In a collaborative effort, Swedish, Dutch, Swiss and American researchers conducted an experiment with seven clinically normal upper-level dressage horses to examine movement asymmetry on a treadmill at walking and sitting trot speeds.

Swiss researchers surveyed 133 Icelandic competition horses at four international horse shows to assess the relationships between hoof size, shape and balance, and the occurrence of hoof pathology and athletic performance. Measurements and radiographs of the left front and hind hooves were taken at the competitions with additional measurements made from the radiographs at a later date.

Two experiments conducted at the University of Queensland’s Australian Equine Laminitis Research Unit examined energy metabolism and perfusion of the laminae during the experimental induction of laminitis with and without the use of ice boots to provide continuous digital hypothermia.

Led by a scientist at Michigan State University, a team of researchers evaluated the effects of a dietary supplement containing resveratrol and the amino acid leucine on insulin dysregulation in horses with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Fifteen horses with naturally occurring EMS were treated for 6 weeks with weight, body condition and several metabolic factors, including insulin levels, measured following an oral sugar test both before and after treatment with the supplement.

A systematic review of literature was conducted to examine the evidence for bandaging horses with acute superficial digital flexor tendonitis compared to rest alone to promote healing.

Researchers in Great Britain used a web-based questionnaire in a prospective study designed to investigate factors associated with the occurrence of laminitis. Over a 2-year period, almost 7,000 questionnaires were obtained from owners reporting on 123 episodes of laminitis in about 1,100 horses and ponies. Most (93) of the animals only had one incident of laminitis while 19 animals has multiple episodes.

Several equine industry events have been limited or cancelled in response to the global coronavirus pandemic, also known as COVID-19.