Stéphane Montavon - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Stéphane Montavon
Pferdeheilkunde - Equine medicine, 2024
Body temperature in the horse is a reference measurement that is considered to be an excellent he... more Body temperature in the horse is a reference measurement that is considered to be an excellent health indicator. During the
COVID-19 pandemic, the use of infrared thermal imaging for fever screening became widespread to detect changes in human body temperature.
During the 2021 outbreak of EHV in southern Europe, quarantine and confinement were quickly imposed as the main control measures.
This impacted equestrian sport for many months and caused relevant damage. To prevent repetition of these events, the equine sport sector
introduced rules to monitor the temperature of the horses before, during and after competitions. The first objective of this study is to assess
whether Infrared Thermography (IRT) measurement of either the anus or forehead surface temperature using a FLIR thermal imaging camera is
an appropriate alternative to rectal measurements using a thermometer for determining body temperature in horses. The second objective is to
assess the possibility of using IRT body temperature measurement on a large scale, for example in the case of an infectious disease epidemic
such as EHV-1. 40 healthy geldings from the Swiss Armed Forces with a median age of 7.5 years (range: 4 to 17 years, SD 3.83 years) were
used. The study was divided into three periods. The first was the pilot study with 13 horses during the summer. The second was during the winter
with 16 horses and the third with 11 horses in early spring. 10 horses in the second study period and 4 horses in the third wore a blanket, while
the other 26 horses did not. A conventional veterinary digital thermometer and the FLIR E86 thermal imaging camera were used. The anal IRT
measurement was made at a distance of 10 cm centred on the middle of the anus. The forehead measurement was made on the midline between
the eyes at distances of 20 and 30 cm. All measurements were taken three times a day (early morning, midday and late afternoon). The
same location was used over all three testing periods. The median difference between measurements of rectal temperature and surface anal
temperature was 0.9 °C (SD = 0.96 °C – p value: <2.2 ×10–16). There was a variation between summer and winter (p value: <2.2 ×10–16). The
ambient temperature was an important parameter influencing the surface anal temperature in our data (p value = 6.34 ×10–29). The median
difference between measurements of rectal temperature and surface forehead temperature was 15.2 °C (SD = 2.83) at 20 cm and 15.3 °C
(SD = 2.84 °C) at 30 cm. Repeated measurements of the surface anal temperature with the FLIR showed that the method is reproducible, with
only small differences between the measurements. Neither the surface temperature of the anus nor the forehead as measured with the FLIR
allowed efficient prediction of equine rectal temperature. The precision of the methodology applied both to the anus and the forehead was too
low to allow the effective implementation of this technology to evaluate equine body temperature. In addition, this method is also insufficiently
accurate for measuring body temperatures on a large-scale during events with a large number of horses.
Frontiers in pain research, Apr 25, 2024
Background: Osteoarthritis is a prevalent degenerative joint disease initiating chronic pain and ... more Background: Osteoarthritis is a prevalent degenerative joint disease initiating chronic pain and lameness in horses. While several objective gait analysis systems have been developed and validated to quantify lameness severity in horses, methods to evaluate whether peripheral sensitization contributes to the pain experienced are missing. Objectives: To evaluate whether periarticular pressure pain mapping could be proposed as an auxiliary assessment tool in horses. Specific aims were to evaluate the feasibility and intra-and inter-rater reliability of pressure pain thresholds (PPT) determination at sites overlying the distal thoracic limb joints of clinically healthy horses. Study design: Prospective, randomized validation study. Methods: For feasibility assessment, PPT were measured with a hand-held digital algometer at six periarticular landmarks (2 sites per joint, 3 joints) bilaterally on the distal thoracic limb of 40 healthy horses (20 warmblood and 20 Freiberger). The joints tested were the metacarpophalangeal, on the lateropalmar and dorsal aspects (L-MCP and D-MCP), the proximal interphalangeal, on the dorsal and palmar aspect (D-PIP and P-PIP) and the distal interphalangeal, on the dorsal and lateral aspect (D-DIP and L-DIP). A feasibility score, ranging from 0 to 5, was attributed to each testing session. For intra-and inter-rater reliability assessment, L-MCP and D-MCP were selected to be tested again at 2 weeks intervals in 20 out of the 40 horses. Data were analyzed using a mixed-effect linear model to test differences in threshold per site and limb. Intra-and inter-rater correlation was calculated. Bland-Altman plots were performed to evaluate the variability of the measures. Results: The procedure was considered feasible (score <2) in 95% of horses (95% CI 88%-100%). Overall, median [interquartile range (IQR)] PPT was 9.4 (7.5-11.3) N. No significant side differences were found. P-PIP and D-DIP recorded significantly lower PPT (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively) than L-MCP. Median (IQR) were 9.
Pferdeheilkunde, Dec 31, 2022
Difference in radiographic findings and gait analysis between horses that are freshly shod and at... more Difference in radiographic findings and gait analysis between horses that are freshly shod and at the end of their shoeing period M. Benn et al.
PubMed, Sep 1, 1992
A cannulation technique was developed to collect blood samples from the ovarian vein of mares ove... more A cannulation technique was developed to collect blood samples from the ovarian vein of mares over an extended period. Ovarian venous cannulae placed in 4 mares remained patent for a mean (+/- SEM) duration of 36.8 (+/- 6.2) days. During mid-diestrus, concentrations of progesterone in the ovarian vein ipsilateral to the corpus luteum (1,663.8 +/- 238.8 ng/ml) were significantly (P less than 0.001) higher than concentrations measured in paired samples from the jugular vein (6.1 +/- 0.3 ng/ml). Concentration of estradiol in the ovarian vein ranged from a mean of 1,053.2 +/- 303.1 pg/ml during diestrus to 3,353.8 +/- 1,052.8 pg/ml during estrus, whereas values for 74% of samples collected concurrently from the jugular vein were near or below the sensitivity of the assay (10 pg/ml). Results of the study indicate that patent long-term ovarian vein cannulation can be achieved in mares. The cannulation technique provides access to important fundamental information on equine reproductive endocrinology, which to our knowledge, has not been available.
PubMed, 1994
The aim of this review is to give the practitioner the ability to be familiar with the echographi... more The aim of this review is to give the practitioner the ability to be familiar with the echographic exam of ovarian abnormalities. He should be able to recognize different stages of the development of these important structures and to estimate the effect that they can have on the normal cycle of the mare. Various specific criteria and details regarding the equine echography of ovarian abnormalities are reported and illustrated, using the last scientific data published on that particular topic.
Schweizer Archiv Fur Tierheilkunde, 1994
PubMed, 1994
Because of the anatomical position of the Corpus luteum within the ovary, rectal palpation is of ... more Because of the anatomical position of the Corpus luteum within the ovary, rectal palpation is of little value for identification and evaluation. The aim of this review is to familiarize the practitioner with the echographic examination of the Cl. He should be able to recognize different stages of this important structure and to correlate ovulation and the existence of the Cl. Various specific criteria and details regarding equine echography are reported and illustrated, using the the most recently published scientific data.
PubMed, 1993
Few scientists predicted the impact that echography would have on the equine breeding industry. T... more Few scientists predicted the impact that echography would have on the equine breeding industry. The aim of this practical review is to give the practitioner the ability to be familiar with the ovarian echographic exam. He should be able to recognize different stages of estrous cycle in the mare, status of preovulatory follicles and to predict precisely the time of ovulation. Various specific criteria and details regarding the equine echography are studied and illustrated, using the last scientific data published after the Fifth International Symposium on Equine Reproduction in Deauville.
Springer eBooks, 1992
Very few people predicted the impact that ultrasonography has had on the equine breeding industry... more Very few people predicted the impact that ultrasonography has had on the equine breeding industry. The ability to scan a mare’s reproductive tract noninvasively with ultrasound provides the opportunity to diagnose pregnancy earlier than with rectal palpation, effectively manage twins and detect impending early embryonic death. However, ultrasonography should not be limited to these areas. Ultrasonography can be utilised to diagnose uterine pathology, such as intrauterine fluid, air, debris and cysts. More, ultrasonographic examination of the ovaries may aid in determining stage of estrous cycle, status of preovulatory follicles, development and morphologic assessment of the corpus luteum (CL) and interpreting ovarian irregularities, such as anovulatory, hemorrhagic follicles or periovarian cysts.
Equine Veterinary Journal, Mar 22, 2016
Reasons for performing study: Methods of evaluating locomotor activity can be useful in efforts t... more Reasons for performing study: Methods of evaluating locomotor activity can be useful in efforts to quantify behavioural activity in horses objectively. Objectives: To evaluate whether an accelerometric device would be adequate to quantify locomotor activity and step frequency in horses, and to distinguish between different levels of activity and different gaits. Study design: Observational study in an experimental setting. Methods: Dual-mode (activity and step count) piezo-electric accelerometric devices were placed at each of 4 locations (head, withers, forelimb and hindlimb) in each of 6 horses performing different controlled activities including grazing, walking at different speeds, trotting and cantering. Both the activity count and step count were recorded and compared by the various activities. Statistical analyses included analysis of variance for repeated measures, receiver operating characteristic curves, Bland-Altman analysis and linear regression. Results: The accelerometric device was able to quantify locomotor activity at each of the 4 locations investigated and to distinguish between gaits and speeds. The activity count recorded by the accelerometer placed on the hindlimb was the most accurate, displaying a clear discrimination between the different levels of activity and a linear correlation to speed. The accelerometer placed on the head was the only one to distinguish specifically grazing behaviour from standing. The accelerometer placed on the withers was unable to differentiate different gaits and activity levels. The step count function measured at the hindlimb was reliable but the count was doubled at the walk. Conclusions: The dual-mode accelerometric device was sufficiently accurate to quantify and compare locomotor activity in horses moving at different speeds and gaits. Positioning the device on the hindlimb allowed for the most accurate results. The step count function can be useful but must be manually corrected, especially at the walk.
Equine Veterinary Education, Sep 1, 1990
Veterinary Surgery, Aug 21, 2019
Objective: To determine long term outcomes of nonracing equines athletes treated for short incomp... more Objective: To determine long term outcomes of nonracing equines athletes treated for short incomplete proximal sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx (SIPSFP1) by lag screw fixation. Study design: Retrospective study. Sample population: Thirty-one horses. Methods: Medical records from horses with an SIPSFP1 (2008-2014) were reviewed. Long-term (≥12 months) outcomes were assessed with telephone interviews and clinical and radiographic examinations. Results: Warmblood was the predominant breed in cases included in the study. Among horses with long-term interview information, 27 of 31 returned to previous athletic activity level. In total, 15 horses with 19 fractures had clinical and radiographic assessment after a minimum of 12 months. Among those, nine of 15 horses were sound at the trot, and six of 15 were mildly lame. Complete radiographic healing was confirmed in six limbs, and the facture line was evident in 13. The position of the proximal screw was not associated with radiographic fracture healing or return to soundness. Conclusion: Most horses treated for SIPSFP1 with lag screw fixation returned to previous activity levels, although radiographic fracture healing remained incomplete 12 months or more after surgery. Clinical significance: Lag screw fixation is a valid treatment for horses not used for racing that are experiencing an SIPSFP1 and results in a high rate of return to intended use, although complete radiographic fracture healing cannot be expected.
Animal Reproduction Science, Dec 1, 1995
Repeated administration of prostaglandin is the treatment of choice for the termination of pregna... more Repeated administration of prostaglandin is the treatment of choice for the termination of pregnancy in mares more than 40 days pregnant. Even though it is well documented that PGF-2 a or analogue needs to be administered every 12-24 h for successful induction of abortion, little is known about the underlying endocrine changes and the mechanism by which abortion occurs. The aim of this study was to characterize the changes in PGF-2 a, progesterone and estrogen secretion during prostaglandin-induced abortion. Six mares, 82-102 days pregnant, were treated daily with 250 /xg cloprostenol, blood was collected at 1-h intervals until fetal expulsion and pregnancy examination was performed daily. Four mares, 92-97 days pregnant, received no treatment but were subjected to the same hourly blood collections and daily genital examinations described for cloprostenol-treated mares for 3 days. Mean time from first cloprostenol administration until fetal expulsion was 48.6 +_ 5.6 h and required 2.8 + 0.2 cloprostenol administrations. In all mares, progesterone concentrations decreased in a near linear manner after the first cloprostenol administration and were invariably low (1.3 + 0.2 ng m1-1, mean + SEM) at the time of fetal expulsion. Mean estrogen secretion remained unchanged until 5 h before fetal expulsion and then decreased rapidly to non-pregnant levels. Endogenous PGF-2a secretion rate increased with each cloprostenol administration and culminated in sustained PGF-2 a secretion which persisted until fetal expulsion was completed. From these results we conclude that cloprostenol-induced abortion is
Equine Veterinary Journal, 2013
Training regimens of showjumping horses under field conditions are largely undocumented. The aims... more Training regimens of showjumping horses under field conditions are largely undocumented. The aims of this study were to quantify and compare training regimens used in professional-level showjumping yards, with respect to time exercised and type of activity. Prospective cohort study. A prospective 6-month cohort study of showjumping horses in 4 European countries (The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Great Britain) was designed to analyse training and health data, in yards with several horses in training and riders competing at professional level. Riders documented the daily frequency and duration of all physical activities of the horses. Variation in training routines were compared between riders, location and time. Mixed-models analysis was used to examine factors associated with total time exercised and time spent in flatwork. In 4 countries, the 31 participating riders trained 263 European Warmbloods. The total days at risk (e.g. days in which the horses were considered fit for exercise) was 39,262. Mean time spent in daily exercise, including ridden work, lungeing and treadmill exercise, varied between riders from 19-52 min/day at risk. There was considerable variation in activities and level of heavy work and light exercise, i.e. turnout. Total time exercised and time spent in flatwork differed with month, country and proportion of days lost to training. Low variation of activities was associated with decreased total time trained and increased time spent in flatwork. Riders at this elite professional level of showjumping used training regimens that vary substantially in time spent training and other physical activities and showjumping horses are challenged differently during training despite competing at the same level. Whether all training regimens prepare the horses equally for the demands of competition remains to be determined.
Equine Veterinary Journal, 1989
None
Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2013
Orthopaedic, or other, injuries in sports medicine can be quantified using the 'days-lost to trai... more Orthopaedic, or other, injuries in sports medicine can be quantified using the 'days-lost to training' concept. Both the training regimen and the surface used in training and racing can affect the health of racehorses. Our aim was to associate 'days-lost to training' in elite-level show-jumpers to horse characteristics, training and management strategies, and the time spent working on various training and competition surfaces. We designed a longitudinal study of professional riders in four European countries. Data were recorded using training diaries. Reasons for days-lost were classified into non-acute and acute orthopaedic, medical, hoofrelated, and undefined. We produced descriptive statistics of training durations, relative to type of training, surfaces used, and days-lost. We created zero-inflated negative-binomial random-effects models using the overall days-lost as outcome. In the whole dataset, duration variables related to training surfaces were analysed as independent. The Swedish data only were also used to test whether duration variables were related to competition surfaces. Thirty-one riders with 263 horses provided data on 39,028 days at risk. Of these, 2357 (6.0%) were days-lost (55% and 22% of these were due to non-acute and acute orthopaedic injuries, respectively) in 126 horses. In the all-country model, controlling for season, a significant variable was country. Switzerland and the UK had lower incidence-rate ratios (IR) compared to Sweden (IRs 0.2 and 0.03, respectively). Horses with previous orthopaedic problems had almost a doubled IR (1.8) of days-lost due to orthopaedic injury, compared to baseline. If the horse had jumping training more than 1 minute per day at risk the IRs were 6.9-7 (compared to less than this amount of time); this was, however, likely an effect of a small baseline. Variation in training was a protective factor with a dose-response relationship; the category with the highest variation had an IR of 0.1. In the Swedish model, controlling for season, there was an association of year (IR 2.8 year 2010). Further, if the horse rested >17-25% of the days at risk, or >33% of the DAR2, had IRs 3.5 and 3,0, compared to less time. Horses ≥6 years had IRs of 1.8-2.0, compared to younger horses. Limited training use of sand surface was a risk-factor (IR 2.2; >4≤12 min/day at risk), compared to not training on sand. Training/competing on sand-wood was a protective factor (IRs 0.4-0.5) compared to not using this surface.
Sensors, Apr 22, 2023
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 2022
Objective The goal of this study was to generate mandibular fractures in three regions of the dia... more Objective The goal of this study was to generate mandibular fractures in three regions of the diastema using a metal impactor to simulate a kick from a horse and to determine the mean deceleration in the initial phase of the impact event, the maximum contact force, the impact energy necessary to create a fracture and the duration of the impact. Study Design Thirty heads of horses aged between 5 and 20 years and euthanatized for various reasons were used. The heads were attached to a steel bar at the occiput at an axial angle of 45 degrees so that the body of the mandible was positioned horizontally and directly under the trajectory of the impactor. A 2 kg solid impactor was dropped with velocities of 6 to 14 m/s to simulate a kick from a horse. The impact was recorded using a high-speed video camera with a frame rate of 30,000 frames per second. Radiographs of the heads were obtained before and after the simulated kick. Results Mandibular fractures with configurations similar to tho...
Pferdeheilkunde - Equine medicine, 2024
Body temperature in the horse is a reference measurement that is considered to be an excellent he... more Body temperature in the horse is a reference measurement that is considered to be an excellent health indicator. During the
COVID-19 pandemic, the use of infrared thermal imaging for fever screening became widespread to detect changes in human body temperature.
During the 2021 outbreak of EHV in southern Europe, quarantine and confinement were quickly imposed as the main control measures.
This impacted equestrian sport for many months and caused relevant damage. To prevent repetition of these events, the equine sport sector
introduced rules to monitor the temperature of the horses before, during and after competitions. The first objective of this study is to assess
whether Infrared Thermography (IRT) measurement of either the anus or forehead surface temperature using a FLIR thermal imaging camera is
an appropriate alternative to rectal measurements using a thermometer for determining body temperature in horses. The second objective is to
assess the possibility of using IRT body temperature measurement on a large scale, for example in the case of an infectious disease epidemic
such as EHV-1. 40 healthy geldings from the Swiss Armed Forces with a median age of 7.5 years (range: 4 to 17 years, SD 3.83 years) were
used. The study was divided into three periods. The first was the pilot study with 13 horses during the summer. The second was during the winter
with 16 horses and the third with 11 horses in early spring. 10 horses in the second study period and 4 horses in the third wore a blanket, while
the other 26 horses did not. A conventional veterinary digital thermometer and the FLIR E86 thermal imaging camera were used. The anal IRT
measurement was made at a distance of 10 cm centred on the middle of the anus. The forehead measurement was made on the midline between
the eyes at distances of 20 and 30 cm. All measurements were taken three times a day (early morning, midday and late afternoon). The
same location was used over all three testing periods. The median difference between measurements of rectal temperature and surface anal
temperature was 0.9 °C (SD = 0.96 °C – p value: <2.2 ×10–16). There was a variation between summer and winter (p value: <2.2 ×10–16). The
ambient temperature was an important parameter influencing the surface anal temperature in our data (p value = 6.34 ×10–29). The median
difference between measurements of rectal temperature and surface forehead temperature was 15.2 °C (SD = 2.83) at 20 cm and 15.3 °C
(SD = 2.84 °C) at 30 cm. Repeated measurements of the surface anal temperature with the FLIR showed that the method is reproducible, with
only small differences between the measurements. Neither the surface temperature of the anus nor the forehead as measured with the FLIR
allowed efficient prediction of equine rectal temperature. The precision of the methodology applied both to the anus and the forehead was too
low to allow the effective implementation of this technology to evaluate equine body temperature. In addition, this method is also insufficiently
accurate for measuring body temperatures on a large-scale during events with a large number of horses.
Frontiers in pain research, Apr 25, 2024
Background: Osteoarthritis is a prevalent degenerative joint disease initiating chronic pain and ... more Background: Osteoarthritis is a prevalent degenerative joint disease initiating chronic pain and lameness in horses. While several objective gait analysis systems have been developed and validated to quantify lameness severity in horses, methods to evaluate whether peripheral sensitization contributes to the pain experienced are missing. Objectives: To evaluate whether periarticular pressure pain mapping could be proposed as an auxiliary assessment tool in horses. Specific aims were to evaluate the feasibility and intra-and inter-rater reliability of pressure pain thresholds (PPT) determination at sites overlying the distal thoracic limb joints of clinically healthy horses. Study design: Prospective, randomized validation study. Methods: For feasibility assessment, PPT were measured with a hand-held digital algometer at six periarticular landmarks (2 sites per joint, 3 joints) bilaterally on the distal thoracic limb of 40 healthy horses (20 warmblood and 20 Freiberger). The joints tested were the metacarpophalangeal, on the lateropalmar and dorsal aspects (L-MCP and D-MCP), the proximal interphalangeal, on the dorsal and palmar aspect (D-PIP and P-PIP) and the distal interphalangeal, on the dorsal and lateral aspect (D-DIP and L-DIP). A feasibility score, ranging from 0 to 5, was attributed to each testing session. For intra-and inter-rater reliability assessment, L-MCP and D-MCP were selected to be tested again at 2 weeks intervals in 20 out of the 40 horses. Data were analyzed using a mixed-effect linear model to test differences in threshold per site and limb. Intra-and inter-rater correlation was calculated. Bland-Altman plots were performed to evaluate the variability of the measures. Results: The procedure was considered feasible (score <2) in 95% of horses (95% CI 88%-100%). Overall, median [interquartile range (IQR)] PPT was 9.4 (7.5-11.3) N. No significant side differences were found. P-PIP and D-DIP recorded significantly lower PPT (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively) than L-MCP. Median (IQR) were 9.
Pferdeheilkunde, Dec 31, 2022
Difference in radiographic findings and gait analysis between horses that are freshly shod and at... more Difference in radiographic findings and gait analysis between horses that are freshly shod and at the end of their shoeing period M. Benn et al.
PubMed, Sep 1, 1992
A cannulation technique was developed to collect blood samples from the ovarian vein of mares ove... more A cannulation technique was developed to collect blood samples from the ovarian vein of mares over an extended period. Ovarian venous cannulae placed in 4 mares remained patent for a mean (+/- SEM) duration of 36.8 (+/- 6.2) days. During mid-diestrus, concentrations of progesterone in the ovarian vein ipsilateral to the corpus luteum (1,663.8 +/- 238.8 ng/ml) were significantly (P less than 0.001) higher than concentrations measured in paired samples from the jugular vein (6.1 +/- 0.3 ng/ml). Concentration of estradiol in the ovarian vein ranged from a mean of 1,053.2 +/- 303.1 pg/ml during diestrus to 3,353.8 +/- 1,052.8 pg/ml during estrus, whereas values for 74% of samples collected concurrently from the jugular vein were near or below the sensitivity of the assay (10 pg/ml). Results of the study indicate that patent long-term ovarian vein cannulation can be achieved in mares. The cannulation technique provides access to important fundamental information on equine reproductive endocrinology, which to our knowledge, has not been available.
PubMed, 1994
The aim of this review is to give the practitioner the ability to be familiar with the echographi... more The aim of this review is to give the practitioner the ability to be familiar with the echographic exam of ovarian abnormalities. He should be able to recognize different stages of the development of these important structures and to estimate the effect that they can have on the normal cycle of the mare. Various specific criteria and details regarding the equine echography of ovarian abnormalities are reported and illustrated, using the last scientific data published on that particular topic.
Schweizer Archiv Fur Tierheilkunde, 1994
PubMed, 1994
Because of the anatomical position of the Corpus luteum within the ovary, rectal palpation is of ... more Because of the anatomical position of the Corpus luteum within the ovary, rectal palpation is of little value for identification and evaluation. The aim of this review is to familiarize the practitioner with the echographic examination of the Cl. He should be able to recognize different stages of this important structure and to correlate ovulation and the existence of the Cl. Various specific criteria and details regarding equine echography are reported and illustrated, using the the most recently published scientific data.
PubMed, 1993
Few scientists predicted the impact that echography would have on the equine breeding industry. T... more Few scientists predicted the impact that echography would have on the equine breeding industry. The aim of this practical review is to give the practitioner the ability to be familiar with the ovarian echographic exam. He should be able to recognize different stages of estrous cycle in the mare, status of preovulatory follicles and to predict precisely the time of ovulation. Various specific criteria and details regarding the equine echography are studied and illustrated, using the last scientific data published after the Fifth International Symposium on Equine Reproduction in Deauville.
Springer eBooks, 1992
Very few people predicted the impact that ultrasonography has had on the equine breeding industry... more Very few people predicted the impact that ultrasonography has had on the equine breeding industry. The ability to scan a mare’s reproductive tract noninvasively with ultrasound provides the opportunity to diagnose pregnancy earlier than with rectal palpation, effectively manage twins and detect impending early embryonic death. However, ultrasonography should not be limited to these areas. Ultrasonography can be utilised to diagnose uterine pathology, such as intrauterine fluid, air, debris and cysts. More, ultrasonographic examination of the ovaries may aid in determining stage of estrous cycle, status of preovulatory follicles, development and morphologic assessment of the corpus luteum (CL) and interpreting ovarian irregularities, such as anovulatory, hemorrhagic follicles or periovarian cysts.
Equine Veterinary Journal, Mar 22, 2016
Reasons for performing study: Methods of evaluating locomotor activity can be useful in efforts t... more Reasons for performing study: Methods of evaluating locomotor activity can be useful in efforts to quantify behavioural activity in horses objectively. Objectives: To evaluate whether an accelerometric device would be adequate to quantify locomotor activity and step frequency in horses, and to distinguish between different levels of activity and different gaits. Study design: Observational study in an experimental setting. Methods: Dual-mode (activity and step count) piezo-electric accelerometric devices were placed at each of 4 locations (head, withers, forelimb and hindlimb) in each of 6 horses performing different controlled activities including grazing, walking at different speeds, trotting and cantering. Both the activity count and step count were recorded and compared by the various activities. Statistical analyses included analysis of variance for repeated measures, receiver operating characteristic curves, Bland-Altman analysis and linear regression. Results: The accelerometric device was able to quantify locomotor activity at each of the 4 locations investigated and to distinguish between gaits and speeds. The activity count recorded by the accelerometer placed on the hindlimb was the most accurate, displaying a clear discrimination between the different levels of activity and a linear correlation to speed. The accelerometer placed on the head was the only one to distinguish specifically grazing behaviour from standing. The accelerometer placed on the withers was unable to differentiate different gaits and activity levels. The step count function measured at the hindlimb was reliable but the count was doubled at the walk. Conclusions: The dual-mode accelerometric device was sufficiently accurate to quantify and compare locomotor activity in horses moving at different speeds and gaits. Positioning the device on the hindlimb allowed for the most accurate results. The step count function can be useful but must be manually corrected, especially at the walk.
Equine Veterinary Education, Sep 1, 1990
Veterinary Surgery, Aug 21, 2019
Objective: To determine long term outcomes of nonracing equines athletes treated for short incomp... more Objective: To determine long term outcomes of nonracing equines athletes treated for short incomplete proximal sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx (SIPSFP1) by lag screw fixation. Study design: Retrospective study. Sample population: Thirty-one horses. Methods: Medical records from horses with an SIPSFP1 (2008-2014) were reviewed. Long-term (≥12 months) outcomes were assessed with telephone interviews and clinical and radiographic examinations. Results: Warmblood was the predominant breed in cases included in the study. Among horses with long-term interview information, 27 of 31 returned to previous athletic activity level. In total, 15 horses with 19 fractures had clinical and radiographic assessment after a minimum of 12 months. Among those, nine of 15 horses were sound at the trot, and six of 15 were mildly lame. Complete radiographic healing was confirmed in six limbs, and the facture line was evident in 13. The position of the proximal screw was not associated with radiographic fracture healing or return to soundness. Conclusion: Most horses treated for SIPSFP1 with lag screw fixation returned to previous activity levels, although radiographic fracture healing remained incomplete 12 months or more after surgery. Clinical significance: Lag screw fixation is a valid treatment for horses not used for racing that are experiencing an SIPSFP1 and results in a high rate of return to intended use, although complete radiographic fracture healing cannot be expected.
Animal Reproduction Science, Dec 1, 1995
Repeated administration of prostaglandin is the treatment of choice for the termination of pregna... more Repeated administration of prostaglandin is the treatment of choice for the termination of pregnancy in mares more than 40 days pregnant. Even though it is well documented that PGF-2 a or analogue needs to be administered every 12-24 h for successful induction of abortion, little is known about the underlying endocrine changes and the mechanism by which abortion occurs. The aim of this study was to characterize the changes in PGF-2 a, progesterone and estrogen secretion during prostaglandin-induced abortion. Six mares, 82-102 days pregnant, were treated daily with 250 /xg cloprostenol, blood was collected at 1-h intervals until fetal expulsion and pregnancy examination was performed daily. Four mares, 92-97 days pregnant, received no treatment but were subjected to the same hourly blood collections and daily genital examinations described for cloprostenol-treated mares for 3 days. Mean time from first cloprostenol administration until fetal expulsion was 48.6 +_ 5.6 h and required 2.8 + 0.2 cloprostenol administrations. In all mares, progesterone concentrations decreased in a near linear manner after the first cloprostenol administration and were invariably low (1.3 + 0.2 ng m1-1, mean + SEM) at the time of fetal expulsion. Mean estrogen secretion remained unchanged until 5 h before fetal expulsion and then decreased rapidly to non-pregnant levels. Endogenous PGF-2a secretion rate increased with each cloprostenol administration and culminated in sustained PGF-2 a secretion which persisted until fetal expulsion was completed. From these results we conclude that cloprostenol-induced abortion is
Equine Veterinary Journal, 2013
Training regimens of showjumping horses under field conditions are largely undocumented. The aims... more Training regimens of showjumping horses under field conditions are largely undocumented. The aims of this study were to quantify and compare training regimens used in professional-level showjumping yards, with respect to time exercised and type of activity. Prospective cohort study. A prospective 6-month cohort study of showjumping horses in 4 European countries (The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Great Britain) was designed to analyse training and health data, in yards with several horses in training and riders competing at professional level. Riders documented the daily frequency and duration of all physical activities of the horses. Variation in training routines were compared between riders, location and time. Mixed-models analysis was used to examine factors associated with total time exercised and time spent in flatwork. In 4 countries, the 31 participating riders trained 263 European Warmbloods. The total days at risk (e.g. days in which the horses were considered fit for exercise) was 39,262. Mean time spent in daily exercise, including ridden work, lungeing and treadmill exercise, varied between riders from 19-52 min/day at risk. There was considerable variation in activities and level of heavy work and light exercise, i.e. turnout. Total time exercised and time spent in flatwork differed with month, country and proportion of days lost to training. Low variation of activities was associated with decreased total time trained and increased time spent in flatwork. Riders at this elite professional level of showjumping used training regimens that vary substantially in time spent training and other physical activities and showjumping horses are challenged differently during training despite competing at the same level. Whether all training regimens prepare the horses equally for the demands of competition remains to be determined.
Equine Veterinary Journal, 1989
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Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2013
Orthopaedic, or other, injuries in sports medicine can be quantified using the 'days-lost to trai... more Orthopaedic, or other, injuries in sports medicine can be quantified using the 'days-lost to training' concept. Both the training regimen and the surface used in training and racing can affect the health of racehorses. Our aim was to associate 'days-lost to training' in elite-level show-jumpers to horse characteristics, training and management strategies, and the time spent working on various training and competition surfaces. We designed a longitudinal study of professional riders in four European countries. Data were recorded using training diaries. Reasons for days-lost were classified into non-acute and acute orthopaedic, medical, hoofrelated, and undefined. We produced descriptive statistics of training durations, relative to type of training, surfaces used, and days-lost. We created zero-inflated negative-binomial random-effects models using the overall days-lost as outcome. In the whole dataset, duration variables related to training surfaces were analysed as independent. The Swedish data only were also used to test whether duration variables were related to competition surfaces. Thirty-one riders with 263 horses provided data on 39,028 days at risk. Of these, 2357 (6.0%) were days-lost (55% and 22% of these were due to non-acute and acute orthopaedic injuries, respectively) in 126 horses. In the all-country model, controlling for season, a significant variable was country. Switzerland and the UK had lower incidence-rate ratios (IR) compared to Sweden (IRs 0.2 and 0.03, respectively). Horses with previous orthopaedic problems had almost a doubled IR (1.8) of days-lost due to orthopaedic injury, compared to baseline. If the horse had jumping training more than 1 minute per day at risk the IRs were 6.9-7 (compared to less than this amount of time); this was, however, likely an effect of a small baseline. Variation in training was a protective factor with a dose-response relationship; the category with the highest variation had an IR of 0.1. In the Swedish model, controlling for season, there was an association of year (IR 2.8 year 2010). Further, if the horse rested >17-25% of the days at risk, or >33% of the DAR2, had IRs 3.5 and 3,0, compared to less time. Horses ≥6 years had IRs of 1.8-2.0, compared to younger horses. Limited training use of sand surface was a risk-factor (IR 2.2; >4≤12 min/day at risk), compared to not training on sand. Training/competing on sand-wood was a protective factor (IRs 0.4-0.5) compared to not using this surface.
Sensors, Apr 22, 2023
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 2022
Objective The goal of this study was to generate mandibular fractures in three regions of the dia... more Objective The goal of this study was to generate mandibular fractures in three regions of the diastema using a metal impactor to simulate a kick from a horse and to determine the mean deceleration in the initial phase of the impact event, the maximum contact force, the impact energy necessary to create a fracture and the duration of the impact. Study Design Thirty heads of horses aged between 5 and 20 years and euthanatized for various reasons were used. The heads were attached to a steel bar at the occiput at an axial angle of 45 degrees so that the body of the mandible was positioned horizontally and directly under the trajectory of the impactor. A 2 kg solid impactor was dropped with velocities of 6 to 14 m/s to simulate a kick from a horse. The impact was recorded using a high-speed video camera with a frame rate of 30,000 frames per second. Radiographs of the heads were obtained before and after the simulated kick. Results Mandibular fractures with configurations similar to tho...