Summary Background Volvulus nodosus is a strangulating lesion of the small intestine described only in foals and in just one case in older horses. Huskamp et al. (1982, 1998) described the pathophysiology of volvulus nodosus in foals, but to date, there is no description of the pathophysiology of volvulus nodosus in adults. Objectives To describe the different features of volvulus nodosus in adult horses and foals. Study design Clinical case series. Methods Analysis of the clinical and anatomical features of two foals and three adults presenting with volvulus nodosus. Results Clinical presentation between foals and adults differed mainly in the mild or absent pain shown by older horses. Clinical and ultrasonography findings were similar. At surgery or necropsy, we found anatomical differences between adults and foals. In adults, the volvulus did not involve the mesentery that instead forms a hernia sac in foals. Further, in adults, there was no involvement of the ileum, but two loops of jejunum resulted in one wrapped around another in all three cases. After accurate analysis of one case at necropsy, we found that in adults, one loop acts as a ‘post’ around which another loop turns. The weight of this loop then causes the formation of a half‐hitch formed by the two loops and their mesentery. This causes strangulation and necrosis of two separate tracts of jejunum. Main limitations Small number of cases included. Conclusions Volvulus nodosus may occur in adult horses with significant differences compared to foals. Knowing the presentation and pathophysiology of volvulus nodosus may help equine surgeons resolve selected cases of small intestinal strangulation in adult horses.

Summary Subepiglottic cysts (SECs) form within the aryepiglottic tissue of the equine upper airway and are thought to arise from remnants of the embryonic thyroglossal duct, craniopharyngeal duct or Ranke's pouch. The clinical presentation of affected horses can vary, with larger cysts usually associated with signs such as dysphasia, exercise intolerance and epiglottic entrapment. Incidental recognition of asymptomatic cases can occur during routine endoscopic examination. Various surgical approaches and techniques for cyst excision have been described and are most commonly performed under general anaesthesia. This case report describes an alternative surgical technique in two horses where cyst excision was performed under standing sedation using a transoral approach with endoscopic guidance. A four‐wire electrocautery polypectomy snare was used to encircle and excise the cyst(s) in toto. The technique offers advantages including improved visualisation of the surgical field and reduced complications usually associated with general anaesthesia. In both cases, the surgery was well tolerated, the cysts were successfully removed without complication, and recoveries were uneventful.

Summary Background While standing magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) of the foot has been extensively studied, descriptions of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) abnormalities in this region are sparse. Objective This study compares CBCT and sMRI for diagnosing lesions in the equine foot and pastern, aiming to assess the complementarity of these imaging modalities. Study Design This is a retrospective, descriptive, comparative study. Methods CBCT and sMRI images of horses that underwent dual imaging between September 2023 and September 2024 were reviewed to evaluate the complementarity of both techniques. Results Seventy‐five feet of 59 horses were included. CBCT and sMRI provided complementary diagnostic information. CBCT was particularly effective in identifying changes in bone structure, soft tissue mineralisation and hoof wall abnormalities. In contrast, sMRI was superior in detecting soft tissue injuries and bone marrow oedema‐like signals. Compared with sMRI used alone, CBCT provided additional diagnostic information that enhanced diagnostic accuracy in 71% of cases. Main limitations No gold standard (i.e., post‐mortem findings) was available as the horses were client owned. Conclusions This study highlights the strengths and limitations of CBCT and sMRI in diagnosing equine foot and pastern pathologies. In most cases, CBCT provided additional information on conditions already visible on sMRI; however, it also detected abnormalities unidentified by sMRI in horses with osteoarthritis, subchondral bone lesions or hoof wall abnormalities.

SummaryThis case series describes the occurrence of persistent ulnar remnants in three large breed foals presented with bilateral carpus valgus deformity. Distal ulnar ossification was diagnosed based on lateromedial radiographic projections. Treatment included distal ulna ostectomy in conjunction with transphyseal screw placement or periosteal stripping and medial extension shoeing. The axial deformity was corrected successfully in two foals. One foal aged 2.5 months that showed advanced stages of carpus valgus deformation as well as carpal bone crushing failed to respond to therapy. The case series highlights that carpus valgus deformity may have profound causes. In cases that fail to improve with standard management approaches, prompt recognition of a complete ulna is mandatory and surgical intervention unavoidable to successfully correct axial deformity in large breed foals.

SummaryEquine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) remains one of the most frequently diagnosed neurological disorders of horses in North America, caused primarily by Sarcocystis neurona and less commonly Neospora hughesi. The clinical presentation is highly variable due to multifocal involvement of both grey and white matter, with asymmetric ataxia and weakness being most common. Cranial nerve deficits, though less frequent, can be severe, leading to dysphagia, facial asymmetry, tongue atrophy, or laryngeal dysfunction. This commentary discusses an unusual case of bilateral laryngeal paralysis occurring late in recovery from general anaesthesia in a Standardbred gelding with suspected EPM. The timing and nature of the respiratory compromise highlight the importance of considering neuropathic causes, including protozoal infection, in addition to mechanical or inflammatory factors following anaesthesia. Diagnostic confirmation of EPM remains challenging; paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid analysis is most reliable, while PCR lacks sensitivity. Despite this, empirical therapy is often pursued when owners decline testing, although clinical improvement alone cannot confirm the diagnosis. Treatment with approved antiprotozoal agents frequently leads to improvement, but complete resolution is uncommon and relapse may occur. Prognosis is guarded, particularly in cases with cranial nerve involvement, where outcomes are less favorable than for spinal cord deficits. This case underscores three key points: airway obstruction in the post‐anaesthetic period may arise from neurological injury as well as traditional causes; diagnostic confirmation is critical to guide appropriate therapy; and vigilant postoperative monitoring is essential, even after an apparently uneventful recovery.

SummaryBackgroundDynamic mobilisation exercises (DMEs) are prescribed to support locomotor function, but knowledge of their longitudinal effect on thoracolumbosacral (TLS) spinal kinematics is limited.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of a 6‐week DME program on TLS kinematics during standing reflexes, walking and trotting.MethodsThirty‐nine work‐matched horses were split into two groups: DMEs and controls. Horses' straight‐line trot was assessed at week 0 and week 6 by a veterinarian (≤1/5 AAEP grading scale) and physiotherapist who assessed muscle hypertonicity and assigned palpation scores. Surface‐mounted inertial measurement units (IMUs) and reflective markers (19 mm) were positioned at head, thoracic (T)6, T10, T13, T18, lumbar (L)3, L5 between left and right tuber sacrale (TS) and left and right tuber coxae. Sternal and croup reflexes were quantified using optical motion capture (240 Hz) and straight‐line walking and trotting kinematics using IMUs (100 Hz). Mixed models assessed relationships between vertical displacement during reflexes and differential flexion–extension (FE)/lateral bending (LB)/axial rotation range of motion (ROM) at walk, trot and predictors: week, group, movement and covariates: asymmetry values and palpation grades (p ≤ 0.05).ResultsNo significant changes in vertical displacement in the reflexes or FE ROM during walk and trot were observed in the DME group (p > 0.05). Vertical displacement in the croup reflex at T13, FE ROM at T13–T18 during walk, FE ROM at T18–L3 and LB at T6–T13 during trotting decreased at week 6 in both groups (p < 0.02). Head and pelvic asymmetry values and palpation grade had significant relationships with kinematics during reflexes and walking and trotting (p < 0.05).Main LimitationsHorses only had straight‐line gait assessment.ConclusionsDME had limited impact on TLS kinematics over 6 weeks; however, the findings highlight the influence of gait asymmetry and palpation grades, underscoring the importance of addressing these factors alongside exercise prescription for optimal functional outcomes.

SummaryBackgroundPolysaccharides, hyaluronan and TBG‐136™ Schizophyllan (Sβ‐glucan) have not been thoroughly evaluated in horses with equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) or equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD).ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of hyaluronan with Sβ‐glucan ([RELGI] RelyneGI®, Hagyard Pharmacy, Lexington, KY) on ESGD and EGGD in stall‐confined horses.Study DesignSingle period non‐crossover.MethodsHealthy adult thoroughbreds (n = 12) were divided into RELGI ([N = 6], 30 mL gel) or control ([N = 6], 30 mL gel) groups and fed 3× daily for 35 days. The horses were stratified by ESGD ulcer score on Day −1, and gastroscopy was repeated on Days 14, 21, 28 and 35. ESGD number and severity (NGN and NGS) and EGGD number and severity (GN and GS) scores were assigned at scoping by a masked clinician. Gastric fluid pH and bodyweight were measured.ResultsThe median ESGD scores were lower on Day 28 in the RELGI group (median: 1.0, IQR: 1.0–1.0), compared to the control group (median: 1.5, IQR: 1.0–2.25; p = 0.037). The median NGN and NGS scores were lower on Days 28 and 35 in the RELGI group (median: 0; IQR: 0–0) than in controls. On Day 28, NGN had a median of 1.0 (IQR: 0–2.5) and NGS had a median of 1.0 (IQR: 0–2.25). On Day 35, NGN had a median of 0.5 (IQR: 0–2.25) and NGS had a median of 1.0 (IQR: 0–2.5). ESGD ulcers healed in the treatment group on the same days. EGGD was low, so statistical analysis was not reported. Gastric fluid pH was low and horses gained weight.Main LimitationThoroughbred horses had very mild EGGD lesions.ConclusionsThe supplement RelyneGI® was palatable and safe. RelyneGI® administration resulted in improvement in stomach health without altering stomach pH and might be an adjunct to pharmacologic treatment for ESGD.