Andrew F Clarke

Equine Connections

Biological samples are notoriously difficult to use within portable miniaturised devices, often due to complex sample matrices or variation between cellular samples. Herein we describe a device that utilises a correction based upon the total soluble cellular protein and absorbance measurements for the accurate quantification of cell number from equ...

Radiography is commonly used in clinical practice but agreement of reporting of radiographically detected orthopaedic findings in horses has rarely been studied. To assess agreement within and between observers for reporting of orthopaedic findings on pre-sale radiographs of Thoroughbred yearlings. Retrospective analysis of archived radiographs. Fo...

Objectives Describe the association between the purchase price of Thoroughbred yearlings sold in Australia and racing performance as 2- and 3-year-olds. Methods Race performance data of 2773 Thoroughbred yearlings sold at auction during 2003 were collected. Associations between purchase price and the probability of starting, the number of race star...

We aimed to identify common mistakes made when radiographing yearling sale horses. Radiographic examinations from repositories at eight yearling sales held in Australia in 2003 were assessed by one of four veterinary radiology specialists. Each radiographic examination consisted of a maximum of 34 radiographs. Each radiograph was assessed for error...

Risk factors for occult exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) are poorly defined or quantified. To investigate the importance of putative risk factors for EIPH amongst Thoroughbred racehorses in Australia. Tracheobronchoscopy was used to determine EIPH status of 744 Thoroughbred racehorses after flat racing in Melbourne, Australia. Horses w...

In rats the subcutaneous or intramuscular implantation of allogeneic demineralised bone matrix (DBM) induces host mesenchymal cells to undergo endochondral ossification. In normal rats this process adheres to a rigid timetable, cartilage being present by Day 7 and bone by Day 12. This technique was applied to horses. Demineralised bone matrix from...

Reasons for performing study: Research into risk factors specific for fatality in flat racing should be focused at a regional level as the risk factors may differ among countries and even regions within countries. Objective: To identify risk factors for fatality of Thoroughbred racehorses in flat starts on all racecourses in Victoria, Australia...

Research into risk factors specific for fatality in flat racing should be focused at a regional level as the risk factors may differ among countries and even regions within countries. To identify risk factors for fatality of Thoroughbred racehorses in flat starts on all racecourses in Victoria, Australia between 1989 and 2004. Fatalities comprised...

The purpose of this study was to determine if ginseng fed at low levels enhances a horse's antibody response to vaccination against Equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1). For 28 d, 5 horses received ground, powdered ginseng (35 mg/kg body weight, 1.7 mg/kg total ginsenosides) in molasses as a carrier, and 5 received molasses only. On day 14, each horse was v...

Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), known previously as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a debilitating respiratory condition that significantly contributes to lost training days and illness in racehorses. Herbs are becoming increasingly popular for the prophylaxis or treatment of the clinical signs of RAO despite a paucity of resea...

PURPOSE OF THE REPORT: 1) to investigate the ability of Tc-99m-tin fluoride colloid (Tc-99m TFC) to label equine and canine leukocytes in whole blood and measure cell viability, 2) to identify the distribution of radioactivity among blood components in horses, 3) to measure the labelling efficiency and cell viability in leukocyte-rich plasma (LRP)...

Determining the risk of fatality of Thoroughbred horses while racing is essential to assess the impact of intervention measures designed to minimise such fatalities. To measure the risk of racehorse fatality in jump and flat starts on racecourses in Victoria, Australia, over a 15 year period and to determine proportional mortality rates for specifi...

Little information is available regarding the prevalence of abnormalities of the upper airway and their association with performance in the general population of Thoroughbred racehorses. To describe the prevalence of selected abnormalities of the upper airway and their association with performance in Thoroughbred racehorses in Australia. That abnor...

To determine whether exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) was associated with racing performance inThoroughbred horses not medicated with furosemide and not using nasal dilator strips. Observational cross-sectional study. 744 two- to 10-year-old Thoroughbred horses racing in Melbourne, Australia. Horses were enrolled prior to racing, and a...

To determine the interobserver variability of assessment of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) during tracheobronchoscopic examination in horses. 747 Thoroughbred racehorses. Procedures-850 tracheobronchoscopic examinations were performed within 2 hours of racing for the horses. Examinations were recorded on videotape, and EIPH and its se...

Five of 10 pregnant, lactating mares, each with a foal at foot, developed neurological disease. Three of them became recumbent, developed complications and were euthanased; of the two that survived, one aborted an equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1)-positive fetus 68 days after the first signs were observed in the index case and the other gave birth...

The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) supplementation on the skin test response of atopic horses. Six horses that displayed a positive skin test for allergy to extract from Culicoides sp. participated in the 42-day, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial. Results showed that supplementati...

This study was undertaken to compile new data on the efficacy of Echinacea in stimulating the immune system of the horse. Use of Echinacea is becoming widespread in horses, despite an absence of controlled laboratory research into its effectiveness or safety. This paper documents results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial inves...

The levels of selected mycotoxins and mold contamination of Ontario field-dried hay from 10 performance horse farms were examined. The farm owner, trainer or manager was questioned regarding their opinion of the quality of the hay. Half of the hay sampled showed potentially significant levels of mycotoxins, mold and actinomycete contamination. Subj...

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints that affects a great number of horses, and accounts for a considerable eco- nomic burden on the industry. The condition is typically treated with NSAIDs and steroids, but these treatments may elicit negative side-ef- fects when used over the long-term. Herbal remedies have increased in populari...

This study quantifies and compares levels of airborne particles associated with feeding five different forage products. The products include dry and soaked hay, a complete pelleted feed, alfalfa cubes and an ensiled haylage product. Dry hay generated significantly more dust than the other forage products. Soaked hay generated fewer particles in the...

Sera from 54 two- to three-year-old Thoroughbred horses from an English racing stable were examined for precipitins to antigen extracts prepared from 18 species of moulds (fungi and thermophilic actinomycetes) isolated from the same stable. Twenty-seven horses exhibited serum precipitins to one or more antigens; sixteen of the mould antigens elicit...

The relationship between air hygiene within two types of identically managed horse housing and the incidence of covert respiratory disease (as revealed by endoscopic examination) of their inhabitants was assessed. The horses were all under the supervision of the same trainer. In one yard the design ensured the boxes were well ventilated in still ai...

This paper describes and compares three techniques of categorisation of hay, straw and other feeds and beddings collected from stables. A hand-held sampler was used to categorise samples according to the presence of plant material, fungal spores and dust mites. An Andersen sampler was used to categorise samples according to the thermotolerances of...

The concentration of fungal spores, the main constituents of respirable dust in stables, is determined by rates of release from fodder and bedding and rate of clearance, principally by ventilation. This paper outlines the principles that govern the application of natural ventilation to the control of air hygiene in barns and individual boxes for ho...

The design of 96 racehorse stables in the south west of England were surveyed. The 'typical' racehorse is kept in a loose box, bedded on straw and remains indoors while the stable is cleaned. It is given a floor area of 12 m2 and shares its airspace of 39 m3 with seven other horses. Overall, the predicted minimum rate of air change by natural conve...

This paper reviews the environmental and host factors which interact to affect the incidence and severity of episodes of respiratory disease in stabled horses. The folly of accepting housing criteria and management practices for the horse, based on direct extrapolations from intensive housing of meat producing animals, is discussed. The factors whi...

BLDSC reference no.: DX73665/87. Thesis (doctoral)--University of Bristol, 1986.

Exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) is a condition of uncertain aetiology. This article reviews the evidence relating to its incidence, clinical findings, radiological observations, histopathology and certain aspects of respiratory physiology. It is proposed that EIPH is primarily caused by mechanical stress in the dorsocaudal region of t...

The focus of this article is lower airway disease and its relationship to poor air quality. We will take a journey through the horse's lungs and examine their various challenges. There have been several exciting developments recently which have changed our understanding of and approaches to dealing with respiratory problems in horses. On the broade...