What equine veterinarians read most in 2025 gives us a window into the challenges and opportunities they faced. This year’s top-performing research summaries reveal clear themes, from racehorse injury risks to emerging therapies for common conditions like gastric ulcers and osteoarthritis. Whether you missed a few or want to revisit the highlights, here’s a look at the studies that rose to the top.
1. 20 Risk Factors for Fatal Musculoskeletal Injury in Thoroughbred Racehorses
In a retrospective cohort study, researchers examined fatal musculoskeletal injuries in North American Thoroughbred racehorses between 2009 and 2023 to identify specific risk factors that contribute to such injuries.They identified 97 potential risk factors, but only 20—ranging from racing surface and distance to the number of starters in a field—were statistically significant.
2. Identifying New Biomarkers for Equine Gastric Ulcers
Researchers in Spain and Denmark examined immunoglobulin levels within saliva to determine if this method is useful for identifying horses with equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). They hypothesized that increased IgA in EGUS horses’ saliva might be associated with changes in the oral microbiota and/or the influence of stress. Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that increased IgA levels in saliva could be a useful biomarker to screen horses for EGUS.
3. Injectable Gold: A Potential New Treatment for Equine OA?
Researchers are exploring a novel approach that uses gold microparticles to address osteoarthritis (OA). A multinational research project is currently exploring injectable gold’s efficacy treating human knee OA; the project also includes research on equine applications, with promising results.
4. Commercial Feed Additive Aids in Equine Gastric Ulcer Healing
Researchers in the United Kingdom recently examined the efficacy of a commercial feedstuff for managing ESGD without pharmaceuticals. Specifically, they evaluated a feed additive including beet pulp, alfalfa, and oat fiber.
5. Use of Oat Straw to Manage Equine Obesity
Researchers in Britain examined oat straw as a lower-calorie fiber alternative to high-quality grass hay. They determined that the use of no more than 50% oat straw in a horse’s diet to provide lower energy might be effective for weight control in obese horses with good dentition. It might benefit horses both psychologically and physiologically to limit length of fasting periods while providing horses with chewing opportunities.
6. Intranasal vs. Intramuscular EHV-1 Vaccination
Researchers at UC Davis evaluated the use of a modified live vaccine (MLV) for EHV-1 administered via the off-label intranasal versus the labeled intramuscular route. They concluded that an increase in systemic anti-EHV-1 antibodies can only be expected with the MLV vaccine administered by the labeled intramuscular route. Intranasal vaccination did not induce an increase in systemic or nasal antibodies. “Therefore, this vaccine route seems suboptimal and should not be used to vaccinate adult horses that have received multiple EHV-1 vaccinations and have preexisting antibodies against EHV-1,” they reported.
7. Activated Charcoal: Potential Treatment for Equine Gastric Ulcers?
Researchers in Brazil evaluated activated charcoal as a potential therapy for equine gastric ulcer disease. Charcoal particles adhered to the epithelial surface or luminal content of the lesions, with some remaining asresidual charcoal following the lavage and biopsy sampling and preparation. While the researchers were unable to determine the duration of charcoal adhesion to injured nonglandular gastric mucosa, the fact that charcoal remained suggests it could have a favorable effect on gastric erosions.
8. Acetaminophen Safe for Use in Horses With Chronic Conditions
Researchers in Romania evaluated the safety of acetaminophen and determined it can be administered as a substitute for or in combination with other NSAIDs. The authors recommend acetaminophen for elderly horses with chronic conditions, including laminitis or osteoarthritis. This medication has a high bioavailability without adverse reactions at this dose of 20 mg/kg twice a day.
9. Oral Supplement From Biota Orientalis for Osteoarthritis in Horses
Researchers at Colorado State University’s Orthopedic Research Center performed a study to determine whether an oil extracted from Biota orientalis (BO) seeds could treat experimentally induced OA. They concludedthat, “significant anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying effects were seen following oral treatment with BO,” warranting further investigation in horses with clinical OA.
10. New Equine Strongyle Identified in North America
Researchers have identified Hsiungia pekingensis in multiple horses in Alberta, Canada, suggesting the possibility of natural dispersal mechanisms or anthropogenic factors contributing to its spread. Molecular data from this study “will aid in identifying the species in new geographical regions and hosts globally.”
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