Equine Practitioners Research Articles

Evaluating the post-foaling mare with colic. Part 2: the genitourinary and reproductive tracts

Post-foaling colic is a common presenting complaint for equine practitioners that requires careful evaluation. Colic signs can be attributed to conditions of the gastrointestinal, reproductive and genitourinary tracts. Diagnostic workup is similar to that of most other cases of colic, with additional attention paid to the udder, vulva and vaginal vault; transabdominal ultrasound examination is often key in establishing a diagnosis. Conditions of the genitourinary and reproductive tracts include periparturient haemorrhage, which may be intra-abdominal, intrauterine, intramural, vaginal and/or into the broad ligament, uterine tear with or without intestinal evisceration, bladder rupture, septic metritis and/or retained foetal membranes, invagination of a uterine horn, uterine prolapse and bladder prolapse. Prompt diagnosis is vital as aggressive therapy is generally required for the majority of these conditions and prognosis is variable depending on the condition and severity.

Return to sport activity following ultrasonographic diagnosis and conservative management of spontaneous injuries of the serratus cervicis ventralis and serratus thoracis ventralis muscles in 11 endurance horses.

To describe the clinical diagnosis, ultrasound findings, and outcome of 11 endurance horses with injuries to the serratus ventralis thoracis (SVT) or serratus ventralis cervicis (SVC) muscle. 11 endurance horses competing in medium- to high-level competitions and presenting with lameness caused by injuries to the SVT or SVC muscle, as confirmed by ultrasonography. Physical examinations revealed swelling caudal to the shoulder region associated with dorsocranial displacement of the scapula and edema of the ventral thorax for horses with SVT injuries. Swelling cranial to the scapula and edema of the pectoral area were identified among horses with injuries to the SVC. Dynamic examinations revealed moderate-to-severe reduction of the cranial phase of the stride at the walk; at the trot, a lameness score of 2 to 3/5 was assigned (modified American Association of Equine Practitioners Lameness Scale). Ultrasonography revealed moderate-to-severe increases in size of the muscle body, heterogeneous echogenicity, loss of the striated muscle pattern, and varying degrees of perimuscular edema. All horses were able to resume full training and competition in an average of 216 days (range, 74 to 362 days) and 148 days (range, 112 to 309 days) for injuries of the SVT and SVC, respectively. This case series is the first to describe the clinical and ultrasonographic features of spontaneous injuries to the SVT or SVC. Ultrasonography for diagnosis was simple and well tolerated by the horses.

The use of hysteroscopy to identify and treat reproductive tract abnormalities in the mare

SummaryHysteroscopy is a complementary tool to the traditional transrectal palpation and ultrasonography commonly performed by equine practitioners. Once mastered, it is a quick and useful diagnostic tool for the general and targeted evaluation of the endometrium and provides real time information about potential causes of subfertility. Samples of intrauterine fluid and the endometrium can be taken via transendoscopic catheters or infusion pipettes or via the use of traditional endometrial biopsy forceps. In addition to being a useful diagnostic tool, treatments can often be performed at the same time the pathologies are identified, providing mare owners with information and resolution of problems. With the development of additional technologies, hysteroscopy allows for optical biopsies to be performed, which will likely increase in use as the software moves from the research laboratories to clinical practice. Hysteroscopy is an easily learned, useful clinical skill for the identification of abnormalities in the mares' reproductive tract.

Are Users Good Assessors of Social Dominance in Domestic Horses?

Horse users and caretakers must be aware of the risks of mixing social groups. The current study investigated whether eight equine practitioners can assess the social dominance rank of 20 horses. The horses' feeding time and agonistic/aggressive and submissive behaviours were observed during the feed confrontation test, and the dominance index (DI) was calculated. Kendal's W, Spearman correlations and factor analysis were applied to test the raters' agreement, the relationship between dominance ranks and the behavioural variables, and to determine the clustered behaviours. The agreement between all raters in the classification of dominance order ranged from moderate to perfect. The ranking by every rater was strongly and negatively correlated with the time of eating in feed confrontation tests and with the DI, evidencing shorter feeding times for more submissive horses. The withdrawal of the horse when threatened was the behavioural variable that was most often correlated with raters' ranking. The current study confirmed the abilities of practitioners to categorise the horses under their care according to their social interactions. Additionally, rolling when denied access to feed was proposed as frustration-releasing (redirected) behaviour.

Equine coital exanthema – Eradicated or underdiagnosed disease?

SummaryEquine coital exanthema (ECE) is a contagious, sexually transmitted disease affecting horses. It manifests itself as painful papules, vesicles, pustules and ulcers on the external genitalia in both mares and stallions. While widespread, the disease is generally not classified as reportable in most countries and is not considered a significant threat to the equine industry. ECE is endemic in horse breeding populations internationally. The absence of comprehensive epidemiological data can give a false sense of security, which increases the risk of local transmission. Lack of surveillance programmes or routine control in risk group (reproductive stallions and mares) leads to unawareness and lack of proper biosecurity measures. An outbreak in breeding facilities may result in significant economic consequences. Although ECE has not been officially confirmed in Poland, equine practitioners have noted isolated clinical cases resembling the disease in farm horses in the last decades. This study aims to confirm the presence of ECE in Poland. Clinical diagnosis has been made based on characteristic lesions. Positive diagnosis was confirmed in two out of four outbreaks by real‐time PCR on genital swabs. The presence of the disease has been confirmed in different regions in Poland in farm horses bred as meat animals. Confirming EHV‐3 infection in the Polish equine population through laboratory examinations marks a significant milestone. It is now crucial to raise awareness among owners, breeders and equine practitioners about the current epidemiological status of the disease.

Trimethoprim-sulfonamide: a valid antimicrobial treatment in foals?

Trimethoprim-sulfonamide (TMPS) combinations are widely used to treat a range of infectious diseases in horses, but some equine practitioners are reluctant to use them for treatment of both neonatal and older foals. Considering the emergence of increased antimicrobial resistance, the use of protected antimicrobials commonly prescribed to foals should be avoided and alternative first-line therapy considered, where appropriate. This review examines the characteristics and pharmacokinetics of TMPS and its suitability for treatment of foals. Data regarding dosage and route of administration are reported on the basis of recent publications in foals. The review intends to share significant information about the common infections that are most likely responsive to TMPS treatment in foals and, as such, where TMPS might be considered a suitable first-line therapeutic option.

A delay in entering invoice charges is associated with a decrease in total invoice amount in equine practice.

To evaluate the relationship in equine practice between the time delay for charge entry (time between when work was performed and when the invoice charges were entered) and the total amount of the invoice. A total of 67,597 invoices from 3 hospitals were included for analysis. Analysis of 67,597 invoices from 49 doctors working out of 3 hospitals was performed. Variables collected included invoice total, date of work, date of invoice entry, month of work, invoice category (A = ambulatory daytime, E = after-hours, I = hospital), and veterinarian. Time delay to invoice entry was the difference between the day of work and the day of charge entry. A generalized additive model was used to describe the relationship between the time delay for invoice entry and the invoice type, month of work, and invoice category. The best model was selected using the Akaike information criterion. In the selected model, total invoice amount was associated with time delay for charge entry and invoice category. Invoices entered on the same day of work were 299 ± $345, as compared to those entered the next day (255 ± $271) and those entered > 1 day after the work was performed (193 ± $196; P < .0001). If the observed relationship between time delay (time between work performed and invoice entry) and total invoice amount is causal, equine practitioners may have significant opportunity to improve revenues by simply entering charges on the same day the work is performed.

Corkscrew Technique for Extraction of Premolars and Molars in Standing Sedated Horses: Cadaveric Study and Clinical Cases.

Several tooth extraction techniques are described in equine literature, and oral extraction techniques in standing sedated horses are popular among equine practitioners. The objectives of this study were to develop the corkscrew technique for cheek tooth extraction (CSET) in equine cadaver heads and evaluate this technique in clinical cases. We hypothesized that the CSET could be performed safely to extract cheek teeth in standing sedated horses. First, the CSET was attempted and developed in eight equine cadaver heads. Second, the CSET was performed in clinical cases between 2016 and 2020, and the following information was recorded: diagnosis, affected tooth, procedure duration, intraoperative difficulties, tooth size, postoperative complications, medication, hospitalization time, and 1-year follow-up. Sixteen CSET procedures were performed in eight equine skulls with a 75% success rate. In 24 clinical cases, 25 CSET procedures were attempted to extract 22 superior and 3 inferior cheek teeth. CSET was successful in 76% of procedures. Fractures of the tooth and stripping of screw threads were the major complications that led to the failure of CSET. CSET is a viable and safe technique to extract cheek teeth in standing sedated horses. Longitudinal drilling is a must for this technique to be successful.

The Easiest Becomes the Rule: Beliefs, Knowledge and Attitudes of Equine Practitioners and Enthusiasts Regarding Horse Welfare.

Inadequate management conditions can impair the welfare of captive-bred horses. Understanding individuals' viewpoints and the factors influencing their decisions about adopting or avoiding certain practices may provide insights into their motivations and decision-making processes. This is particularly relevant in the equestrian community, where equine practitioners and enthusiasts often engage in harmful practices. We explored the beliefs, knowledge, and attitudes of equine practitioners and enthusiasts about horse welfare and the barriers that prevent them from employing better management practices that are essential to promoting horses' welfare. The study consisted of in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted in person with 31 individuals directly involved in the equestrian environment in Brazil. Responses were analyzed through thematic analysis with a data-driven deductive approach. Participants' beliefs, knowledge and attitudes to horse welfare were divided into three themes. The first theme, "Let the horse be a horse", captured participants' perceptions about how physical and mental aspects related to the nature and welfare of horses. The second theme, "Everyone does it like that", includes the social norms that influence decisions about the practices that impact on the welfare of the horses. The third theme, "Beyond utopia: how and why horses are managed the way they are", covered barriers that participants perceived as impediments to the use of best practices for the welfare of horses. While participants demonstrated awareness of welfare issues and acknowledged factors that negatively impact horses, there was a notable discrepancy between this knowledge and the implementation of improved management practices. This could be explained by several perceived barriers to implementing management practices that could enhance horse welfare, including lack of financial resources, limited physical space, shortage of qualified labor, time constraints, inadequate tools, and insufficient knowledge. Additionally, we identified deeply rooted social norms within the equestrian community and culturally established practices that limit approaches to horse welfare. Participants underscored the influence of these norms and different interpretations of "letting the horse be a horse" based on the horse's value and purpose. Concerning low-value horses, the primary justifications for stall housing and concentrated feeding were linked to elevated costs involved in spatial demands and labor; in contrast, for high-value horses used in performance and aesthetics, the arguments shifted to potential benefits to the horses' well-being. From an ethical perspective, ideally, individuals should refrain from owning horses if they cannot ensure the animals' welfare. Additionally, if the equestrian community neglects public attitudes towards animal welfare, it risks eroding its social license.

Hybrid external fixator for treatment of a tibial proximal comminuted diaphyseal fracture in a foal

AbstractA 15‐day‐old colt was presented with grade 5 lameness (American Association of Equine Practitioners ‐ lameness scale), oedema of the right pelvic limb and stifle joint instability. A radiographic examination revealed a complete comminuted fracture of the proximal right tibia. To treat this, a surgical reduction was performed using a hybrid external fixator. The hybrid external fixator consisted of two rings placed above the proximal and distal epiphyseal plates, respectively, which were then linked with threaded rods. Within 24 hours of the surgery, the foal started weight‐bearing again. After 6 days, the hybrid external fixator rings were distracted by 1 mm per day for 17 days, which helped to increase the bone length. Once the hybrid external fixator was removed, a small shortening of the tibia (1 cm) was observed compared to the contralateral limb, but the epiphyseal cartilage was maintained.

Barefoot methodology as a viable farriery option

SummaryThe equine foot evolved to provide an effective interface between the distal limb and the ground for weight‐bearing, shock absorption and providing traction. The use of horseshoes became necessary when horses performed a lot of work on abrasive surfaces. These days, however, most equine athletes train and compete on soft, manufactured surfaces that are conducive to having the horses barefooted, especially if they have good‐quality hooves and can be taken out of work for a short period of time while the hoof goes through the adaptive process. Being barefoot for a period of time is often useful in treating horses with chronic foot lameness, hoof capsule distortions with compromised heel structures, sheared heels or frogs that are either recessed or prolapsed relative to the ground surface of the foot. The benefits of being barefooted include superior shock absorption, better energy damping and improved weight‐bearing ability. Without shoes, the foot undergoes greater expansion and vertical movement at the heels and foot shape is maintained by friction and wear between the entire solar surface of the foot and the ground. Shaping the barefoot hoof involves removing excessive hoof wall using hoof nippers at an angle of 45° dorsal to the sole‐wall junction (white line) to create a bevel in the bearing surface of the hoof wall. The heels are rasped horizontally to the same horizontal plane as the frog which makes the palmar foot ‘load sharing’. Starting at the heel quarter, the rasp is used around the circumference of the foot at a 45° angle and then a rounding motion from proximal to distal is used to produce a thick rounded perimeter to the distal hoof wall. It is important to leave all the horn/mass on the solar surface of the foot for protection. Adaptation to being barefoot requires a period of time to allow the structures of the foot to strengthen along with reshaping of the foot at 3–4‐week intervals. A version of this manuscript was presented at the American Association of Equine Practitioners Scientific Program in 2023.

Review of skin grafting in equine wounds: indications and techniques.

Skin grafting is a simple technique that can be performed by equine practitioners to improve cosmetic outcomes in wounds with large skin defects that would not heal functionally or cosmetically with standard wound therapy interventions. Successful skin grafting is not difficult but relies upon appropriate preparation of the wound bed and effective immobilisation of the grafted area after skin graft placement. Prior to grafting, the wound bed should be treated with a moist wound healing dressing to prepare the granulation tissue bed to receive the graft. For best results, skin grafts should be placed in wounds free of infection with healthy granulation tissue, and motion should be reduced in the graft region in the early postoperative period. When successful, skin grafts cover granulation tissue and encourage wound contraction and epithelialisation while decreasing exuberant granulation tissue resulting in a more cosmetic result. This review will advance practitioners' understanding of skin grafting in horses, including graft classification and techniques, donor site selection, recipient site preparation, postoperative management strategies to optimise graft retention and ongoing research in this field.

Retrospective Study of 25 Cases of Acorn Intoxication Colitis in Horses between 2011 and 2018 and Factors Associated with Non-Survival.

The aim of this study is to describe clinical data associated with acorn intoxication and to find variables associated with survival. Data from horses presented at CISCO-ONIRIS from 2011 to 2018 with a diagnosis of acorn intoxication were included. Diagnosis was based on the following: season, the presence of acorns in the environment, clinical and hemato-biochemical parameters suggestive of a digestive/renal disease, the co-morbidity of companion animals, and post-mortem findings. Statistical analysis was completed using Student's t-test for mean comparisons and a Chi-square test for group comparisons (p < 0.05). A total of 25 horses were included, and seasonality suggests that the intoxication may vary from year to year. Clinical signs associated with acorn intoxication were signs of circulatory shock (lethargy, tachycardia, abnormal mucous membrane, tachypnea), digestive signs (diarrhea, ileus, colic), and abnormal temperature. Clinical pathological findings included increased hematocrit, WBC, creatinine, BUN, GGT, AST, CK and decreased albumin. Overall, 44% (11/25) of horses survived. The majority (13/14) of non-survivors died, or were euthanized, during the first 48 h. Findings significantly associated with non-survival were age, heart rate, hemorrhagic diarrhea, ileus, hematocrit, creatinine, blood lactate, and thickness of the colon wall at ultrasonography. This study provides equine practitioners with valuable prognostic information in cases of acorn intoxication.

Topical Chinese Herbal Medicine Treatment of a Non-healing Leg Wound in a Horse: A Case Report

Wound care in horses, particularly chronic non-healing lesions, pose a major medical challenge for equine practitioners and can result in considerable financial loss as well as missed training goals for owners. The lower equine limb is particularly susceptible to damage due to the lack of protective muscling and superficial synovial and tendinous structures. This paper presents the treatment of a non-healing distal leg wound in a horse by topical application of a Chinese herbal medicine decoction using a traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) approach. The patient had sustained damage to the palmar aspect of the flexor tendons on the left thoracic limb caused by jumping off a transport vehicle. This injury was initially treated by cleaning the area, topical erythromycin antibiotic ointment and intramuscular injection of penicillin for 3 days. Over a 2-month period the initial trauma progressed to a chronic non-healing wound. Medical management of the wound was then changed to topical application of a Chinese herbal decoction which was applied 3 times daily. Over a 29-day period, this treatment encouraged normalization of the wound healing process with epithelization, tissue remodeling and normal scar formation. The clinical results achieved in this horse suggest topical treatment with Chinese herbal medicine can decrease complications and speed the healing process of chronic wounds. The use of the topical herbal formula in this case was convenient, simple to use, and cost effective.

Development, refinement, and validation of an equine musculoskeletal pain scale.

Musculoskeletal disease is a common cause of chronic pain that is often overlooked and inadequately treated, impacting the quality of life of humans and horses alike. Lameness due to musculoskeletal pain is prevalent in horses, but the perception of pain by owners is low compared with veterinary diagnosis. Therefore, this study aims to establish and validate a pain scale for chronic equine orthopaedic pain that is user-friendly for horse owners and veterinarians to facilitate the identification and monitoring of pain in horses. The newly developed musculoskeletal pain scale (MPS) was applied to 154 horses (mean age 20 ± 6.4 years SD) housed at an equine sanctuary, of which 128 (83%) suffered from chronic orthopaedic disease. To complete the MPS, the horses were observed and videotaped from a distance while at rest in their box or enclosure. In addition, they received a complete clinical and orthopaedic exam. The need for veterinary intervention to address pain (assessed and executed by the sanctuary independent from this study) was used as a longitudinal health outcome to determine the MPS's predictive validity. To determine the interrater agreement, the MPS was scored for a randomly selected subset of 30 horses by six additional blinded raters, three equine veterinary practitioners, and three experienced equestrians. An iterative process was used to refine the tool based on improvements in the MPS's correlation with lameness evaluated at the walk and trot, predictive validity for longitudinal health outcomes, and interrater agreement. The intraclass correlation improved from 0.77 of the original MPS to 0.88 of the refined version (95% confidence interval: 0.8-0.94). The refined MPS correlated significantly with lameness at the walk (r = 0.44, p = 0.001) and trot (r = 0.5, p < 0.0001). The refined MPS significantly differed between horses that needed veterinary intervention (mean MPS = 8.6) and those that did not (mean MPS = 5.0, p = 0.0007). In summary, the MPS showed good interrater repeatability between expert and lay scorers, significant correlation with lameness at the walk and trot, and good predictive validity for longitudinal health outcomes, confirming its ability to identify horses with orthopaedic health problems.

Guttural Pouch Mycosis: A Three-Step Therapeutic Approach.

The temporary ligation of the common carotid artery is performed as an emergency aid in cases of guttural pouch mycosis. Its usefulness is put into perspective after an anatomical summary of arterial vascularization involving a guttural pouch. It helps to better understand the need for the cranial (cerebral) and caudal (cardiac) occlusion of an arterial rupture by embolization in order to achieve maximum success in preventing and treating an hemorrhage. Topical oxygen therapy used alone or in a multimodal approach with embolization surgery is performed to promote healing of the inflammatory and mycotic lesions observed when an individual is affected. In conclusion, this three-step therapeutic approach should enable the equine practitioner to better orient their decision tree when faced with this condition which, while rare, can be potentially fatal if poorly treated.

Substantial variability exists in the interpretation of survey radiographs among equine veterinarians.

Radiographs are a common diagnostic tool utilised during pre-purchase examinations, yet differences surround their interpretation among equine veterinarians. (1) To determine veterinarians' subjective impressions of a spectrum of radiographic abnormalities regarding suitability for purchase; (2) To determine how veterinarians' years in practice, primary discipline or board certification status influence their subjective impression of radiographic abnormalities, and (3) To determine how horses' discipline, current level of work (working at intended level vs. future prospect) and buyer intent (sell vs. retain ownership) influence veterinarians' subsequent recommendation. Worldwide electronic survey of veterinary professionals. Four radiographic series of navicular bones, tarsi, and stifles, representing varying degrees of pathological change (normal, mild, moderate and marked) were presented. Respondents (n = 211) graded their level of concern from 1 (no concern) to 10 (very concerned) based on the radiographs and case scenarios presented. Overall, as the grade of pathological change increased for each anatomical location, so did the level of veterinarian concern, but a wide range of answers were submitted for all grades of pathology. Board certified practitioners had a higher level of concern over marked radiographic changes of the navicular bone for both western performance and English sport horses as well as prospect horses (mean = 7.2 vs. 6.1; P = 0.009; 95% CI for difference = [0.3, 2.0]). Board certified respondents had a lower level of concern over marked radiographic changes of the tarsus regardless of the performance status of the horse (mean = 7.1 vs. 8.0; P = 0.008; 95% CI for difference = [-1.5, -0.2]). Western performance horse practitioners had a lower level of concern over mild radiographic changes of the tarsus regardless of the performance status of the horse (mean = 3.3 vs. 4.2; P = 0.009; 95% CI for difference = [-1.6, -0.2]). Only one example of each pathological grade per anatomical region was presented. On survey radiographs, the perceived clinical relevance of radiographic abnormalities among equine practitioners differs widely, making purchase recommendations highly variable.

Distúrbios do trato reprodutivo masculino em equídeos: 87 casos (2014-2022)

ABSTRACT: Male reproductive tract disorders (MRTDs) are common in equids and may represent a significant proportion of the caseload of equine practitioners. Herein, we determined the frequency, clinico-pathological findings, and therapeutics of MRTDs in equids from a 9-year survey of the clinical records of a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Midwestern Brazil. During this period, 87 affected equids presented 100 MRTDs distributed in 17 different diagnoses. Forty-three (49.4%) equids presented MRTDs affecting the glans penis or preputial skin fold. Testicles, scrotum, and spermatic cords disorders were diagnosed in 32 (36.8%) horses. Of the remaining 12 (13.8%) horses, six presented two different MRTDs on two distinct anatomical areas, and five animals exhibited the same disease, affecting two different anatomical locations. Only one horse presented three distinct MRTDs on two anatomical regions. Habronemiasis was the most frequent MRTD detected in 26% of the diagnoses, followed by miscellaneous wounds (14%), cryptorchidism (13%), inguinal hernia (13%), funiculitis (9%), paraphimosis (6%), squamous cell carcinoma (5%), urethrolithiasis (3%), preputial abscesses, and orchitis (2% each). Phimosis, ulcerative posthitis, epididymitis, hydrocele, papillomatosis, teratoma, and testicular torsion accounted for 1% each. Sixty-three (72.5%) equids received hospital discharge, 18 (20.6%) were humanely euthanized, and six (6.9%) died. This study detected the most relevant MRTDs that affected over 7.5% in a survey of 1,154 equids referred for hospital care. Our finding highlights that MRTDs may be debilitating and life-threatening conditions, and they can potentially impact the reproduction of equids in the region. This knowledge may support equine practitioners in elaborating proper sanitary and management protocols to prevent and reduce the incidence of most MRTDs recorded, improving equid production and welfare.

Equine back pain is a diagnostic challenge: A physiotherapist’s perspective

Back pain syndromes often present with non-specific signs and may involve multiple different structures as their pain-generator, making a pathoanatomical diagnosis challenging. Diagnosis of back pain requires a multidimensional approach, involving both functional and interventional assessments. Whilst the equine practitioner has a substantial number of assessment tools available, many are not utilized due to time constraints, lack of awareness, and financial implications. The purpose of this review is to summarise the literature on functional and interventional assessment for equine back pain and highlight the challenges faced by clinicians.

Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnosis in Horse Infertility

As the popularity of horse breeding stays steady, many breeders and owners send their horses samples to cytogenetics analysis for signs of infertility or other genetic abnormalities. Here, we report three cases of horses that were subjected to chromosome analysis due to infertility issues. Unfortunately, in the case of the H304 mare, the horse has a normal 64, XX female karyotype and no chromosomal abnormality was observed to explain the infertile issue. In the case of the H305 mare, the horse has a 64, XY male karyotype which indicates genetically male and no sign of chromosomal abnormality under cytogenetic analysis. However, PCR analysis indicates the loss of the SRY in the Y chromosome. This is a typical male to female sex reversal and one of the most common genetic sex abnormalities in horses. In the H306 mare, the horse has only one X chromosome; 63, XO, called X monosomy. This is the most common sex chromosomal abnormality in horses. The combination of clinical cytogenetic analysis and the use of PCR are the strongest tool to determine the chromosomal abnormality in the equine industry and the case H305 is a good example to support how these two different approaches compensate each other to generate a reliable diagnosis. Determination of genetic abnormalities using two techniques will help horse breeders and equine practitioners to make the most informed decisions about breeding plans.&#x0D;