Journal of Equine Veterinary Science RSS feed: Current Issue. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (JEVS) is an international publication designed for the practicing equine veterinarian, equine researcher, and other equine health care specialist. Published monthly, each issue of JEVS includes original scientific research, review articles, case reports, short communications, and clinical techniques from leaders in the equine veterinary field. The journal also includes regular features such as meeting and conference reports, and news to help equine practitioners stay current with the issues affecting their practice. Others involved in horse production and management will also find the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science an invaluable resource.http://www.j-evs.com/?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science0737-0806307July 2010 © 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.j-evs.com/article/PIIS0737080610002765/abstract?rss=yesTable of Contents10.1016/S0737-0806(10)00276-5Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 30, 7 (2010)2010-07-01Journal of Equine Veterinary Science2010-07-01307S0737-0806(10)X0007-7343343http://www.j-evs.com/article/PIIS0737080610002352/abstract?rss=yesJeff Moore is a guest author in this month's issue of JEVS/Clinical Techniques. Jeff, a dressage trainer, judge, international evaluator in vaulting, and his partner Elizabeth Searle, conceived and designed the USDF-L Education and Judge Training Program.Equine BiomechanicsJames A. Orsini10.1016/j.jevs.2010.06.001Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 30, 7 (2010)2010-07-01Journal of Equine Veterinary Science2010-07-01307S0737-0806(10)X0007-7From the Editor344344http://www.j-evs.com/article/PIIS0737080610002236/abstract?rss=yesby: Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc July 15, 2009What's News10.1016/j.jevs.2010.05.003Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 30, 7 (2010)2010-07-01Journal of Equine Veterinary Science2010-07-01307S0737-0806(10)X0007-7What's News347347http://www.j-evs.com/article/PIIS0737080610002248/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: This study evaluated onset and incidence of palmar process fractures in foals and investigated corresponding changes in hoof conformation. Radiographs of 17 warmblood foals were taken at 1 week and at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 months of age and examined for evidence of palmar process fractures. Hoof parameters were measured from the radiographs, and comparisons were made between fractured and nonfractured feet. All foals suffered at least one fracture during the study period, with an average age of 3.68 ± 0.20 months at fracture occurrence. Hoof conformation and fracture occurrence were not significantly correlated. Foals consistently demonstrated higher lateral heights in the right foot and higher medial heights in the left foot. Hoof angle increased until 3 months of age and then gradually dropped. Hoof-pastern axis exhibited a broken forward conformation, but approached a more correct conformation by 12 months of age. There was a significant reduction in variation of variables for hoof and pastern angle in both feet, and hoof-pastern axis in the right foot. Hoof conformation does not appear to be a causative factor of palmar process fractures. It is possible that these fractures are a normal part of bone remodeling.Hoof Conformation and Palmar Process Fractures of the Distal Phalanx in Warmblood FoalsAdrienne S. Bhatnagar, R. Scott Pleasant, John J. Dascanio, Stephanie R. Lewis, A. Grey, Olivia E. Schroeder, Kristine Doyle, Jake Hall, Rebecca K. Splan10.1016/j.jevs.2010.05.004Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 30, 7 (2010)2010-07-01Journal of Equine Veterinary Science2010-07-01307S0737-0806(10)X0007-7Original Research349355http://www.j-evs.com/article/PIIS0737080610002261/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: The aim of the present study was to detect the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in the feces of horses used in military training and in horseback riding activities. A total of 90 fecal samples were collected from three sites in the city of Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil as follows: 71 samples were obtained from the Brazilian Army, seven from the hospital accredited with the School of Veterinary Medicine of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, and 12 from a facility offering animal rest and training. All samples were collected between the months of January and February, 2008. They were screened microscopically for oocysts using the modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining technique. Oocysts were classified on the basis of their microscopic characteristics. The overall infection rate of horses as determined by microscopic analysis was 27.87% (25/90) and was identified only in horses raised in the Brazilian Army, with a rate of 35.21% (25/71). The morphometric analysis of oocysts revealed a mean size of 4.78 × 4.0 μm and a shape index of 1.16. None of the infected horses appeared to be clinically ill.Cryptosporidiosis in Horses of Urban Areas of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Southern BrazilSandra Márcia Tietz Marques10.1016/j.jevs.2010.05.006Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 30, 7 (2010)2010-07-01Journal of Equine Veterinary Science2010-07-01307S0737-0806(10)X0007-7Original Research356358http://www.j-evs.com/article/PIIS0737080610002285/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: The ability to produce antibodies is essential for protection from infectious disease; however, in the neonate, maternal antibodies have been proposed to interfere with the foal's ability to respond to vaccination. In species other than the equid, keyhole limpet hemocyanin, a high-molecular weight protein, is used in vivo as an experimental vaccine component because of its high intrinsic immunogenicity. In this study, we show that young foals are able to produce a primary antibody response to vaccination at an early age. Thus, foals, like human infants, are capable of responding to antigenic exposure to a novel antigen (keyhole limpet hemocyanin) during the neonatal period. Although vaccinating foals in the presence of maternal antibodies failed to induce a primary serological response, priming occurred as comparable anamnestic responses were detected upon subsequent exposure to the antigen. There was no evidence of tolerance induction.Vaccination Response of Young Foals to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin: Evidence of Effective Priming in the Presence of Maternal AntibodiesTracy L. Sturgill, David W. Horohov10.1016/j.jevs.2010.05.008Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 30, 7 (2010)2010-07-01Journal of Equine Veterinary Science2010-07-01307S0737-0806(10)X0007-7Original Research359364http://www.j-evs.com/article/PIIS0737080610002297/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: The objective of the present study was to determine the efficacy of urinary bladder matrix (UBM) in collagenase-induced superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendonitis by using clinical, ultrasonographic, and histologic data. A total of eight healthy adult horses were used in this study. Bilateral forelimb SDF tendonitis was created in the horses by injecting collagenase. After 14 days, one randomly selected forelimb SDF tendon was blindly treated with UBM and the opposite tendon was treated with a control (saline). Clinical and ultrasonographic parameters including lameness, lesion size, ultrasonographic fiber pattern, and echogenicity were measured throughout the study. After 84 days, horses were euthanized and SDF tendon lesions from the two groups were compared statistically using an analysis of variance with significance set at P ≤ .05.Results showed that there were no significant differences between the treated and control tendons for any of the clinical, ultrasonographic, gross, or histologic variables. UBM does not appear to be an effective treatment for collagenase-induced SDF tendonitis. However, there may be differences in clinical tendonitis that might render the treatment more effective in the clinical setting.Acellular Urinary Bladder Matrix in a Collagenase Model of Superficial Digital Flexor Tendonitis in HorsesTy W. Wallis, Gary M. Baxter, Natasha M. Werpy, Gary L. Mason, David D. Frisbie, Nicolai Jarloev10.1016/j.jevs.2010.05.009Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 30, 7 (2010)2010-07-01Journal of Equine Veterinary Science2010-07-01307S0737-0806(10)X0007-7Original Research365370http://www.j-evs.com/article/PIIS0737080610002662/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Platelet aggregation is the most important event in the hemostatic process, but no information is available on the stability of samples for aggregation testing in horses. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different storage conditions on platelet aggregation in horses. The study was carried out on 58 healthy horses of varying breed and gender, ranging in age from 4 to 12 years. Citrated blood samples were collected from all the subjects by means of jugular venipuncture and were used for platelet aggregation measurements. Platelet-rich and platelet-poor plasma samples were prepared by centrifugation and divided into six different aliquots to assess the maximum degree of platelet aggregation and the initial velocity of platelet aggregation at the final concentrations of 1 and 0.5 μM of the aggregating agent. The first aliquot was analyzed within 1 hour after collection at room temperature (22°C), the second 6 hours after collection at 22°C, the third and fourth were refrigerated at 8°C for 6 and 24 hours, respectively, and the fifth and sixth were frozen at −20°C for 24 and 48 hours, respectively. With the help of an aggregometer, platelet responses were quantified, and one-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine significant differences. Probability values of <.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences on maximum degree of platelet aggregation and the initial velocity of platelet aggregation using adenosine diphosphate at final concentrations of 1 and 0.5 μM. The results of this study suggest that the storage of equine plasma for more than 6 hours at room temperature and at 8°C has a significant effect on platelet aggregation, and that the storage of plasma for 24 and 48 hours at −20°C alters platelet aggregation. In conclusion, storage conditions had a statistically significant effect on the parameters of platelet aggregation directly correlated to temperature.Effect of Different Storage Conditions on Platelet Aggregation in HorseGiuseppe Piccione, Stefania Casella, Claudia Giannetto, Anna Assenza, Giovanni Caola10.1016/j.jevs.2010.06.003Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 30, 7 (2010)2010-07-01Journal of Equine Veterinary Science2010-07-01307S0737-0806(10)X0007-7Original Research371375http://www.j-evs.com/article/PIIS0737080610002273/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Brucella preferentially infects cattle, swine, sheep, and goats. However, some epidemiological surveys have been carried out to investigate nonruminants, such as horses. Horse brucellosis has been found in clinical cases, but there are few epidemiologic patterns. Between May 2008 and April 2009, a total of 120 horses were screened for brucella infections in Mashhad, Iran, by the rose bengal test and the tube agglutination test. Sera from three horses were found positive by rose bengal test and tube agglutination test, and therefore the prevalence rate was 2.5%. In horses, the highest individual seroprevalence was in an animal kept close under the intensive system, with other animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats. The zoonotic aspects of brucellosis from the horse must, therefore, be considered because the disease is important from a public health standpoint. The present study documents the first serological evidence of Brucella spp. infection in horses in Iran.Prevalence of Brucellosis in Horse North-East of IranYahya Tahamtan, Mohammad Mehdi Namavari, Gholamreza Mohammadi, Gholamreza Moazeni Jula10.1016/j.jevs.2010.05.007Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 30, 7 (2010)2010-07-01Journal of Equine Veterinary Science2010-07-01307S0737-0806(10)X0007-7Short Communication376378http://www.j-evs.com/article/PIIS0737080610002364/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: The “Mechanical Mode” of a horse refers to the condition of the musculature appropriate to the moment or task—stretched, contracted, or slack. It can be because of posture or carriage, rigidity, as a result of defensiveness, sustained contraction of musculature beyond the need of the task at hand, general condition of the musculature from moment to moment, and much more. One way to demonstrate this is to address the concept of suppleness. The mechanics of gait can be divided into purity, quality, and way of going. The mechanics of gait should be well understood by the veterinarian so that when evaluating the horse with the complaint of lameness they are best able to integrate and differentiate the true lameness from a mechanical, riding, or performance problem.General Biomechanics: The Horse As a Biological MachineJeff Moore10.1016/j.jevs.2010.06.002Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 30, 7 (2010)2010-07-01Journal of Equine Veterinary Science2010-07-01307S0737-0806(10)X0007-7Clinical Technique379383http://www.j-evs.com/article/PIIS0737080610002303/abstract?rss=yesby: Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc August 3, 2009Current Research10.1016/j.jevs.2010.05.010Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 30, 7 (2010)2010-07-01Journal of Equine Veterinary Science2010-07-01307S0737-0806(10)X0007-7Current Research384384