Variation in the myostatin (MSTN) gene has been reported to be associated with race distance, body composition and skeletal muscle fibre composition in the horse. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that MSTN variation influences mitochondrial phenotypes in equine skeletal muscle. Mitochondrial abundance and skeletal muscle fibre types were measured in whole muscle biopsies ...

The recently discovered nonprimate hepacivirus (NPHV) naturally infects horses and is the closest known homolog of hepatitis C virus to date. Within a follow-up study acute field infections were monitored in four young Thoroughbred horses until the ages of 12-13 months. Serum samples were analyzed for the presence of NPHV RNA and anti-NPHV NS3 antibodies and liver specific parameters were evalu...

The purpose of this study was to examine the longevity of postoperative careers and quality of performance of 461 Thoroughbred racehorses after arthroscopic removal of dorsoproximal first phalanx (P1) osteochondral fractures. Six hundred and 59 dorsoproximal P1 chip fractures were removed arthroscopically from 574 joints in 461 horses presented for lameness or decreased performance attributed t...

Problems associated with the proximal metacarpal region, such as an osseous injury associated with tearing of Sharpey's fibers or an avulsion fracture of the origin of the suspensory ligament (OISL), are important causes of lameness in racehorses. In the present study, four Thoroughbred racehorses (age range, 2-4 years) were diagnosed as having forelimb OISL and assessed over time by using stan...

Pinhooking is a speculative investment where investors assume a risk position in the purchase and resale of Thoroughbred horses. Thoroughbred auction markets provide a unique data set to analyze investment risk. This study estimates the profitability of weanling to yearling pinhooks sold at the Keeneland September Sale using three years of sale data. Maximum-likelihood estimates of probability ...

Thoroughbred racing evolved in England over 200 years ago and now exists in over 50 countries. A comparison of the size of Thoroughbred flat racing industries between some of the major racing countries based on foal crop, number of races and starters, prize money and betting turnover is illustrated in Table 48.1. All facets of the Thoroughbred racing industry rely heavily on veterinary input, w...

Radiometer Blood Micro-system 2 was used in studies designed to, (a) compare the mean blood gas and acid-base values of 38 normal horses and 20 horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), (b) determine the means and standard deviations of blood gas and acid-base values of Thoroughbred horses in training, and (c) investigate the relationships between clinical data, blood gas values...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of furosemide for prevention of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in Thoroughbred racehorses under typical racing conditions. DESIGN Randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded, crossover field trial. ANIMALS 167 Thoroughbred racehorses. PROCEDURES Horses were allocated to race fields of 9 to 16 horses each and raced twice, 1 week apart, with each...

The present study was carried out to examine whether nasal strip application would improve the exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia and hypercapnia, diminish anaerobic metabolism, and modify the incidence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in horses. Two sets of experiments, control and nasal strip experiments, were carried out on seven healthy, sound, exercise-trained Thoroughbred ...

Criollo horse populations descend from horses brought from the Iberian Peninsula over the period of colonization (15th to 17th century). They are spread throughout the Americas and have potentially undergone genetic hybridization with other breeds in the recent past. In this study, 25 autosomal microsatellites were genotyped in 50 horse breeds representing Criollo populations from 12 American c...