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Open research questions in Veterinary Equine Medical Research

142 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 1,227 Veterinary Equine Medical Research papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • The paper identifies the challenge of detecting exhalation events in the presence of other sounds and noise. It also notes the challenge of avoiding overfitting in deep learning models due to the limited number of horses and exercising intensities included in the analysis.

    Detecting and measuring respiratory events in horses during exercise with a microphone: deep learning vs. standard signal processing · 2026 · DOI

  • The study is limited by the low number of horses and exercising intensities included in the analysis, - Overfitting from the deep learning models could occur despite the high between-and within-individuals variations in the respiratory sounds and respiratory rates, - The analysis only included 15 Standardbred trotters in full training

    Detecting and measuring respiratory events in horses during exercise with a microphone: deep learning vs. standard signal processing · 2026 · DOI

  • The results must be analyzed by taking into account the complex interactions between all domains and the professional experience of the evaluators, - The study did not provide a control group for comparison, - The sample size was limited to 8 professional equestrian events

    Five Domains, Multiple Realities: A Multidimensional Analysis of Equine Welfare in Equestrian Events in Brazil · 2026 · DOI

  • Although this technique is frequently performed in domestic equids, the utility in nondomestic ungulates has not been evaluated.

    Hoof lacing in zoo ungulates—indications, technical descriptions, and outcomes in a giant eland (Taurotragus derbianus ), African Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer), and greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) · 2026 · DOI

  • However, while many studies deal with the impact of exercise, transport, and competition on stress in horses, little is known about the early phase of a horse’s sports career and studies investigating the stress level of young horses during breaking-in are limited.

    Fecal Cortisol Metabolites Indicate Increased Stress Levels in Horses During Breaking-In: A Pilot Study · 2025 · DOI

  • Additionally, it discourages the use of HNP3 and reiterates the need for further research into HNPs in four-beat gaits, highlighting the importance of rider training and the careful selection of HNPs to optimize Marcha Batida performance.

    Head and Neck Positions Affect Equine Kinematic Variables in Marcha Batida Gait—A Pilot Study · 2025 · DOI

  • Nevertheless, challenges such as its low production yield and the not fully understood mechanisms behind its potential therapeutic role necessitate more thorough investigation.

    Is there sufficient evidence to support the health benefits of including donkey milk in the diet? · 2024 · DOI

  • Equine athletes performing at a high level could be assumed to exhibit a higher degree of movement symmetry compared with the general horse population, but this has not been confirmed.

    Prevalence of movement asymmetries in high-performing riding horses perceived as free from lameness and riders’ perception of horse sidedness · 2024 · DOI

  • These types of asymmetries are sensitive measures of lameness, but their specificity as indicators of orthopaedic pathology or locomotor function remains unclear.

    Prevalence of movement asymmetries in high-performing riding horses perceived as free from lameness and riders’ perception of horse sidedness · 2024 · DOI

  • Equine treatment protocols apply to donkeys, although pharmacological studies for most drugs, except pergolide, are lacking.

    Metabolic and Endocrine Insights in Donkeys · 2024 · DOI

  • Identified associations between increased PF neutrophils and the development of POR and SIRS warrant further investigation to better understand their role in the pathogenesis of equine colic and potential as targets for therapeutic intervention.

    Clinicopathologic Parameters of Peritoneal Fluid as Predictors of Gastrointestinal Lesions, Complications, and Outcomes in Equine Colic Patients: A Retrospective Study · 2024 · DOI

  • In general, donkeys suffer from a similar array of diseases like horses, but little is known about the specificities of donkey reproductive disorders.

    Reproductive Disorders in Donkeys: Current Evidence and Update · 2024 · DOI

  • Regarding stabling, despite some conflicting results, avoiding straw as bedding and improving barn ventilation continue to be the common recommendations if turning to pasture is not feasible.

    Environmental Management of Equine Asthma · 2024 · DOI

  • Both the high added value of mare milk and the socio-ecological benefits derived from pasture-based systems could be explored to improve the performance of equine farms located in arid and semi-arid areas or in regions with moderately harsh environmental conditions as equids have a strong adaptation capacity.

    Nutritional Quality and Socio-Ecological Benefits of Mare Milk Produced under Grazing Management · 2024 · DOI

  • Investigation of the effectiveness of Functional and Interactive Training (FIT) in preventing or mitigating progressive structural and functional loss. Exploration of the relationship between progressive structural and functional change and other factors, such as nutrition and environment.

    Progressive structural and functional change in horses: a conceptual framework for systemic equine (patho-)physiology · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of a coherent systemic explanation for locomotor, postural, and behavioral pathophysiology in horses. The insufficient definition of the link between altered structural organization and systemic coordination.

    Progressive structural and functional change in horses: a conceptual framework for systemic equine (patho-)physiology · 2026 · DOI

  • While our study revealed small relations between coping behaviour and inhibitory control, it needs to be noted that several limitations need to be considered. First, we might not have completely captured inhibitory control in horses. While we selected three inhibitory control tests that have previously been established with horses and are thought to measure different aspects of inhibitory control, it is possible that we have missed aspects of inhibitory control in horses. A larger test battery with additional inhibitory control tests and a validation for temporal stability would be necessary to overcome this issue. Although, given the inherently flexible nature of IC, which requires a certain sensitivity to environmental stimuli for updating novel task contingencies, it may be difficult to demonstrate temporal stability of IC measures. Alternatively, it is possible that the two coping contexts (delayed turnout and delayed feeding) did not capture behaviours related to inhibitory control, but rather only how much the horses valued food or contact with conspecifics, rather than less context-specific coping behaviour. We selected those two contexts because they mimic situations that a horse could encounter on a daily basis; however, for example, we did not test the horses in situations, in which they would have more control over their exposure to the stressors, and thus more behavioural options to respond, such as novel situations (e.g. novel object/human test) or during interactions with humans (e.g. trainability) and conspecifics (i.e. dominance). Secondly, our sample population was rather standardised as we deliberately decided to reduce the variation of external influences for this first study on the relationship between coping and inhibitory control in horses. All horses were kept in suboptimal housing conditions (i.e. in individual stables with limited turnout), which have been linked to reduced welfare35. Consequently, it is possible that coping mechanisms had already been activated in response to the housing conditions and this was masking the relationship between coping and inhibitory control. In addition, the horses may have already learned that exhibiting certain behaviours would lead to faster success and, consequently, we did not capture their normal coping behaviour. For example, excessive kicking at the walls would prompt stable staff to feed these horses first or rearing and neighing would lead to them being turned out first. While we did not observe any changes in husbandry routine regardless of the horses’ behaviour, this could still have happened unconsciously. Testing more diverse horse populations in terms of sex, genetic background, training, and housing conditions may yield more nuanced results. For future studies, it will be particularly interesting to investigate whether horses exhibiting high levels of stereotypical behaviours or horses that exhibit other signs of welfare impairment (e.g. apathy or aggression) show altered inhibitory control and whether this is modulated by the severity of the abnormal behaviours. Two horses in our sample exhibited intense crib-biting behaviour, which has been linked to dopamine dysfunction88 and altered impulse control and/or differently perceived reward values89,90,but see44. While these two horses did not show consistent differences in their scores derived from the inhibition tests compared to the other horses (except for both scoring very high on the Indecisiveness component), it is unclear whether they might have biased the results. Ultimately, it might be worthwhile to expand this line of research also to other farm animal species that often show abnormal behaviours due to suboptimal housing standards, such as pigs and chickens. Considering that inhibitory control can be enhanced by training91 and appears to have a strong genetic component92, new avenues for improving animal welfare may be particularly promising.

    Exploring the relationship between inhibitory control and coping behaviour in horses · 2026 · DOI

  • The distinction between negative stress and motivation for learning is complex. The involvement of multiple stakeholders in equestrian sport can make it challenging to prioritize welfare considerations. The limited integration of scientific knowledge into daily practice is a significant challenge.

    The impact of learning theory knowledge on improved horse welfare · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research should focus on developing innovative, evidence-based strategies to enhance horse welfare. Future research should investigate the application of equine learning theory in practical settings and its impact on horse welfare.

    The impact of learning theory knowledge on improved horse welfare · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of research on horse-related injuries, particularly in rural areas with large horse populations. Genitourinary trauma is an under-reported injury pattern in equine-related injuries.

    Equine-related injuries in rural Oklahoma: a 10-year experience emphasizing genitourinary trauma · 2026 · DOI

  • The challenge of measuring exercise responses and determining whether observed changes exceed normal short-term variability and measurement error. The need for reproducible indicators under real training conditions. The lack of a non-invasive field-derived approach for monitoring.

    Cardiac Cost During Submaximal Exercise as a Practical Monitoring Tool in French Standardbred Trotters: Short-Term Reproducibility of Non-Invasive Field-Derived Indicators · 2026 · DOI

  • Sex, training status, and environmental conditions were not controlled; The sample size was limited, with only 12 samples suitable for analysis; Most Mammoth jacks selected for this study had known pedigrees and were intended for potential future mule breeding; The study only included mules and Mammoth donkeys, and the results may not be generalizable to other equid populations

    Preliminary Evaluation of Muscle Fiber Composition in the Middle Gluteal Muscle in Race Mules and Mammoth Donkeys · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between muscle fiber composition and work or use in equids; Research on the effects of age, training, and environmental conditions on muscle fiber composition in equids is needed; Studies on the genetic factors influencing muscle fiber composition in equids could provide valuable insights; Investigation of the relationship between muscle fiber composition and performance in equids could have practical implications for breeding and training programs

    Preliminary Evaluation of Muscle Fiber Composition in the Middle Gluteal Muscle in Race Mules and Mammoth Donkeys · 2026 · DOI

  • In equines, the relationship between palpation-based MPS indicators, gait asymmetries, and pain-related behaviours during ridden work remains unclear.

    A multimodal approach to equine thoracolumbar myofascial pain: integrating clinical examination, AI-based gait analysis, and the ridden horse pain ethogram · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of published literature on equine-based therapy and the role of the horse as a therapeutic partner - The study aims to address this gap by exploring the therapeutic role of horses in equine-based therapy

    The therapeutic role of horses in equine-based therapy: An exploratory study with South African mental health practitioners · 2026 · DOI

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95 open questions
142 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 1,227 Veterinary Equine Medical Research papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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