The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, in collaboration with LONGMILE Veterinary Imaging, has completed the first phase of the validation of the MILE-PET, the first positron emission tomography (PET) scanner specifically designed to image the limbs of standing horses, using light sedation, eliminating the need for anesthesia.

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is linked to obesity, insulin resistance, and laminitis—a painful and debilitating inflammation of tissue in a horse’s hooves, which can necessitate euthanasia in severe cases. This study aimed to equip horse owners and veterinarians with a potential path toward getting ahead of this debilitating disease through genetic screening. 

“In a time when so many veterans are so hesitant to take another prescription or fear getting addicted to opioids, equine assisted therapy gets veterans outside and allows them the amazing opportunity to work with horses to process their experiences,” said Congressman Barr. “As the Chairman of the Congressional Horse Caucus and someone who cares very deeply for our veterans, I believe increasing grant funding opportunities for evidence-based equine-assisted therapy and innovative therapies will greatly diversify the treatment options available to our veterans.”

On one hand, our demands must increase with time, if we want the horse to become stronger. But, on the other hand, if we take this a step too far, we end up with injuries. This is tricky enough with humans, but with horse’s it’s almost like a lottery. Not only are they not able to tell us when something is wrong, they actively try to conceal it! It is in their nature to hide smaller issues and compensate for pain by adjusting the way they use their body, so often that we don’t even know anything is wrong until something is very wrong. Keeping an eye on your horse’s muscles is a good way to spot any potential issues before they become serious.

Six years ago, Star-Buck was near death. Emaciated and weighing only 400 pounds, he was rescued by Angela Wood and friends. Now, the 10-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding is strong enough to walk across the country with Wood to raise awareness for childhood hunger.

The researchers concluded that a single gene genetic test will not reveal to owners whether or not their horse is genetically predisposed to EMS. Rather, the scientists suggest further research be done into developing a more intricate panel test to meet the complexity of the disease’s genetic nature.

Regenaflex is a product made from freely donated birth tissues of horses foaling in equine hospitals. After aseptic processing, Regenaflex is a shelf-stable product that can be used immediately.

Children were physically active for 45-60 minutes of each weekly session, participating in horsemanship activities such as learning to groom and lead the horses as well as practicing riding skills, which provided mild to moderate levels of exercise intensity.