LATE BREAKING ABSTRACTS - Session timings - Equine Science Society

LATE BREAKING ABSTRACTS
                                     Session timings

                          Wednesday, June 2, 2021
                Teaching & Extension: General Session 1: 2:55-5:20pm

LB1 Conducting a virtual horse judging camp as a response to the COVID-19
pandemic. C Brady*1, K Hiney2, T Fabus4, and K Anderson3, 1Purdue University, West
Lafayette, IN USA, 2Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK USA, 3University of Nebraska,
Lincoln, NE USA, 4Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI USA.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in cancellation of thousands of traditional face to face horse
extension programs nationwide, including many states annual face-to-face horse judging camps.
In February 2021, a Virtual Horse Judging camp was delivered to address this need in four states,
and was made available nationally. Sessions consisted of an interactive online lesson on the LMS
Moodle, and a live Zoom session with moderated break out rooms. Zoom sessions were recorded
for later access, and course materials were provided in the form of PDF files, or e-books.
Participants were able to upload 3 sets of oral reasons and feedback was provided. Topics
covered were; conformation, oral reasons and suggestions for oral reasons, western
horsemanship, and ranch riding. Participants (n=219) from 31 states registered for the camp, with
n=182 logging into the site at least once. A pre-camp survey (n=125; response rate=68.8%),
indicated that they were planning to attend the live Zoom sessions (88%), that they were between
the ages of 11 and 15 (44%), female (89.6%), and primarily interested in knowing about judging
in general (56%), rather than becoming competitive judgers (32%). Respondents reported being
very comfortable or somewhat comfortable with judging conformation (64.8%), western
horsemanship (53.6%), oral reasons (51.2%) and ranch riding (30.4%). A post- course survey
was administered after the conclusion of the last Zoom session. The post-course survey was
completed by 49 participants (response rate=22%). Respondents reported having participated in
the live Zoom session (41.2%), viewing the recorded session (11.8%) and doing both (43.1%). A
Likert-type scale was used to assess the change in perceived knowledge before and after
completion of each topic. The non-parametric Wilcoxon-signed rank test was used for the
analysis. Respondents in all four topic areas reported an increase in knowledge of the topic after
completing the camp: conformation (Z=-5.32; p

LB7 Perceived Impact of Covid-19 on Equine Undergraduate Program
Sustainability. Karin Bump*1 and Amy Burk2, 1Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative
Extension, Morrisville, NY, USA, 2University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.

The National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics (NAEAA) held several online Zoom
discussions with equine academics after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Discussions
centered on pandemic impact on equine undergraduate education with a goal to share strategies
and resources for remote learning. Concerns of downsized program offerings, reduction of
resources, and program closure were thematic in those conversations. In December 2020,
NAEAA launched a two-week cross-sectional study using Qualtricsxm with the objective of
capturing a snapshot of the extent to which Covid-19 was perceived as impacting undergraduate
equine programming including staffing, course offerings, teaching herds, and views of
sustainability. A mixed-method confidential design was utilized with distribution to NAEAA
members via e-mail and social media. Seventy surveys were completed from institutions
representing private and public higher education and program offerings ranging from associate to
baccalaureate degrees. Using Qualtricsxm research suite, data analysis included frequency
distribution, crosstabulation, and chi-square tests. Reduction in class offerings (23%) and herd
size (23%) topped the list of pandemic impacts followed by reduction of sport offerings (17%),
recreational/club activities (16%) and staff layoffs (14%). When compared to views of impact
across all institutional offerings, responses were similar in ranking yet higher in percent
reporting: reduction in class offerings (36%); sport offerings (29%), recreational/club activities
(32%), staff layoffs (46%). In overall financial stability of equine offerings, 34% of respondents
perceived positive financial stability without changes due to the pandemic, 24% responded that
concerns were present prior to Covid-19 without additional concerns due to Covid-19, and 28%
responded that programs were viewed more negatively. Regarding outlook for post-pandemic
operations, the top response was a return to pre-Covid operations and offerings (37%) followed
by reduction in horse herd (19%) and equine offerings (17%). In comparing sustainability
outlook of their own equine programs to outlook of programs across higher education,
respondents were more positive about their own (1-10 scale, 6.4 mean; 2.07 SD), than those
across higher education (5.6 mean; 1.81 SD). Chi-square analysis revealed no significant
differences in views of pandemic impact and sustainability between private and public
institutions (P > 0.05). Key thematic responses to open ended questions centered on enrollment
numbers and program costs with those already facing sustainability issues finding increased
scrutiny due to impact of Covid-19.

Key Words: Equine, Sustainability, Covid-19

Equine Biosciences: General Session 1: 2:55-5:00pm

  LB2 Variation in Individual Oral Sugar Test Responses. E Macon*1, P Harris2, and A
Adams1, 1University of Kentucky, Lexington,KY,USA, 2WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute,
Waltham on the Wolds,Leicestershire,UK.

Insulin dysregulation (ID), the key characteristic of the Equine Metabolic Syndrome, is a major
risk factor for endocrinopathic laminitis. Diagnosis of ID is often made using the oral sugar test
(OST). This study was undertaken to increase our understanding of the variability that can occur
with a dynamic test over a relatively short period with no deliberate intervention. As part of the
screening for another study, 12 adult, mixed-breed horses (16.6 + 1.8 yrs) had 2 OSTs
(0.15mL/kg BW) performed 6 weeks apart, Jan. 2021 (T1) and March 2021 (T2) between 0800-
1000. All horses were non-PPID (basal ACTH screening). OSTs were performed directly off
pasture where they had free choice hay, but were grain fasted. Basal insulin (BI), post-OST
insulin (PI), and delta insulin (DI) values were analyzed via RIA by Cornell’s Endocrinology
Lab. BW was quantified with a portable agriculture scale 1-day prior to the OST. Horses, based
on published recommendations, were considered ID with BIs >50 µIU/mL or PIs > 45 µIU/mL
and as equivocally ID with a BI of 20 – 50 µIU/mL. Statistical significance was considered at
p

Nutrition: Graduate Student Competition 3, followed by General Session 3

                                          2:55-5:00pm

   LB3 Enterocytes from mature horses do not produce arginine or citrulline from
glutamine or proline in vitro. R. E. Martinez*1, J. L. Leatherwood1, A. N. Bradbery2, B. L.
Silvers1, E. A. Posey1, W. He1, and G. Wu1, 1Texas A&M University Dept. of Animal Science,
College Station, TX, USA, 2Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.

Enterocytes are responsible for the synthesis of L-arginine and L-citrulline from their precursors
L-glutamine and/or L-proline in other livestock species. However, there is limited research in the
horse to determine de novo synthesis of L-citrulline and L-arginine by enterocytes. Such
knowledge is the initial step in establishing dietary requirements and comprehending arginine
nutrition in horses. Jejunal enterocytes from 10 mature horses (mean ± SEM; 6.4 ± 0.37 yr; 498.4
+ 11.48 kg BW; 6.1 + 0.28 BCS; 6 mares, 4 geldings) with healthy gastrointestinal tracts were
used to study the in vitro production of L-citrulline and L-arginine from L-glutamine and L-
proline. Equine enterocytes were isolated and incubated at 37oC for 30 min in oxygenated (95%
O2/5% CO2) Krebs bicarbonate buffer (pH 7.4) containing 5 mM D-glucose and 0 or 2 mM L-
[U-14C]glutamine, or 2 mM L-[U-14C]proline plus 2 mM L- glutamine. Syntheses of L-
citrulline and L-arginine in cells plus medium were analyzed by HPLC. Data were analyzed by
one-way ANOVA in JMP Pro 15. Results indicate that equine enterocytes oxidized a large
amount of glutamine into CO2 but produced little CO2 from proline, as previously reported for
porcine enterocytes. In contrast to porcine enterocytes, equine enterocytes did not generate L-
citrulline or L-arginine from L-glutamine or L-proline. Because L-arginine is an essential
substrate for the synthesis of protein, nitric oxide, and creatine, our novel findings on the lack of
the endogenous synthesis of L-citrulline and L-arginine in the mature equine enterocytes have
important implications for their nutrition, performance, and health, and warrants further
investigation.

Key Words: enterocytes, synthesis, amino-acids

Production & Management: Graduate Student Competition 3, followed by General
                          Session 1: 2:55-5:00pm

   LB4 Combining quantitative and qualitative behavior assessments to measure equine
stress. K. Cieslik*, E.M. Rankins, and K. Malinowski, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ,
USA.

Qualitative behavior assessments account for context in welfare evaluation, unlike ethogram-
based methods. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of merging quantitative and
qualitative behavior assessments. We hypothesized that the combination of two methods would
reach consensus via significant relationship, allowing more insight into behavior than the use of
one method alone. Horses (4 mares, 4 geldings) were video recorded during 3min treatments
[control (CON), novel object (TRP), mock clipping (CLIP), social isolation (ISO)] in a replicated
4×4 balanced Latin Square design. Reactions were assessed via two methods. In the quantitative
method, frequency of stress-related behaviors was logged with an ethogram by trained observers.
Data were analyzed by mixed model ANOVA. ISO produced more stress-related behaviors
(p=0.0019) than CON. In the qualitative method, observers provided unique terms to describe
each horse (Free Choice Profiling). Data were analyzed using Generalized Procrustes Analysis
(GPA) to produce a consensus profile. Two main axes (F1, F2) explained 43.75% and 9.1% of
variance between horses. Horse points were plotted along axes, labelled based on correlations
with observer terms. Negative F1 was Calm/Patient and positive F1 was Agitated/Stressed.
Negative F2 was Curious/Investigative and positive F2 was Inactive/Content. F1 and F2 loadings
for each horse were analyzed by mixed model ANOVA. ISO resulted in more positive F1
loadings (p

Thursday, June 3, 2021
                       Mixed Section Poster Session: 2:20-2:50pm

  LB5 Diversity of protozoans within the horse analyzed through morphological and
molecular methods. K Hobert*, D Vega, A Johnson, and A Biddle, University of Delaware,
Newark,DE,USA.

Morphological identification is considered the current gold standard for protozoa community
profiling, however it can be subjective and requires mastery to identify at the genus and species
levels. Molecular methods are an attractive alternative due to faster identification methods, easier
protocols and reproducible results. General observations of the gut protozoans state that the
protozoans make up the majority of the biomass due to their large size and are suspected to play
a role in fiber digestion, yet equine gut protozoal community structures are poorly understood.
The objective of this study was to characterize the equine gut protozoa community through
morphological and molecular tools. Equine fecal samples were filtered to separate protozoa into
Whole Fecal, 200, 100, 70 and 40µm fractions which were used to determine abundances (n=14)
and 18S rRNA profiling (n=6). QIIME2 (v. 2020.2) and R statistical software was used for data
analysis. Protozoa density was 5.66 x 104 cells/mL (sd ± 2.04 x 104). 18S profiling identified 31
protozoa in total. Fractions varied in protozoa diversity with an average of 21.8 (sd ± 5.46, min =
14, max = 31). Only 3 protozoa were observed in ≥80% of samples (Cycloposthium bipalmatum,
Tetratoxum spp. and Triadinium caudatum). 18S profiling detected 20 protozoan taxonomic
classifications that were also identified microscopically as well as 11 classifications not
previously reported in equine feces. β diversity measures, Jaccard and unweighted UniFrac
distances, found that fractions did not differ (P > 0.05). However, Whole Fecal and 40µm were
the most different based on Jaccard distance measures. Ten and seven species were significantly
correlated with the Whole Fecal and 10µm fractions, respectively (Spearman, rho > 0.30), while
only 1 protozoan could be correlated with each of the 200 and 100 fractions (Cycloposthium
ischikawai, Ciliophora spp., respectively). No species correlated with the 70µm fraction.
Protozoa morphology can vary from

Nutrition: General Session 5 : 3:15-4:00pm

  LB6 Grain-free diet when raising weanling foals of the Orlov trotter breed. O.G.
Sharaskina*, Saint Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine, Saint-Petersburg,
Russia.

High-carbohydrate grain (HG) concentrates are used in the diets of weanling foals to meet their
high energy requirements for growth and development, but they often cause growth that is too
rapid and increase the risk of developmental orthopedic disease such as osteochondritis
dissecans. This study evaluated the effect of a grain-free diet on the growth and development of
Orlov trotter foals and compared to foals receiving a HG diet. Ten foals (6 colts, 4 fillies) after
weaning at 6 months were divided into two equal groups. All foals received mixed grass hay
(crude protein (CP) - 8.5%) ad libitum and balancer supplement for foals. The HG group (G)
received a standard ration with mixed feed based on micronized grain (ME - 11.6 MJ/kg, CP -
15%, crude fiber (CF) - 7.5%, starch + sugar (S) - 47%); grain-free group (GF) received pellets
consisting of alfalfa meal, beet pulp, sunflower meal, flaxseed meal, wheat bran. (ME - 11.7
MJ/kg, CP - 15%, CF - 21%, S - 6%). The amount of feed was rationed individually, taking into
account the needs of foals in accordance with the "Norms and rations for feeding farm animals"
(Moscow, 2003). Foals were measured (height at withers, heart girth, cannon girth, diagonal
length of body, width of breast, depth of chest, width of hips) and blood samples were collected
prior to receiving the treatment diets and after 90 days. The indicators of relative growth were
taken into account. Data were analyzed using STATISTICA 10 (StatSoft RU). Following the 90
day period, there were no significant differences in any of the measurements or in the relative
increase in each parameter (P > 0.05). In both groups, blood indicators were within the normal
range, but GF had significantly higher (P < 0.05) content of erythrocytes (+5.58%), hemoglobin
(+11.77%) and magnesium (+10.11%) than in G. Weanlings grow and develop normally on
grain-free diet and did not differ in growth rates from the foals on a grain diet. The high levels of
erythrocytes and hemoglobin in GF is possibly caused by the higher magnesium content in the
components of grain-free feed (2.7 g/kg) than in grain mix (0.4 g/kg). Such a diet with a
minimum amount of starch and sugar can be used to raise Orlov trotter foals.

Key Words: grain-free, foal, Orlov trotter