Equids

@article{crossref1851horseshoeinginterfering,
    title = "Horse-Shoeing—Interfering Horses",
    year = "1851",
    journal = "Scientific American",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican11081851-64",
    doi = "10.1038/scientificamerican11081851-64",
    number = "8",
    openalex = "W4255695822",
    pages = "64-64",
    volume = "7"
}

@article{s2adbebe1744dc0f51537cd459c0f62f6fed532d74,
    author = "Struthers, J.",
    title = "On the Development of the Bones of the Foot of the Horse, and of Digital Bones Generally; and on a Case of Polydactyly in the Horse.",
    year = "1893",
    journal = "Journal of anatomy and physiology",
    url = "https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/adbebe1744dc0f51537cd459c0f62f6fed532d74",
    is_oa = "true",
    openalex = "W958602138",
    semanticscholar_citation_count = "8",
    semanticscholar_id = "adbebe1744dc0f51537cd459c0f62f6fed532d74"
}

@article{struthers1893on5,
    author = "Struthers, J",
    title = "On the development of the bones of the foot of the horse, and of digital bones generally and on a case of polydactyly in the horse",
    year = "1893",
    journal = "Journal of Anatomy and Physiology, v. 28, p. 51-62",
    note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Struthers, J., 1893, On the development of the bones of the foot of the horse, and of digital bones generally and on a case of polydactyly in the horse: Journal of Anatomy and Physiology, v. 28, p. 51-62.}"
}

@article{ewart1894the2,
    author = "Ewart, J. C",
    title = "The development of the skeleton of the limbs of the horses, with observations on polydactyly",
    year = "1894",
    journal = "Journal of Anatomy and Physiology, v. 28, p. 342-369",
    note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Ewart, J. C., 1894, The development of the skeleton of the limbs of the horses, with observations on polydactyly: Journal of Anatomy and Physiology, v. 28, p. 342-369.}"
}

@article{bushbrown1913horses,
    author = "Bush-Brown, H. K.",
    title = "Horses and Horse Breeding",
    year = "1913",
    journal = "Journal of Heredity",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/4.1.21",
    doi = "10.1093/jhered/4.1.21",
    number = "1",
    openalex = "W4205634222",
    pages = "21-27",
    volume = "4"
}

@book{camp1942phylogeny1,
    author = "Camp, C. L. and Smith, N",
    title = "Phylogeny and function of the digital ligaments of the horse",
    year = "1942",
    publisher = "Memoirs of the University of California, Berkeley, v. 13, p. 69-124",
    note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Camp, C. L., and Smith, N., 1942, Phylogeny and function of the digital ligaments of the horse: Memoirs of the University of California, Berkeley, v. 13, p. 69-124.}"
}

@book{simpson1951horses4,
    author = "Simpson, G. G",
    title = "Horses",
    year = "1951",
    publisher = "Oxford, Oxford University Press, 323 p",
    note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Simpson, G. G., 1951, Horses: Oxford, Oxford University Press, 323 p.}"
}

@misc{macfadden1976cladistic3,
    author = "MacFadden, B. J",
    title = "Cladistic analysis of primitive equids, with notes on other perissodactyls",
    year = "1976",
    howpublished = "Systematic Zoology, v. 25, p. 1-15",
    note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {MacFadden, B. J., 1976, Cladistic analysis of primitive equids, with notes on other perissodactyls: Systematic Zoology, v. 25, p. 1-15.}"
}

@incollection{broom2007the,
    author = "Broom, D. M. and Fraser, A. F.",
    title = "The welfare of horses and other equids.",
    year = "2007",
    booktitle = "Domestic animal behaviour and welfare",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845932879.0313",
    doi = "10.1079/9781845932879.0313",
    openalex = "W344651344",
    pages = "313-315"
}

Little is known about the rate at which protein turnover occurs in living tendon and whether the rate differs between tendons with different physiological roles. In this study, we have quantified the racemization of aspartic acid to calculate the age of the collagenous and non-collagenous components of the high strain injury-prone superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and low strain rarely injured common digital extensor tendon (CDET) in a group of horses with a wide age range. In addition, the turnover of collagen was assessed indirectly by measuring the levels of collagen degradation markers (collagenase-generated neoepitope and cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen). The fractional increase in D-Asp was similar (p = 0.7) in the SDFT (5.87 x 10(-4)/year) and CDET (5.82 x 10(-4)/year) tissue, and D/L-Asp ratios showed a good correlation with pentosidine levels. We calculated a mean (+/-S.E.) collagen half-life of 197.53 (+/-18.23) years for the SDFT, which increased significantly with horse age (p = 0.03) and was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that for the CDET (34.03 (+/-3.39) years). Using similar calculations, the half-life of non-collagenous protein was 2.18 (+/-0.41) years in the SDFT and was significantly (p = 0.04) lower than the value of 3.51 (+/-0.51) years for the CDET. Collagen degradation markers were higher in the CDET and suggested an accumulation of partially degraded collagen within the matrix with aging in the SDFT. We propose that increased susceptibility to injury in older individuals results from an inability to remove partially degraded collagen from the matrix leading to reduced mechanical competence.

@article{doi101074jbcm109077503,
    author = "Thorpe, Chavaunne T. and Streeter, Ian and Pinchbeck, Gina and Goodship, Allen E. and Clegg, Peter and Birch, Helen L.",
    title = "Aspartic Acid Racemization and Collagen Degradation Markers Reveal an Accumulation of Damage in Tendon Collagen That Is Enhanced with Aging",
    year = "2010",
    journal = "Journal of Biological Chemistry",
    abstract = "Little is known about the rate at which protein turnover occurs in living tendon and whether the rate differs between tendons with different physiological roles. In this study, we have quantified the racemization of aspartic acid to calculate the age of the collagenous and non-collagenous components of the high strain injury-prone superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and low strain rarely injured common digital extensor tendon (CDET) in a group of horses with a wide age range. In addition, the turnover of collagen was assessed indirectly by measuring the levels of collagen degradation markers (collagenase-generated neoepitope and cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen). The fractional increase in D-Asp was similar (p = 0.7) in the SDFT (5.87 x 10(-4)/year) and CDET (5.82 x 10(-4)/year) tissue, and D/L-Asp ratios showed a good correlation with pentosidine levels. We calculated a mean (+/-S.E.) collagen half-life of 197.53 (+/-18.23) years for the SDFT, which increased significantly with horse age (p = 0.03) and was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that for the CDET (34.03 (+/-3.39) years). Using similar calculations, the half-life of non-collagenous protein was 2.18 (+/-0.41) years in the SDFT and was significantly (p = 0.04) lower than the value of 3.51 (+/-0.51) years for the CDET. Collagen degradation markers were higher in the CDET and suggested an accumulation of partially degraded collagen within the matrix with aging in the SDFT. We propose that increased susceptibility to injury in older individuals results from an inability to remove partially degraded collagen from the matrix leading to reduced mechanical competence.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.m109.077503",
    doi = "10.1074/jbc.m109.077503",
    openalex = "W2071668615",
    references = "doi101016s0305049198000248"
}

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Mesenchymal stem (progenitor; stromal) cell (MSC) therapy has gained popularity for the treatment of equine tendon injuries but without reports of long-term follow-up. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and reinjury rate of racehorses after intralesional MSC injection in a large study of naturally occurring superficial digital flexor tendinopathy and to compare these data with those published for other treatments. METHODS: Safety was assessed clinically, ultrasonographically, scintigraphically and histologically in a cohort of treated cases: 141 client-owned treated racehorses followed-up for a minimum of 2 years after return to full work. Reinjury percentages were compared to 2 published studies of other treatments with similar selection criteria and follow-up. The number of race starts, discipline, age, number of MSCs injected and interval between injury and treatment were analysed. RESULTS: There were no adverse effects of the treatment with no aberrant tissue on histological examination. The reinjury percentage of all racehorses with follow-up (n = 113) undergoing MSC treatment was 27.4%, with the rate for flat (n = 8) and National Hunt (n = 105) racehorses being 50 and 25.7%, respectively. This was significantly less than published for National Hunt racehorses treated in other ways. No relationship between outcome and age, discipline, number of MSCs injected or injury to implantation interval was found. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst recognising the limitations of historical controls, this study has shown that MPC implantation is safe and appears to reduce the reinjury rate after superficial digital flexor tendinopathy, especially in National Hunt racehorses. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: This study has provided evidence for the long-term efficacy of MSC treatment for tendinopathy in racehorses and provides support for translation to human tendon injuries.

@article{doi101111j20423306201100363x,
    author = "Godwin, Ebughe and Young, N. J. and Dudhia, Jayesh and BEAMISH, I. C. and SMITH, R. K. W.",
    title = "Implantation of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells demonstrates improved outcome in horses with overstrain injury of the superficial digital flexor tendon",
    year = "2011",
    journal = "Equine Veterinary Journal",
    abstract = "REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Mesenchymal stem (progenitor; stromal) cell (MSC) therapy has gained popularity for the treatment of equine tendon injuries but without reports of long-term follow-up. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and reinjury rate of racehorses after intralesional MSC injection in a large study of naturally occurring superficial digital flexor tendinopathy and to compare these data with those published for other treatments. METHODS: Safety was assessed clinically, ultrasonographically, scintigraphically and histologically in a cohort of treated cases: 141 client-owned treated racehorses followed-up for a minimum of 2 years after return to full work. Reinjury percentages were compared to 2 published studies of other treatments with similar selection criteria and follow-up. The number of race starts, discipline, age, number of MSCs injected and interval between injury and treatment were analysed. RESULTS: There were no adverse effects of the treatment with no aberrant tissue on histological examination. The reinjury percentage of all racehorses with follow-up (n = 113) undergoing MSC treatment was 27.4\%, with the rate for flat (n = 8) and National Hunt (n = 105) racehorses being 50 and 25.7\%, respectively. This was significantly less than published for National Hunt racehorses treated in other ways. No relationship between outcome and age, discipline, number of MSCs injected or injury to implantation interval was found. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst recognising the limitations of historical controls, this study has shown that MPC implantation is safe and appears to reduce the reinjury rate after superficial digital flexor tendinopathy, especially in National Hunt racehorses. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: This study has provided evidence for the long-term efficacy of MSC treatment for tendinopathy in racehorses and provides support for translation to human tendon injuries.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00363.x",
    doi = "10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00363.x",
    openalex = "W1486827600"
}

@misc{s2ba9ffcb3bfd8e6914ce5bd5944f888bddd851ddc,
    author = "Bishwas, A.",
    title = "The 6th International Colloquium on Working Equids Learning from others: Drawing inspiration from the fields of international development, social science, human health and education to break new ground for working animals",
    year = "2011",
    url = "https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/ba9ffcb3bfd8e6914ce5bd5944f888bddd851ddc",
    is_oa = "true",
    semanticscholar_citation_count = "3",
    semanticscholar_id = "ba9ffcb3bfd8e6914ce5bd5944f888bddd851ddc"
}

BACKGROUND: The assessment of pain is critical for the welfare of horses, in particular when pain is induced by common management procedures such as castration. Existing pain assessment methods have several limitations, which reduce the applicability in everyday life. Assessment of facial expression changes, as a novel means of pain scoring, may offer numerous advantages and overcome some of these limitations. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a standardised pain scale based on facial expressions in horses (Horse Grimace Scale [HGS]). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Forty stallions were assigned to one of two treatments and all animals underwent routine surgical castration under general anaesthesia. Group A (n = 19) received a single injection of Flunixin immediately before anaesthesia. Group B (n = 21) received Flunixin immediately before anaesthesia and then again, as an oral administration, six hours after the surgery. In addition, six horses were used as anaesthesia controls (C). These animals underwent non-invasive, indolent procedures, received the same treatment as group A, but did not undergo surgical procedures that could be accompanied with surgical pain. Changes in behaviour, composite pain scale (CPS) scores and horse grimace scale (HGS) scores were assessed before and 8-hours post-procedure. Only horses undergoing castration (Groups A and B) showed significantly greater HGS and CPS scores at 8-hours post compared to pre operatively. Further, maintenance behaviours such as explorative behaviour and alertness were also reduced. No difference was observed between the two analgesic treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: The Horse Grimace Scale potentially offers an effective and reliable method of assessing pain following routine castration in horses. However, auxiliary studies are required to evaluate different painful conditions and analgesic schedules.

@article{doi101371journalpone0092281,
    author = "Costa, Emanuela Dalla and Minero, Michela and Lebelt, Dirk and Stucke, Diana and Canali, Elisabetta and Leach, Matthew C.",
    title = "Development of the Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) as a Pain Assessment Tool in Horses Undergoing Routine Castration",
    year = "2014",
    journal = "PLoS ONE",
    abstract = "BACKGROUND: The assessment of pain is critical for the welfare of horses, in particular when pain is induced by common management procedures such as castration. Existing pain assessment methods have several limitations, which reduce the applicability in everyday life. Assessment of facial expression changes, as a novel means of pain scoring, may offer numerous advantages and overcome some of these limitations. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a standardised pain scale based on facial expressions in horses (Horse Grimace Scale [HGS]). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Forty stallions were assigned to one of two treatments and all animals underwent routine surgical castration under general anaesthesia. Group A (n = 19) received a single injection of Flunixin immediately before anaesthesia. Group B (n = 21) received Flunixin immediately before anaesthesia and then again, as an oral administration, six hours after the surgery. In addition, six horses were used as anaesthesia controls (C). These animals underwent non-invasive, indolent procedures, received the same treatment as group A, but did not undergo surgical procedures that could be accompanied with surgical pain. Changes in behaviour, composite pain scale (CPS) scores and horse grimace scale (HGS) scores were assessed before and 8-hours post-procedure. Only horses undergoing castration (Groups A and B) showed significantly greater HGS and CPS scores at 8-hours post compared to pre operatively. Further, maintenance behaviours such as explorative behaviour and alertness were also reduced. No difference was observed between the two analgesic treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: The Horse Grimace Scale potentially offers an effective and reliable method of assessing pain following routine castration in horses. However, auxiliary studies are required to evaluate different painful conditions and analgesic schedules.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0092281",
    doi = "10.1371/journal.pone.0092281",
    openalex = "W1997650940"
}

@incollection{mehlhorn2015tapeworms,
    author = "Mehlhorn, Heinz",
    title = "Tapeworms of Horses/Equids",
    year = "2015",
    booktitle = "Encyclopedia of Parasitology",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27769-6\_4478-1",
    doi = "10.1007/978-3-642-27769-6\_4478-1",
    openalex = "W4239337278",
    pages = "1-3",
    references = "doi101007bf00053486, doi101017s0031182004007127"
}

@incollection{mehlhorn2016tapeworms,
    author = "Mehlhorn, Heinz",
    title = "Tapeworms of Horses/Equids",
    year = "2016",
    booktitle = "Encyclopedia of Parasitology",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-43978-4\_4478",
    doi = "10.1007/978-3-662-43978-4\_4478",
    openalex = "W4239389590",
    pages = "2639-2641",
    references = "doi101007bf00053486, doi101017s0031182004007127"
}

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence and the risk factors for deep digital flexor (DDF) distal tendinopathy in the equine limb (from the proximal extremity of the middle phalanx to the insertion of this tendon to the distal phalanx) and to identify the circumstances that promote this pathological condition. This epidemiological analysis was performed on 100 horses diagnosed with DDF distal tendinopathies at CIRALE‐Hippolia between January 2009 and June 2010. All horses included in this study were diagnosed by ultrasonographic examination with front limb lameness associated with distal DDF tendinopathies at CIRALE‐Hippolia in the aforementioned period. The sources of information were the individual medical records of horses. The considered risk factors were as follows: breed, age, sex, and athletic discipline. The risk was quantified by analyzing statistical association of the studied condition and different factors that can interfere with its evolution. Lameness associated with distal DDF tendinopathy has been mostly identified in jumping horses. The most well represented age category was the 8–10 years one, but the horses aged between 11 and 14 years had the highest risk for developing DDF tendinopathy. Females were more prone to this type of injury. The current epidemiological analysis provides a model for risk and protective factors for the development of DDF tendinopathy in the equine distal limb. The most susceptible group of equids are female Warmbloods more than the age of seven, whereas young male Thoroughbreds and French Trotters (0–3 year‐old) carry the lowest risk in developing this pathology. HighlightsThis is an epidemiological analysis of risk factors for equine deep digital flexor tendinopathy.The protective factors are age range 0–3 years, males, racing breeds, and racing activity.The risk factors are age more than 7 years, mares, Warmbloods, and show jumping activity.

@article{doi101016jjevs201803005,
    author = "Crişan, M. and Damian, A. and Ștefănuț, L. and Dezdrobitu, C. and Neagu, Daniela and Denoix, J.",
    title = "Global Epidemiological Analysis of Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated With the Deep Digital Flexor Tendinopathy in the Equine Distal Limb: 100 Cases",
    year = "2018",
    journal = "Journal of Equine Veterinary Science",
    abstract = "ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence and the risk factors for deep digital flexor (DDF) distal tendinopathy in the equine limb (from the proximal extremity of the middle phalanx to the insertion of this tendon to the distal phalanx) and to identify the circumstances that promote this pathological condition. This epidemiological analysis was performed on 100 horses diagnosed with DDF distal tendinopathies at CIRALE‐Hippolia between January 2009 and June 2010. All horses included in this study were diagnosed by ultrasonographic examination with front limb lameness associated with distal DDF tendinopathies at CIRALE‐Hippolia in the aforementioned period. The sources of information were the individual medical records of horses. The considered risk factors were as follows: breed, age, sex, and athletic discipline. The risk was quantified by analyzing statistical association of the studied condition and different factors that can interfere with its evolution. Lameness associated with distal DDF tendinopathy has been mostly identified in jumping horses. The most well represented age category was the 8–10 years one, but the horses aged between 11 and 14 years had the highest risk for developing DDF tendinopathy. Females were more prone to this type of injury. The current epidemiological analysis provides a model for risk and protective factors for the development of DDF tendinopathy in the equine distal limb. The most susceptible group of equids are female Warmbloods more than the age of seven, whereas young male Thoroughbreds and French Trotters (0–3 year‐old) carry the lowest risk in developing this pathology. HighlightsThis is an epidemiological analysis of risk factors for equine deep digital flexor tendinopathy.The protective factors are age range 0–3 years, males, racing breeds, and racing activity.The risk factors are age more than 7 years, mares, Warmbloods, and show jumping activity.",
    url = "https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/3d6640ac01480cbd84e81249c1b6310aca6c843c",
    doi = "10.1016/j.jevs.2018.03.005",
    is_oa = "true",
    pages = "55-60",
    semanticscholar_citation_count = "3",
    semanticscholar_id = "3d6640ac01480cbd84e81249c1b6310aca6c843c",
    volume = "67"
}

@incollection{bauer2019coccidiosis,
    author = "Bauer, C. and Dubey, J. P.",
    title = "Coccidiosis in Horses and Other Equids",
    year = "2019",
    booktitle = "Coccidiosis in Livestock, Poultry, Companion Animals, and Humans",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429294105-19",
    doi = "10.1201/9780429294105-19",
    openalex = "W2989706695",
    pages = "231-243"
}

@article{s286d506cc62356bf313d4a24608af4bee2ec4ab0d,
    author = "Keim, C.",
    title = "A Review of Equine Laminitis: Risk Factors and Predispositions",
    year = "2019",
    url = "https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/86d506cc62356bf313d4a24608af4bee2ec4ab0d",
    is_oa = "true",
    semanticscholar_id = "86d506cc62356bf313d4a24608af4bee2ec4ab0d"
}

@incollection{dubey2021toxoplasma,
    author = "Dubey, J. P.",
    title = "Toxoplasma gondii Infections in Equids (Horse, Donkey, Mule)",
    year = "2021",
    booktitle = "Toxoplasmosis of Animals and Humans",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003199373-12",
    doi = "10.1201/9781003199373-12",
    openalex = "W3215457269",
    pages = "295-302"
}

as part of the evidence. We show here that, while there is good anatomical and embryological evidence for the proximal portions of all the accessory digits (i.e. I and V, as well as II and IV) being retained in the feet of modern horses, evidence is lacking for the retention of any distal portions of these digits. There is also good ichnological evidence that many tridactyl equids possessed a frog, and that the frog has been part of the equid foot for much of equid evolutionary history.

@article{doi101098rsos230358,
    author = "Vincelette, Alan and Renders, Elise and Scott, Kathleen M. and Falkingham, Peter and Janis, Christine M.",
    title = "Hipparion tracks and horses' toes: the evolution of the equid single hoof",
    year = "2023",
    journal = "Royal Society Open Science",
    abstract = "as part of the evidence. We show here that, while there is good anatomical and embryological evidence for the proximal portions of all the accessory digits (i.e. I and V, as well as II and IV) being retained in the feet of modern horses, evidence is lacking for the retention of any distal portions of these digits. There is also good ichnological evidence that many tridactyl equids possessed a frog, and that the frog has been part of the equid foot for much of equid evolutionary history.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.230358",
    doi = "10.1098/rsos.230358",
    openalex = "W4381512425",
    references = "doi101016s0305049198000248, doi101038nature13496, doi101098rsos230358, doi101111pala12373, doi101126scienceaag1772, doi1023072803270, doi105860choice304997, doi107554elife19568, doi107554elife29944, openalexw197683541, openalexw3003120746"
}

The Spanish Colonial Horse is descended from gaited stock brought to America during its colonization. A unique phenotypic trait is their ability to perform an intermediate four-beat stepping gait, but research concerning the gait is lacking. Therefore, the objectives of this preliminary study were to identify phenotype of the intermediate gaits of Spanish Colonial Horse breeds through measurement of spatiotemporal gait parameters and determine the influence of speed on these parameters. Frame-by-frame analysis was performed on videos provided by the respective breed associations in collaboration with the Livestock Conservancy of the Choctaw, Florida Cracker, Galiceno, Marsh Tacky, Santa Cruz, Shackleford Banker, and Wilbur-Cruce Mission horses performing a slow and fast intermediate gait. The Choctaw and Florida Cracker horses performed stepping gaits for both gait types with lateral bipedal support and forelimb stance duration being correlated with speed. Lateral couplets were observed at the slow gait for both breeds. The Galiceno, Marsh Tacky, Santa Cruz, and Shackleford Banker horses performed a stepping gait only at the slow gait and this was done with diagonal couplets. Quadrupedal support was only documented at the slow gait for the Galiceno, Marsh Tacky, and Santa Cruz horses. The Wilbur-Cruce Mission horse performed a diagonal leaping gait at both gaits. All breeds at both gaits, except for the Choctaw and Florida Cracker horses, spent the majority of the stride in diagonal bipedal support. The characterization of these parameters can be used to make decisions through preservative breeding regarding the genetic conservation of each of these breeds. • Spanish Colonial Horse intermediate stepping gaits showed three support sequences. • Six breeds produced a stepping gait at the slow gait and two at the fast gait. • Quadrupedal support observed only in the slow gait of three breeds. • Only one breed performed a diagonal leaping gait at both intermediate gaits. • All but two breeds spent the majority of the stride in diagonal bipedal support.

@article{doi101016jeqre2025100033,
    author = "Ellsworth, Sierra and Nicodemus, Molly and Lemley, Caleb O and Harvey, K and North, Eve V and Beranger, J. and Culwell, Robert",
    title = "Spatiotemporal gait parameters associated with speed of the intermediate gaits of Spanish Colonial Horse breeds: A preliminary study",
    year = "2025",
    journal = "Journal of Equine Rehabilitation",
    abstract = "The Spanish Colonial Horse is descended from gaited stock brought to America during its colonization. A unique phenotypic trait is their ability to perform an intermediate four-beat stepping gait, but research concerning the gait is lacking. Therefore, the objectives of this preliminary study were to identify phenotype of the intermediate gaits of Spanish Colonial Horse breeds through measurement of spatiotemporal gait parameters and determine the influence of speed on these parameters. Frame-by-frame analysis was performed on videos provided by the respective breed associations in collaboration with the Livestock Conservancy of the Choctaw, Florida Cracker, Galiceno, Marsh Tacky, Santa Cruz, Shackleford Banker, and Wilbur-Cruce Mission horses performing a slow and fast intermediate gait. The Choctaw and Florida Cracker horses performed stepping gaits for both gait types with lateral bipedal support and forelimb stance duration being correlated with speed. Lateral couplets were observed at the slow gait for both breeds. The Galiceno, Marsh Tacky, Santa Cruz, and Shackleford Banker horses performed a stepping gait only at the slow gait and this was done with diagonal couplets. Quadrupedal support was only documented at the slow gait for the Galiceno, Marsh Tacky, and Santa Cruz horses. The Wilbur-Cruce Mission horse performed a diagonal leaping gait at both gaits. All breeds at both gaits, except for the Choctaw and Florida Cracker horses, spent the majority of the stride in diagonal bipedal support. The characterization of these parameters can be used to make decisions through preservative breeding regarding the genetic conservation of each of these breeds. • Spanish Colonial Horse intermediate stepping gaits showed three support sequences. • Six breeds produced a stepping gait at the slow gait and two at the fast gait. • Quadrupedal support observed only in the slow gait of three breeds. • Only one breed performed a diagonal leaping gait at both intermediate gaits. • All but two breeds spent the majority of the stride in diagonal bipedal support.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eqre.2025.100033",
    doi = "10.1016/j.eqre.2025.100033",
    openalex = "W4411589794",
    references = "doi103390ani13162557"
}

Abstract Reintroducing megafauna to reinstate missing top‐down trophic interactions (trophic rewilding) is increasingly being applied as a tool to promote self‐regulating, biodiverse ecosystems. Even though the theoretical background is clear, and megafauna effects are documented from prehistorical ecosystems, the effects of reintroduced herbivores in contemporary ecosystems remain understudied. This not only includes how reintroduced megafauna interact with each other and the ecosystem, but also how current management practices affect the processes they provide. In this study, we investigated the effects of proactive health management, that is, winter feeding and anti‐parasitic treatments on the ecosystem by examining diets of large herbivores and dung‐associated invertebrate communities. We used environmental DNA metabarcoding to yield community compositions of plants and invertebrates in dung from cattle and horses from five comparable nature sites in Denmark, which differed in management and site/population‐specific properties such as availability of woody plant species, herbivore densities and provision of winter feeding and anti‐parasitic treatments. We found different diet compositions between cattle and horses, highlighting their functional differences. For example, horse samples had higher relative read abundances of graminoid and tree DNA. Supplementary feeding affected diets by decreasing consumption of graminoids and tree species relative to forbs and legumes, probably originating from fodder, and intense feeding seemed to almost eliminate consumption of local vegetation. However, more studies are needed to generalize these findings. Several invertebrate families were associated with either cattle or horse dung, suggesting complementary effects on dung‐associated invertebrate biodiversity by these large grazers. The taxa that responded negatively to anti‐parasitic treatments were mainly parasitic nematodes (e.g. the families Ancylostomatidae, Cooperidae and Strongylidae), suggesting that the applied treatments work as intended, but these results should be interpreted with caution due to methodological limitations. Synthesis and application. Our findings demonstrate functional differences between cattle and horses, which suggest complementary effects on vegetation development and consequently biodiversity. Also, our results indicate that this functionality is impacted by proactive health management actions. We suggest that potential effects on herbivory and biodiversity are carefully considered before supplementary feeding, or anti‐parasitic treatments are provided in year‐round grazing systems and avoided if possible.

@article{doi1011111365266470082,
    author = "Thomassen, Emil Ellegaard and Olsen, Kent and Hansen, Morten D. D. and Svenning, Jens‐Christian and Thomsen, Philip Francis",
    title = "Impacts of proactive health management on cattle and horse diets and dung biodiversity in Danish rewilding areas",
    year = "2025",
    journal = "Journal of Applied Ecology",
    abstract = "Abstract Reintroducing megafauna to reinstate missing top‐down trophic interactions (trophic rewilding) is increasingly being applied as a tool to promote self‐regulating, biodiverse ecosystems. Even though the theoretical background is clear, and megafauna effects are documented from prehistorical ecosystems, the effects of reintroduced herbivores in contemporary ecosystems remain understudied. This not only includes how reintroduced megafauna interact with each other and the ecosystem, but also how current management practices affect the processes they provide. In this study, we investigated the effects of proactive health management, that is, winter feeding and anti‐parasitic treatments on the ecosystem by examining diets of large herbivores and dung‐associated invertebrate communities. We used environmental DNA metabarcoding to yield community compositions of plants and invertebrates in dung from cattle and horses from five comparable nature sites in Denmark, which differed in management and site/population‐specific properties such as availability of woody plant species, herbivore densities and provision of winter feeding and anti‐parasitic treatments. We found different diet compositions between cattle and horses, highlighting their functional differences. For example, horse samples had higher relative read abundances of graminoid and tree DNA. Supplementary feeding affected diets by decreasing consumption of graminoids and tree species relative to forbs and legumes, probably originating from fodder, and intense feeding seemed to almost eliminate consumption of local vegetation. However, more studies are needed to generalize these findings. Several invertebrate families were associated with either cattle or horse dung, suggesting complementary effects on dung‐associated invertebrate biodiversity by these large grazers. The taxa that responded negatively to anti‐parasitic treatments were mainly parasitic nematodes (e.g. the families Ancylostomatidae, Cooperidae and Strongylidae), suggesting that the applied treatments work as intended, but these results should be interpreted with caution due to methodological limitations. Synthesis and application. Our findings demonstrate functional differences between cattle and horses, which suggest complementary effects on vegetation development and consequently biodiversity. Also, our results indicate that this functionality is impacted by proactive health management actions. We suggest that potential effects on herbivory and biodiversity are carefully considered before supplementary feeding, or anti‐parasitic treatments are provided in year‐round grazing systems and avoided if possible.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.70082",
    doi = "10.1111/1365-2664.70082",
    openalex = "W4411916369",
    references = "doi101111brv13146"
}