Erica Jacquay, graduate student under Amanda Adams, PhD, MARS EQUESTRIANTM Fellow and associate professor at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center, was recently awarded support by MARS EQUESTRIAN for her research program.

Climate change and human alteration of the landscape are changing natural animal migration patterns. These changes can influence and alter wildlife migration patterns which in turn affects wildlife interaction with disease. This can fundamentally impact public and animal health. 

Heat and humidity are part of Kentucky’s summer weather landscape. The heat index (temperature + humidity) increases heat stress risk for horse owners and their horses. Unfortunately, for at least the next few days, high heat indices will keep the livestock heat stress index in the “danger” category during the afternoon and evening hours. The combination of high temperatures and humid air from the Gulf of Mexico can push heat indices well over the century mark, making it feel oppressive to be outside.

Obesity is on the rise, not only in humans and companion animals, but also in our beloved horses and ponies. In humans, dogs and cats, we hear the term diabetes mellitus; however, in the horse it is very rare to develop diabetes. Instead, equids of all ages can develop Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS).

Like many veterinary students, Dr. Addie Reinhard went from the protective environment of veterinary school into a clinical practice. She was not prepared for all the stress shifting to the professional world would bring, and it severely curtailed the joy she felt in taking care of people’s pets. 

Three scientists discuss genetic variation in horse breeds, why it’s important, and what we’ll learn from the Thoroughbred Genetic Diversity project.

The Female Equestrian Health and Wellness Network (FEHWN) aims to address holes in equestrian research and to deliver educational and outreach programs that help advance female equestrians across all disciplines as riders and as professionals.

The Equine Science Society (ESS) is internationally recognized as one of the preeminent equine scientific organizations. The ESS 2021 Virtual Symposium was attended by almost 400 individuals from 18 countries. The virtual platform represents a unique opportunity for individuals to view almost 160 scientific presentations, two keynote presentations, a workshop and live Q&A sessions at their leisure. Interested individuals can register for the Symposium until Aug. 2, and recordings are available for viewing until Sept. 3.

Liver disease in horses can occur due to many causes, including infectious agents, neoplasia and toxicants. Clinical signs are often nonspecific, and can include inappetence, depression, colic, weight loss, weakness, icterus (jaundice), yawning, head-pressing, abnormal behavior and coagulation abnormalities. Toxic agents can vary tremendously depending on an animal’s environment and geographic location. This article describes some of the hepatotoxicants (liver toxins) that affect horses in central Kentucky.

Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is the most significant equine herpesvirus in terms of equine health and economic impact to equine industries worldwide. EHV-1 is believed to have co-evolved with horses over millions of years. This co-evolutionary relationship resulted in the development of a life-long carrier state in a high percentage of infected horses. This involves viral latency (silent infection) of various sites (trigeminal ganglia in the central nervous system, respiratory lymphoid tissues, and CD3+ T lymphocytes in the blood). Latency ensures perpetuation of EHV-1 by serving as a virus reservoir for infection and dissemination in susceptible populations. It is no wonder that EHV-1 is ubiquitous in horse populations worldwide.

Until 1999, West Nile (WN) virus was unknown in the Western Hemisphere, much less the USA. In August of that year, the virus was identified in New York City and caused the deaths of seven persons from viral encephalitis. Coincidentally, the virus was also implicated in the death of birds in New York’s Bronx Zoo and crows in the precincts of the zoo.

University of Kentucky entomologists and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are asking Kentuckians to monitor their boxwoods for a potentially serious insect pest, the box tree moth. Boxwoods purchased this spring are at the highest risk for the moth.