Journal of Equine Veterinary Science最新文献

{"title":"Inflammatory phenotype and response to intradermal skin testing are not predictive of equine asthma diagnosis.","authors":"L M Hunyadi, S C Hyde, E A Sundman","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106154","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106154","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The role of inflammation, allergy, and air quality in the pathogenesis of equine asthma has not yet been fully elucidated.</p><p><strong>Aims/objectives: </strong>To evaluate serum inflammatory cytokines, intradermal skin testing (IDT), and air quality in asthmatic horses. It was hypothesized that there would be an association between environmental allergies and poor air quality with asthma.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>52 client-owned horses with clinical signs consistent with asthma were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Horses were diagnosed with asthma based on the results of bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) cytology. Blood samples were analyzed for 23 inflammatory cytokines. IDT was conducted on a subset of 31 horses. Aerosol mass fraction concentrations were measured and converted to air quality index (AQI).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Cytologic diagnoses of asthma were made in 34/52 horses. All non-asthmatic horses that underwent IDT testing showed a severe response to ≥1 allergen (100%), while 60% of asthmatic horses showed the same response. There was a statistically significant overrepresentation of mastocytic asthma at sites with unhealthy AQI (expected 10.3%, observed 24.1%; p = 0.0213). This study failed to find any differences between asthma phenotypes for IDT results or identify inflammatory cytokines in serum as biomarkers for allergic airway disease.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Diagnostic testing for environmental allergies and serum biomarkers were not predictive of asthma phenotypes. The association between the occurrence of equine asthma and poor air quality is consistent with results found in humans.</p>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":" ","pages":"106154"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149039135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Race-related fatalities in U.S. jump racing, 2023-2025: incidence and documentation across public reporting sources.","authors":"Jeffrey S Markowitz","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106155","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106155","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Fatality reporting in National Steeplechase Association (NSA)-sanctioned U.S. jump racing is distributed across several public sources, and no single source consistently links the race incident with the final clinical outcome.</p><p><strong>Aims/objectives: </strong>To identify and verify race-related fatalities associated with NSA-sanctioned jump-racing starts, compare documentation across public sources, and estimate minimum confirmed fatality incidence.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study population included official starters in completed NSA-sanctioned hurdle/fence and timber races during 2023-2025. Potential fatalities reported by Horseracing Wrongs (HRW) were matched to final NSA results and verified using Equibase records and public NSA steward reports when available. Fatality incidence was calculated per 1,000 starts with an exact Poisson 95% confidence interval.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nine fatalities were identified among 3,070 starts, corresponding to 2.93 per 1,000 starts (95% CI, 1.34-5.57). Median age was 6.6 years (range, 5.0-10.8). Six fatalities followed falls, two followed pulled-up or collapse events, and one followed deterioration after the horse completed the race. Equibase documented an immediate race event or adverse incident in eight horses but no final fatal outcomes. HRW identified all nine outcomes, and public NSA steward reports documented seven.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Multisource review identified fatal outcomes not consistently visible in race records alone. A centralized NSA system linking race-related deaths and euthanasias to official starts and final outcomes would improve public fatality reporting.</p>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":" ","pages":"106155"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149024908","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of constant rate infusion of a fixed-dose combination of medetomidine and vatinoxan on sedation, cardiorespiratory variables, and gastrointestinal activity in standing Thoroughbred horses.","authors":"H Ishikawa, H Mita, M Nomura, K Ishihara, K Kodaira, T Kuroda, M Ohta","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106145","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106145","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>A fixed-dose combination of medetomidine (MED) and vatinoxan (VTX), a peripherally selective α2-adrenoceptor antagonist, is commercially available, but its constant rate infusion (CRI) has not been evaluated.</p><p><strong>Aims/objectives: </strong>To compare the sedative effects, cardiorespiratory variables, and gastrointestinal activity of MED-VTX and MED-atipamezole (ATIP) with MED alone in Thoroughbred horses.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Six healthy Thoroughbreds underwent a blinded three-treatment, three-period crossover study. Horses received MED (7 μg/kg IV; 5 μg/kg/h CRI for 60 min) alone (gM), with VTX (140 μg/kg IV; 100 μg/kg/h CRI; gMV), or with ATIP at the same dose (gMA). Sedation-related variables, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), second-degree atrioventricular block, borborygmi scores, and defecation were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared with gM, gMV had greater head height and lower ataxia scores, whereas stimulus response scores did not differ. gMA had greater head height and stimulus response scores and lower ataxia scores than gM, consistent with reduced sedation. RR was lower in both gMV and gMA than in gM, whereas HR did not differ in prespecified pairwise comparisons. Second-degree atrioventricular block occurred in one, five, and six horses in gMV, gM, and gMA, respectively. Borborygmi scores were higher in gMV than in gM at most time points, and all horses defecated in gMV (median: 2.5 times, range: 1-4 times), whereas none did in gM or gMA.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In Thoroughbred horses, MED-VTX was associated with maintained sedation, fewer observed second-degree atrioventricular blocks and less suppression of gastrointestinal activity in this small experimental cohort.</p>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":" ","pages":"106145"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149030720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distal limb wraps produce gait- and material-dependent post-exercise changes in stride timing and limb kinematics in horses.","authors":"Larissa Santos Dos Anjos, Renata Farinelli de Siqueira","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106151","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106151","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Distal limb wraps are widely used during equine exercise, but their effects on post-exercise kinematics and movement symmetry remain poorly defined.</p><p><strong>Aims/objectives: </strong>To determine whether elastic and fleece distal limb wraps alter temporal stride variables, distal limb kinematics, and axial movement symmetry after standardised round-pen exercise.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Six adult horses completed a prospective crossover study with three conditions: no wraps, elastic wraps, and fleece wraps. Wraps were applied bilaterally to all distal limbs at an initial pressure of 20 mmHg. After 20 minutes of free round-pen exercise, kinematic data were collected on a 50 m sandy track using seven inertial measurement units.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>During walk, wrap condition affected mean duty factor (P = 0.041), left forelimb stance duration (P = 0.022), and right forelimb retraction (P = 0.015). Fleece wraps increased left forelimb stance duration by 0.043 s (95% CI 0.008-0.079; P = 0.027) and mean duty factor by 1.14 percentage points (P = 0.045) versus no wraps. Elastic wraps increased right forelimb retraction magnitude by 3.27° versus no wraps (95% CI 0.50-6.04; P = 0.031). During trot, elastic wraps increased mean duty factor by 5.71 percentage points versus no wraps (P = 0.040) and reduced left forelimb swing duration by 0.032 s versus fleece wraps (P = 0.018). Axial movement symmetry was unchanged.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Distal limb wraps produced gait- and material-dependent post-exercise changes in selected temporal and distal limb kinematic variables, particularly during walk, without consistent changes in axial movement symmetry.</p>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":" ","pages":"106151"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149024942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phenotypic and genetic evaluation of morphometric and dynamic traits in Mangalarga horses.","authors":"Gustavo Henrique Alberto, Ricardo António da Silva Faria, Larissa Yahagi Rodrigues, Camila Shyu Fiorindo, Carolina Zucatelle, António Andrade Vicente, Josineudson Augusto Ii Vasconcelos Silva","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106153","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106153","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Genetic evaluation of morphometric and locomotor traits supports objective selection, avoiding exclusive reliance on subjective methods that may fixate breed traits over functionality or cause undesirable indirect selection.</p><p><strong>Aims/objectives: </strong>To evaluate genetic and phenotypic parameters for morphometric and dynamic traits in horses of the Mangalarga breed.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The pedigree included 212,361 animals born between 1919 and 2019. Phenotypic subsets for morphometric and dynamic traits comprised 54,617 and 45,010 horses, respectively, born between 1977 and 2019. Variance components were estimated using an Animal Model via the BLUPF90+ software family.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Phenotypic means±SD and heritabilities±SD for morphometric traits were withers height (153.86 ± 4.43 cm; 0.58 ± 0.01), thoracic perimeter (178.67 ± 7.97 cm; 0.40 ± 0.01), and cannon bone perimeter (19.03 ± 0.96 cm; 0.21 ± 0.01). Dynamic traits were movement (12.63 ± 1.45 points; 0.34 ± 0.01), dynamic limbs (9.03 ± 1.32 points; 0.26 ± 0.01), canter (4.23 ± 0.69 points; 0.22 ± 0.01), comfort (11.49 ± 1.14 points; 0.29 ± 0.02), and total dynamics (38.37 ± 3.03 points; 0.32 ± 0.02). Phenotypic correlations ranged from 0.06 ± 0.01 (cannon bone perimeter and comfort) to 0.87 ± 0.00 (movement and total dynamics). The weakest genetic correlation was between dynamic limbs and cannon bone perimeter (-0.01 ± 0.04), and the highest between movement and total dynamics (0.92 ± 0.01). The strongest negative genetic correlation was between movement and cannon bone perimeter (-0.21 ± 0.04).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Moderate to high heritability estimates demonstrate the selection potential of these traits. However, the genetic antagonism between movement and cannon bone perimeter requires a nuanced approach. These findings provide the breed's first comprehensive breeding values, offering effective tools for the development of selection indexes that weight gait improvement while setting minimum constraints for bone structure.</p>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":" ","pages":"106153"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149024947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Residual contamination in nebulization medication cups after corticosteroid administration: an in vitro assessment with implications for equine doping control.","authors":"Thibault Frippiat, Alexandra Dugdale, Jean-Michel Vandeweerd","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106152","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106152","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Nebulization is increasingly used to administer respiratory medications in horses. However, the potential for residual contamination in medication cups after administering regulated substances raises concerns about inadvertent doping.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To evaluate whether medication cups used for nebulization of corticosteroids can subsequently be used for administration of non-regulated substances without detectable carryover.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>In vitro experimental study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Three corticosteroids (budesonide, dexamethasone, fluticasone propionate) were nebulized using Flexineb™ medication cups. Following drug nebulization, saline was nebulized through the same cup both before and after the manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedure. Each experiment was performed in triplicate using independent medication cups. Samples were collected from the initial drug formulations, the impacted drug fluid, and impacted saline fluid collected before and after cleaning. Drug concentrations were quantified using validated analytical methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Corticosteroids were detected in all saline samples nebulized after corticosteroid administration, both before and after cleaning. Cleaning reduced mean residual corticosteroid concentrations in impacted saline fluid by >99.9% for budesonide, 95.5% for dexamethasone, and 91.4% for fluticasone propionate. All post-cleaning samples remained detectable, above the limit of quantification.</p><p><strong>Main limitations: </strong>In vitro study with no assessment of inhaled dose, systemic absorption, or biological matrices; recovered volume not measured; limited number of formulations, cleaning protocols, and medication cup materials.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Routine cleaning markedly reduced but did not eliminate corticosteroid carryover from medication cups. The interchangeable use of medication cups after corticosteroid nebulization may pose a contamination risk. The use of separate cups for corticosteroids and non-regulated substances should be considered.</p>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":" ","pages":"106152"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149017100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Estrus synchronization and follicular development patterns in jennies","authors":"Naerhulan Ayiken ,&nbsp;Yeertai Tuohudashen ,&nbsp;Younusi Huojiaabudula ,&nbsp;Abudula Abudureyimu ,&nbsp;Hongli Wang ,&nbsp;Mingyang Geng ,&nbsp;Guangdong Hu ,&nbsp;Yanping Wang ,&nbsp;Weibin Zeng","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105799","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105799","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Background: Seasonal variations and breed differences significantly influence reproductive efficiency in jennies, yet optimized, evidence-based estrus synchronization protocols for key Chinese breeds are lacking. Aims/objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of three hormonal protocols on estrus synchronization, and to characterize follicular development patterns in DeZhou and Xinjiang jennies across different seasons. Methods: In two experiments (April-May, <em>n</em> = 94; July-August, <em>n</em> = 144), 238 non-pregnant jennies received one of three treatments: GnRH-PGF₂α with two injection timings (Treatment Group 1 and 2), or a Controlled Internal Drug Release (CIDR) insert combined with GnRH-PGF₂α (Treatment Group 3). Estrus, ovulation, and conception rates were recorded. Follicular dynamics were assessed daily via ultrasonography in 125 jennies (68 DeZhou, 57 Xinjiang). Results: During April-May, TG3 achieved a higher total estrus rate (85.0% vs. 53.0% and 72.5% in TGs1 and 2, respectively, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) and conception rate (81.3% vs. 66.7% and 71.4%, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Reproductive outcomes were superior in April-May versus July-August (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Xinjiang jennies exhibited a faster follicular growth rate (5.52±2.56 mm/d) compared to DeZhou jennies (4.32±1.64 mm/d, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), while DeZhou jennies had larger pre-ovulatory follicles (44.99±1.70 mm vs. 31.29±0.95 mm, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). No significant lateral preference in ovulation was observed (left ovary: 54.2%, right ovary: 45.8%). Conclusion: The CIDR+GnRH-PGF₂α protocol applied in April-May most effectively synchronized estrus and improved conception rates in jennies. Follicular growth patterns differed between breeds, informing breed-specific insemination timing. No ovarian lateralization was detected.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":"159 ","pages":"Article 105799"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146137133","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parasympathetic tone, cardiovascular variables, and behavioral alterations in conscious horses before and after castration and during anesthesia: A pilot study","authors":"J.E. Mendoza Flores ,&nbsp;A. Terrazas ,&nbsp;A.V. Lara Sagahon ,&nbsp;M. Aleman","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105781","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105781","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Parasympathetic tone activity (PTA) and its association with behavior in conscious versus anesthesia in horses are unknown.</div></div><div><h3>Objetives</h3><div>To study PTA, heart rate (HR), minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during castration under anesthesia. To study PTA, HR, Horse Grimace Scale (HGS), locomotor activity (LA), and behavior in conscious horses before and after castration.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Pilot study including seven healthy adult horses. After habituation (days 1, 2, and 3), PTAm, HR, HGS, LA, and behavior were investigated during pre-surgery (days 4-, 5-, and one-hour pre-anesthesia), and post-surgery (6 h post-surgery and days 7 and 8) periods. PTAm, HR, MAP, and MAC were recorded during castration.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>PTAm increased significantly during anesthesia (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), with sequential increase as time passed (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001): 15 min = 27.4% (62.6, CI 57.3-67.8), 20 min = 38.2% (70, CI 55.7-84.3), 25 min = 59.6% (87.9, CI 76.3-99.4), 30 min = 55.6% (84.1, CI 76.8-91.5). MAP increased significantly after emasculation (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.003) at 1 min (91 mmHg, CI 77.3-104.7) and 5 min (81 mmHg, CI 67.3-94.7). An increase HGS (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05<em>)</em>, PTAm (Δ16%, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), head up latency (<em>P</em> = 0.042), and frequency of limb retraction (<em>P</em> = 0.042), while a decrease in LA (<em>P</em> = 0.004), appetite (<em>P</em> = 0.043), and water consumption (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) in days post-surgery were observed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Modulation of vagal tone occurs in response to castration under anesthesia and preservation of homeostasis days post-surgery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":"158 ","pages":"Article 105781"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145952239","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Maggot therapy in horses with traumatic wounds caused by wire fences: Case reports","authors":"Talissa Silva dos Santos ,&nbsp;Janaína Brand Dillmann ,&nbsp;Mireli Giovelli ,&nbsp;Gabriela Oliveira Elias ,&nbsp;Rafaela Kossmann Lima ,&nbsp;Sophia Cescon ,&nbsp;Daniel Roulim Stainki ,&nbsp;Rafael Cardoso dos Santos ,&nbsp;Carolina Corrêa ,&nbsp;Silvia Gonzalez Monteiro","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105802","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105802","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study reports the successful use of maggot therapy in four horses with traumatic wounds caused by wire fences, treated in veterinary clinics and under field conditions in southern Brazil. All lesions showed tissue necrosis, purulent discharge, and foul odor, indicating infection and delayed healing. Sterile <em>Lucilia cuprina</em> larvae (L1 stage) were applied directly to the wounds for 48 hours. Rapid improvement was observed, with marked reduction of necrotic tissue, exudate, and odor, and stimulation of granulation tissue in three cases. Complete wound closure occurred between 10 and 60 days without adverse effects. These findings demonstrate that maggot therapy is a safe, effective, and low-cost adjunctive treatment for complex equine wounds, promoting debridement, infection control, and tissue regeneration.</div><div>Background Traumatic wounds caused by wire fences are common in horses and often difficult to manage due to infection, necrosis, and delayed healing. Maggot therapy has re-emerged as a viable option for selective debridement and tissue regeneration.</div><div>Aims/objectives This study aimed to describe the clinical outcomes of maggot therapy using <em>Lucilia cuprina</em> larvae in horses with traumatic wounds caused by wire fences.</div><div>Methods Four horses (three mares and one gelding, aged 4–6 years) with traumatic limb wounds caused by wire fences were treated with approximately 1,000 sterile <em>L. cuprina</em> larvae (L1 stage) applied directly to the lesions for 48 hours. Cases were managed in veterinary clinics or field conditions in southern Brazil. Wound evolution was assessed by reduction of necrotic tissue, exudate, odor, and stimulation of granulation tissue.</div><div>Results Maggot therapy resulted in complete removal of necrotic tissue and elimination of purulent exudate and odor in all horses. Granulation tissue developed within 48 hours in three cases, and complete wound closure occurred between 10 and 60 days after therapy. No adverse effects or damage to adjacent structures were observed.</div><div>Conclusion Maggot therapy using sterile <em>L. cuprina</em> larvae proved effective and safe for treating wire fences wounds in horses, promoting rapid debridement, infection control, and granulation tissue formation, supporting its value as an adjunctive therapy in equine wound management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":"158 ","pages":"Article 105802"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146131904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Riding with care: A review of factors that influence the welfare of the ridden horse and a case for the application of the precautionary principle in equestrian pursuits","authors":"Caleigh Copelin ,&nbsp;Katrina Merkies","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105801","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105801","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Equestrian sport’s social license to operate has come under scrutiny due to concerns surrounding the well-being of ridden horses. Inappropriate equipment use, such as harsh bits or overtight nosebands, can negatively influence well-being by generating inescapable pressure or pain on the sensitive structures of the horse’s head and limiting natural behaviours. Restrictive equipment may also be used to generate exaggerated, stressful and uncomfortable head and neck positions such as hyperflexion. Saddles must be properly fitted to both horse and rider to ensure appropriate distribution of kinematic forces across the horse’s back and promote the horse’s comfort. The rider’s balance, body control, ability to cue the horse, decision-making capabilities and understanding of equine behaviour can also influence the horse’s experience under saddle. Physical health conditions such as ulcers or unidentified lameness can cause pain, stress and mechanical damage if left untreated, which may be further exacerbated by riding. The ridden horse’s well-being is a multifactorial and complex equation. However, riders must seek to understand these nuanced aspects of well-being, and act on the precautionary principle (stating that a practice should not be assumed harmless until it is proven to be so) if there is not yet enough evidence on a subject to draw firm conclusions. Such directives will safeguard the welfare of ridden horses and the social license to operate for equestrian sports.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":"158 ","pages":"Article 105801"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146131970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}