Structural and biomechanical aspects of equine sacroiliac joint function and their relationship to clinical disease

Pain originating from the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) in horses has long been associated with poor performance, yet specific diagnosis of sacroiliac dysfunction (SID) has been difficult to achieve. Clinical presentation of SID appears to fall into two categories. The first, presenting as pain and poor performance, is responsive to local analgesia of periarticular structures with poorly defined pathology. The second presents primarily as poor performance with bony pathological changes as a result of chronic instability. Diagnostic tests based on biomechanics as well as manual provocation for SIJ pain have formed the basis of tests currently used to diagnose SIJ dysfunction in humans. This review summarises the anatomy and biomechanics of the equine SIJ and current biomechanical, innervation and motor control concepts in human SID. The relationship between abnormal SIJ motion and altered neuromotor control with clinical disease of the equine SIJ are discussed. Future utilisation of these principles to develop new diagnostic and management tools for the equine SID is promising

Changes in blood-gas, biochemical and oxidative parameters in the horse associated with transport and fasting

The Australian and the European Animal Transportation Codes allow the transportation of horses without offering water for a maximum of 24 and 8 hours, respectively. This study aimed to document the effects of an 8 hour transportation event, devoid of water and feed, on physiological and metabolic parameters in horses. A total of 12 horses were transported in two identical transport events on different days (n=6 in each) for 8 hours around the Riverina district of NSW in a commercial truck without water and feed for the duration of travel. Arterial and venous blood samples were collected prior to transport (T0), at unloading (T1), and 24 hours after the trip (T2). At the same time points, body temperature, heart and respiratory rate were recorded. All data were analyzed by regression analysis using the mixed procedure of SAS, using time (T0, T1, T2) as a predictor variable and horse and day as random factors. Table 1 shows significant relationships generated by the regression analysis. There was no effect of the journey on pH, PaCO2, PaO2, SO2, AST, sodium, or reactive oxygen metabolites. Table 1. The means squared of the studied parameters at the different time points. Differing superscripts within rows indicate significant difference (A,B:P<0.01; a,b: P<0.05) (Tukey-Kramer test) Parameter Preloading (T0) Unloading (T1) One day after (T2) Standard error K+ (mmol/L) 3.94 Aa 3.48 B 4.23 Ab 0.08 Ca++ (mmol/L) 1.51 Aa 1.42 B 1.58 Ab 0.02 glucose (mmol/L) 5.24 A 6.71 B 6.10 C 0.30 lactate (mmol/L) 0.51 Aa 0.77 b 0.81 B 0.09 HCT (%) 35.34a 31.97 Bb 38.34 A 1.65 HCO3- (mmol/L) 31.68 a 29.51 b 31.25 a 0.51 HCO3std (mmol/L) 32.09 a 29.94 b 31.79 a 0.79 TCO2 (mmol/L) 33.53 a 31.30 b 33.18 0.83 BEecf (mmol/L) 8.00 A 5.76 B 7.91 A 0.74 BE(B) (mmol/L) 6.80 A 5.16 B 7.00 A 0.53 THb (g/L) 109.47 a 99.10 Bb 117.26A 5.67 T (°C) 37.52A 37.96B 37.54A 0.18 HR (beat/min) 34.80A 43.34B 36.44A 1.45 RR (breath/min) 13.19a 19.01Bb 12.10A 2.08 Total Protein (g/L) 65.09 A 69.63B 68.27B 1.37 Albumin (g/L) 28.18A 30.27B 29.72B 0.68 CK (UI/L) 248.82a 291.45b 292.55b 12.06 PAT (Ucorr) 2543.55a 2732.91Bb 2422.36Aa 80.28 Cortisol 5.26Aa 6.65Ab 2.97B 0.37 Transportation for 8 hours was associated with mild but significant effects on fluid and electrolyte balance, muscle enzymes, and mobilization of antioxidants, without causing metabolic acidosis or alkalosis. Further studies to evaluate frequency of rest and access to water and feed during transport are required to evaluate the need to update the current Australian equine transport code

A pilot study comparing the effect of orally administered esomeprazole and omeprazole on gastric fluid pH in horses

AIMS: To compare the efficacy of an enteric coated esomeprazole paste with an enteric coated omeprazole paste to increase gastric pH after oral administration in horses. METHODS: Nine adult Standardbred horses were randomly assigned to three groups, each containing three horses, for a study comprising three phases of 10 days, with an 18-day washout period between each phase. In each phase, three horses received either 0.5 mg/kg esomeprazole, 1 mg/kg omeprazole or a placebo, as an oral paste, once daily for 10 days (Days 0–9). Over the course of study all horses received all three treatments. Gastric fluid samples were collected using a gastroscope on Days 1, 3, 5, 8 and 10, with food and water withheld for 16 hours prior to collection of samples. The pH of all samples was measured immediately after collection. RESULTS: Mean pH (3.38; SD 1.75) of the gastric fluid samples in the horses that received the placebo was lower than in the horses that received esomeprazole (6.28; SD 1.75) or omeprazole (6.13; SD 1.75) (

Risk factors in equine transport-related health problems: A survey of the Australian equine industry

Background: Transportation can affect equine health and is a potential source of economic loss to the industry. Objectives: To identify journey (duration, vehicle, commercial or noncommercial) and horse (sex, age, breed, use, amateur or professional status) characteristics associated with the development of transport-related health problems in horses. Study design: Cross-sectional online survey. Methods: An online survey was conducted targeting amateur and professional participants in the Australian equine industry; eligible respondents were required to organise horse movements at least monthly. Respondents provided details of the last case of a transport-related health problem that had affected their horse(s). Associations between type of health problem, journey and horse characteristics were examined with multivariable multinomial regression analysis. Results: Based on 214 responses, health problems were classified as injuries, muscular problems, heat stroke, gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, and death or euthanasia. Respiratory problems were reported most frequently (33.7%), followed by gastrointestinal problems (23.8%) and traumatic injuries (16.3%). The type of health problem was associated with journey duration (P&lt;0.001) and horse breed (P = 0.001). Injuries were more likely to occur on short journeys, whereas more severe illnesses (gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, and death or euthanasia) were more likely to occur on long journeys. Using Standardbreds as the reference group, Thoroughbreds, Arabians and Warmbloods were more likely to experience a severe illness than an injury. Main limitations: Self-selected participation in the study and the self-reported nature of transport-related problems. Conclusions: Horses undertaking journeys of longer than 24 h are at greater risk for the development of severe disease or death. Further studies on long-haul transportation effects are required to safeguard the welfare of horses moved over long distances