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Summary A 4‐year‐old Standardbred racehorse presented to the hospital due to poor performance and abnormal respiratory noises. A high‐speed treadmill videoendoscopic examination including tracheal airway pressure measurements was performed. Grade C left recurrent neuropathy was diagnosed and a prosthetic laryngoplasty was performed. Following surgery, the horse went back into training and eventually racing and performed well in its first two starts. Ten and a half months later the horse re‐presented with abnormal respiratory noise, and poor performance had returned. Therefore, the examination was repeated. This revealed that the left arytenoid cartilage was in a similar abducted position as immediately after prosthetic laryngoplasty surgery. However, right‐sided arytenoid paresis was present as well as bilateral aryepiglottic fold collapse and right vocal fold collapse. Bilateral aryepiglottic fold resection and right vocal cordectomy was performed using a diode laser under standing sedation. The horse presented a third time, four and a half months later. At this point, the horse had developed right arytenoid paralysis, and it was euthanised. Necroscopy and histopathological examinations were performed. The right cricoarytenoideus dorsalis muscle was moderately reduced in size and showed signs of denervation atrophy. There was loss of normal myelinated fibres of both recurrent laryngeal nerves as well as evidence of active degeneration of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve. In the way the horse sequentially developed first left‐sided then right‐sided arytenoid paralysis, combined with histological evidence of nerve degeneration, a diagnosis of ‘clinical’ bilateral idiopathic recurrent laryngeal neuropathy was established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: There has been limited investigation of the cobalt (Co) requirements of horses. The 2007 Horse NRC established a requirement of 0.05 ppm in dietary dry matter. However, unpublished work has suggested that higher dietary Co could increase fiber digestion in horses. This study was designed to evaluate that observation and compare varying dietary Co amounts with serum Co concentrations, particularly as the horse racing industry faces concerns with elevated Co concentrations being associated with both potential performance enhancement and welfare concerns. While increasing dietary Co did not result in increased fiber digestion, this study showed that Co fed at 60 times the 2007 NRC requirement produced a mean serum Co concentration less than 20% of the upper limit accepted by racing jurisdictions, and well below the concentrations detected in post-race samples collected from horses suspected of parenteral Co administration. This study suggests that serum Co concentrations above regulatory limits are likely due not to higher levels of Co in fortified feeds, but rather to parenteral administration of Co solutions. The 2007 Horse NRC reduced cobalt (Co) requirements from 0.1 ppm to 0.05 ppm in dietary dry matter, though preliminary research suggested increasing dietary-Co enhanced fiber digestion in horses. This study aimed to evaluate fiber digestion with varying dietary Co amounts, as well as to compare serum Co concentrations with dietary Co content. Four geldings (mean body weight [BW] 503 ± 37 kg) were studied in a 4 × 4 Latin square design consisting of four 5-week periods, each comprising a 2-week washout phase followed by a 3-week treatment phase. Supplementing 0.0, 5.6, 16.8, or 28.0 mg of Co daily resulted in total Co dietary concentrations of 0.06, 0.7, 2.0, and 3.0 ppm, respectively. Feces and urine were collected to evaluate fiber digestibility and Co balance. Co supplementation did not affect neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, or lignin digestibility. Co balance was negative for the control diet but positive for the other three treatments (p = 0.04). Serum cobalamin concentrations slightly decreased (6%) with increasing dietary Co intake (p = 0.003), while folate concentrations were unaffected. Serum Co concentration differed (p < 0.01) with a mean of 4.7 μg/mL for the high treatment and 0.8 μg/mL for the control. Results suggest that serum Co concentrations above regulatory limits are likely due not to higher levels of Co in fortified feeds, but rather to parenteral administration of Co solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voting in the U.S. is a costly activity, so the public looks to the news media for information. And yet, we know little about news coverage of voting. We first defined voting process coverage (VPC) and developed a manually validated organic dictionary to identify VPC. We then conducted automated content analyses on a national television Election Day news corpus featuring three elections, and used a unique dataset of local television news from 11 states and DC as a robustness check. Finally, we deployed a second manually validated organic dictionary to analyze and compare the same corpus to a better-known type of coverage: the game frame. We found that VPC far surpasses game frame coverage on Election Day and the day prior. Our results suggest the need for more scholarly attention on Election Day television news coverage, particularly given the potential civic function of such coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Epiglottic entrapment (EE) is a common cause of poor performance in racing standardbreds (STBs) and thoroughbreds (TBs). There is limited information published on the condition in STB racehorses and limited information on factors associated with return to racing available for either breed. Methods: This study investigated and compared the pre surgical findings, post-surgical complications and racing performance in STBs and TBs undergoing surgery for correction of EE. Associations between signalment and pre-surgical findings, and the presence of complications and racing post-surgery were compared using logistic regression analyses. Racing performance following surgery was compared to maternal siblings using conditional logistic regression. Results: There were 82 cases where epiglottic entrapment surgery was performed at least once: 33 STB cases and 49 TB cases. In total, 74% of cases raced following surgery. Cases with severe inflammation post-surgery (p < 0.001), airway complications (p < 0.001) or an epiglottic re-entrapment (p < 0.01) were at a lower odds of racing post-surgery. TB cases were 5.5 times (95% Confidence interval 1.61 to 18.73) more likely to race than their maternal siblings (p < 0.01). TB cases took 79% longer to return to racing compared to STB cases (p < 0.001). Horses that had raced prior to surgery were 4.1 times more likely to race after surgery than those that had not (95% CI 1.01–16.67). Conclusion: Horses with post operative complications were at a lower odds of racing post surgery. In the current study, TBs with EE are more likely to race compared to their maternal half siblings however take longer to return to racing compared to STBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE Levamisole is a regulated substance sometimes administered to racehorses to treat equine protozoal myelitis. Metabolites include compound 11, aminorex, and pemoline. Aminorex and pemoline are Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority-banned substances. Previous studies have examined single doses of the drug. This study examined the disposition of levamisole after 7 days of dosing. ANIMALS 6 healthy Thoroughbred geldings. METHODSHorses were treated with 500 mg (approx 0.91 to 1 mg/kg) of compounded levamisole hydrochloride paste PO every 12 hours for a total of 13 doses over 7 days. Serum and urine samples were analyzed for levamisole and its metabolites over a 28-day period. RESULTS The terminal half-life of levamisole in serum was variable between horses. Following the last dose of levamisole on day 7, serum levamisole levels took 3 to 14 days (days 10 to 21) to fall below the limit of detection (LOD) in 5 of 6 horses. Serum from 1 horse remained over LOD on the last testing day (day 28). In urine, following the final dose (day 7), levamisole was below LOD on day 13 (6 days after final dose) and aminorex was below LOD on day 10 (3 days after final dose). Com pou nd 11 was above LOD in 4 of 5 horses sampled on the last sampling day (day 28). CLINICAL RELEVANCE Levamisole and its metabolites can be detected for variable lengths of time in horses, with detection lasting for days to weeks following multiple doses. This study supports the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium Advisory on levamisole, which suggests that clearance sample testing should be conducted on treated horses to verify elimination of levamisole and its metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Anglo-Arabian horse breed (AA) is the result of crossing between Thoroughbred and Arabian horses renowned for versatility in show-jumping and racing. Southwest France and Sardinia in Italy are considered the historical nucleus of European AA breeding. Since little is known on genetic variability in the AA breed, especially those bred in the Sardinia region, this study investigates: i) inbreeding levels via pedigree and SNP genotyping; ii) runs of homozygosity (ROH) and selection signatures; iii) effective population size; and iv) distinctiveness of AA compared to Arabian and Thoroughbred horses. The ROH revealed an excessive amount of homozygosity, with a high kurtosis value observed in several chromosomes and an average inbreeding based on ROH of 21.1%. This latter value is higher compared to what was found based on pedigree data, highlighting the importance of complete pedigree records when estimating inbreeding based on genealogical data. The genomic inbreeding in AA horses was higher compared to other Italian horse breeds but lower than what was found in pure Thoroughbred and Arabian horses. This result suggests that the selection process for AA horses, may have prioritised racing ability over breed preservation which is the main goal in most local Italian breeds. The reduction in effective population size found in the latest 20 generations corroborates the potential presence of genetic diversity reduction due to selection in the AA breed. Remarkably, a large ROH island was identified on ECA17, which overlapped with two QTLs associated with racing performance. HIGHLIGHTS: Genetic analysis reveals moderate inbreeding (FROH = 21.1%) in Anglo-Arabian horses, impacting their genetic diversity compared to other Italian breeds. Identification of ROH islands linked to selection for height and racing performance highlights breeding priorities in the Anglo-Arabian breed. Effective population size decline (Ne = 59) over generations signifies a genetic bottleneck in Anglo-Arabian horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classic framework of Anscombe and Aumann (Ann Math Stat 34:199–205, 1963) for decision-making under uncertainty postulates both a primary source of uncertainty (the "horse race") and an auxiliary randomization device (the "roulette wheel"). It also imposes a specific timing of resolution of uncertainty as the horse race takes place before the roulette is played. While this timing is without loss of generality for Subjective Expected Utility, it forbids plausible choice patterns of ambiguity aversion. In this paper, we reverse this timing by assuming that the roulette is played prior to the horse race and we obtain an axiomatic characterization of Choquet Expected Utility that is dual to that of Schmeidler (Econometrica 57(3):571–587, 1989). In this representation, ambiguity aversion is characterized by an aversion to conditioning roulette acts on horse events which, as we argue, is more plausible. Moreover, it can be larger than in Schmeidler's model. Finally, our reversed timing yields incentive compatibility of the random incentive mechanisms, frequently used in experiments for eliciting ambiguity attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Gastroscopy is a minimally invasive, safe method to evaluate the equine stomach. This procedure is important for a precise diagnosis in case of suspected gastric disease for the adequate treatment and management of equine patients. However, horses might experience stress while undergoing gastroscopy. In this study, a moderate salivary cortisol release and a mild increase in fecal cortisol metabolites were detected in two-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses after gastroscopy. However, in comparison to other stressful situations, such as transportation, gastroscopy performed in the horse's familiar environment can be considered a minor stress event. In this study, gastroscopy was performed twice in 31 two-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses in training. Salivary cortisol (SC) and fecal cortisol metabolite (FCM) concentrations were determined to measure the stress impact. One gastroscopy was performed at the beginning and one six months later at the end of the horses' first training season. According to the Wilcoxon signed rank test, a mild but significant increase of SC (1st gastroscopy: p = 0.0045, 2nd gastroscopy: p < 0.0001) and FCM (1st gastroscopy: p < 0.0001, 2nd gastroscopy: p = 0.0006) values after gastroscopy compared to basal values was detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid is considered the most sensitive technique to diagnose Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) in horses; however, it is sometimes perceived as less practical and more invasive compared to tracheal wash collection. The present retrospective study aimed to assess the agreement between tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology in the evaluation of EIPH in 172 poorly performing racehorses. The two cytological methods showed a strong correlation in assessing hemosiderophage percentage, hemosiderin score, simplified Total Hemosiderin Score, and percentage of recent, intermediate, and old EIPH. In conclusion, tracheal wash cytology was found to be a reliable tool, which might be used in place of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology for the assessment of EIPH in racehorses. Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) is a common pulmonary disease among racehorses, diagnosed by the detection of blood in the trachea after strenuous exercise or the presence of hemosiderophages in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Although the latter is considered the most sensitive method to diagnose EIPH, it is perceived as a less practical and more invasive procedure compared to tracheal wash (TW) collection among racehorse trainers. The present retrospective study aimed to verify the agreement between Tracheal wash and BALF cytology in assessing EIPH in racehorses. For this purpose, cytological data from 172 patients regarding hemosiderophage percentage, hemosiderin score, and percentage of recent, intermediate, and old EIPH were reviewed, and the simplified Total Hemosiderin Score (sTHS) was calculated. Non-parametric statistical tests were used to assess the difference and the correlation between TW and BALF. The two cytological methods strongly agreed in evaluating EIPH in racehorses for hemosiderophage percentage (ρ = 0.89, p < 0.001), hemosiderin score (k = 0.63, p < 0.001), sTHS (ρ = 0.87, p < 0.001), percentage of recent EIPH (ρ = 0.95, p < 0.001), intermediate EIPH (ρ = 0.92, p < 0.001), and old EIPH (ρ = 0.85, p < 0.001). In conclusion, TW showed to be a reliable method, which might substitute BALF in assessing EIPH in racehorses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A state-of-the-art multi-omics approach was applied to improve our understanding of the aetio-pathogenesis of a highly prevalent, performance-limiting disorder of racehorses: mild-to-moderate equine asthma (MMEA). This is a prerequisite to improving prophylactic, management, and therapeutic options for this condition. Although a number of risk factors have been identified, options for intervention are limited. This study applied a multi-omic approach to reveal key inflammatory pathways involved in inflammatory cell recruitment to the lower airways and highlight distinct MMEA inflammatory profiles. We compared bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell gene and protein expression data from horses with non-inflammatory BALF cytology with those isolated from horses with neutrophilic, mastocytic, mixed neutrophilic/mastocytic, and eosinophilic/mastocytic inflammation. The analyses on transcriptomic/proteomic data derived from BALF from horses with neutrophilic cytology showed enrichment in classical inflammatory pathways, and horses with mastocytic inflammation showed enrichment in pathways involved in hypersensitivity reactions related to nonclassical inflammation potentially mimicking a Th2-immune response. The mixed eosinophilic/mastocytic group also presented with a nonclassical inflammatory profile, whereas the mixed neutrophilic/mastocytic group revealed profiles consistent with both neutrophilic inflammation and hypersensitivity. Our adopted multi-omics approach provided a holistic assessment of the immunological status of the lower airways associated with the different cytological profiles of equine asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astaxanthin due to its strong antioxidant activity is believed to reduce oxidative stress and therefore is considered as feed additive in pathological conditions and also for the athletes. It is promoted by several equine web portals, however, data supporting that concept in horses is limited. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of astaxanthin supplementation on the parameters of oxidative status in 3 years old, racing Arabian horses during long term observation and the changes related to a single training session of high intensity. Six horses were supplemented with astaxanthin at a dose of 0.52–0.58 mg/kg BW and 7 received no supplementation. Astaxanthin supplementation resulted in the increase in total antioxidant status by 31.5%, accompanied by decreases in the amount of total thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances -TBARS and glutathione reductases - GR values by 34.5% and 45.4%, respectively, after 1 month and this effect persisted until the end of the observation. After individual training session the activities of glutathione peroxidases and GR were lower by 69% and 46%, respectively, and TBARS lower by 38% in supplemented horses. These results directly confirmed the beneficial effects of astaxanthin supplementation on the antioxidant status of race horses. Astaxanthin partially counterbalance the training-related oxidative stress, save the horse natural antioxidant defense, and shift the redox status towards a more reducing environment. At the same time, exercise-induced reactive oxygen species production at certain level was maintained and so that contributed to training progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Welfare concerns in the Thoroughbred racing industry increasingly focus on the rehoming of retired racehorses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and sales variables of Thoroughbred racehorses rehomed after their racing career. Horse details (pre-sale photos, age, sex, height and career history) from 500 sales advertisements between August 2021 and November 2023 were examined using descriptive statistics. Body Condition Score (BCS) was assessed from photos using a modified Henneke 9-point scale. Horses sold had previous careers in New Zealand (70%) or Hong Kong (30%), were 5 (IQR4–7) years old and 163 (IQR153–163) cm high. Horses that had raced within 2 weeks of arrival were lighter (451 [IQR432–479] kg) and had a lower BCS (BCS 5.5 [IQR5.5–6]) than horses who had been out of racing for longer (528 kg, IQR494–550 with BCS 6 IQR5.5–6, P < 0.001). Mares were fewer (23%), smaller (158 [IQR153–163] cm, P < 0.05) and sold faster (7 [IQR2–16] days) than geldings (13 [IQR 6–26] days, P < 0.05). Grey horses sold faster (5%, 7 [IQR2–18] days) than bay horses (69%, 13 (IQR 6–27) days, P < 0.05). Consumer preference and market specificity are important considerations for rehoming racehorses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pemoline, (RS)-2-amino-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazol-4(5H)-one, is a member of the 4-oxazolidinone group of substances and a central nervous system stimulant closely related structurally and pharmacologically to aminorex. With the increased sensitivity of equine drug testing, low concentration identifications of pemoline have increasingly been identified in horse racing. In 2009 two pemoline and one tetramisole identification in English racing were reported in horses administered levamisole, leading to suggestions that levamisole, known to metabolize to aminorex, could also metabolize to pemoline. In April 2016 the French, German, and South African horseracing laboratories reported frequent identifications of pemoline in equine urine samples, such that these laboratories had “in-house” reporting limits below which urinary pemoline identifications were not reported. In 2016 and again in 2018 the matter of potential pemoline identifications in Indiana horse racing was communicated by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission to Indiana horsemen, with requests that horsemen avoid use of levamisole. Soon thereafter, in late 2018, we became aware that plant barbarin was a potential source of equine urinary aminorex identifications. In Spring 2019 we therefore harvested flowering “Yellow Rocket” (Barbarea vulgaris), a barbarin-containing invasive plant widely distributed in North America and administered it orally to horses. Urine samples collected from these horses were found to contain aminorex. Aminorex, closely related chemically and pharmacologically to pemoline, is therefore a naturally occurring alkaloid that may be identified in equine urine, suggesting possible similar botanical origins for pemoline, now not infrequently being identified at low ng/mL concentrations in equine urine samples in Europe and elsewhere. Addressing the regulatory implications of these findings, we have therefore reviewed the pharmacological literature on pemoline in the horse and using the Toutain & Lassourd safety factor of 500 we now propose 2ng/mL of pemoline as an Irrelevant Plasma Concentration (IPC) of pemoline in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Foot‐related lameness is common in Standardbred and Thoroughbred racehorses. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides information on both the soft tissue and osseous structures of the distal extremity. The aim of this study was to determine whether abnormalities identified on distal limb MRI differed between these two racehorse populations. Materials and Methods: The records of Standardbred and Thoroughbred racehorse distal extremity MRI examinations conducted at Camden Equine Centre and Ballarat Veterinary Practice between 2013 and 2023 were retrieved. Horses were included if pain causing lameness had been localised to the foot using perineural or intra‐articular analgesia. MRI abnormalities of the structures within the distal extremity were recorded and comparisons made between the two groups. Results: There was a significant difference in the rate of occurrence of certain MRI abnormalities between the Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorse populations, including distal phalangeal fractures, proximal phalangeal short tau inversion recovery (STIR) hyperintensity (distal aspect), the presence and severity of ungular cartilage ossification, abnormalities of the navicular bone distal border synovial invaginations/vascular channels and navicular bone distal border fragments. The presence of distal extremity STIR hyperintensity and fractures was significantly higher in Standardbred compared to Thoroughbred racehorses when these findings were grouped and considered in combination. Conclusion: There were many similarities in the distal extremity MRI abnormalities identified in lame Australian Standardbred and Thoroughbred racehorses. However, distal phalangeal fractures, ungular cartilage ossification and distal extremity STIR hyperintensity were identified in significantly more in Standardbred than Thoroughbred racehorses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) is common in racehorses. Stress failure of the blood-gas barrier causes EIPH when the transmural pulmonary capillary (Pcap)-alveolar pressure difference (Ptm) exceeds the barrier's stress failure threshold. Why Pcap increases is incompletely understood. We hypothesized that alterations in blood volume (BV) could affect left ventricular (LV) and pulmonary arterial wedge (PAW) pressures and Pcap, and correspondingly affect EIPH severity. Six thoroughbreds with EIPH exercised at the same treadmill speed (≈11.9 m/s [11.1, 12.2]; median [IQR]) before (≈119% V̇ o 2max; B), 2 h after 14 L depletion of blood (≈132% V̇ o 2max; D), and 2 h after reinfusing the blood (≈111% V̇ o 2max; R). LV, pulmonary arterial (PAP), PAW, and intrapleural (Ppl) pressures were measured throughout exercise. Pcap = (PAP + PAW)/2 and Ptm = (Pcap − Ppl). EIPH severity was assessed 60 min postexercise by tracheoendoscopy (EIPHgrade) and bronchoalveolar lavage erythrocyte number (BALRBC). A mixed-effect model and Tukey post hoc test analyzed the effects of BV changes on LV, PAW, Pcap, Ppl, Ptm, and EIPH. P ≤ 0.05 was significant. Peak intrapleural inspiratory pressure (PplI) was high (−41 mmHg), unaffected by changes in BV (P = 0.44), and did not contribute to fluctuations in Ptm and EIPH severity, whereas changes in BV did (EIPHgrade: P = 0.01, BALRBC: P = 0.003). EIPH prevalence was 100% with B and R but 50% with D. MaxPtm was not different between B (146 mmHg [140, 151]) and R (151 mmHg [137, 160]) but was lower for D (128 mmHg [127, 130]; B: P = 0.005, R: P = 0.02). Vascular pressures and Ppl fluctuated constantly during exercise and independently influenced Ptm. Left ventricular end diastolic (LVED) pressure was correlated with Ptm (rrm = 0.90, P = 0.03) and EIPH rrm = 0.82, P = 0.004). Exercise BV was strongly correlated with EIPH severity in racehorses (rrm = 0.86, P = 0.009). NEW & NOTEWORTHY: Hypervolemia induced by the infusion of erythrocyte-rich blood stored in the spleen is normal in high-speed thoroughbred exercise and increases capillary-alveolar transmural pressure (Ptm), leading to exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). In this study, decreasing blood volume reduced Ptm and EIPH. Large negative inspiratory pressures also contribute to high Ptm and the occurrence of EIPH. Ptm is dynamic and oscillates constantly during exercise. A significant relationship existed between circulating blood volume and EIPH severity in racehorses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Astaxanthin due to its strong antioxidant activity is believed to reduce oxidative stress and therefore is considered as feed additive in pathological conditions and also for the athletes. It is promoted by several equine web portals, however, data supporting that concept in horses is limited. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of astaxanthin supplementation on the parameters of oxidative status in 3 years old, racing Arabian horses during long term observation and the changes related to a single training session of high intensity. Six horses were supplemented with astaxanthin at a dose of 0.52–0.58 mg/kg BW and 7 received no supplementation. Astaxanthin supplementation resulted in the increase in total antioxidant status by 31.5%, accompanied by decreases in the amount of total thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances -TBARS and glutathione reductases - GR values by 34.5% and 45.4%, respectively, after 1 month and this effect persisted until the end of the observation. After individual training session the activities of glutathione peroxidases and GR were lower by 69% and 46%, respectively, and TBARS lower by 38% in supplemented horses. These results directly confirmed the beneficial effects of astaxanthin supplementation on the antioxidant status of race horses. Astaxanthin partially counterbalance the training-related oxidative stress, save the horse natural antioxidant defense, and shift the redox status towards a more reducing environment. At the same time, exercise-induced reactive oxygen species production at certain level was maintained and so that contributed to training progress.

Introduction: The veterinary yearling pre-sale repository radiographs have the potential to impact both vendor and prospective purchaser. The primary aim of this study was to determine inter-observer agreement for orthopaedic lesions identified in thoroughbred yearling repository radiographs. A secondary goal was to determine agreement when using a pre-defined risk rating classification. Methods: Three experienced specialist equine surgeons (2 ACVS & 1 FANZCVS) interpreted thirty repository radiographs once each for radiographic abnormalities. Each radiographic abnormality was given an associated risk assessment for future racing performance. Results: The use of a pre-defined risk rating grading scale resulted in good to excellent agreement as observers reached a consensus on risk ratings for lesions 97.1% of the time. The highest agreement was for the proximal interphalangeal joint and distal interphalangeal joint, with 99.9 and 98.2% agreement, respectively. The tarsal region was the joint with the highest disagreement with respect to pathology, with observers disagreeing 5.2% of the time. Discussion: This study found that experienced veterinary surgeons reliably agreed on the absence of lesions but showed disagreement on the specific risk rating of common lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Melbourne Cup is Australia's pinnacle horse racing event, attracting more than 80,000 physical attendees each year (pre-COVID-19), as well as numerous others watching via live broadcasts around the country and overseas. In recent times, however, there have been growing calls to boycott the event, following concerns over the treatment of horses. New hashtag movements lobbying against horse racing have also emerged, aided by the affordances of social media. However, very little attention has been paid to these digital movements in the animal-based leisure and recreation literature. In this study, we investigate one such growing movement, namely, #Nuptothecup. We explore how horse racing is framed by digital activists, revealing their moral, socio-cultural, and political objections. Our findings suggest a societal shift towards a strong animal ethics sentiment combined with a more generalised disdain towards the racing industry and its wider societal ramifications. We argue that if #Nuptothecup and related activisms continue to gain momentum, the Cup may eventually lose its social licence to operate. Further, we consider potential opportunities for managers to reinvent horse racing's image and practices, if it is to secure its survival as an Australian recreational institution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endurance and flat race are entirely different efforts and thus require completely different organism adaptations to achieve the performance. This study aimed to examine the difference in basal lipid metabolism in Arabian horses undergoing different training regimens for endurance and race and possible gender differences. The study enrolled sixty male and female' Arabian horses; thirty were trained for race, and thirty were trained for 80 km endurance races. The analyses included body condition score, body weight, body mass index, % body fat, and blood collected to determine triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density proteins, high-density proteins, and non-esterified fatty acids. Ultrasonography was used to measure the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer in the longissimus dorsi muscle, as well as the thickness of the rump fat and the cross-section of the gluteus medius muscle. This study showed that lipid profile is more influenced by type of exercise than by gender, being more efficient on endurance horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wave of Umberto Eco's oppositional binomial Dictionary-Encyclopedia, the paper aims to apply the rhizomatic system to the practical case of the (ethno)racial lexicon as a broad semantic area of the word race, which previously involved both physical predisposition and cultural habits. Given its critical issues, the dictionarial approach is distinguished into two different stages, intra-dictionarial (properly dictionarial) and inter-dictionarial (resulting from the metaphorical chain of meanings). Originally, race referred to horses (stud and herds) and property (as ownership and essential attribute), which extended metonymically to other senses – general zoological-botanic, human (lineage, offspring) and typological qualitative ones. Comparing its correspondents in Romance and Germanic languages, reference to many different contexts and a continuous misalignment between lexeme and concept emerge. The liquidity within the semantic sphere of race (embracing the three semantic cores racial, ethnic, and typological) can be explained by taking a phenomenological and semiotic perspective. If the ethnic sense (people, nation, etc.) is connected to a socio-cultural Lifeworld in an interplay of identities and differences, the aporia of synonymy emerging from the inter-dictionarial analysis finds its balance in the local encyclopedic approach, which proves to be the real deterrent to Porphyry's tree through the rhizome, conceived not in its entirety, but in the partiality and contingency of its branches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat, and pet-associated strains may pose a risk to human health. Equine veterinarians are at high risk of carrying methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS), but specific risk factors remain elusive, and few data are available for other personnel involved in the horse industry. The prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors for nasal carriage of MRS in horses and their caregivers were studied in northwestern Italy. Nasal swabs from 110 asymptomatic horses housed at 21 barns and 34 human caregivers were collected. Data on barns, horses, and personnel were acquired through questionnaires. The samples were incubated in selective media, and the bacterial isolates were identified by mass spectrometry. Risk factors were investigated by Poisson regression. MRS were isolated from 33 horses (30%), 11 humans (32.4%) and 3 environmental samples (14.2%). Most isolates were multidrug resistant (MDRS). The prevalence of MRS and MDRS was greater in racehorses and their personnel than in pleasurable and jumping/dressing horses. MRS carriage in caregivers was associated with an increased prevalence of MRS carriage in horses. The frequency of antimicrobial treatments administered in the barn during the last 12 months was a risk factor for MRS carriage in horses [prevalence ratio (PR) 3.97, 95% CI 1.11, 14.13] and caregivers (PR 2.00, 95% CI 1.05, 3.82), whereas a good ventilation index of the horse tabling environment was a protective factor (PR 0.43, 95% CI 0.20, 0.92). Our data reveal relevant interactions occurring between bacterial communities of horses and humans that share the same environment, suggesting that One Health surveillance programs should be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methamphetamine is a central stimulant and an approved human therapeutic medication which is also clandestinely synthesized and marketed worldwide as a recreational substance. Users of clandestinely synthesized methamphetamine may handle and use methamphetamine in far greater amounts than medically approved dosages. Given that mucous membrane exposure of a horse to 10 milligrams of methamphetamine has produced jugular blood plasma/serum methamphetamine concentrations of 88,400 picogram/ml, inadvertent transfer of picogram/ml amounts of methamphetamine from recreational users to racing horses is a well understood process. Evaluating such picogram/ml methamphetamine identifications, the first factor to consider is that methamphetamine presents as two chemically distinct mirror image enantiomers, d-methamphetamine and l-methamphetamine. d-Methamphetamine is the more pharmacologically active enantiomer, marketed in the United States (US) as Desoxyn®, a US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Schedule II prescription medication. l-Methamphetamine is pharmacologically less active and is marketed in the US in several Over-The-Counter (OTC) nasal decongestant inhalers. Forensically correct evaluation of picogram/ml jugular blood/plasma/serum methamphetamine identifications in racing horses requires quantitative evaluation of the blood, urinary and hair concentrations of each methamphetamine enantiomer, as well as the presence or absence of the expected amphetamine metabolite. Evaluation of the regulatory significance of a jugular blood/plasma/serum concentration of methamphetamine must also take into account the fact that following oral exposure to methamphetamine jugular blood concentrations will be much higher than systemic blood concentrations, given that the jugular vein is the direct venous connection between the local high mucous membrane concentration of methamphetamine and the systemic circulation of the horse. Based on published scientific data, mucous membrane exposure of a horse to 100 micrograms of methamphetamine, a very conservative 1/1,500 of a possibly pharmacologically effective equine dose may give rise to jugular blood/plasma/serum concentrations of methamphetamine of 884 picograms/ml, a conservative guideline value for evaluating the pharmacological and forensic significance of jugular blood/plasma/serum concentrations of methamphetamine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To describe the process whereby the screening of racing Thoroughbreds with accelerometer-based inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors followed by clinical evaluation and advanced imaging identified potentially catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries in 3 horses. ANIMALS: 3 Thoroughbred racehorses. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: All cases demonstrated an abnormal stride pattern either during racing (cases 1 and 2) or while breezing (case 3) and were identified as being at very high risk of catastrophic musculoskeletal injury by an algorithm derived from IMU sensor files from > 20,000 horses' race starts. Veterinary examination and 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) positron emission tomography were performed within 10 days of the respective race or breeze in each of the cases. RESULTS: The intensity and location of the 18F-Na F uptake in thecondylesof thethird metacarpal bone in cases land 2 identified them asat potential increased risk of condylar fracture. The pattern and intensity of the 18F-NaF uptake in case 3 indicated that the third carpal bone was likely responsible for the horse's lameness, with an impending slab fracture subsequently identified on radiographs. Following periods of convalescence, cases 1 and 2 returned to racing and were identified by the sensor system as no longer being at high risk of catastrophic musculoskeletal injury. Case 3 returned to training but has yet to return to racing. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When worn by Thoroughbreds while racing or breezing, these IMU sensors can identify horses at high risk of catastrophic musculoskeletal injury, allowing for veterinary intervention and the potential avoidance of such injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Palatal dysfunction (PD), which encompasses palatal instability (PI) and intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate, is the most common performance‐limiting upper respiratory tract obstruction in young Thoroughbred racehorses. Soft palate thermocautery (SPT) performed under general anaesthesia is a routinely performed procedure for PD in some countries, but the procedure for and outcome of SPT performed under standing sedation has not been published. Objectives: (1) To describe a technique for SPT performed under standing sedation; and (2) to assess post‐operative performance in horses compared to controls using the Racing Post rating (RPR), British Horseracing Authority official rating (OR), Performance Index and Earnings. Study design: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for all horses that had SPT performed under standing sedation following topical and local infusion of lidocaine hydrochloride into the rostral soft palate, and that were identified to have PI by overground endoscopy. Two matched controls were identified for each case. The median RPR, OR, Performance Index and Earnings for the three pre‐operative and three post‐operative races were compared. Results: No significant differences were identified between the SPT (n = 23) and Control groups (n = 46) for baseline characteristics or outcomes. Main limitations: Retrospective study design, small sample size. Conclusions: No significant differences in racing performance were identified between horses that had SPT performed under standing sedation and controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Adopting contemporary animal welfare and wellbeing assessment methods requires making inferences about psychological experiences, a process at risk of anthropomorphic bias. Respondents to an online survey were asked for their opinions on how anthropomorphism could relate to horse wellbeing. The results suggest that experienced horse sector participants were aware of the effects of anthropomorphism, including its potential beneficial and detrimental impacts on horse welfare and wellbeing. This included the beneficial effect of motivating individuals to care for horses and the detrimental effect of misinterpreting horse behaviors. The authors propose that anthropomorphism has a place in horse wellbeing when used critically and with caution. Horse-related organizations should actively manage anthropomorphism in policies and practices to avoid compromising animal welfare and wellbeing practices. Anthropomorphizing can misinform the making of inferences about animal mental experiences. This is a consideration when implementing the Five Domains Model for animal welfare assessment. An online survey run in 2021 captured horse sector participants' perspectives about anthropomorphism and wellbeing in relation to horses. Most respondents, 82.9% (n = 431/520), believed that anthropomorphism could influence horse welfare and wellbeing. These respondents were then asked how, in their opinion, anthropomorphism might relate to horse welfare. A thematic analysis identified two themes: (1) 'Anthropomorphism can influence how people relate to horses' and (2) 'Anthropomorphism can have consequences for horse welfare and wellbeing'. The results suggested that experienced respondents were aware of the complexities surrounding anthropomorphic attitudes and that anthropomorphism can have beneficial and detrimental consequences on horse welfare and wellbeing. Benefits include a sense of relatedness to a horse, while detriments include the potential to misinterpret horse behaviors. The authors propose that anthropomorphism has a place in horse welfare and wellbeing when used critically and with caution. This study recommends that there is a need to actively manage anthropomorphism when organizations update policies and practices and implement the Five Domains Model. More research is required to understand the effects of anthropomorphism on horse-related practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Horses exercised 'onto the bit' with periods of induced poll flexion can demonstrate a unique array of upper respiratory tract (URT) disorders. Objectives: To describe a previously unreported exercise‐related disorder of the epiglottis associated with poll flexion in harness racehorses. Study design: Retrospective observational study. Methods: Medical records of all harness racehorses that presented for exercising URT endoscopy between 2005 and 2022 were reviewed. These horses were exercised on a high‐speed treadmill using a previously standardised protocol with alternating 1‐min phases of free head carriage (no rein tension on the bit) and poll flexion (driven onto the bit with long reins) until they could no longer maintain the trotting gait. Results: Seven Standardbreds and 11 Norwegian‐Swedish Coldblooded trotters were diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral compression of the epiglottis during exercise in poll flexion. These horses demonstrated progression of this disorder during the phases of induced poll flexion and showed no signs of epiglottic compression during phases exercised with free head carriage. Main limitations: Retrospective nature of study and limited sample size due to low prevalence. Conclusions: Exercise‐related compression of the base of the epiglottis is a URT disorder only evident videoendoscopically when horses are driven onto the bit leading to poll flexion. It is most often seen in association with dynamic laryngeal collapse but can also be witnessed as a solitary disorder. Videoendoscopically, it appears that the compression is initiated by the rostral advancement of the larynx and hyoid apparatus within a progressively narrowing intermandibular space during poll flexion. Visually, this leads to local inward compression of the lateral nasopharyngeal walls and base of the epiglottis. Further studies are ongoing to confirm this hypothesis and to objectively quantify the degree of URT obstruction caused by this conformational narrowing of the epiglottis during poll flexion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the role of raceday veterinarians in the racing industry, particularly in horse racing. The Racing Integrity Board (RIB) contracts about 40 veterinarians to provide raceday services, ensuring compliance with animal welfare standards. Raceday vets are responsible for examining horses, identifying abnormalities or injuries, providing first aid, and taking blood samples for testing. They also work with stewards, investigators, and club officials to prioritize the welfare of racehorses. The article highlights initiatives such as equine ambulances, a dedicated app for recording findings, and a limb retrieval scheme to improve horse welfare and reduce injuries. The importance of raceday veterinarians in ensuring animal welfare and safety is emphasized, and the industry is encouraged to continue progressing towards higher standards. [Extracted from the article]

Summary Background Objectives Study design Methods Results Main limitations Conclusion Short incomplete parasagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx are common injuries described in racehorses and also horses not used for racing. Computed tomographic (CT) features have been described in horses not used for racing, but not in a racehorse population.To describe CT features of short incomplete parasagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx in a group of Thoroughbred racehorses.Retrospective observational study.CT images of 59 Thoroughbred racehorses diagnosed with 60 short incomplete parasagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx examined between January 2014 and February 2023 were reviewed retrospectively. Horse signalment and clinical features were retrieved from hospital records.50/60 fractures were dorsally biased unicortical fractures. Mean proximodistal fracture extension in forelimbs (13.6 mm ± 3.4) was less than in hindlimbs (17.4 mm ± 4.4) (p = 0.0019). There was no difference in fracture extension in the proximodistal direction according to age or gender. Fractures in 2‐year‐olds were shorter in dorsopalmar/−plantar direction (17.4 mm ± 6.3) than in 3‐year‐olds and older horses (21.7 mm ± 7.4) (p = 0.015). Periosteal new bone was present in 91.2% of fractures and endosteal new bone in 75%.Conclusions from this study can only confidently be applied to similar populations of racing Thoroughbred horses.Short incomplete parasagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx in Thoroughbred racehorses most commonly involve only the dorsal cortex and adjacent subchondral and cancellous bone. The distribution of fracture configurations differs from that described in horses not used for racing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Increased radiopharmaceutical uptake (IRU) in skeletal muscle in horses has been previously reported but only a few authors describe its location in detail. Objectives: To describe and document the distribution of IRU in skeletal muscle in a population of flat racing and endurance horses. Study design: Retrospective descriptive study. Methods: Bone phase nuclear skeletal scintigraphy studies of 17 endurance and 9 racehorses with IRU in skeletal muscle were reviewed. The affected muscles were described and differences between endurance and flat racing horses were analysed. Ultrasonographic appearance of the muscles with IRU was also described when available. Results: A total of 22 hindlimb scans (14 endurance horses, 8 racehorses) and 7 forelimbs scans (5 endurance horses, 2 racehorses) were analysed. In the hindlimbs, IRU was most frequently observed in the semitendinosus muscle in endurance horses (7/14, 50%) and in the gluteus medius muscle in racehorses (4/8, 50%). Bilateral IRU in the same muscle was often observed (11/22, 50%) in the hindlimbs. In 87.5% of the studies with IRU in the biceps femoris (7/8) or the semitendinosus muscles (7/8), the IRU was bilateral. In the forelimbs, IRU was most frequently observed in the triceps brachii (2/5, 40%) and latissimus dorsi (2/5, 40%) muscles in endurance horses and in the brachiocephalicus muscle in racehorses (2/2, 100%). The distribution of the skeletal muscles with IRU was more varied in endurance than in flat racehorses. No statistically significant difference was found in the distribution of the skeletal muscles with IRU between endurance and racehorses. Conclusions: Even though no statistical differences between groups could be demonstrated, this study describes the frequent location of IRU in muscle in the semitendinosus of endurance horses and in the gluteus medius of flat racehorses included in this study. The distribution of muscles with IRU was more variable in endurance horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the oral supplementation of astaxanthin (ATX) on inflammatory markers in 3-year-old Arabian racehorses. Despite the recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of ATX observed in vitro in rodent models and in human athletes, the effects in equine subjects remain unknown. This study involved a controlled trial with 14 horses receiving either ATX (six horses) or a placebo (eight horses), monitored over four months of race training. Inflammatory cytokines: TNFα, IFNγ, IL-6, IL-10, and prostaglandin E (PGE), were measured monthly to assess the impact of ATX on the inflammatory response. The results indicated no significant differences in measured parameters between the ATX and the control group during the study. However, a significant time-dependent decrease in TNFα and IFNγ levels (p = 0.001) was observed in both groups, suggesting that regular training naturally modulates inflammatory responses. Moreover, positive correlations were noted between TNFα and IFNγ (p < 0.001) in the early phase of the study and between IL-6 and IL-10 (p = 0.008) in the later phase. Hematological parameters remained stable and within reference ranges, indicating no adverse effects of ATX supplementation. Performance metrics, including the number of races completed and wins, showed no significant differences between groups, suggesting that ATX did not enhance athletic performance under the study conditions. Overall, while ATX supplementation affected neither cytokine levels nor performance in Arabian racehorses, the natural anti-inflammatory effects of regular training were evident. Further research is needed to explore potential benefits of ATX supplementation under different conditions, such as in horses with subclinical inflammation or varying training regimens, to fully clarify its role and applications in equine sports medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 1–2 per 100,000 young athletes die from sudden cardiac death (SCD) and extreme exercise may be associated with myocardial scar and arrhythmias. Racehorses have a high prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and SCD but the presence of myocardial scar and inflammation has not been evaluated. Cardiac tissues from the left (LAA) and right (RAA) atrial appendages, left ventricular anterior (LVAPM) and posterior (LVPPM) papillary muscles, and right side of the interventricular septum (IVS-R) were harvested from racehorses with sudden cardiac death (SCD, n = 16) or other fatal injuries (OFI, n = 17), constituting the athletic group (ATH, n = 33), and compared to sedentary horses (SED, n = 10). Horses in the ATH group had myocyte hypertrophy at all sites; increased fibrosis at all sites other than the LAA; increased fibroblast infiltration but a reduction in the overall extracellular matrix (ECM) volume in the RAA, LVAPM, and IVS-R compared to SED horses. In this horse model, athletic conditioning was associated with myocyte hypertrophy and a reduction in ECM. There was an excess of fibrocyte infiltration and focal fibrosis that was not present in non-athletic horses, raising the possibility of an exercise-induced pro-fibrotic substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High intensive intermittent exercise (HIIE) is used to condition horses for racing. A study was done to examine the effect of short duration HIIE on the maximal speed (Speedmax) and v4 of 6 Thoroughbred race horses (v4: speed at which under defined conditions the blood lactate concentration [LA] reaches 4mmol/l). Horses were exercised during 8 weeks with one HIIE session per week on a dirt track. A HIIE session consisted of two runs of 100m each at near maximal speed separated by 10 minutes walking. After every second week during the conditioning period (CP) the number of runs was increased by one finishing with 5 runs per HIIE session in the last two weeks of CP. Prior to the CP, horses performed a submaximal standardized exercise test (SETsubmaximal) and a maximal speed test (SETspeedmax) to determine their v4 and Speedmax respectively. SETsubmaximal was conducted every 2 weeks until the end of CP and SETspeedmax after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of CP. The v4 of horses declined during the first 4 weeks of CP (p < 0.05), but returned to initial levels thereafter. Speedmax remained equal over time. The results indicate that further studies need to be done to find optimal combinations of exercises to simultaneously increase Speedmax and v4 of horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The risk of carpal injury in racehorses may be related to the morphology, yet whether carpal morphologies are set from birth or change through growth remains unclear. Objective: To quantify carpal bone changes through growth. Method: Twenty privately owned Thoroughbred foals born between January 2022 and May 2023 were radiographed bimonthly from birth to 10 months of age. Imprint training was used to take radiographs safely without chemical restraints. Fifteen individual and 11 relative angular carpal parameters were measured using ImageJ on dorsopalmar radiographs of the carpus at zero degrees of vertical and horizontal rotation. Associations with age (growth), sex and the differences between left and right limbs were analysed separately using a linear mixed effects model. Results: Six individual carpal parameters changed with age (radial carpal joint [RCJ], Prx.dor. radial carpal [Cr], Prx.Cu, Dis.dor. third carpal [C3], Dis.pal.C3 and Dis.pal. intermediate carpal), and one was influenced by side, that is higher in the left carpus (Dis.pal.Cr). Seven relative parameters changed with age, and one relative parameter was influenced by side, that is higher in the left (Ra.met‐RCJ). The proximo‐dorsal bone surface angle of Cr and disto‐dorsal bone surface angle of C3 became flatter over time, which may be associated with the re‐direction of the load towards the sagittal carpal plane. Sex did not influence any of the carpal parameters, nor did the combined effect of age, side of the limb and sex. Conclusion: Specific individual and relative angular carpal parameters changed significantly over time and some differed between the left and right limb, whereas other parameters did not change. The steeper carpal bone angles achieved proximally with the parameters that did change may improve stability by redirecting the load more medially through the carpus and the proximal and distal bones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From summer 2018 to summer 2019, several Thoroughbred racehorses held at the Miho Training Centre of the Japan Racing Association inadvertently ingested excessive amounts of sodium selenite, resulting in typical chronic selenium (Se) poisoning – the so-called alkali disease. The typical abnormality was a hoof wall disorder with a circumferentially deep ring and/or transverse hoof wall cracks parallel to the coronet on all feet and appearing after excessive ingestion. One affected Thoroughbred male was unique in that all the hooves had a rough surface with a very fragile hoof wall, but no wall rings or transverse cracking. This horse was euthanized because of dysstasia due to the permanent foot pain associated with hoof wall deformities in the front feet. To detect Se deposition in the hooves, we used energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis to measure the Se signal intensity of each lesion. Characteristic Se-kα signals were emitted from the areas of histologically damaged hoof wall at 33.76 ± 11.78 (mean ± SD) counts per second (cps)/mm2. In contrast, the signal from the uninjured proximal hoof wall was 1.43 ± 0.14 cps/mm2 and that from the uninjured distal hoof wall was 1.51 ± 0.23 cps/mm2. The much greater Se deposition in the injured hoof walls suggests that their disintegration was caused by alkali disease. These results indicate that atypical hoof wall abnormalities due to alkali disease can be diagnosed by EDXRF analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Although belief systems have been shaped by various factors throughout history, it is observed that certain concepts have persisted. In this context, the term "Oboo" refers to a mound where sacrifices and offerings were made to the deity in pre-Islamic periods in Central Asia. It is known that the Mongols performed the ritual of offering sacrifices to Oboo since pre-Islamic times. Oboo is considered a shrine and is also known to have the function of a guide/marker. Oboo are generally accepted as guides, and it is observed that travelers make offerings to them. Although Oboo are sometimes associated with graves, it is generally believed that these structures mark a specific place. Located especially in mountain passes, Oboo are believed to bring peace and tranquility. Sacrificial rituals are performed at Oboo in summer and autumn, followed by activities such as horse racing, wrestling, and archery. These features of Oboo have ensured their cultural and religious significance, making them popular even today in Mongolia and its surroundings. In this context, the continuity of Oboo in cultural and religious rituals has left deep traces on the social structures in Central Asia and Anatolia, and it is observed that these structures have played a significant role in shaping the collective identity and belief systems of the peoples in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]