AN ELECTROPHORETIC STUDY ON SERUM PROTEINS IN ARABIAN RACE HORSES NATURALLY INFECTED WITH Babesia equi

Electrophoretic patterns of serum protein in 12 Arabian race horses acutely infected with Babesia equi revealed a significant decrease in albumin (P<0.01) and beta globulins (P<0.05) where, alpha globulins fractions significantly (P<0.01) increased. No significant (P>0.05) changes were recorded in gamma globulins fractions and total serum protein.

THE USE AND MAINTENANCE OF HORSES IN THE ASPECT OF NATURAL TRAINING METHODS

As a result of evolution, humanity transitioned from a nomadic to a sedentary way of life, from hunting and gathering to crop production and animal husbandry. Domestication involved capturing wild horses and adapting them to the conditions in which they were raised by humans. This resulted in a change in the treatment of horses and the perception of their emotional needs. The focus shifted to building relationships with the horse, understanding it, and treating it as a rational being. Currently, horses are seen as one of the most intelligent animals ‘cooperating’ with people. In this study, 62 horses at four equestrian centres were examined. The horses included mares, stallions and geldings between the ages of 3 and 26 years, belonging to eight breeds: Arabian, Malopolski, Hucul, Polish Half-Bred, Silesian, Polish Coldblood, Shetland pony, and Haflinger. The analysis of forms of horse training indicated that all centres used classical training methods for 100% of their horses. The trainers declared interest in natural methods, but as support for classical training. Natural methods of working with horses were applied at centres 2 and 3, where horses were ridden both for recreation and for sport. This type of training was not observed at centre 1, where horses were used only for recreational riding, or at centre 4, which dealt mainly in breeding and training of race horses. Horses at centre 3 and most of those at centre 2 took part in in Parelli’s Seven Games, Join-Up, and desensitization to unknown objects, and imprinting of foals was practiced. This indicates that horse trainers are currently applying natural methods, but are not completely giving up classical training. A study was carried out to investigate the approach of contemporary horse breeders to forms of housing and use with respect to their interest in foal imprinting, natural horsemanship, Join-Up, and desensitization to unknown objects.

The Effect of the Clenbuterol—β2-Adrenergic Receptor Agonist on the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Proliferation, Phenotype, Functions, and Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Race Horses In Vitro

Clenbuterol, the β2-adrenoceptor agonist, is gaining growing popularity because of its effects on weight loss (i.e., chemical liposuction). It is also popular in bodybuilding and professional sports, due to its effects that are similar to anabolic steroids. However, it is prohibited by anti-doping control. On the other hand, it is suggested that clenbuterol can inhibit the inflammatory process. The cells from 14 untrained and 14 well-trained race horses were collected after acute exercise and cultured with clenbuterol. The expressions of CD4, CD8, FoxP3, CD14, MHCII, and CD5 in PBMC, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as well as cell proliferation, were evaluated by flow cytometry. In addition, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, INF-γ and TNF-α concentrations were evaluated by ELISA. β2-adrenoceptor stimulation leads to enhanced anti-inflammatory properties in well-trained horses, as do low doses in untrained animals. In contrast, higher clenbuterol doses create a pro-inflammatory environment in inexperienced horses. In conclusion, β2-adrenoceptor stimulation leads to a biphasic response. In addition, the immune cells are more sensitive to drug abuse in inexperienced individuals under physical training.

The Physical Activity-Dependent Hematological and Biochemical Changes in School Horses in Comparison to Blood Profiles in Endurance and Race Horses

Blood testing is one of the most important ways to improve performance, facilitate recovery and monitor the training of endurance and race horses. However, little is known about the physical activity-dependent changes of blood parameters in horses used for pleasure and in riding schools. This study aimed to perform routine blood tests for training monitoring of sport horses in three different horse types of use. Then the values of blood indicators were compared between school, endurance and race horses to find similarities in the physical activity-dependent profile. The study was carried out on 15 endurance, 15 race and 15 school healthy horses who underwent the typical effort for their disciplines. The hemogram parameters, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood lactate (LAC), and total serum protein (TSP) concentrations were measured using the same protocol and equipment. Measurements of main hematological and biochemical physical activity-dependent parameters were conducted before, immediately after and 30 min after training. In school horses, the physical activity-dependent increase of WBC (40.9%) and CPK (76.4%) was similar to endurance horses, whereas an increase of RBC (19.1%), HGB (18.6%) and HCT (19.4%) were more similar to race horses. The moderate effort-dependent increase of LAC concentration (2775%) was lower than in race horses (7526%) and higher than in endurance horses (390%). Limiting the training or work monitoring assessment of school horses to only the endurance or racing blood profile may result in the omission of significant changes in hematological and biochemical parameters.

Extended spectrum β lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae shedding by race horses in Ontario, Canada

Background We aimed to investigate the prevalence, molecular epidemiology and prevalence factors for Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) shedding by race horses. A cross-sectional study was performed involving fecal samples collected from 169 Thoroughbred horses that were housed at a large racing facility in Ontario, Canada. Samples were enriched, plated on selective plates, sub-cultured to obtain pure cultures and ESBL production was confirmed. Bacterial species were identified and antibiotic susceptibility profiles were assessed. E. coli sequence types (ST) and ESBL genes were determined using multilocus sequence type (MLST) and sequencing. Whole genome sequencing was performed to isolates harboring CTX-M-1 gene. Medical records were reviewed and associations were investigated. Results Adult horses (n = 169), originating from 16 different barns, were sampled. ESBL-E shedding rate was 12% (n = 21/169, 95% CI 8–18%); 22 ESBL-E isolates were molecularly studied (one horse had two isolates). The main species was E. coli (91%) and the major ESBL gene was CTX-M-1 (54.5%). Ten different E. coli STs were identified. Sixty-four percent of total isolates were defined as multi-drug resistant. ESBL-E shedding horses originated from 8/16 different barns; whereas 48% (10/21) of them originated from one specific barn. Overall, antibiotic treatment in the previous month was found as a prevalence factor for ESBL-E shedding (p = 0.016, prevalence OR = 27.72, 95% CI 1.845–416.555). Conclusions Our findings demonstrate the potential diverse reservoir of ESBL-E in Thoroughbred race horses. Multi-drug resistant bacteria should be further investigated to improve antibiotic treatment regimens and equine welfare.

KECERNAAN MINERAL ESENSIAL NATRIUM DAN KALIUM ANAK KUDA PACU (YEARLING) INDONESIA YANG DIBERI PAKAN LOKAL DAN PAKAN IMPOR

ESSENTIAL SODIUM MINERAL DEMOCRACY (Na) AND POTASSIUM (K) CHILDREN OF PACU HORSE (YEARLING) INDONESIA THAT IS PROVIDED LOCAL FEED AND IMPORT FEED.This study aims to determine the ability of racehorses to digest feed both local and imported feed in Tonsewer and Kanonang villages for 30 days consisting of preparation and data collection. The data collected were the type and amount of feed (Sodium and Potassium) given to race horses and the amount of feces (animal/day), then 10 local feed samples and 10 imported feed samples were taken. The results showed that the average of sodium digestibility for local feed was 67.58% and imported feed was 71.03%, while Potassium digestibility for local feed was 62.26% and imported feed was 66.02%. The conclusion of this study was that the digestibility of imported Sodium and Potassium feeds is better compared to local feed.Keywords: Digestibility, Sodium, Potassium.