Aspergillus spp. may induce equine respiratory infections such as fungal pneumonia, guttural pouch mycosis, and systemic infection in immunocompromised individuals. This study describes a case of probable respiratory aspergillosis in a horse presenting clinical signs of the upper airway disease different from those previously reported. Nasopharyngeal swabs and guttural pouch centesis were performed, and Aspergillus flavus was isolated and identified. Following 30 days of pharmaceutical treatment with itraconazole, clinical signs resolved. Results suggested that aspergillosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of upper airway infections, guttural pouch centesis may be useful to make a correct diagnosis, and itraconazole is efficacious in the treatment of A flavus infection.

Natural Horsemanship is popular among many amateur and professional trainers and as such, has been the subject of recent scientific enquiry. One method commonly adopted by Natural Horsemanship (NH) trainers is that of round pen training (RPT). RPT sessions are usually split into a series of bouts; each including two phases: chasing/flight and chasing offset/flight offset. However, NH training styles are heterogeneous. This study investigated online videos of RPT to explore the characteristics of RPT sessions and test for differences in techniques and outcomes between amateurs and professionals (the latter being defined as those with accompanying online materials that promote clinics, merchandise or a service to the public). From more than 300 candidate videos, we selected sample files for individual amateur (n = 24) and professional (n = 21) trainers. Inclusion criteria were: training at liberty in a Round Pen; more than one bout and good quality video. Sessions or portions of sessions were excluded if the trainer attached equipment, such as a lunge line, directly to the horse or the horse was saddled, mounted or ridden. The number of bouts and duration of each chasing and non-chasing phase were recorded, and the duration of each RPT session was calculated. General weighted regression analysis revealed that, when compared with amateurs, professionals showed fewer arm movements per bout (p<0.05). Poisson regression analysis showed that professionals spent more time looking up at their horses, when transitioning between gaits, than amateurs did (p<0.05). The probability of horses following the trainer was not significantly associated with amount of chasing, regardless of category. Given that, according to some practitioners, the following response is a goal of RPT, this result may prompt caution in those inclined to give chase. The horses handled by professionals showed fewer conflict behaviours (e.g. kicking, biting, stomping, head-tossing, defecating, bucking and attempting to escape), and fewer oral and head movements (e.g. head-lowering, licking and chewing) than those horses handled by amateurs Overall, these findings highlight the need for selectivity when using the internet as an educational source and the importance of trainer skill and excellent timing when using negative reinforcement in horse training.

Cinquanta cavalli da Tiro Pesante Rapido, alleva- ti in modo semibrado, presentavano eccessivo dimagrimento; di questi 4 erano deceduti e 10 si presentavano letargici. Una fattrice ed il suo re- do giacevano in decubito laterale, avevano fre- quenza respiratoria e cardiaca aumentate, mu- cose pallide e occasionali manifestazioni convul- sive. L’esame ematologico ed il profilo biochimi- co evidenziavano anemia, ipoalbuminemia, ipo- creatininemia, iperuremia, disequilibrio elettroli- tico ed assenza di emoparassiti. Nonostante una fluidoterapia disintossicante (80 ml/kg/die) con glucosio ed epatoprotettori non si evidenziava- no miglioramenti visibili e, dopo 48 ore, si ese- guiva l’eutanasia. All’esame necroscopico si os- servavano: edema polmonare, enterite catarrale con diffuse petecchie emorragiche, presenza di essudato in peritoneo, fegato ingrossato, induri- to e con piccole aree di necrosi, rene iperemico e allargamento della pelvi. Attraverso l’esame chimico dei campioni epati- ci e renali è stato possibile rilevare la presenza del metabolita dell’erbicida paraquat (N,N’-di- metill-4,4’-bipiridinio dicloruro) in concentra- zioni di 0,23 mg/l ed al successivo controllo del pascolo si rilevava una vasta area trattata. Il pa- raquat è un composto inodore che non altera subito le caratteristiche organolettiche della pianta, altamente tossico per gli equini. Il resto della mandria è stato tenuto a regime stallino e trattato con disintossicanti (colina, metionina, trimetilglicina e silimarina) e antios- sidanti (vitamina C ed E) per via orale. Al follow up a 15 giorni si evidenziava un quadro clinico normale degli animali e a 2 mesi la loro com- pleta guarigione e il raggiungimento di un Body Condition Score (BCS) pari a 3. Questo articolo è una segnalazione di un caso clinico di intossicazione da paraquat, la cui uni- ca via di prevenzione sembra essere il control- lo della materia prima: ovvero dei pascoli.

Artificial feeding of foals is rarely practiced other than for raising orphans. This study investigated the effects of an artificial feeding system on the growth and welfare of a group of "Cavallo Agricolo Italian da Tiro Pesante Rapido" foals (n = 12). A viable artificial rearing method could allow for the commercial supply of mare's milk for cosmetic or pediatric purposes. Six foals were maintained on an artificial suckling (AS) regimen using a modified bovine milk replacer, and 6 remained with their dams (control group, naturally suckled [NS]). Housing and management was identical for both groups. During the 6-month trial, the foals were weighed every 3 weeks from 4 days of age, and their daily weight gains were calculated. Foals were directly observed for 6 separate 24-hour periods at 4, 10, 47, 114, 142, and 176 days of age, and an ethogram was compiled from the observed behaviors (resting, social, alimentary, and eliminative). All data were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis. At 4 days of age, the behavior of the AS foals was significantly different from that of the control group foals in that they stood up for longer duration (530 vs. 174 minutes, P < 0.01), performed fewer suckling bouts (P < 0.01), and did not play (P < 0.01) or lick (P < 0.05). AS foals were more aggressive and cross-suckled more (P < 0.01) at 10 days of age than at the first observation period. After weaning, AS foals ate more concentrate and less hay than the control group foals (P < 0.01). However, at the end of the trial, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of weight (AS vs. NS [mean +/- standard deviation]: 350 +/- 15 vs. 360 +/- 20 kg, P = 0.34) and daily weight gains (1630 +/- 370 vs. 1600 +/- 310 g/d, P = 0.88). Artificial suckling techniques could be applied to Cavallo Agricolo Italian da Tiro Pesante Rapido foals, without negative effects on growth and welfare during the first 6 months of life. In fact, after an initial adaptation period, the AS foals did not exhibit any abnormal behavior or behavioral differences compared with NS foals. Further studies are required to improve this rearing technique, which could facilitate the efficient raising of orphan foals and/or marketing equine milk. Additional research would enable the effects of this rearing technique on the long-term growth, behavior, and health of the foals. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

In beef and dairy cattle the estrus cycle affects endocrine, ovarian, and behavioral events and detection of estrus by behavioral parameters is well assessed (Roelofs et al 2010). Female dromedary camels are seasonal breeders and induced ovulators, in which four follicular phases have been distinguished: recruitment, growth, mature and regressing (Skidmore 2011). Currently, little data has been published about estrus behavior in the she- camel. Recent rapid development in using assisted reproductive techniques to enhance dromedary reproduction makes urgent the detection of estrus in this species. The aim of this study was to relate different reproductive phases with observed behaviors which she-camels showed in presence of a male, and to identify behavioral indicators for the mature phase of estrus. Twenty-four healthy adult non-pregnant and non-lactating females were used. Two days prior to initiating the study, all received 789 µg Cloprostenol (Estrumate®, Agro-pharm Inc., Canada) intramuscularly (i.m.). Each animal was examined once a week over a three week period and was checked by manual gynecological examination, and its reproductive system was ultrasonographically scanned. Camels bearing mature preovulatory follicles (diameter >13 mm, Ismail et al 2007) were treated i.m. with 20 µg gonadorelin (Fertagyl®, Intervet, Germany) to induce ovulation, and ensure the presence of corpora lutea in the subsequent week. Immediately following examination sessions, each female was freely exposed to a restrained bull, and its behaviors recorded using a video camera. The videos were analyzed though a scan sampling ethogram (States: looking at the male; looking outside; standing; walking; searching; male interaction; lying down; Events: sniffing; interaction with the male; urination; defecation; sound emission). A score for tail position ("tail score": 1= close to the vulva, 2= horizontal, 3= vertical) and for interest in the bull ("male time score": from 1 to 5; 1=less than 20% of observation period spent near the bull; 5= more than 80%), were recorded. Dromedary females were considered "in estrus" when there was at least one >13 mm pre-ovulatory follicle, and "not in estrus" when growing follicles or corpora lutea were detected (Basioni 2007). All data were analyzed using a General Linear Model procedure (SAS 2007) where the independent variable was the physiological status (estrus/not in estrus) and the behavioral data were dependant variables. The main significant effect of “estrus” reproductive status (Table 1) was the increased curiosity in the male, particularly, increased duration (P = 0.009) and frequency (P = 0.0004) in male interaction, and spending more time close to the male (P < 0.0001). From this data, it seems that the interest in the male may be a good behavioral indicator of mature phase in the she-camel: the dam looks for and interacts with the male, sniffs around more, spends more time in standing quite near the male and increases tendency to lie down in front of him. Increased curiosity, searching out, looking at, and standing close to the male are reported as estrus behavioral indicators in sheep (Banks 1964). Detection of mature ovarian phase by behavioral indicators to improve timing to perform mating or artificial insemination may have profound implication for enhanced fertility in the dromedary camel (Manjunatha et al 2012), thus our data is a first step in this new and emergent research area. Table 1. Effect of reproductive status (estrus/not estrus) on the duration (sec) and the frequency (n/15 min) of the studied behavioral states and events. Data are expressed

This study aimed to document the effects of an eight hour journey on behavioural, clinical, haematological, environmental and respiratory parameters, and to identify possible associations between factors. Twelve horses underwent clinical examination, respiratory endoscopy with tracheal wash (TW) aspiration, and collection of venous and arterial blood before (BJ) and after the journey (AJ). TW were submitted for conventional quantitative bacteriological evaluation and genetic microbiome analyses. Behaviour was assessed in stables prior to transportation and throughout the journey. Transportation caused mild, but significant, effects on fluid and electrolyte balance and an acute phase response, characterized by neutrophilia, hyperfibrinogenaemia and hyperglobulinaemia. The proportion of neutrophils in TW, tracheal mucus and TW bacterial concentration was increased AJ, with preferential replication of Pasteurellaceae. Horse behaviour en route predicted clinical and respiratory outcomes. The frequency of stress related behaviours was greatest in the first hour of the journey, and balance-related behaviours were most common in the final hour of the journey. Horses which lowered their heads less frequently en route and showed more stress-related behaviours had higher physiological stress (serum cortisol and heart rate on arrival), increased tracheal mucus and inflammation scores, and higher TW bacterial concentration AJ (P<0.05). Six horses with abnormal lung auscultation AJ proved to have had higher tracheal inflammation scores at preloading (P = 0.017), an overall higher concentration of bacteria in their TW (P = 0.013), and an increased percentage of neutrophils in TW at five days AJ (P = 0.003) in comparison to the other horses. While transport-related health problems are multifactorial, clinical examination, including auscultation and endoscopic inspection of the lower respiratory tract before and after journey, and behavioural observation en route may identify animals at increased risk of transport associated respiratory disease.

The Australian and the European Animal Transportation Codes allow the transportation of horses without offering water for a maximum of 24 and 8 hours, respectively. This study aimed to document the effects of an 8 hour transportation event, devoid of water and feed, on physiological and metabolic parameters in horses. A total of 12 horses were transported in two identical transport events on different days (n=6 in each) for 8 hours around the Riverina district of NSW in a commercial truck without water and feed for the duration of travel. Arterial and venous blood samples were collected prior to transport (T0), at unloading (T1), and 24 hours after the trip (T2). At the same time points, body temperature, heart and respiratory rate were recorded. All data were analyzed by regression analysis using the mixed procedure of SAS, using time (T0, T1, T2) as a predictor variable and horse and day as random factors. Table 1 shows significant relationships generated by the regression analysis. There was no effect of the journey on pH, PaCO2, PaO2, SO2, AST, sodium, or reactive oxygen metabolites. Table 1. The means squared of the studied parameters at the different time points. Differing superscripts within rows indicate significant difference (A,B:P<0.01; a,b: P<0.05) (Tukey-Kramer test) Parameter Preloading (T0) Unloading (T1) One day after (T2) Standard error K+ (mmol/L) 3.94 Aa 3.48 B 4.23 Ab 0.08 Ca++ (mmol/L) 1.51 Aa 1.42 B 1.58 Ab 0.02 glucose (mmol/L) 5.24 A 6.71 B 6.10 C 0.30 lactate (mmol/L) 0.51 Aa 0.77 b 0.81 B 0.09 HCT (%) 35.34a 31.97 Bb 38.34 A 1.65 HCO3- (mmol/L) 31.68 a 29.51 b 31.25 a 0.51 HCO3std (mmol/L) 32.09 a 29.94 b 31.79 a 0.79 TCO2 (mmol/L) 33.53 a 31.30 b 33.18 0.83 BEecf (mmol/L) 8.00 A 5.76 B 7.91 A 0.74 BE(B) (mmol/L) 6.80 A 5.16 B 7.00 A 0.53 THb (g/L) 109.47 a 99.10 Bb 117.26A 5.67 T (°C) 37.52A 37.96B 37.54A 0.18 HR (beat/min) 34.80A 43.34B 36.44A 1.45 RR (breath/min) 13.19a 19.01Bb 12.10A 2.08 Total Protein (g/L) 65.09 A 69.63B 68.27B 1.37 Albumin (g/L) 28.18A 30.27B 29.72B 0.68 CK (UI/L) 248.82a 291.45b 292.55b 12.06 PAT (Ucorr) 2543.55a 2732.91Bb 2422.36Aa 80.28 Cortisol 5.26Aa 6.65Ab 2.97B 0.37 Transportation for 8 hours was associated with mild but significant effects on fluid and electrolyte balance, muscle enzymes, and mobilization of antioxidants, without causing metabolic acidosis or alkalosis. Further studies to evaluate frequency of rest and access to water and feed during transport are required to evaluate the need to update the current Australian equine transport code.

Dromedary camel husbandry has recently been evolving towards a semi-intensive system, due to the changes in use of the animal and the settlement of nomadic populations. Captivity could restrict its social activities, limiting the expression of various behavioural needs and causing the manifestation of stereotypy. The aims of this trial were, firstly, to identify and describe some stereotypical behaviours in captive male dromedary camels used for artificial insemination and, secondly, to study the effects on them of the following husbandry management systems: i) housing in single boxes for 24 hours (H24), ii) housing in single boxes for 23 hours with one hour free in the paddock (H23), and iii) housing in single boxes for 22 hours 30 min with 1 h of paddock time and 30 min exposure to a female camel herd (ExF). Every day, the camels were filmed in their single box in the morning for 30 minutes to record their behavioural activities and a focal animal sampling ethogram was filled in. In this study, male camels showed both oral and locomotor stereotypy most frequently when the bulls were reared in H24. Overall, this preliminary study is a starting point in the identification of stereotypies in male camels, reporting the positive effects of spending one hour outdoor and of social interaction with females.

Natural Horsemanship (NH) is popular among many amateur and professional trainers and its deployment of round pen training (RPT) has been the subject of recent scientific enquiry. RPT sessions are usually split into a series of bouts; each including two phases: chasing/flight and chasing offset/flight offset. However, NH training styles are heterogeneous. This study investigated online videos of RPT to explore the characteristics of RPT sessions and test for differences in techniques and outcomes between amateurs and professionals (as defined by accompanying online materials that promoted clinics, merchandise or a service to the public). From more than 300 candidate videos, we selected sample files for amateur (n=24) and professional (n=21) trainers. Inclusion criteria were: training at liberty in a RP; more than one bout and good quality video. Sessions or portions of sessions were excluded if the trainer attached equipment such as a lunge line directly to the horse or the horse was saddled, mounted or ridden. The number of bouts and duration of each chasing and non-chasing phase were recorded, and the duration of each RPT session was calculated. Poisson regression analysis showed that professionals spent more time looking at their horses, when transitioning between gaits, than amateurs did (p<0.05). The probability of horses following the trainer was not significantly associated with amount of chasing, regardless of category. Given that, according to some practitioners, the following response is a goal of RPT, this result may prompt caution in those inclined to give chase. The horses handled by professionals showed fewer conflict behaviours (eg kicking, biting, stomping, head tossing, defecating, bucking and attempting to escape), notably at the canter and gallop (p<0.05). In contrast, those handled by professionals exhibited fewer so-called submissive behaviours (eg head lowering, licking and chewing) than those handled by amateurs (p<0.05). In essence, these data show that conflict behaviors are more likely in horses showing so-called submission. One possible explanation is that horses in conflict were being chased unnecessarily and were having pressure applied persistently. These findings mirror those in ridden horses and highlight the importance of excellent timing when using negative reinforcement. LP: RPT sessions usually involve a series of bouts. Each bout includes two phases: chasing and chasing offset. To safeguard horse welfare, chasing must be minimized and triggered only with subtle cues. This study shows that professional RP trainers use generally less chasing. All horse trainers need to appreciate that RPT obeys the laws of learning theory. Acceptable use of aversive pressure is characterized by its timely cessation; the process known as negative reinforcement.

Camel management has been changing in recent years from an extensive to a semi-intensive or intensive system, particularly for breeding bulls and dairy dromedary camels. Captivity may affect animal welfare, and low libido is the major complaint for housed breeding bulls. Since welfare status could also affect reproductive performance, the aim of this study was to evaluate different management practices on behavior, particularly on sexual behavior, and to identify some behavioral needs of male dromedary camels reared for semen collection. The effects of the following management systems on their behavior were compared: i) traditional: housing in a single stall for 24 hours (H24), ii) housing in a single stall for 23 hours with one hour free in the paddock (H23) and iii) housing in a single stall for 22 hours and 30 min with 1 h paddock time and 30 min exposure to a female camel herd (ExF). During the trial, blood cortisol concentrations were assessed and camels were filmed daily for thirty minutes in the mornings and during a female passage in the evenings. Videos were analyzed in order to fill out a focal sampling ethogram and to score sexual behavior. As a result, there were no differences between the H24 and H23 systems, whereas ExF had a significant positive impact on their sexual behavior score and behavioral repertoire, further reducing cortisol levels. Overall, it seems that male dromedary camel welfare status improves when their behavioral needs for social interaction and movement are satisfied.

A proliferation of literature has investigated the effect of road transport in farm animals (Stockman et al., 2013). In horses loading is a critical point of transportation, often causing injures both to horses or owners and wasting time (Ferguson and Rosalez Luis, 2001). Loading is considered a mental stress in horses (Waran and Cuddeford, 1995). Horses have to leave a familiar environment and herd. They often have a negative association with the truck: a long period of isolation, no possibility of escape, and racing or competition after unloading (Slater and Dymond, 2011). Studies on transport stress are adequate but those about only loading procedures are few and need replication (Shanahan, 2003). The aim of this work was to investigate the effects that loading, short isolation in the truck and unloading without a travel experience had on physiological and behavioral parameters after many repetitions. Fourteen Quarter Horses, accustomed to travel, homogeneous for live weight (500 ± 25 kg), body condition score (3 ± 0.25 arbitrary units; Martin-Rosset, 1990) and age (6 ± 1 years), were recruited in this study. Each animal was loaded into the truck, without any reinforcements or punishments, spent one minute inside (tied parallel to the direction of travel), unloaded and returned to its box stall. The experiment was repeated 12 times. All animals were tested on the same day once weekly over 12 weeks. The horses were examined at rest in their stalls (Time I), after loading (Time II) and after unloading (Time III). Each examination included the registration of heart rate (HR) by Heart Monitor (Polar) and respiratory rate (RR) by the observation of chest-wall movements. At Time I and III blood samples were collected by venopuncture to assess cortisol level, PCV and total protein. All phases were recorded by video camera to score the horse behavior. A group of ten persons marked the horses during loading, isolation and unloading applying a behavioral score (BS) from 1 (relaxed) to 5 (refusal to load). Maximal time for loading was set at 5 minutes.. General Linear Model analysis for repeated measures revealed differences in the HR and RR over the experimental period and in PCV and cortisol between rest and after unloading (Table 1). The BS was also significantly different among the different transport phases (loading (1.96±1.35) and unloading (1.79±0.78) vs short isolation (1.38±0.56); F=12.91; P<0.001). Our data confirmed that horses were under stress by loading into a truck. They released adrenaline that caused the significant increase of HR, RR and PCV. Cortisol level also showed an upward trend, which is typical after a stressful situation. We suggest that loading into the truck is still a fearful experience after 12 repetitions, so this event requires appropriate management even in horses well trained and accustomed to transport. Further studies are needed in this field to develop new methods of loading procedure to reduce stress and safeguard horses’ welfare.

Tellington method (T-Touch®) is usually practiced in equine field, with the goal to improve equine welfare and the relationship between rider and his horse. For our knowledge this is the first scientific work on this topic. The effects of T-Touch® on the behavior of 20 saddle horses (aged 6-18 years) were investigated; no subjects had previously experience with this technique. Horses were studied in 3 situations lasting 20 minutes each: T-Touch, massage/petting (M/P), resting (R). All phases were recorded by a video-camera. The frequency of following behaviors were scored: autogrooming, deep breathing, relaxing of the neck, kicking, pawing, licking/chewing, head tossing, biting and lateral/forward/ backward movements. The videos were analyzed by 10 persons, 5 Scientifics and 5 not, using a Behavioral Score (BS) from 1 (highly negative response) to 5 (highly positive response). GLM analyses for repeated measures revealed a significant main effect of the following behaviors: autogrooming F(2,38)=9.016, P&lt;0.01; deep breathing F(2,38)=4.01, P=0.02; neck relaxing F(2,38)=12.904, P&lt;0.01; F(2,38)=9.016, P&lt;0.01; kicking F(2,38)=3.301, P=0.04; pawing F(2,38)=4.594, P=0.01 and licking F(2,38)=3.715, P=0.03. Post-hoc analyses (Fisher’s Protected LSD) revealed that autogrooming and neck relaxing behaviors were higher during T-Touch than R (P&lt;0.01) and M/P (P&lt;0.05); in addition, pawing occurrence was higher during R respect to M/P (P&lt;0.05) while kicking frequency was higher during M/P respect to R (P&lt;0.05). Finally, the highest frequency of licking was achieved during R (P&lt;0.05) and the lowest frequency of deep breathing was measured during M/P (M/P vs T-Touch P&lt;0.01; M/P vs R P&lt;0.05). Regarding the BS, results clearly showed that horses appeared more relaxed during the T-Touch procedure respect to massage/petting (t(18)=7.742, P&lt;0.00). In general our results showed that T-Touch® was positively accepted by saddle horses without eliciting any aggressive behavioral responses. Further studies need to deeply understand the effects of T-Touch on endocrinal and physiological parameters too. Lay Persons Message During T-Touch horses didn’t show any aggressive behaviors and showed more relaxing of the neck, deep breathing and autogrooming compared with the petting and the resting situations, so this massage technique could improve equine welfare and rider-horse relationship.

The optimization of the semen collection procedure and the extension of the breeding season are important issues for improve camel reproductive management. GnRH treatment has been suggested to increase male libido in many species, but achieved results are still conflicting in dromedary camels. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of a single GnRH analogue dose (100 μg of gonadorelin, Fertagyl®) on testosterone level, behavioral and semen parameters. The same camel bulls (n=5) were used as control (C) and experimental (E) group, and the GnRH was administered trice every 48 hours. Blood samples were collected by catheter every 20 minutes, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (T0 - T12) and semen collection procedures started soon after sampling. GnRH did not affect the testosterone basal level (T0, C vs E: 3.0±0.8 vs 3.5±0.9 ng/ml; P=0.94) and no effect of the repetition, was assessed (P=0.41). Testosterone level showed an upward trend only in treated animals, became statistically significant after 1 hour (T3, C vs E: 2.7±0.7 vs 8.8±2.6 ng/ml; P=0.02), peaking after 140 minutes (T7, C vs E: 2.8±1.8 vs 11.9±3.8 ng/ml; P=0.007), and then slowly decreasing (T12: C vs E: 3.6±1.1 vs 8.7±1.6 ng/ml; P=0.02). During the semen collection procedures the bulls showed a tendency increase in libido, reporting a significant rise in sperm concentration (C vs E: 1085.18±139.6 vs 491.26±139.6 106/ml; P=0.02). From our data, the tested GnRH therapy may be suggested to enhance dromedary male’s libido and probably the optimal time window to collected semen should be between 2 and 3 hours after its administration. So, GnRH effects on behavioral and seminal parameters need to be ascertained with further investigations during more appropriate timing.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different transport positions on some physiological parameters in racehorses and their behavior patterns during and after the journey. Twelve horses made 3-hour journeys of 200 km on the same route, with the same driver, and in 3 different positions: facing forward, backward, and sideways in relation to the direction of travel. Physiological and behavioral parameters were registered before, during, and after the journey. Horses were checked at 5 different times: at rest (TO), at loading (T1), at unloading (T2), and at 2 (T3) and 4 (T4) hours after return from the journey. At each check, heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were measured and blood samples were collected by jugular vein puncture to assess cortisol, packed cell volume, total protein, albumin, glucose, creatinine, triglycerides, cholesterol, urea, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, phosphorus, and chlorine. Loading and unloading were filmed. Behavioral patterns were recorded by direct observation, during the travel, 2 and 4 hours after arrival in a new stall. The same parameters were recorded at the same times (excluding loading and unloading) in a control group that did not travel. All data were analyzed using a repeated-measures analysis (analysis of variance). Loading produced an increase of heart rate and packed cell volume in comparison with rest values. Horses facing in the direction of travel during journey made fewer forward, backward, and sideways movements than others, whereas horses traveling sideways lost their balance and touched the stall rails less frequently. Highest serum cortisol concentration value was recorded soon after unloading horses that had faced in the direction of travel (P < 0.01). Two hours after return, horses that had traveled sideways revealed an increase of creatine kinase (P < 0.01). The traveling position in the vehicle did not appear to affect postjourney behavior. In comparison with the control group, the horses that had traveled consumed concentrate faster, spent more time eating hay, and drank more frequently in the first 2 hours after return from the journey. Front-facing position led to an increase in serum cortisol concentration, whereas the sideways position caused some muscular tension, which disappeared 4 hours after the journey. Although facing backward was the travel position that provoked the greatest number of horses' movements, it did not have a negative effect on physiological and behavioral parameters during and after the journey. We concluded that for Standardbred trotters accustomed to travel, the latter may be the less stressful position during a 200-km transport. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Camels are seasonal breeders, and their sexual behavior is influenced by environmental conditions, but the relationship between climatic factors and sexual behavior has been poorly described in the available literature. Nowadays, the male camel living habit is shifting towards captivity; thus, this study was carried out to evaluate the sexual behavior of housed male dromedary camel through female’s parades and to correlate it with climatic parameters. Four housed sires, reared for semen collection, and one dam were used and the trial lasted 8 weeks, considering the first week as control. Six days per week and during evenings, the female was brought near each males’ boxes, while two observers filled a behavioral sampling ethogram and scored the male sexual behavior. After this parade, blood samples were taken from the female to evaluate the estradiol concentration. In addition, the following meteorological parameters were recorded, everyday, at 9:00 a.m. and 19:00 p.m.: pressure, wind, temperature, humidity, and H-index. The correlation between sexual behavioral score and female estradiol concentration and climate parameters was analyzed. All the behavioral parameters showed a significant upward trend; female estradiol concentration varied during the period and picked at week 5. Male sexual behavior was negatively correlated with morning H-index, wind, and temperature, and positively correlated with pressure and evening humidity, whereas it was not correlated with estrogen. In conclusion, female parade was a successful method to evaluate and stimulate the occurrence of housed male dromedary camel sexual activity that resulted to be negatively affected by hot temperature, warm wind, and lack of rain.

The influence of race-category (2 years, 3 years, 4 years old horses and "5 years old and more" horses) on haematological parameters in Standardbred Trotters trained in Puglia was studied. The research's duration was one year and a blood sample was collected, a week after the last race, from 75 health Trotters with good records. The datum acquired were studied to show statistical difference on the basis of race-category and the mean values were compared with normal range reported in bibliography for "warm blood horses".The category of "2 years old horses" showed packed cells volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) lower and alkaline phosphatase (AP), calcium and phosphorus higher than other race-category. "3 years old horses" category showed maximal value of leukocytes, alpha and gamma globulins. Values of "4 years old horses" category were always in normal range. The race-category of "5 years old and more horses" showed maximal value for MCV, MCH and bilirubin. Horses trained in Puglia showed light dehydration and creatinine and muscular enzymes higher of normal resting serum biochemistry. We thing that it is in proportion to their feeding, training and race-frequency.

Transport-related problem behaviours (TRPB) in horses are an animal welfare concern and many training methods in loading/travelling have been recommended to reduce their incidence. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of TRPB and training methods in Australia, and to identify risks for, and consequences of TRPB. An online survey was conducted and respondents reported whether and how they trained horses for loading/travelling. They were also asked whether their horses suffered from transport-related problem behaviours or injuries, the industry sector in which they participated, and details of the vehicle used for transport. TRPB were classified into: preloading (PLPB), loading (LPB), travelling (TPB) and unloading (UPB). Training methods were classified into: operant conditioning (OC), self-loading (SL), habituation (H) and no training (NT). TRPB were reported by 38.0% of respondents, mainly at loading and travelling. While 43.5% of respondents did not train their horses, OC, H and SL were applied by 25.5%, 20.2% and 10.8%, respectively. In 98% of cases, OC was applied by negative reinforcement/positive punishment. Training method was identified as a risk factor for all types of TRPB: their odds were higher in horses trained by OC and NT compared to SL and H. Racing horses were at high risk of TPB (P<0.001). Two-horse straight float were associated with a higher risk of PLPB (P=0.018) and LPB (P=0.007) and injuries (P=0.022). While loading and travelling problems were a risk factor for transport-related injuries, H and SL reduced this risk. These training approaches are recommended to safeguard horse welfare during transport

Evidence for behavioural and brain lateralisation is now widespread among the animal kingdom. Handedness, i.e. the preferential use of one hand at the population level, is a prominent manifestation of brain lateralisation in humans; however, lateralisation of limb use (pawedness) occurs in several mammals including both feral and domestic horses. We investigated limb preferences in 14 Quarter Horse during different motor tasks (walking, stepping on and off a step, truck loading and unloading). Population lateralisation was observed in two tasks: horses preferentially used their left forelimb during truck loading and stepping off a step. The results also revealed that horses showed higher scores for anxious behaviours during truck loading suggesting that the use of the left forelimb in this task may reflect the main role of the right hemisphere in control of behaviour during stressful situation.

The present article reviews male camel behavior and breeding management strategies, providing an insight into the handling procedures and the most relevant welfare issues on these topics. Furthermore, it suggests some procedures for rearing, handling and collecting semen from camel bulls, based on results that have been achieved in the last twenty years and, recently, literature published with the aim of optimizing dromedary camel breeding. Camels are seasonal breeders and their breeding season (BS) is confined to the coolest winter months of the year; during the BS, also called “rutting period” or "rut", males exhibit morphological, behavioral and endocrinological peculiarities. Short breeding season, low libido and high aggressiveness are still some of the major cause of economic loss, poor reproductive performance and injuries, for camel breeding and industry. The application of ethology to approach, to train and to study camel bulls may be useful in the future to improve camel welfare and productive performances. Strong knowledge of animal learning and correct management procedure could be useful for camel technicians, owners, breeders, but also for veterinarians and others scientists.

Hematology may provide information about health states, performance, and fitness in horses. Hematologic data are available for horses in general, but they are mainly referred to Thoroughbred horses reared in their native English countries. Based on the assumption that age, sex, and management, as well as geographical location of the breeding sites may affect hematologic values, this study focused on the hematology of Standardbred trotters reared in southern Italy. Blood samples were collected from 100 apparently healthy trotters, reared in different horse stables. Hematologic parameters were screened, and microscopic evaluation for parasites in the red cells was performed. Descriptive statistics were estimated for the hematologic data, and variance analysis was performed by the general linear model procedure, including adjustment for gender and age. Standardbred trotters reared in southern Italy showed some peculiarities in their hematology compared with reference values. Young racing trotters (aged 3 and 4 years) reported a mean corpuscular volume value lower than other age categories and reference ranges; therefore, a less intensive training and a balanced nutritional plan were suggested to improve their welfare and performance. In conclusion, this study provides new reference values useful for veterinarians and equine technicians. © 2014 Elsevier Inc.

It is generally acknowledged that hematology may provide information about disease states, performance problems, but also about equine welfare and fitness in race horses. Hematologic data are available for horses in general, but most of them are referred to thourghbred horses reared in their native English countries. Based on the assumption that age, sex, management, as well as and the geographical location of the breeding sites may affect the results of hematologic values, this study focused the attention on standarbred trotters reared in Italy; then a trial protocol was established to check the amount of variation in the hematologic parameters and to calculate their reference intervals. Blood samples were collected from 100 healthy trotters, reared in different horse stables in Southern Italy. Hematologic parameters were screened and microscopic search for the parasites in the red cells was performed. Descriptive statistics were estimated for the hematologic data. In addition, variance analysis was performed by the GLM procedure including adjustment for gender and age. The results indicate that standarbred trotters reared in Italy, when compared with normal blood values for horse in the literature, appear to be characterized by erythrocytes which are more in number, but smaller in size and lower in Hb content. Particularly, our average MCV and MCH are of 42 ± 2.62 fl and 15.50 ± 0.91 pg, while normal range reported in references are MCV=46.1 ± 4.0 fl and MCH=16.3 ± 1.4 pg. Moreover in the present study, MCV was bigger in males than in females (42.42 vs 40, 79 fl; P=0.02) while MCHC was lower (36.87 vs 37.18 g/dl; P=0.04) and the effect of age was significant for RBC (P=0.0005), MCV (&lt;0.0001) and MCH (&lt;0.0001). Three years old trotters, in particular, reported higher number of RBC, but with lower MCV and MCH respect to adult horses (aged from 5 to 10 years). Conclusively this study provides new reference values useful for veterinarians and equine technicians practicing in Italy, to assess the welfare status of healthy trotters

Lateralization in Horses, Equus Caballus, has been reported at both motor and sensory levels. Here we investigated left and right nostril use in 12 show jumper horses freely sniffing different emotive stimuli. Results revealed that during sniffing at adrenaline and oestrus mare urine stimuli, horses showed a clear right-nostril bias while just a tendency in the use of the right nostril was observed during sniffing at other odours (food, cotton swab, repellent). Sniffing at adrenaline and urine odours was also accompanied by increasing cardiac activity and behavioural reactivity strengthening the role of the right hemisphere in the analysis of intense emotion and sexual behavior.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of three different physical exercises on the physiological and behavioural patterns of Standardbred trotters housed in single stalls. Twelve racing mares were observed twice during each different exercise: daily training (DT) consisted of forty minutes at slow trot (4-5 m/s) in a small track; maximal exercise (ME) consisted of 1600m run at maximal velocity; race (R) was a real race of 1600 m. The mares were examined at rest in their stall (Time I), soon after the completion of the exercise (Time II), one hour (Time III), and two hours (Time IV) after the exercise.Their heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were recorded and they were videotaped in order to complete a focal animal sampling ethogram. All physiological parameters increased after exercise, in accordance with its intensity. After R andMEhorses spentmore time drinking, eating, and standing. The incidence of abnormal behaviours was very low and it was not affected by the different types of exercise. Overall, the assessment of horse behaviour after physical exercise bymeans of a focal animal sampling ethogramrepresents a useful tool to monitor equine welfare.

This study compares the effects of 2 journeys of different lengths (50 km and 200 km) on horses. The first journey lasted about 1 hour, the second about 3 hours. Twelve Standardbred horses were used for the test. Blood samples were collected and analyzed (packed cells volume [PCV], cortisol, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, chlorine, total proteins, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase), and heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, and temperature were measured at 5 different experimental times: at rest, at loading, at unloading, and at 2 and 4 hours after return from the journey. Behavior was recorded by direct observation of loading and unloading, within the vehicle, and 2 and 4 hours after arrival in a new stall. The same parameters were recorded at the same times (excluding loading and unloading) in a control group of horses that had not travelled. All the data were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis (analysis of variance). Loading always caused an increase of HR and PCV. The different journey lengths produced significant increases in serum glucose, cortisol concentration, PCV, and HR. Serum cortisol concentrations after short transport were considerably higher than values registered at rest and after long transport. The long journey caused an increase of creatine kinase 2 hours after return. On arrival in the new stalls, the horses that had travelled sniffed less and snorted later than the control group. They ate immediately and more quickly, and those that had travelled 200 km also showed more interest in water than those that travelled for 50 km and the control group. The other behaviors, including exploratory, rest, and play activities, were concentrated in the second 2-hour observation period when the horses tended to feed less. The present trial showed that adaptation to a new stall could be facilitated by offering horses food and fresh water when they arrive, and that for horses that must make a 3-hour journey before a race, it would be better to arrive at their destination at least 4 hours before beginning physical activity. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The influence of race-category (2 years, 3 years, 4 years old horses and "5 years old and more" horses) on haematological parameters in Standardbred Trotters trained in Puglia was studied. The research's duration was one year and a blood sample was collected, a week after the last race, from 75 health Trotters with good records. The datum acquired were studied to show statistical difference on the basis of race-category and the mean values were compared with normal range reported in bibliography for "warm blood horses".The category of "2 years old horses" showed packed cells volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) lower and alkaline phosphatase (AP), calcium and phosphorus higher than other race-category. "3 years old horses" category showed maximal value of leukocytes, alpha and gamma globulins. Values of "4 years old horses" category were always in normal range. The race-category of "5 years old and more horses" showed maximal value for MCV, MCH and bilirubin.