The aim of this method agreement study was to agree on traditional and digital measuring methods using a smartphone. For this purpose, in total, 48 purebred horses (24 Arabian and 24 Thoroughbred) were used in this study. Lengths of the head, neck, body, back, and rump; heights of the shoulder, withers, rump, and toe; widths of the head, chest, and front chest; and depths of the chest dimensions were taken from the horses to evaluate the agreement of the traditional and digital measuring method results. The results of these two methods were compared by linear regression and Bland–Altman plot analysis. The results of the digital analysis were strongly correlated with the traditional method results for Arabian and Thoroughbred horses (r=1.000, P<0.001). As a result of the Bland–Altman plot analysis, 95.2 % of the differentiation value points of Arabian horses and 94.9 % of the differentiation value points of Thoroughbred horses were within the 95 % limit-of-agreement (LOA) interval. The values of agreement indices (AIs) for Arabian horses were between 0.92 and 1.00, and the values for Thoroughbred horses were between 0.95 and 0.99. These results indicate great agreement between these two methods. The main limitations of this study are the study population and measurement regions, which are limited to defined regions. This study concludes that, although all dimensions have not been examined, the length, width, height, and depth dimensions of these horses demonstrate excellent accuracy between traditional and digital assessment methods.

Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is one of the main causes of illness and financial losses in cattle farming around the world. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the seroprevalence of viral pathogens associated with the bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) and to identify farm- and animal-level risk factors, including biosecurity practices and indirect contacts, in cattle farms in Konya and Adana provinces of Türkiye. However, the role of farm-level biosecurity practices and indirect contacts in shaping these infection patterns remains unclear, including in Türkiye where data on farm-level biosecurity practices and indirect contacts are limited. This cross-sectional study involved collecting blood and nasal swab samples from 274 cattle on 16 farms in the provinces of Konya and Adana between March 2023 and April 2024. Blood serum samples were tested using indirect ELISA to determine the presence of antibodies against Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), Bovine parainfluenza virus-3 (BPIV-3), and Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Nasal swabs were analyzed using one-step multiplex real-time RT-PCR to detect the presence of viral nucleic acids. Information about biosecurity at the farm level was collected using a questionnaire and field observations. Potential risk factors were evaluated using logistic regression and generalized estimating equations (GEE). At the farm level, the number of seropositive animals varied from 0% to 50%, while at the animal level, the overall seropositivity rate was 21% (57 out of 274). The test showed that 2.19% (6/274) of the samples had BVDV RNA, but none had BRSV or BPIV-3. In the multivariable analyses, increasing age (odds ratio [OR] = 7.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.21–15.48; p < 0.001) and farm visitors (OR = 11.74; 95% CI: 4.86–28.5; p < 0.001) were found to be the most significant risk factors. The size of the farm was almost statistically significant. The study showed substantial heterogeneity between farms in seropositivity for viral BRDC pathogens, and highlighted the role of indirect contacts and biosecurity-related factors in shaping these patterns. Visitors and shared transport vehicles were identified as the main determinants of transmission. Main strategies to reduce risk include providing protective clothing, minimizing unnecessary animal movements, and strengthening vehicle disinfection protocols. The findings highlight the importance of raising biosecurity awareness among farmers and veterinarians. Due to budgetary and logistical constraints, this exploratory study was conducted in a relatively small number of herds from only two provinces.

Amaç: Bu araştırmada; farklı yaş, cinsiyet ve besleme programının midilli ırklarının cidago ve sağrı yükseklikleri ile göğüs çevresine olan etkisi belirlenmiştir. Materyal ve Methot: Araştırmanın hayvan materyalini; 29 erkek, 38 dişi olmak üzere toplam 67 adet 2 ila 25 yaş arasındaki midilli türü oluşturmaktadır. Veriler hayvanlara ait pedigri kayıtlarından alınmıştır. Hayvanlar, ≤ 7, 8 ≤ x ≤11 ve 12 ≤ yaş gruplarına göre dağıtılmış olup; yaş, cinsiyet ve yetiştiriciler tarafından tercih edilen öğün sayısı ve günlük tüketilen yem miktarının vücut ölçülerine etkisi incelenmiştir. Bulgular: Midillilerde yaşın artmasıyla birlikte genel olarak vücut ölçüleri önemli derecede artar iken (P<0.05), cinsiyetin etkisi önemsiz bulunmuştur. Cidago yüksekliği ve göğüs çevresi açısından yaş x cinsiyet arasında interaksiyon gözlemlenmiştir (P<0.05). Besleme metodunun vücut ölçülerine etkisi olmadığı ve yetiştiriciler tarafından dikkate alınmadığı görülmektedir. Sonuç: Atlarda vücut çatısı 4-6 yaş arasında oluşmasına rağmen; ileri yaştaki midilli ırklarının yağlanması ölçülerin yüksek çıkmasına sebep olmuştur. Çiftliklerde yaşla birlikte aktivitelerine göre bir besleme programı yapılmadığı görülmektedir. Bununla birlikte midilli ırkları içinde varyasyonun yüksek olduğu düşünülmektedir.

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the relaxation, stress reduction and behavioral changes observed after manual therapy applied to horses exposed to racing and physical training stimulus. This descriptive approach is aimed at veterinary clinicians to evaluate the therapy process more effectively with behavioral feedback. For this purpose, the study was conducted in two different equestrian clubs in Adana (Adana Mediterranean and Suvari Equestrian Clubs) between 2023 and 2024. A total of 32 racehorses (16 Thoroughbred, 16 Arabian; 16 female, 16 male) of different ages, genders and breeds were included in the study. Five minutes of manual therapy was applied for each of 7 different muscle groups. After the massage, behavioral observations were made for 10 min by moving 2 m away from the animals, and no separate baseline assessment was performed prior to the intervention. The application was carried out by a veterinarian with 15 years of experience. Importantly, no separate baseline assessment or control group was performed, and only behavioral responses were evaluated, which represents a major limitation of this pilot study. Among the observed behaviors in all horses, blinking, muscle twitching, respiratory changes, lip relaxation, licking and chewing were recorded for all horses. Relaxation signs such as head dropping (78.1%), yawning (34.4%), and ears falling to the side (62.5%) were frequently observed. Behaviors such as the appearance of the third eyelid (3.1%), grunting (12.5%) and sneezing (15.6%) were observed at a low percentage. Individual variables such as gender and breed did not have a statistically significant effect on the percentage of behavior (Chi-square test, p > 0.05). In conclusion, these preliminary findings suggest that manual therapy applications might be effective in reducing stress by triggering relaxation behaviors in riding horses, as these behaviors have been previously reported in the literature as reliable indicators of relaxation. Evaluation of behavioral responses after massage could be an important tool in determining physiotherapeutic effects. The fact that the application is performed by experienced people is an important factor that increases the success of the therapy and shows that manual therapy provides relaxation regardless of individual differences. Future controlled studies integrating physiological stress biomarkers are warranted to confirm these observations.

This study examines the effectiveness of thyme oil and argan oil as potential treatments for leg edema in horses. Swollen legs, often a result of infections, injuries, allergies, and underlying health conditions can significantly affect a horse's mobility and overall health. Traditional treatments may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, cold therapy, compression bandaging, and rest, but there is growing interest in natural remedies. For this purpose, argan and thyme oil were applied to 22 horses of various ages and different breeds at different times at Mersin Doğa Horse Farm. As a result of the study, some observations before and after the application of thyme and argan oil are listed. In addition, there was a significant association between oils and side effect from rash, itchiness, temperature increase, drinking too much, excessive urination (p

The domestication and selective breeding of horses for various purposes have led to the emergence of distinct horse breeds, often associated with specific physical traits and behavioral tendencies. Understanding individual differences in horse behavior, particularly during interactions with humans, is essential for promoting positive experiences and welfare. Mane grooming, a common human-horse interaction, provides valuable insights into horse emotional responses and preferences. This study investigates the behaviors of seven distinct horse breeds during mane grooming sessions through real-world observations. It aims to gain insights into horses' emotional responses, focusing on approach and avoidance behaviors, and explores potential influences on their reactions towards grooming, such as gender, mane direction, and breed characteristics. Results reveal personality differences among the seven horse breeds, with only 10.28% exhibiting aggressive behaviors during grooming. Mane direction in horses is primarily determined by genetics, with most having left or right manes. Some variations were observed among breeds, but differences were not substantial. Overall, this research highlights the importance of considering individual and breed-specific traits in mane grooming practices to enhance horse welfare and strengthen the human-horse bond.