (NS), in racehorses' first 12 months training in Hong Kong, and their impact on racing performance and career length. Study design: Retrospective 1:2 matched case‐control study. Methods: Clinical records of horses with NS‐diagnosed stress fractures within 365 days of import between 2006 and 2018 were collated. Cases and controls were matched on import date. Univariable conditional logistic regression compared signallment, pre‐fracture training and post‐recovery racing performance between cases and matched controls. Shared Frailty Cox regression analysed time from import to fracture and total career length. Results: Eighty‐seven horses sustained a NS‐diagnosed fracture within their first year in Hong Kong (incidence risk 1.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4%‐2.1%; N = 5180]). The humerus (42.0%; 95% CI 31.8%‐52.6%; n = 39) and tibia (28.0%; 95% CI 19.1%‐38.2%; n = 26) were the most common stress fracture sites. Cases missed a median of 63 days (Interquartile range (IQR) 49‐82) of training because of fracture. Within the 12 months following diagnosis, case horses had a median of four (IQR 2‐4, P <.0001) fewer race starts and were down HK$ 206 188 (IQR HK$ 0‐436 800, P =.007) in race earnings compared to controls. Career length did not significantly differ between cases and controls (median 2 years and 3 months; IQR 15.3‐39.1 months; P =.2). Main limitations: Only stress fractures diagnosed by NS were included, hence, the study is not representative of all stress fractures occurring in racehorses in Hong Kong. Conclusions: Racehorses sustaining a stress fracture within 1 year of entering Hong Kong lost significant time in training, earnings and race starts. However, overall career length was unaffected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza A viruses of H5 and H7 subtype in poultry can circulate subclinically and subsequently mutate from low to high pathogenicity with potentially devastating economic and welfare consequences. European Union Member States undertake surveillance of commercial and backyard poultry for early detection and control of subclinical H5 and H7 influenza A infection. This surveillance has moved towards a risk‐based sampling approach in recent years; however, quantitative measures of relative risk associated with risk factors utilized in this approach are necessary for optimization. This study describes serosurveillance for H5 and H7 influenza A in domestic and commercial poultry undertaken in the European Union from 2004 to 2010, where a random sampling and thus representative approach to serosurveillance was undertaken. Using these representative data, this study measured relative risk of seropositivity across poultry categories and spatially across the EU. Data were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. Domestic waterfowl, game birds, fattening turkeys, ratites, backyard poultry and the 'other' poultry category holdings had relatively increased probability of H5 and/or H7 influenza A seropositivity, compared to laying‐hen holdings. Amongst laying‐hen holdings, free‐range rearing was associated with increased probability of H7 seropositivity. Spatial analyses detected 'hotspots' for H5 influenza A seropositivity in western France and England, and H7 influenza A seropositivity in Italy and Belgium, which may be explained by the demographics and distribution of poultry categories. Findings suggest certain poultry category holdings are at increased risk of subclinical H5 and/or H7 influenza A circulation, and free‐range rearing increases the likelihood of exposure to H7 influenza A. These findings may be used in further refining risk‐based surveillance strategies and prioritizing management strategies in influenza A outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equine pregnancy failure can occur throughout gestation, with causes varying by region. In the UK, umbilical cord torsion (UCT) accounted for 44.0% of pregnancy loss (PL) cases occurring after day 70 of gestation and submitted to a diagnostic laboratory. Limited reports on the features of UCT are available. This study aimed to compare the gross and histological features in PLs resulting from UCT to those with no UC pathology. Cases submitted to a UK diagnostic laboratory diagnosed with definitive or suspected UCT (n=81) were compared to PLs diagnosed as not associated with umbilical cord (UC) pathology (nUCT) (n=33). Logistic regression analysis was used for categorical data and Mann-Whitney U tests for non-parametric continuous data. Median gestation age at loss was significantly lower in the UCT (215 days, inter-quartile range (IQR) 32) group compared to nUCT (325 days, IQR 56), p<0.005, with 83.5% of the UCT abortions occurring prior to day 240 of gestation compared to 10.3% of the nUCT cases. The median fetal weight in the UCT group was significantly lighter than the nUCT group, 11.0kg (IQR 6.4) and 45.4kg (IQR 22.5) respectively, remaining after adjustment for gestational age (p<0.005). The UCT group had a significantly longer median total UC length (UCL) (79cm, IQR 19, p<0.001) and amniotic UCL (45cm, IQR 14, p<0.001) but not allantoic UCL (p=0.32) compared tothe nUCT group (total UCL 61cm, IQR 22 and amniotic UCL 27.5cm, IQR 13). A 7.3-fold (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9-18.2) increase in the risk of UCT diagnosis was identified when the amniotic:allantoic UCL ratio was >1. There was no significant difference in the fetal sex ratio between the two groups (p=0.79). Seven gross features were associated with UCT diagnosis (p<0.05), with reddening of the chorioallantois leading to the greatest increase in the odds of UCT diagnosis (OR 17.4, 95% CI 5.7, 53.4). Histological assessment of the chorioallantois in a subset of cases (46 UCT and 31 nUCT) identified three features associated with UCT diagnosis: autolysis, villous mineralisation and villous karyorrhexis (p<0.001). No UCT cases (0/46) exhibited a significant inflammatory infiltrate in the chorioallantois, compared to 9/31 cases of nUCT. The presence of karyorrhexis and mineralisation likely reflects ischaemic injury resulting from malperfusion of the chorion, in the case of UCT, as a response to episodes of venous stasis following increased vascular resistance associated with the significant increase in UCL and/or vascular obstruction. Collectively, this suggests a more chronic pathophysiology involving lengthening of the amniotic, not allantoic, UC. Identification of these features enables evidence-based refinement of diagnostic criteria for UCT, which can now undergo consultation to reach a universally accepted consensus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angular and flexural limb deformities (LD) are important causes of early-life morbidity and mortality in Thoroughbred foals. There is believed to be an important congenital component however, the exact etiologies remain unknown. We hypothesized that maternal- and pregnancy-level factors, particularly those with potential to influence in-utero growth and development, could play an important role. The aims of this study were to estimate the incidence of early-life LD in foals and to investigate associations with mare- and pregnancy-level factors. A Thoroughbred birth cohort was established on seven farms across the United Kingdom and Ireland and details of veterinary interventions for LD in foals in the first 6-months of life prospectively recorded. Where available, details of dams' signalment, breeding history and reproductive history in the breeding season(s) of interest were retrospectively retrieved from stud and veterinary records. Analyses were carried out at the pregnancy resulting in the birth of a live foal-level. Incidence risk of LD was estimated as number of new cases requiring veterinary intervention at least once within the first 6-months of life, and associations with mare and pregnancy factors were assessed using mixed effects, multivariable logistic regression modelling. Data were available for 275 pregnancies, in 235 mares sired by 89 stallions over two breeding seasons (2018 and 2019). Records allowed for the evaluation of nine factors as fixed effects (the mares'residing stud farm, age, status and number of previous live foals, month of covering, breeding season, fetal sex, gestation length and whether dystocia was reported). Pregnancies resulted in the birth of 272 live foals (n =3 died during parturition), 21% of which (n =57/272, 95% confidence interval 16-26) required veterinary intervention at least once for LD in the first 6-months of life. Seventy-five percent (n =43/57, 95%CI 63-87) were described as flexural and 25% (n =14/57, 95%CI 15-37) as angular deformities; median age at veterinary intervention was 9 days (inter-quartile range 1-19). Only gestation length was retained in the final model; model fit was not improved by inclusion of farm, mare or stallion as a random effect (likelihood ratio tests P =0.10, P =0.36 and P =0.92, respectively). Odds of LD decreased by 4% per day increase in gestation length between 314-381 days (OR 0.96, 95%CI 0.93-0.99, P =0.01). The main limitations of this work were the retrospective nature of the mare data, which were not recorded specifically for this study, and the use of veterinary records to identify disease, which may underestimate the true incidence of LD in the population. In conclusion, longer gestation length appears to reduce the odds of early-life LD in Thoroughbred foals. Further work is required to elucidate the biological mechanisms behind this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Veterinary Dermatology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aimed to determine the effects of exercise on racecourse performance in horses racing on the flat. Daily exercise and race records were obtained over a 2-year period for a cohort of racehorses in training for which injury data were also available. Multivariable regression techniques were used to investigate associations between canter, training gallop and race distances accumulated in the 30 days prior to each race and the odds of winning the race, earning prize money and the amount of prize money won. Higher cumulative high-speed (gallop + race) distances were associated with increased likelihood of winning a race and earning prize money. Having raced in the previous 30 days increased the odds of winning. There was an interactive effect of distance cantered and galloped during training on amount of prize money won, which was also associated with distance raced in the previous 30 days. Taken together with findings from previous injury studies in the same study population, these results indicate that training regimens designed to reduce skeletal injuries are unlikely to adversely affect race performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study's aim was to determine the effects of dam age and parity on the rate of fracture in offspring in Thoroughbred racehorses in training for flat racing. It was hypothesised that first foals and those from older mares would have a higher fracture rate than subsequent foals and those from younger mares. A two-year observational cohort study collected data from eight trainers on 335 horses that were monitored since the start of their training as yearlings. Multivariable Poisson regression analyses showed that first foals had a significantly lower fracture rate than subsequent ones (RR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.12, 0.89; P = 0.02) and rate of fracture decreased with increasing dam age (RR = 0.91 per year increase in dam age; 95% CI = 0.83, 0.99; P = 0.03). This study shows for the first time that the rate of equine injury may be influenced by factors that affect skeletal development. Further research on intra-uterine and peri-natal determinants of injury risk in later life in horses is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are an estimated 112 million Equidae (horses, donkeys, mules) in the developing world, providing essential resources for their owners' livelihoods and well-being. The impoverished situation of their owners and the often harsh conditions in which they work mean that the animals' welfare is a cause for concern. A number of equine non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operate within working equid communities providing veterinary care, education and training programmes aimed at improving equine welfare. However, there is little published information available that describes monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of such interventions using objective outcome-based indicators and where baseline data are available. The aim of this paper is to summarise the peer-reviewed reports of M&E in this sector and identify the key issues which need to be addressed in ensuring that such evaluations provide useful information on the work of these organisations. A rigorous evidence base for designing future interventions will provide an opportunity for enhancing the effectiveness of working equid NGO operations. Increased availability of M&E reports in the peer-reviewed literature will enable NGOs to learn from one another and disseminate to a wider audience information on the role of working Equidae and the issues they face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laminitis is a highly debilitating disease of the foot known to have a complex and multifactorial aetiology of metabolic, inflammatory, traumatic or vascular origin. The disease has major welfare implications due to unrelenting pain associated with degenerative changes, which often necessitate euthanasia on welfare grounds. Despite this, there have been few high-quality studies investigating risk factors for equine laminitis, and only a limited number of risk factors have been previously investigated. The aim of this study was to conduct a case-control study of risk factors for active episodes of veterinary-diagnosed laminitis in horses and ponies attended by veterinary practitioners in Great Britain, based on multivariable statistical analyses. Questionnaires were received for 1010 animals, comprising 191 laminitis cases and 819 controls. Factors associated with an increased risk of laminitis were weight gain in the previous 3 months, summer and winter months compared to spring, new access to grass in the previous 4 weeks, box rest in the previous week, owner-reported history of laminitis, lameness or foot-soreness after shoeing/trimming, existing endocrinopathic (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and equine metabolic syndrome) disease and increasing time since the last anthelmintic treatment. Factors associated with a decreased risk of laminitis were increasing height (cm), feeding of additional supplements in the previous week and transportation in the previous week. Novel associated factors were identified that may aid in the management and prevention of the disease in the veterinary-registered equine population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological studies into the risk factors for naturally-occurring equine laminitis are limited. There are a small number of such studies, although the results are inconsistent and remain disputed. The reasons for the conflicting results remain unclear. The aim of this review was to critically evaluate previous research in order to identify publications which provide the best evidence of risk factors for naturallyoccurring equine laminitis. A systematic review of English language publications was conducted using MEDLINE (1950-2010), CAB Direct (1910-2010) and IVIS (1997-2010). Additional publications were included by searching bibliographies. Search terms included laminitis, equine, risk factors and epidemiology. Publications which compared a case population to a control population and made inferences about parameters as risk factors for naturally-occurring equine laminitis were included. Information was extracted using predefined data fields, including 18 study quality indicators. In total, 17 publications were fully appraised. Six were considered to provide the most reliable information about risk factors for naturally-occurring laminitis. Information on signalment was well researched and there was good evidence for an association with chronic laminitis and increasing age. There remain inconsistent results for many other horse-level risk factors including gender, breed and bodyweight. Previous publications estimating risk factors for equine laminitis were of reasonable quality, although they were limited in the number and scope of the risk factors studied. High-quality, evidencebased studies are needed to identify further risk factors and to establish consensus over previously identified risk factors for different equine populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equine laminitis is a highly debilitating disease of the foot. Despite its perceived importance, epidemiological characteristics are poorly understood and the true frequency of the disease remains unclear. The objective of this study was to retrospectively assess previous research to identify publications which provide the best evidence of the frequency of naturally-occurring equine laminitis. A systematic review of English language publications was conducted using MEDLINE (1950-2010), CAB Direct (1910-2010) and IVIS (1997-2010). Additional publications were included by searching bibliographies. Search terms included laminitis, equine, frequency, prevalence and incidence. Studies that allowed frequency estimations to be made for naturally-occurring equine laminitis were included. Information was extracted using predefined data fields, including 13 study quality indicators. Sixty-nine publications were appraised. Ten were considered to provide the most reliable information, estimating the frequency of equine laminitis ranging from 1.5% to 34%. Previous publications estimating laminitis frequency were generally poor quality. Laminitis frequency varied across publications however the publications included in this review focussed on many of the different underlying laminitis aetiologies and comparison of the frequencies between groups would be inappropriate. High-quality evidence-based studies are needed to estimate the true disease frequency in different equine populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify exercise-related risk factors for carpal and metacarpo- and metatarso-phalangeal (MCPJMTP) joint injury occurrence in young Thoroughbreds in fiat race training. In a 2-year prospective cohort study, daily exercise and joint injury data were collected from horses in 13 training yards in England. Four injury categories were defined: (1) localised to a carpal or MCP/MTP joint based on clinical examination and/or use of diagnostic analgesia with no diagnostic imaging performed; (2) localised to a carpal or MCP/MTP joint with no abnormalities detected on diagnostic images; (3) abnormality of subchondral bone and/or articular margin(s) identified using diagnostic imaging; (4) fracture or fragmentation identified by diagnostic imaging. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was con- ducted to determine risk factors for injury occurrence, by type (carpal or MCP/MTP) and category. Exercise distances at canter and high speed in different time periods were modelled as continuous time-varying variables. A total of 647 horses spent 7785 months at risk of joint injury and 184 injuries were recorded. Increasing daily canter distance reduced the risk of Category 1 and Category 3 injuries whereas greater 30-day canter distances increased Category 4 injury risk. More weekly high-speed exercise increased Category 1 injury risk. MCP/MTP injury risk reduced with increasing daily canter distance but increased with accumulation of canter or high-speed exercise since entering training, whereas accumulation of canter exercise was marginally associated with reduced carpal injury risk. Risk of all injury types varied significantly between trainers. The results of this study suggest that regular canter exercise is generally beneficial for joint health, while accumulation of high-speed exercise detrimentally affects MCPJMTP joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The British horseracing industry is committed to reducing equine fatalities in jump racing. Race-related fatalities are a major welfare concern and threaten the sport's social licence to operate., Objectives: To describe the risk of, and determine risk factors for, fatality in British jump racing., Study Design: Retrospective cohort., Methods: Analyses included all starts made in British jump races between January 2010 and April 2023. Available information for each horse, race, racecourse, trainer and jockey was collated and combined with details of all fatalities recorded by official veterinary officers in a central database. A fatality was defined as any post-start veterinary event that resulted in the sudden death or euthanasia of a horse within 48 h of racing. Risk factors (n = 101) were evaluated using mixed-effects logistic regression. Data for steeplechase and hurdle starts were analysed separately., Results: The overall fatality rate was 5.9 per 1000 steeplechase starts (n = 836/141 922; 95% CI 5.5-6.3) and 4.5 per 1000 hurdle starts (n = 1096/242 486; 95% CI 4.3-4.8). In both race types, fallers (steeplechase: OR 28.7, 95% CI 23.0-35.8; hurdle: OR 41.4, 95% CI 32.9-52.0) and older horses (steeplechase: OR 1.1 per extra year, 95% CI 1.1-1.2; hurdle: OR 1.2 per extra year, 95% CI 1.1-1.2) had higher odds of fatality. In steeplechase racing, starts made in summer (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.5) and by non-GB trained horses (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4-3.0) experienced higher fatality odds. In hurdling, maiden races (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0-1.6) were at higher odds of fatality. In both race types, softer going decreased the odds of fatality. Approximately half of the unexplained variation in fatality odds was attributable to horse., Main Limitations: Analysis was restricted to routinely recorded race-day factors and performance history., Conclusions: Reducing the risk of falling and racing on softer ground could substantially decrease fatalities in jump racing., (© 2024 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.)