Michelle C. Coleman

Competency-based veterinary education (CBVE) is a framework that emphasizes measurable outcomes and skill proficiency to better prepare graduates for professional practice. Developed in response to shortcomings in traditional education, CBVE aims to ensure that trainees acquire essential skills by focusing on developing competencies. Although institutions implementing CBVE report positive outcomes, the framework faces challenges, particularly in assessing domains such as communication, collaboration, and professionalism. These competencies, rooted in practical wisdom, require nuanced assessment methods. The CBVE tool kit offers diverse assessment tools aligned with the CBVE domains; however, gaps remain, especially in preclinical settings where objective measures may not capture the intricacies of professional behaviors. Furthermore, significant time and resources are required to implement these assessments effectively. By embracing uncertainty in evaluation, veterinary educators may capture the complexities of student competence while supporting an inclusive learning environment. This article advocates for the development of more assessment tools and the strategic use of existing ones to ensure comprehensive student evaluation and promotion of professional growth.

Background: A proportion of senior horses (≥15 years of age) are still used for competition. Information about this particular group of horses is currently sparse.Objectives: To provide an overview of the demographics, management and health of competing U.S. senior horses (≥15 years of age).Study design: Online survey.Methods: Descriptive and inferential (Kruskal–Wallis test) analysis of 246 surveys from owners of U.S.‐resident senior horses used for competition. Confidence intervals were calculated for prevalence estimates of clinical signs and medical conditions.Results: Competing senior horses were mainly kept at their owners' own facility, with owners making all management decisions (52.2%). In terms of housing, competing senior horses were most frequently kept in a stall but with ≥12 h a day on pasture. Competing seniors were predominantly 15–20 years of age (73.4%), were geldings (69.5%) and were Quarter Horses (33.5%). About one‐half competed/trained for competition at a medium level. Three percent competed at the highest (e.g., international) level. The most common discipline was dressage (32.0%). Stiffness/reduced leg‐joint flexibility was the most common owner‐reported clinical sign (29.2%; 95% CI: 23.5–35.6) and osteoarthritis was the most common owner‐reported veterinary‐diagnosed medical condition (32.6%; 95% CI: 26.8–39.0), followed by gastric ulcers (8.0%; 95% CI: 5.1–12.3) and lameness (7.6%; 95% CI: 4.8–11.8). Nearly one‐half (43.3%) indicated that their competing senior horse had no veterinary‐diagnosed medical condition at the time of the survey.Main limitations: Potential recall, response and sampling bias.Conclusions: Although few horses over 20 years of age were used in competition, senior horses (≥15 years of age) competed up to the highest level (e.g., internationally) in some disciplines. Competing senior horses were affected by medical conditions commonly reported in the general senior horse population (e.g., osteoarthritis and lameness) and younger competing horses (e.g., gastric ulcers and lameness), potentially increasing the complexity of their management.

Background: Information on health care and health status of U.S. senior horses (≥15 years of age) is currently sparse. Objectives: (A) Provide an overview of owner‐reported (1) medical conditions, (2) management/treatment practices for equine metabolic syndrome and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), (3) frequencies of routine health care practices and (4) supplement and pharmaceutical use in U.S. senior horses (≥15 years of age). (B) Evaluate potential risk factors for certain medical conditions and for low routine health care. Study design: Online survey. Methods: Descriptive and inferential analysis (binomial logistic regression and ANOVA) of 2717 questionnaires from owners of U.S. senior horses. Results: The most common owner‐reported veterinary‐diagnosed medical conditions were osteoarthritis (30%), dental disorders (15%), lameness (14%), PPID (12%) and ocular disorders (6%). Advancing age was found to be a risk factor for PPID (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval, CI] = 1.14 [1.10–1.18]), dental (OR [95% CI] = 1.18 [1.15–1.22]) and ocular (OR [95% CI] = 1.05 [1.01–1.10]) disorders. Only 36% of horses were free of owner‐reported veterinary‐diagnosed medical conditions at the time of the survey. During the year prior to the survey, most routine healthcare practices (i.e., veterinary health care, dental care and anthelmintic treatment) were typically undertaken one to two times per year, while farrier visits occurred mostly every 5–6 weeks. Retired senior horses had a higher risk of no health care visits (OR [95% CI] = 2.1 [1.38–3.06]), no dental care (OR [95% CI] = 2.0 [1.31–3.00]) and low farrier attendance (i.e., ≤4 times/year) (OR [95% CI] = 2.4 [1.57–3.63]) compared with senior horses used for pleasure riding. The most frequently administered drug was firocoxib (18%) and joint supplements were the most provided supplements (41%). Main limitations: Potential recall, response and sampling bias. Risk factor analyses do not establish causal relationships. Conclusions: Medical conditions are highly prevalent in U.S. senior horses. Retired senior horses have an increased risk of low routine health care.

Science-in-Brief: The 6th Havemeyer Workshop on Rhodococcus equi - A Decade-Long Journey in Advancing Research into a Major Equine Pathogen (2012-2023)Michelle Coleman1, John Prescott2, Angela Bordin3, Noah Cohen3, Leticia Gressler4, Albert Haas5, Mic

The Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE) Analyze Working Group of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) Council on Outcomes-based Veterinary Education (COVE) has developed a CBVE assessment toolkit. The toolkit is designed to provide curriculum committees and individual instructors with an opportune intersection of the CBVE domains of competence and various assessment techniques. College-wide curriculum committees can use the toolkit to guide programs of assessment in the larger unit, ensuring that assessment methods are aligned with intended learning outcomes throughout the curriculum. On a smaller unit basis, the toolkit allows a single instructor or team of instructors to identify domains of interest for evaluation and then to identify various assessment tools appropriate to those domains. For each of 21 different assessment tools, the toolkit provides information that includes: a description; appropriate CBVE domains and competencies; examples; documented uses; evidence of efficacy; references; and links to illustrations if available. Because the toolkit is published online, periodic updates can be made as more data become available on the efficacy of various assessment tools relative to the CBVE domains in veterinary education. From programmatic assessment to single course examinations, the toolkit is intended to assist both administrators and faculty alike in understanding how different assessment approaches can support a variety of competency domains.

Background: Information on the management and health of US senior horses (≥15 years of age) is currently limited. Objectives: Provide information on (1) primary use of US senior horses, (2) reasons and risk factors for horse retirement, (3) exercise management, (4) prevalence of low muscle mass and (5) risk factors for, and owner‐perceived consequences of, low muscle mass. Study design: Online survey. Methods: Survey responses from 2717 owners of U.S.‐resident senior horses (≥15 years of age) were analysed descriptively and inferentially, using ordered and binomial logistic regression, ANOVA and the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: The most frequently reported primary uses were pleasure riding/driving (38.5%) and full retirement (39.8%). Most horses (61.5%) were retired between 15 and 24 years of age, with health problems being the main reason. Age, female sex, Thoroughbred breed and various medical conditions were identified as risk factors for retirement. In working horses (i.e., those not retired or semi‐retired), exercise intensity was negatively associated with age. The owner‐reported prevalence of low muscle mass in all horses was 17.2% (95%CI = 15.7–18.7). In those affected by low muscle mass, the ability to work and welfare‐related aspects were commonly perceived to be impaired. Increasing age, sex (gelding), pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, osteoarthritis, laminitis and primary use (retired and semi‐retired vs. use for competition) were identified as risk factors for owner‐reported low muscle mass. Main limitations: Potential response, recall and sampling bias. Causal relationships cannot be established. Conclusions: Although structured exercise into old age may provide health benefits (as seen in elderly people), a large proportion of horses were fully retired in the current study. Senior horses were mainly retired for health problems and characterising these problems may aid in extending their work/active life. Low muscle mass was perceived to affect horses' welfare and ability to work, and identification of prevention and treatment strategies is therefore warranted.

The bacterium Rhodococcus equi causes pneumonia in foals that is prevalent at breeding farms worldwide. In the absence of an effective vaccine, transfusion of commercial plasma from donor horses hyperimmunised against R. equi is used by many farms to reduce the incidence of pneumonia among foals at farms where the disease is endemic. The effectiveness of hyperimmune plasma for controlling R. equi pneumonia in foals has varied considerably among reports. The purposes of this narrative review are: (1) to review early studies that provided a foundational basis for the practice of transfusion of hyperimmune plasma that is widespread in the United States and in many other countries; (2) to summarise current knowledge of hyperimmune plasma for preventing R. equi pneumonia; (3) to provide an interpretive summary of probable explanations for the variable results among studies evaluating the effectiveness of transfusion of hyperimmune plasma for reducing the incidence of R. equi pneumonia; (4) to review mechanisms by which hyperimmune plasma might mediate protection; and (5) to consider risks of transfusing foals with hyperimmune plasma. Although the weight of evidence supports the practice of transfusing foals with hyperimmune plasma to prevent R. equi pneumonia, many important gaps in our knowledge of this topic remain including the volume/dose of hyperimmune plasma to be transfused, the timing(s) of transfusion, and the mechanism(s) by which hyperimmune plasma mediates protection. Transfusing foals with hyperimmune plasma is expensive, labour‐intensive, and carries risks for foals; therefore, alternative approaches for passive and active immunisation to prevent R. equi pneumonia are greatly needed.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the inflammatory response of murine macrophages exposed to the enteric microbiome of obese horses versus nonobese horses. SAMPLE: Fecal samples from 12 obese horses (body condition score ≥ 7/9) and 12 nonobese horses (body condition score 4 to 5/9) with similar dietary management. PROCEDURES: Fecal supernatant was prepared from frozen fecal samples. RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were exposed to the fecal extract. Inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6) gene expression was quantified via real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR assay, and cytokine concentration was quantified via ELISA. Lipopolysaccharide was evaluated in fecal extract via chromo-limulus amoebocyte lysate assay. RESULTS: Compared with fecal extracts from nonobese horses, fecal extracts from obese horses presented higher concentrations of lipopolysaccharide and induced a heightened expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 from macrophages. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The increased levels of inflammatory markers induced in murine macrophages by the microbiome of obese horses in vitro suggested important differences in the enteric microbial composition of these horses, compared with nonobese horses. Overall, this study showed that the microbiome may play a role in mediating an inflammatory response within the gastrointestinal tract of obese horses. Mechanisms of obesity in the horse have not been fully elucidated. Improved understanding of the pathophysiology of disease will guide future research into potential diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for equine obesity.

Background The nasopharyngeal bacterial and fungal microbiota of normal horses and those with nasopharyngeal cicatrix syndrome (NCS) are unknown. Hypotheses/Objectives To describe the microbiota from nasopharyngeal washes of healthy horses and of horses acutely affected with NCS. Animals Twenty-six horses acutely affected with NCS horses and 14 unaffected horses. Methods Prospective, observational cohort study. Horses were recruited by investigators through personal communications in central Texas. Bacterial (16s RNA) and fungal (internal transcribed spacer) microbiota from nasopharyngeal washes were evaluated. Polymerase chain reaction for detection of Pythium insidiosum was performed. Results Results indicated that 6 fungal genera (Alternaria, Bipolaris, Microascus, Spegazzinia, Paraconiothyrium, Claviceps) and 1 bacterial genera (Staphylococcus) were significantly different between affected and unaffected horses. The fungal genus Bipolaris had increased abundance in NCS affected horses and on NCS affected farms. Pythium insidiosum was absent in the nasopharyngeal wash of all horses, irrespective of health status. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Significant differences were identified in the fungal microbiota in horses affected with NCS and farms affected with NCS compared to those unaffected. Therefore, Bipolaris warrants further investigation.