Search Results (122)

The saddle’s adaptability to the rider–horse pair’s biomechanics is essential for equestrian comfort and performance. However, approaches to dynamic evaluation of saddle fitting are still limited in equestrian conditions. The purpose of this study is to propose a method of quantifying saddle adaptation to the rider–horse pair in motion. Eight rider–horse pairs were tested using four similar saddles with small modifications (seat depth, flap width, and front panel thickness). Seven inertial sensors were attached to the riders and horses to measure the active range of motion of the horses’ forelimbs and hindlimbs, stride duration, active range of motion of the rider’s pelvis, and rider–horse interaction. The results reveal that even small saddle changes affect the pair’s biomechanics. Some saddle configurations limit the limbs’ active range of motion, lengthen strides, or modify the rider’s pelvic motion. The temporal offset between the movements of the horse and the rider changes depending on the saddle modifications. These findings support the effect of fine saddle changes on the locomotion and synchronization of the rider–horse pair. The use of inertial sensors can be a potential way for quantifying the influence of dynamic saddle fitting and optimizing saddle adaptability in stable conditions with saddle fitter constraints. Full article

Participation in horse-related activities frequently involves relocating horses from the home stable to an activity venue, which might require local, regional, or international travel. In these circumstances, horses are exposed to unfamiliar surroundings and experience changes to their daily routines, which could have negative welfare impacts. An online survey was conducted in 2021 to ask experienced horse sector participants about the horse management practices that they perceived worked well and provided for positive horse welfare when undertaken at venues. Qualitative analysis identified four themes: ‘managing venues’, ‘monitoring fitness to participate’, ‘maintaining a healthy equine digestive system’, and ‘using horse behaviors to inform decision-making’. The findings indicate that activity-related individuals selected practices that assisted horses to adapt to venue surroundings, remain calm, and stay healthy. The co-authors propose that experienced participants recognize that practices include both provisions (inputs) and outcomes (the horse’s subjective experiences), resonating with the Five Freedoms and Five Domains models. For horse activity organizations proposing to implement the Five Domains model, the findings indicate that reviewing practices and implementing updates is timely and achievable. The authors propose that continuously updating practices will contribute to safeguarding horses and maintaining the sector’s social license to operate. Full article

Aim: To prepare two different kinds of wound care creams containing plant extracts and examine their effectiveness in comparison with a placebo cream and a commercial wound care cream, Madecassol^®. Methods: The two cream formulations were developed using the same placebo cream (PC) as base cream. One formulation contained balsam of oriental sweet gum, or Levant storax, named as Levant Storax Cream (LSC); the other contained oil of Calendula, extract of St. John’s Wort, aescin (an extract of horse chestnut), and freeze-dried powder from Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. leaf juice, designated as Complex Cream (CC). In the characterization of the creams, organoleptic properties, pH, viscosity, size distribution, and zeta potential of oil globules were measured. Furthermore, the stability of the creams was assessed under different environmental conditions. In vitro studies were performed by using an excisional wound model in rats to assess the potential of the creams for stimulating wound healing. The efficacy of LSC and CC was compared with a commercial reference cream, Madecassol^® (M), and the placebo control. The study was also designed with a negative control group of rats that were not treated but handled the same way as the other treatment groups. The wound contraction rate, total skin thickness recovery, and results of histopathological parameter examinations were used to compare the effectiveness of the treatments. Results: The stability of formulated creams confirmed that they were stable for the duration of the study. In vivo studies showed that rats treated with LSC achieved the highest wound healing rates when compared with the other groups. A better response was recorded for the CC-treated population when compared to both control and placebo groups, but there was no significant difference seen in healing score between CC and M groups. Full article

Equine influenza is a highly contagious disease caused by the equine influenza virus (EIV). The occurrence of EIV outbreaks in America is associated with low levels of vaccination coverage. In Colombia, no seroprevalence evaluation has been carried out to estimate the distribution of the virus within the country. Our aim was to perform a sero-epidemiological survey of equine influenza infections and to identify associated risk factors in horses from four departments of Colombia. Serological testing was carried out by using an ELISA for the detection of IgG antibodies against the influenza A virus. The evaluation of epidemiological variables, clinical manifestations, and vaccination history was carried out through the application of a data collection instrument. Among the 385 horses analyzed, 27% of the samples tested positive, with a higher prevalence in Study 1 from horses with respiratory symptoms (40.4%) than in Study 2 from horses without clinical signs (16.1%). Only horses housed in stables had higher odds of testing positive. The study also revealed that unvaccinated horses were 68% less likely to test positive than vaccinated horses were. This research highlights a significant gap in vaccination coverage and the presence of antibodies even in asymptomatic horses. Management factors such as activity type and housing should be considered when strategies for EIV prevention are developed. Full article

Gastrointestinal parasitic diseases pose significant health risks to equine populations. This study investigated the epidemiological patterns of equine gastrointestinal parasites in Xinjiang by analyzing 83 fecal samples collected from Ili (n = 62) and Urumqi (n = 21) between August and November 2024. The modified McMaster technique was employed to quantify fecal egg counts (EPG) and was complemented by morphological identification to assess infection dynamics related to geography, breed specificity, and management practices. The results demonstrated an overall infection prevalence of 66.3% (55/83), with strongyles, Parascaris equorum, and Eimeria oocysts being present. Significant geographical variation was observed, with Ili exhibiting a higher prevalence (74.2%) compared to Urumqi (42.9%). Breed susceptibility analysis revealed that there was a 94.1% prevalence in Yili horses versus 42.9% in Kazakh horses. Pasture-managed herds showed markedly higher infection rates (94.1%) than stable-based systems (50.0%). Parasite community composition was dominated by strongyles (82.1%), followed by Triodontophorus spp. (27.7%) and P. equorum (2.4%). These findings highlight severe parasitic infection risks in Xinjiang’s grazing equids, underscoring the urgency of implementing targeted anthelmintic protocols to mitigate disease transmission. Full article

This commentary evaluates contemporary equestrian sport governance through the lens of equine welfare science. Drawing on evidence from the FEI Sport Forum 2025 debates, the IFHA Racing Integrity Handbook, media coverage of horse sport, recent scientific presentations, regulatory texts, and published research, we identify systemic shortcomings in how horse welfare is assessed, prioritised, and protected. Key issues include reliance on performance as a proxy for welfare, inadequate “fit-to-compete” protocols, neglect of horses’ mental states, coercive tack and equipment practices (e.g., double bridles, tight nosebands, ear hoods), pharmacological and surgical interventions that mask pain, euphemistic regulatory language (e.g., whip “encouragement”), and inconsistent implementation of welfare rules. Through a series of case studies, from dressage and show jumping forums to racing integrity handbooks, we illustrate euphemistic language, defensive group dynamics, dismissive rhetoric towards evidence-based criticism, and a troubling “stable blindness” that sidelines the horse’s perspective. We conclude that meaningful reform requires (1) embedding validated behavioural and physical welfare indicators into all competition and pre-competition protocols, (2) transparent, evidence-inclusive rule-making under a precautionary principle, (3) genuine engagement with independent equine welfare experts, and (4) establishment of empowered, impartial oversight bodies to ensure that stated codes of conduct translate into consistent, enforceable practice. Only by catering to the horse’s subjective experiences and applying modern ethological and bioethical standards can equestrian sport retain its social licence and ensure integrity in all areas of competition management. Full article

Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) significantly impact human, domestic animal, and wildlife health. While most arboviruses are transmitted to vertebrate hosts by blood-feeding mosquitoes and ticks, a growing body of evidence highlights the importance of other hematophagous arthropods in arboviral transmission. These lesser-known vectors, while often overlooked, can play crucial roles in the maintenance, amplification, and spread of arboviruses. This review summarizes our understanding of hematophagous arthropods, other than mosquitoes and ticks, in arboviral transmission, as well as their associations with non-arboviral viruses. Thirteen arthropod groups are discussed: bat flies, blackflies, cimicids (bat bugs, bed bugs, and bird bugs), Culicoides midges, fleas, hippoboscid flies, lice, mites, muscid flies (including horn flies and stable flies), phlebotomine sandflies, tabanids (including deer flies and horse flies), triatomines, and tsetse flies. Some of these arthropods are regarded as known or likely arboviral vectors, while others have no known role in arbovirus transmission. Particular attention is given to species associated with arboviruses of medical and veterinary significance. As the burden of arboviruses continues to grow, it is critical not to overlook the potential contribution of these lesser-known vectors. Full article

Canning is an excellent solution to provide convenient, affordable, nutritious, and safe seafood with a long shelf life. However, many canned products use tuna, sardines, and Atlantic chub mackerel, species that raise sustainability concerns and whose overuse can put additional pressure on them. Hence, this study aimed to i) develop and assess a nutritious and sustainable canned meal prototype using the Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) (whose EU allowable-catch amounts have increased, particularly, in Iberian waters) and vegetables in light brine in terms of stability, sterility, and physicochemical and sensory properties over a 4-month period at room temperature and ii) evaluate its nutritional contribution for different population groups. After preparation, the meal was stored for one month at ≈20 °C and ≈40 °C (to simulate the 4 months). Although the pH was not stable, the meal was considered commercially sterile according to the challenge accelerated tests. Moreover, aging did not significantly affect the meal’s physicochemical and sensory properties. This innovative meal prototype can be claimed to be “low-fat”, “reduced in NaCl/Na”, a “source of protein, phosphorus, iron, selenium and vitamin D”, and “high in vitamin B12”. It proved to be both nutritious and appealing for consumption, with potential to be scaled up. Full article

Ixodes ricinus ticks play a crucial role as carriers of diseases, transmitting pathogens to vertebrate hosts, including horses. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s. l.), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBE-virus) in equine sera collected in southern Norway. In total, sera from 331 horses stabled in four counties (Agder, Vestfold and Telemark, Vestland, and Viken) were analyzed by immunoblot. In total, 66% of the horses were IgG-seropositive for antibodies against one or multiple tick-borne pathogens. The highest seroprevalence was detected against B. burgdorferi s. l. (47%), followed by A. phagocytophilum (34%) and TBE-virus (10%). A significant difference between the counties regarding IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum was found, with the highest seroprevalence in horses stabled in the coastal areas of Agder and Vestland. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that horses in southern Norway are at high risk of contracting tick-borne infections. Full article

The irradiation by gamma-rays is a widely used technique for disinfection in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In view of growing concerns by consumers about this technique, further investigation of the effects of radiation is required. In this work electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was applied to study the free radicals in irradiated horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) seeds and to evaluate the free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) using the stable DPPH radical. In order to evaluate the antiradical potential, a spectrophotometric study was also used. The identification and quantification of some individual polyphenol compounds before and after irradiation by 1, 5, and 10 kGy gamma rays of peeled and shell seeds were obtained by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The EPR spectrum recorded on irradiated horse chestnut is a typical signal for irradiated cellulose-contained substances. The results show that the signal is stable, and it can be found in the samples irradiated with a dose of 1 kGy, 45 days after treatment, whereas for samples irradiated by 5 and 10 kGy, it is even found 250 days later. The study showed that free radical scavenging activity increases in shell seeds, while it decreases in peeled seed extracts after irradiation depending on the dosage, which corresponds to the total phenolic content. Shell seed extracts have significantly stronger antiradical activity than that of peeled seeds. Regarding the HPLC analysis, some polyphenolics were degraded and others were formed as a result of irradiation. The irradiation by 5 kGy dosage has a most significant positive effect on the antioxidant potential of shell chestnut seeds. Full article

Horses have close interactions with humans and are important as working animals and livestock. In contrast to smaller companion animals like cats and dogs, there is only little information available about their skin microbiome. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize the culturable cutaneous microbiome of healthy horses. Samples were taken from 14 horses from Southern Germany which were randomly enrolled in this study. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used as a method to detect the culturable microorganisms of horse skin. The most abundant culturable species of horse skin identified in this study include Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pumilus, Carnobacterium inhibens, Exiguobacterium sibiricum, Macrococcus carouselicus, Macrococcus goetzii and Staphylococcus equorum. Analyses of the bacteria across different body regions indicated the specific preferences of species for certain skin areas. In addition, our data hinted to an influence of the age of the horses tested and an influence between the four stables studied. Full article

Bedding is an important component of equine accommodation management. Choosing the right bedding is important for stable management and its selection may include considerations such as the sourcing of the material, the capital investment and ongoing costs, delivery, storage, installation, ongoing labour and maintenance, removal and disposal. Furthermore, it is crucial that the consequences for the health and welfare of horses and humans and the impact on the environment should also be considered. This review aimed to outline the advantages and disadvantages of different horse bedding types, focusing on their effects on the well-being of horses, humans, and the environment. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) technique was used as the methodology for this review. The search was performed in Scopus and Web of Science bibliometric databases and a total of 176 records were screened reading the title and the abstract. After screening, 58 records were retained and another 19 records were identified using their reference lists (i.e., snowballing). Therefore, a total of 77 records were considered. Straw and wood shavings were the most commonly used and studied bedding materials, while research on alternative options remains limited. Straw is identified as horses’ preferred option, while shavings appear to be the easiest to clean, making them the preferred choice for stable workers. The parameters to consider when choosing the bedding most fit for purpose are many and their attributes differ across the various bedding types. This review has compared all the bedding types within the research literature to determine the best overall option using the research-based evidence. Each bedding type offers unique benefits and drawbacks summarised in a user-friendly table. Stable managers must consider and evaluate them to suit their specific needs, including the health and welfare of each horse and the husbandry system involved. Our findings may, therefore, be useful in the decision-making process of equine industry members. Full article

Children with psychosocial, developmental or physical impairments benefit from equine-assisted therapy (EAT) in multiple ways. However, to date, the animal perspective of such interventions has received comparatively less scientific dedication. Thus, heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) of seven therapy horses that lived in an open stable environment and participated in therapeutic group sessions with children were monitored within 60 min prior to and within 90 min after EAT. Moreover, cardiovascular activity was compared to a control condition on a day without any EAT sessions. No significant differences in HR or HRV were found, neither before nor after EAT nor under the control condition. These findings do not give rise to any concern regarding horse welfare in the studied setting but cannot be generalized to a broader population of equines serving in EAT. Given the enormous heterogeneity in EAT, more in-depth research is warranted using behavioral and physiological indices of equine health and wellbeing. Full article

Background/Objectives: Over the past 25 years, numerous biological molecules, like recombinant lysosomal enzymes, neurotrophins, receptors, and therapeutic antibodies, have been tested in clinical trials for neurological diseases. However, achieving significant success in clinical applications has remained elusive. A primary challenge has been the inability of these molecules to traverse the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Recognizing this hurdle, our study aimed to utilize niosomes as delivery vehicles, leveraging the “molecular Trojan horse” technology, to enhance the transport of molecules across the BBB. Methods: Previously synthesized memantine derivatives (MP1–4) were encapsulated into niosomes for improved BBB permeability, hypothesizing that this approach could minimize peripheral drug toxicity while ensuring targeted brain delivery. Using the human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cell line differentiated into neuron-like structures with retinoic acid and then exposed to amyloid beta 1–42 peptide, we established an in vitro Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model. In this model, the potential usability of MP1–4 was assessed through viability tests (MTT) and toxicological response analysis. The niosomes’ particle size and morphological structures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), with their loading and release capacities determined via UV spectroscopy. Crucially, the ability of the niosomes to cross the BBB and their potential anti-Alzheimer efficacy were analyzed in an in vitro transwell system with endothelial cells. Results: The niosomal formulations demonstrated effective drug encapsulation (encapsulation efficiency: 85.3% ± 2.7%), controlled release (72 h release: 38.5% ± 1.2%), and stable morphology (PDI: 0.22 ± 0.03, zeta potential: −31.4 ± 1.5 mV). Among the derivatives, MP1, MP2, and MP4 exhibited significant neuroprotective effects, enhancing cell viability by approximately 40% (p < 0.05) in the presence of Aβ1-42 at a concentration of 47 µg/mL. The niosomal delivery system improved BBB permeability by 2.5-fold compared to free drug derivatives, as confirmed using an in vitro bEnd.3 cell model. Conclusions: Memantine-loaded niosomes provide a promising platform for overcoming BBB limitations and enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of Alzheimer’s disease treatments. This study highlights the potential of nanotechnology-based delivery systems in developing targeted therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Further in vivo studies are warranted to validate these findings and explore clinical applications. Full article

Accurate localization is crucial for numerous applications. While several methods exist for outdoor localization, typically relying on GPS signals, these approaches become unreliable in environments subject to a weak GPS signal or GPS outage. Many researchers have attempted to address this limitation, primarily focusing on real-time solutions. However, for applications that do not require real-time localization, these methods remain suboptimal. This paper presents a novel Transformer-based bidirectional encoder approach to address, in postprocessing, the localization challenges during GPS weak signal phases or GPS outages. Our method predicts the velocity during periods of weak or lost GPS signals and calculates the position through bidirectional velocity integration. Additionally, it incorporates position interpolation to ensure smooth transitions between active GPS and GPS outage phases. Applied to a dataset tracking horse positions—which features velocities up to 10 times those of pedestrians and higher acceleration—our approach achieved an average trajectory error below 3 m, while maintaining stable relative distance errors regardless of the GPS outage duration. Full article