Summary The objective of this study was to describe lateral patellar instability (LPI) in a population of weanling Standardbreds and characterise the prevalence, clinical features, imaging findings and long‐term follow‐up. A total of 222 weanling Standardbreds were examined between June 2017 and December 2019 for presales examination, and LPI was identified in four horses. Presumptive diagnosis was made on clinical and dynamic examination at walk and confirmed by radiography. One horse was subject to euthanasia for causes related to LPI (Case 3), and computed tomography (CT) of both hindlimbs was performed post‐mortem in order to better characterise the anatomical variations of the affected stifle. The intertrochlear groove angle (IGA), the angle of anteversion (AA) of the femoral neck, the anatomical lateral distal femoral angle (aLDFA) and the degree of tibial torsion (TT) were measured. LPI prevalence in Standardbreds weanlings was 1.8%, and it carried a poor athletic prognosis. Radiographic abnormalities were observed in the shape of the patella, characterised by a rounder profile and a less pronounced sagittal crest. The abnormal limb also presented a wider IGA, an outward rotation of the proximal aspect of the tibia and varus deformity of the femorotibial joint compared with the contralateral limb. LPI seems to occur with a high prevalence in the Standardbred weanling population, and our findings suggest that LPI is related to a combination of epiphyseal dysplasia and rotational and angular abnormalities of the affected limb. No effective treatments have been reported.

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Superficial skeletal muscle activation is associated with an electric activity. Bidimensional High-Density Surface Electromyography (HD-sEMG) is a non-invasive technique that uses a grid of equally spaced electrodes applied on the skin surface to detect and portray superficial skeletal muscle activation. The goal of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of HD-sEMG to detect electrical activation of skeletal muscle and its application during rehabilitation exercises in horses. To fulfil this aim, activation of the superficial descending pectoral and external abdominal oblique core muscles were measured using HD-sEMG technology during dynamic mobilization exercises to induce lateral bending and flexion/extension tasks of the trunk. Masseter muscle was instrumented during mastication as a control condition. A 64 surface EMG channel wireless system was used with a single 64 electrode grid or a pair of 32 electrode grids. HD-sEMG provided unique information on the muscular activation onset, duration, and offset, along each motor task, and permitting inferences about the motor control strategy actuated by the central nervous system. Signals were further processed to obtain firing frequencies of few motor-neurons. Estimation of electromyographic amplitude and spectral parameters allowed detecting the onset of muscular fatigue during the motor tasks performed. HD-sEMG allows the assessment of muscular activation in horses performing specific motor tasks, supporting its future application in clinical and research settings.

Internal bleeding and mucosal bleeding in hollow organs are uncommon conditions in equine medicine and endoscopy. Most of the times, they respond to treatment of the underlying primary condition. However, there are cases in which a rapid and effective control of blood loss is required and the animal is not suited for surgery or general anaesthesia. We report two cases referred to our Veterinary Teaching Hospital with signs of urinary disease and bladder haemorrhage identified by cystoscopy which were successfully managed with topical application of a haemostatic carboxymethyl-starch powder. The product was applied directly on the bleeding mucosa after bladder emptying either under endoscopic guidance or blindly, through a urinary catheter. The application of the haemostatic powder appears to be easy to perform, safe, and helpful in controlling mucosal bleeding in hollow organs in the short time, with no adverse reactions noticed. This approach should be considered in cases where mucosal bleeding can be identified by endoscopy and a prompt control of blood loss is required, also in the field.