@article{rogers_poore_shaeffer_weaver_siciliano_harmon_2024, title={Amazing Grazing webinar and workshop series improves producers understanding of pasture ecology}, volume={102}, ISSN={["1525-3163"]}, DOI={10.1093/jas/skae019.010}, abstractNote={
 Grassland stewards are seeking a better understanding of the complex interactions occurring in their pastures. Information is readily available to assist producers but each farm provides its own unique challenges and opportunities. A diverse scope of knowledge and skills are required to build resilient grazing systems. To address this need Amazing Grazing conducted a webinar series (April 2023) followed by on-farm workshops in July/August 2023. Webinars were held on consecutive Wednesday evenings with 237 average number of registered attendees and 78 average number of actual participants. Topics covered during the first webinar were pasture ecology basics, plant growth principles, livestock forage demand and grazing management principles. The following week covered pasture layout and design, pasture renovation techniques and pasture soil health concepts. The final evening featured topics on electric fence basics, grazing systems for horses and small ruminants and a synopsis. NC Extension Livestock Agents assisted in the sight selection and execution of workshops (n = 8) that were held on working farms. These events provide the opportunity for hands-on instruction to demonstrate the concepts covered in the webinar series. Total workshop registration was 196, with 148 evaluations completed. Participants were 72% farmers, 1% extension agents, 10% Soil and Water Conservation District Employee, 7% NRCS employee and 10% other. The total number of pasture hectares grazed by participants was 3,217 with 1,257 ha as hay. Livestock inventories for attendees were 4,323 beef cattle, 1,366 sheep, 455 goats and 51 horses. Attendees were asked about their pre- and post- workshop knowledge (1 = Very Low; 5 = Very High) of topics presented. Participants indicated a knowledge gain (average pre = 2.78 and post = 3.91) in Concepts of Pastureland Ecology, Adaptive Management, Managing Nutrient Distribution, Pasture Renovation, Temporary Electric Fence, Troubleshooting Electric Fence and Pasture Plant Identification. Workshop impact was determined by asking attendees their post workshop intentions regarding management practices (1 = No, 2 = Maybe, 3 = Yes, 4 = Already Doing). Attendees plan to spending more time walking pasture to determine plant condition, learn more about soil, plant, animal and human interactions, increase use of temporary electric fence and adopt an adaptive management style (average score = 3.91). Continued workshop participation indicates the demand for hands-on education in these areas and that the on-farm format is an effective teaching environment.}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Rogers, Johnny R. and Poore, Matt H. and Shaeffer, April D. and Weaver, Andrew R. and Siciliano, Paul and Harmon, Deidre D.}, year={2024}, month={Mar}, pages={7–8} }
 @article{poore_shaeffer_rogers_weaver_siciliano_harmon_2024, title={Pastureland Ecology 1 provides hands-on training in grazing management for USDA-NRCS professionals}, volume={102}, ISSN={["1525-3163"]}, DOI={10.1093/jas/skae019.007}, abstractNote={
 Pastureland Ecology 1 is a 2-wk continuing education course taught by cooperating faculty at NC State University for USDA-NRCS Staff. The course was founded in the early 1990s and has been taught 23 times to over 500 participants from all 50 states. Participants primarily include grazing specialists, soil conservationists, and district conservationists. Instruction is split between classroom lectures and hands-on experience with grazing management. Lecture topics include; introduction to pasture ecology, principles of plant growth, determining animal forage needs, pasture design, principles of soil health, principles of grazing management, and grazing management systems for small ruminants, horses and cattle. Small groups of students work with groups of goats, sheep, horses, and beef cattle throughout the course, learning concepts of forage allocation, temporary electric fence, and adaptive management. Popular demonstrations developed over the years include; the reel race, dung beetle buckets, burying underwear to demonstrate soil health, exploring root diversity, and troubleshooting electric fence. Farm tours are conducted to show how concepts being taught are applied on commercial farms. In 2023 there were 29 students from 13 states including VA (4), MD (4), PA (3), OK (4), MI (1), UT (2), TN (3), WV (1), MA (1), OH (1), NM (1), WA (3), and RI (1). Participants had 8.4 ± 1.39 (AVG ± SEM) years of experience with NRCS with a range of 1 to 27 yr. Students self-assessed their understanding of major concepts before and after the course. On a 1 to 5 scale students increased their understanding by an average of 1.05 ± 0.129, averaged over all topics. Topics more familiar to participants had less increase including; Soil Health (0.38), Pasture Condition Evaluation (0.51), and Grazing Management for Beef Cattle (0.79). Less familiar topics had greater increases including Grazing Management for Horses (1.27) and Small Ruminants (1.27), and Temporary Electric Fence (1.43). Pastureland Ecology 1 remains a critical part of the Amazing Grazing Program at NC State University, impacting pasture-based livestock producers across the country. This educational model has proven to be an effective way of teaching the principles of pastureland ecology.}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Poore, Matt H. and Shaeffer, April D. and Rogers, Johnny R. and Weaver, Andrew R. and Siciliano, Paul and Harmon, Deidre}, year={2024}, month={Mar}, pages={5–5} }
 @article{spears_siciliano_pratt-phillips_lloyd_goertzen_krafka_hyda_rounds_2020, title={Chromium propionate improves insulin sensitivity in horses following oral concentrate consumption}, volume={98}, ISSN={["1525-3163"]}, DOI={10.1093/jas/skaa278.160}, abstractNote={Abstract}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Spears, Jerry W. and Siciliano, Paul and Pratt-Phillips, Shannon and Lloyd, Karen and Goertzen, Ellen and Krafka, Kristi and Hyda, Jill and Rounds, Whitney}, year={2020}, month={Nov}, pages={88–88} }
 @article{spears_lloyd_siciliano_pratt-phillips_goertzen_mcleod_moore_krafka_hyda_rounds_2020, title={Chromium propionate increases insulin sensitivity in horses following oral and intravenous carbohydrate administration}, volume={98}, ISSN={["1525-3163"]}, DOI={10.1093/jas/skaa095}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={4}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Spears, Jerry W. and Lloyd, Karen E. and Siciliano, Paul and Pratt-Phillips, Shannon and Goertzen, Ellen W. and McLeod, Sarah J. and Moore, Jennifer and Krafka, Kristi and Hyda, Jill and Rounds, Whitney}, year={2020}, month={Apr} }
 @article{moore_siciliano_pratt-phillips_2019, title={Effects of Diet Versus Exercise on Morphometric Measurements, Blood Hormone Concentrations, and Oral Sugar Test Response in Obese Horses}, volume={78}, ISSN={["1542-7412"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2019.03.214}, abstractNote={Weight loss plans in horses typically use dietary restriction, but exercise may have additional benefits. This study aimed to compare the effects of a diet or exercise protocol resulting in comparable caloric restriction in obese horses. Ten obese horses were paired according to sex, age, and breed or breed type. One horse from each pair was randomly assigned to either diet (DIET)-intake restricted to approximately 85% of digestible energy requirements or exercise (EX)-exercised to expend approximately 15% of digestible energy requirements, resulting in 85% of requirements available, for 4 weeks. Body weight (BW), heart girth (HG), girth-to-height ratio (G:H), neck circumference (NC), neck circumference-to-height ratio (NC:H), belly girth (BG), body condition score (BCS), cresty neck score (CNS), serum insulin, plasma leptin, and plasma ghrelin concentrations were measured weekly. An oral sugar test was conducted on days 0 and 28 to measure insulin to glucose ratio (Ins:glc) and 60-minute insulin sensitivity index (ISI60). Results were analyzed using repeated measures. A P ≤ .05 was considered significant, and .05 <P ≤ .10 was considered a tendency. Both groups showed similar decreases over time in BW, HG, G:H, BG, BCS, and CNS, but the EX group showed significantly greater losses in NC (and NC:H). The EX group showed significant improvements in (log) Ins:glc, as well as a tendency for improvements in (log) ISI60 and plasma leptin concentrations, while the DIET group showed no change. Horses showed no changes in (log) plasma ghrelin with weight loss.}, journal={JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Moore, Jennifer L. and Siciliano, Paul D. and Pratt-Phillips, Shannon E.}, year={2019}, month={Jul}, pages={38–45} }
 @article{moore_siciliano_pratt-phillips_2019, title={Effects of exercise on voluntary intake, morphometric measurements, and oral sugar test response in horses on ad libitum forage}, volume={15}, ISSN={["1755-2559"]}, DOI={10.3920/CEP190014}, abstractNote={In a previous study, exercise resulted in weight loss and improvements in insulin and glucose metabolism, but horses on free-choice forage may increase feed intake in response to exercise, potentially negating the benefits. This study aimed to determine if light exercise increases intake in mature horses, and if horses on ad libitum forage achieve the benefits previously observed. Eight mature, stock-type geldings (594.3±50.5 kg; 12.0±1.7 yr) were adapted to a diet of ad libitum grass hay. Baseline dry matter intake (DMI) was measured for 7 d. Horses then remained idle (CON, n=4) or entered an exercise program (EX, n=4) for 3 weeks. Voluntary DMI was quantified daily. Body weight (BW), heart girth (HG), girth to height ratio (G:H), neck circumference (NC), neck circumference to height ratio (NC:H), rump fat thickness (RF), percent body fat (BF), serum insulin, plasma ghrelin, and plasma leptin were quantified weekly. An oral sugar test was conducted on day 0 and 21, and insulin to glucose ratio (Ins:glc) and 60-min insulin sensitivity index (ISI60) were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures. Insulin, ghrelin, Ins:glc, and ISI60 were not normally distributed, so they were log-transformed for analysis. P≤0.05 was considered significant. The EX group showed no difference in DMI or (log) ghrelin compared to the CON group. The CON group showed increases in BW, RF, and BF, while the EX group showed decreases in HG, G:H, NC, NC:H, (log) insulin, and leptin. EX showed lower (log) Ins:glc than CON after treatment. Overall, light exercise did not alter DMI in mature horses on ad libitum forage, but resulted in improvements in morphometric measurements, (log) Ins:glc, and plasma leptin concentrations, and avoided gains in BW and rump fat.}, number={3}, journal={COMPARATIVE EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY}, author={Moore, J. L. and Siciliano, P. D. and Pratt-Phillips, S. E.}, year={2019}, pages={209–218} }
 @article{moore_siciliano_pratt-phillips_2019, title={Voluntary Energy Intake and Expenditure in Obese and Lean Horses Consuming ad libitum Forage}, volume={74}, ISSN={["1542-7412"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2018.12.020}, abstractNote={Some horses are more prone to obesity than others. This study aimed to compare energy intake and expenditure between obese and lean horses. Ten mature, stock-type geldings (aged 11.8 ± 4.0 years; 577 ± 52 kg) maintained on the same pasture were classified as obese (n = 6, body condition score [BCS] ≥ 7) or lean (n = 4, BCS = 4–5) and adapted to free-choice grass hay over 25 days. Dry matter intake (DMI) was measured for 11 days, with body weight (BW) and blood samples (analyzed for serum leptin) collected on Days 0, 2, 4, 7, 9, and 11. Behavior was observed for 24 hours. Apparent dry matter digestibility and gross energy digestibility were measured using 48-hour total fecal collection. Digestible energy intake was calculated. Activity (distance traveled, average heart rate [HR], and maximum HR) was quantified using HR monitors with GPS tracking. Average HR was used to estimate energy expenditure. Serum leptin, DMI, and BW were analyzed as repeated measures. Other variables were analyzed using unpaired t-tests. P < .05 was considered significant. Serum leptin, intake, digestibility, and activity were not affected by group. Dry matter intake was correlated with average HR (r = 0.70; P = .03). Obese horses spent more time active (interacting with other horses, moving around; P = .003) and less time eating (P = .03). Overall, the results of this study identified some differences in behavior but did not identify any differences in energy intake or expenditure between obese and lean horses.}, journal={JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Moore, Jennifer L. and Siciliano, Paul D. and Pratt-Phillips, Shannon E.}, year={2019}, month={Mar}, pages={13–20} }
 @misc{martinson_sicilian_sheaffer_mcintosh_swinker_williams_2017, title={A Review of Equine Grazing Research Methodologies}, volume={51}, ISSN={["1542-7412"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2017.01.002}, abstractNote={Recently, there has been a renewed interest and an increase in published research on equine grazing and pasture management. The objectives of this paper are to review equine grazing research methodologies with an aim to encourage standardized research procedures. This review highlights standard methods used in equine pasture-related research, including use of climate data and soil type; seed bed preparation and grazing management; determining forage nutritive value; defining forage maturity; tracking horse health parameters; evaluating different grazing systems; and future technologies. This review covers in-depth discussions on determining forage biomass yield, forage populations, ground cover, persistence, forage intake, and grazing behavior. Specifically, mechanical harvesting, hand clipping, rising plate meter, and falling plate meter are all methods used to determine forage biomass yield. Frequency grid, point sampling, visual assessment, Natural Resources Conservation Service pasture condition score, and the double Dominant, Abundant, Frequent, Occasional, Rare (DAFOR) scale can be used to track forage populations, ground cover, and persistence of pasture species. Three primary methods have been used when estimating horse forage intake including the difference between pre- and postgrazing herbage mass, the difference in pre- and postgrazing bodyweight, and use of digestibility and fecal output markers. Equine grazing behavior has been described by investigating preference, pre- and post-sward height, and bite and mastication rate. Awareness of key methodologies should encourage movement toward research protocol standardization that will allow for scientific comparisons and application of pasture-related research results across the horse industry.}, journal={JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Martinson, Krishona L. and Sicilian, Paul D. and Sheaffer, Craig C. and McIntosh, Bridgett J. and Swinker, Ann M. and Williams, Carey A.}, year={2017}, month={Apr}, pages={92–104} }
 @article{siciliano_gill_bowman_2017, title={Effect of Sward Height on Pasture Nonstructural Carbohydrate Concentrations and Blood Glucose/Insulin Profiles in Grazing Horses}, volume={57}, ISSN={["1542-7412"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2017.06.004}, abstractNote={Six mature stock-type geldings with maintenance only requirements were used in a randomized cross-over design to determine the effect of sward height on pasture plant nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) concentrations and blood glucose and insulin concentrations. Horses were randomly assigned to one of two tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum Schreb cv Max-Q, Pennington Seed, Madison, GA) grazing cells (0.37 ha) having two different sward heights for a period of 7 days: (1) short (approximately 15 cm; n = 3) or tall (between 30 and 40 cm; n = 3). After the first 7-day period, treatment groups were reversed by moving horses to ungrazed cells having similar characteristics to those used in the first 7 days, so that all horses receive all treatments resulting in six observations per treatment. Both short and tall grazing cells were mowed to a height of approximately 15 cm 32 days before the experiment starts. The short grazing cells were removed to approximately 15 cm at 11 days before the start of the first 7-day period and again 1 day before the start of each 7-day period. All horses had access to pasture for 10 h/d beginning at 8 AM and ending at 6 PM. Although not at pasture, all horses were individually housed in 3.7 × 12.2 m partially covered pens containing automatic water troughs and a crushed stone surface. Herbage mass (kg DM/ha) was determined by use of a falling plate meter for each pasture to ensure that both groups of horses had adequate dry matter to provide grazing for at least 7 days. On day 7 of each period, jugular venous blood samples were collected from each horse before being turned out to pasture, and then at 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours after turn-out. Pasture samples were also collected from each grazing cell at the same time blood samples were taken. Serum and plasma from blood samples were harvested and analyzed for insulin and glucose concentrations, respectively. Pasture samples were analyzed for water soluble carbohydrate (WSC), ethanol soluble carbohydrate (ESC), and starch. The sum of WSC and starch were used as an estimate of NSC. Area under the curve (AUC) and peak concentration were calculated for both plasma glucose (PPG) and serum insulin (PSI) concentration and were analyzed using analysis of variance for randomized cross-over designs. Pasture WSC, ESC, starch, and NSC concentrations were analyzed using analysis of variance for randomized complete block design. A P value of < .05 was considered significant. Mean pasture plant NSC, WSC, and ESC concentrations were lower (P < .001) in short as compared with tall. Pasture plant starch concentration was not different between treatments. Mean pregrazing plasma glucose concentrations, PPG concentrations, and plasma glucose AUC were not affected by treatment. Mean pregrazing serum insulin concentrations were not affected by treatment. Mean PSI and insulin AUC were greater (P < .01) when horses grazed tall, as compared with short. In conclusion, decreasing the sward height by mowing pasture decreased NSC, WSC, and ESC concentrations and subsequently decreased the postprandial insulin response of horses grazing the pasture. These findings may be important in developing strategies aimed at preventing insulin resistance in grazing horses.}, journal={JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Siciliano, Paul D. and Gill, Jennifer C. and Bowman, Morghan A.}, year={2017}, month={Oct}, pages={29–34} }
 @article{bowman_moore_siciliano_2017, title={Effect of restricting time allowed for grazing on fecal microbial fermentation parameters}, volume={52}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.JEVS.2017.03.110}, DOI={10.1016/J.JEVS.2017.03.110}, abstractNote={Gastrointestinal microbiota play a crucial role in nutrient digestion, maintaining animal health and welfare. Various factors may affect microbial balance often leading to disturbances that may result in debilitating conditions such as colic and laminitis. The invention of next-generation sequencing technologies and bioinformatics has provided valuable information on the effects of factors influencing equine gut microbiota. Among those factors are nutrition and management (e.g., diet, supplements, exercise), medical substances (e.g., antimicrobials, anthelmintics, anesthetics), animal-related factors (breed and age), various pathological conditions (colitis, diarrhea, colic, laminitis, equine gastric ulcer syndrome), as well as stress-related factors (transportation and weaning). The aim of this review is to assimilate current knowledge on equine microbiome studies, focusing on the effect of factors influencing equine gastrointestinal microbiota. Decrease in microbial diversity and richness leading to decrease in stability; decrease in Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae family members, which contribute to gut homeostasis; increase in Lactobacillus and Streptococcus; decrease in lactic acid utilizing bacteria; decrease in butyrate-producing bacteria that have anti-inflammatory properties may all be considered as a negative change in equine gut microbiota. Shifts in Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes have often been observed in the literature in response to certain treatments or when describing healthy and unhealthy animals; however, these shifts are inconsistent. It is time to move forward and use the knowledge now acquired to start manipulating the microbiota of horses.}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Bowman, M.A. and Moore, J.L. and Siciliano, P.D.}, year={2017}, month={May}, pages={82} }
 @article{gill_lloyd_bowman_siciliano_pratt-phillips_2017, title={Relationships Among Digestible Energy Intake, Body Weight, and Body Condition in Mature Idle Horses}, volume={54}, ISSN={["1542-7412"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2017.02.017}, abstractNote={The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationships among digestible energy (DE) intake, body weight (BW), and body condition score (BCS) in lean/moderate condition horses. The feed intake of 35 Quarter Horses (age 5.3 ± 1.2 years; BW 462 ± 39 kg; BCS 4.5 ± 0.5) was recorded daily over three, 42-day feeding trials. Horses were offered 1.75–2.00 kg DM/100 kg BW in Orchard grass hay and 0.2 kg/100 kg BW in whole oats. Body weight and BCS were recorded biweekly. Daily DE intake was calculated according to Pagan and recorded as the amount fed minus any refusal. The daily kilogram intake was multiplied by the DE (Mcal/kg) content of the feed to equal the total calories per day. The mean within-horse ΔBW and ΔBCS from 0 to 42 days of each trial were evaluated using paired t tests. Trial 1 horses consumed 24.5 Mcal/d and BW increased (P < .001) by 24 ± 3 kg; however, there was no significant change in BCS (0.0 ± 0.5). Trial 2 horses consumed 22.8 Mcal/d and BW increased (P = .009) by 8 ± 3 kg and BCS tended to increase (P = .06) by 0.5 ± 0.5. Trial 3 horses consumed 25.7 Mcal/d and BW and BCS increased (P < .001) by 22 ± 2 kg and 1.0 ± 0.5, respectively. According to trial, horses required approximately 19, 34, and 18 Mcal/kg of weight gain, respectively. Additional factors affecting weight gain are related to the individual.}, journal={JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Gill, Jennifer Christine and Lloyd, Karen Elizabeth and Bowman, Morghan and Siciliano, Paul David and Pratt-Phillips, Shannon Elizabeth}, year={2017}, month={Jul}, pages={32–36} }
 @article{moore_pratt-phillips_siciliano_2017, title={Relationships between level of adiposity, voluntary intake, and digestibility in horses}, volume={52}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.JEVS.2017.03.096}, DOI={10.1016/J.JEVS.2017.03.096}, abstractNote={Previous studies have shown that a single base-pair mutation, a change from cytosine (C) to adenine (A), in the DMRT3 gene affects both the ability to show ambling and lateral gaits in a wide range of horse breeds, as well as racing performance and trotting technique in Standardbred and Nordic trotters. The variant allele is present in gaited breeds but is absent, or found at a very low frequency, in breeds used for Western-European style riding and flat racing, like the Swedish Warmblood and Thoroughbreds as well as in draught horses. This indicates that the variant allele might have a negative effect on certain riding performance traits in horses. Therefore, one aim of this study was to investigate whether the DMRT3 variant affects canter in Standardbred trotters, and to test if heterozygous horses (CA) were better suited for Western-European style riding than homozygous horses (AA). Riding traits were studied in 115 Standardbred horses, and a similar study was also performed with data from 55 Nordic trotters. The results showed that CA Standardbreds had significantly better balance in canter, both collected and extended canter, than AA horses. The CA horses also got significantly higher scores for transitions in collected canter. For the rhythm we found no significant differences between the genotypes. In the Nordic trotters we were unable to establish any significant difference for canter ability.Another aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the variant allele on riding abilities and gaits in the Icelandic horse (n=446). Practically all horse breeds considered to be three-gaited have a CC genotype, in contrast Icelandic CC horses can show tölt. We therefore tested whether the variant influenced how difficult it was to initiate tölt training for these horses. It was also investigated whether the variant affects which gaits Icelandic horses choose, both at liberty and during initial training. Icelandic CC horses were significantly more difficult to train to tölt compared to CA and AA horses. The AA Icelandic horses showed the lateral gaits tölt and pace significantly more frequent, both at liberty and during initial training, than CA or CC horses. The majority of the Icelandic CC and CA horses chose trot at liberty and during initial training.}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Moore, J.L. and Pratt-Phillips, S.E. and Siciliano, P.D.}, year={2017}, month={May}, pages={76–77} }
 @article{gill_pratt-phillips_siciliano_2017, title={The effect of time- and space-restricted grazing on body weight, body condition score, resting insulin concentration, and activity in grazing horses}, volume={52}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.JEVS.2017.03.122}, DOI={10.1016/J.JEVS.2017.03.122}, abstractNote={Non-invasive and non-destructive analysis based on Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) sensors are used for the development of quality control systems in numerous in situ/on-line applications in different fields. However, few studies have been published investigating and trying to understand how light propagates through agri-food tissues. In this paper, diffuse reflectance spectra of Iberian pig skin were simulated for different source–detector distances in the wavelength range from 1150 nm to 1850 nm. The average photon visit depth and the fraction of absorbed energy indicated that most of the light was absorbed by the dermis layer. Nevertheless, larger source–detector distances enabled to acquire information from deeper in the skin tissue and to maximize the sensitivity of the captured signal to the subcutaneous adipose tissue. These simulation results were experimentally validated using spatially resolved reflectance spectroscopy, and a good agreement was obtained between the simulations and measurements.A stochastic approach such as Monte Carlo method is used for investigating and characterizing non-destructive and non-invasive diffuse reflectance NIR spectroscopy measurements of Iberian pigs in the 1150–1850 nm wavelength range. Different source detector distances have been evaluated in order to optimize the optical configuration of NIRS instruments and maximize the spectral information detected from the subcutaneous adipose tissue. This study helps to understand how the light is propagated in pig tissues, which is relevant to design new spectrometers that can be used as non-destructive in situ/in vivo quality control system or support-decision making system.}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Gill, J.C. and Pratt-Phillips, S.E. and Siciliano, P.D.}, year={2017}, month={May}, pages={87–88} }
 @article{gill_pratt-phillips_mansmann_siciliano_2016, title={Weight Loss Management in Client-Owned Horses}, volume={39}, ISSN={["1542-7412"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2015.12.014}, abstractNote={The present study was designed to determine whether a reduction in body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) could be achieved through 10% to 20% energy restriction in privately owned and managed horses, similar to previously published research in a controlled research setting. Twenty-four, overweight, client-owned/managed horses were identified for use in the study. At the initial (September 2012) and final evaluations (May 2013), health records, diet evaluation, estimated BW, fasting glucose and insulin (INS) concentrations, BCS, cresty neck score (CNS), and morphometric measurements were obtained from 24 client-owned horses and four control horses. At the conclusion of the trial period (26 ± 4 weeks), changes in BW, BCS, CNS, morphometric measurement, and INS were analyzed using paired t tests. Correlations between changes in BW (%initial) and ΔBCS were evaluated. Overall decreases (P < .01) were observed in BW (31.48 kg; 95% CI: 24.07–38.89 kg), BCS (1.4/9; 95% CI: 1.01–1.80), CNS (0.96; 95% CI: 0.64–1.30), and INS (9.132 μU/mL; 95% CI: 5.741–12.520). Changes in BW (%initial) and ΔBCS were moderately correlated (r = 0.53). Horses with more compliant owners had a greater mean decrease in BW and BCS (P < .01) than those of noncompliant owners. Likewise, horses with no pasture access had a greater mean decrease in BW and BCS (P < .01) than continuously grazing horses. The results suggest that 10% to 20% restriction of energy intake can be implemented in client-owned horses, resulting in a decrease in BW, BCS, and INS, if the owner reduces feed and pasture intake.}, journal={JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Gill, Jennifer Christine and Pratt-Phillips, Shannon Elizabeth and Mansmann, Richard and Siciliano, Paul David}, year={2016}, month={Apr}, pages={80–89} }
 @article{siciliano_gill_2015, title={108 Effect of pasture sward height on blood glucose and insulin profiles in grazing horses}, volume={35}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.JEVS.2015.03.119}, DOI={10.1016/J.JEVS.2015.03.119}, abstractNote={Tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] often benefits in terms of productivity and persistence when infected with Neotyphodium coenophialum ([Morgan-Jones and Gams], Glenn, Bacon, and Hanlin) endophyte, but the influence of novel non-ergogenic endophytes is unclear. We conducted a field experiment using container-grown tall fescue plants to determine how plants allocated resources when clipped repeatedly in microsites differing in the amount of available light associated with open (full sun), and partially shaded (about 20 or 40% of full sun) conditions. Plants of the same tall fescue cultivar (Jesup) were host to either a native or novel non-ergogenic fungal endophyte (MaxQ™), or were devoid of endophyte. Seedlings of plants infected with the novel endophyte had slower germination, germinated later, and allocated more photosynthate to shoots than roots, when compared to J− or J+ plants. Herbage production of undisturbed canopies was not influenced by host–endophyte association within a microsite, with more herbage produced at the open than at the heavily shaded site. Clipping plants to a 5- or a 10-cm residue height tended to accentuate differences, with diminished productivity and greater variability occurring when plants were maintained at 5 cm. This trend was supported by allometric resource allocation patterns, and in terms of vegetative propagule mass relative to the number of propagules. Tall fescue, irrespective of host–endophyte association, grown as forage in silvopastoral situations should be managed to maintain no less than a 10-cm residual plant height. Trends in photosynthate allocation and plant size might influence persistence and should be investigated for more than two growing seasons.}, number={5}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Siciliano, P.D. and Gill, J.C.}, year={2015}, month={May}, pages={429} }
 @article{siciliano_2015, title={123 Effect of sward height on grazing preference and pasture NSC concentration}, volume={35}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.JEVS.2015.03.134}, DOI={10.1016/J.JEVS.2015.03.134}, abstractNote={Despite gaining popularity and success in many modeling applications, Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression continues to provide challenges in the evaluation of important variables. This article describes the relationship between the regression coefficients and orthogonally decomposed variances in PLS. The relation between prediction, model interpretation, and important variable determination is described using the theory of the basic sequence presented here as a special case of the famous Krylov sequence (or the power method).Variable selection methods e.g. Selectivity Ratio (SR) and Variable Importance in the Projection (VIP) are also described in this framework. We show that the interpretation can be affected by unnecessary rotation toward the main source of variance in the X-block. Significance Multivariate Correlation (sMC) is developed using the knowledge obtained from the basic sequence to minimize the effect of irrelevant X-structures. Simultaneously sMC highlights the variables most correlated to the response. The performance of sMC is demonstrated, using simulated and real datasets, against commonly used variable selection methods, such as the Variable Importance in the Projection and Selectivity Ratio.}, number={5}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Siciliano, P.D.}, year={2015}, month={May}, pages={435} }
 @article{goertzen_lloyd_spears_siciliano_pratt-phillips_2015, title={48 Effect of dietary chromium propionate on plasma C-peptide concentrations of Quarter Horse geldings}, volume={35}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.JEVS.2015.03.058}, DOI={10.1016/J.JEVS.2015.03.058}, abstractNote={Describing the effects of a carbohydrate-rich diet (CRD) on Haflingers with R309 H glycogensynthase 1 (GYS1) mutation. Haflinger mares heterozygous positive (polysaccharide storage myopathy [PSSM] type 1, n = 7) and negative (control, n = 7) for GYS1 mutation received 6 weeks of CRD and hay only (hay), with a wash out period of two. Each diet was followed by oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT), submaximal treadmill exercise test (STET), and biopsies of semitendinosus (STm) and gluteus medius (GMm) muscles. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by oGTT. Plasma creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and lactate were measured before and after STET. Semitendinosus and GMm biopsies were evaluated for distribution of fiber types (1, 2A, and 2X), chronic myopathic changes, and complex Periodic Acid Schiff (cPAS) positive amylase resistant inclusions. One Haflinger of control group had cPAS inclusions indicating PSSM type 2; therefore, it was excluded. In PSSM1 horses, cPAS were found in every STm sample, and in 10 of 14 GMm samples, furthermore, STm samples showed a greater total myopathy score and significantly more type 2A and fewer type 2X fibers compared with controls. There were no significant differences between groups regarding enzyme levels and for oGTT. Diet had no effect on muscle enzyme levels after STET and on cPAS inclusions in PSSM1 group. Glycogensynthase 1 mutation in Haflingers was not accompanied by clinical signs, even after STET. Carbohydrate-rich diet for 6 weeks did not induce clinical signs or increase cPAS inclusions. As PSSM type 2 is a possibility in Haflingers, STm muscle biopsy and cPAS evaluation should be performed if GYS1 gene test is negative.}, number={5}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Goertzen, E.W. and Lloyd, K.E. and Spears, J.W. and Siciliano, P.M. and Pratt-Phillips, S.E.}, year={2015}, month={May}, pages={404} }
 @article{gill_lloyd_hastings_siciliano_pratt-phillips_2015, title={52 Digestible energy intakes of thirty-five horses over a 42-d period}, volume={35}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.JEVS.2015.03.062}, DOI={10.1016/J.JEVS.2015.03.062}, abstractNote={As a unique species of equine, the donkey has certain specific variations from the horse. This review highlights the origins of the donkey and how this impacts on its behavior, physiology, and propensity to disease. The donkey is less of a flight animal and has been used by humans for pack and draught work, in areas where their ability to survive poorer diets, and transboundary disease while masking overt signs of pain and distress has made them indispensable to human livelihoods. When living as a companion animal, however, the donkey easily accumulates adipose tissue, and this may create a metabolically compromised individual prone to diseases of excess such as laminitis and hyperlipemia. They show anatomic variations from the horse especially in the hoof, upper airway, and their conformation. Variations in physiology lead to differences in the metabolism and distribution of many drugs. With over 44 million donkeys worldwide, it is important that veterinarians have the ability to understand and treat this equid effectively.}, number={5}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Gill, J.C. and Lloyd, K.E. and Hastings, M.A. and Siciliano, P.D. and Pratt-Phillips, S.E.}, year={2015}, month={May}, pages={406} }
 @article{goertzen_lloyd_spears_siciliano_pratt-phillips_2015, title={76 Validation of a human double-antibody radioimmunoassay kit for measuring equine C-peptide}, volume={35}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.JEVS.2015.03.086}, DOI={10.1016/J.JEVS.2015.03.086}, abstractNote={Detecting user context with high accuracy using smartphone sensors is a difficult task. A key challenge is dealing with the impact of different smartphone positions on sensor values. Users carry their smartphones in different positions such as holding in their hand or keeping inside their pants or jacket pocket, and each of these smartphone positions affects various sensor values in different ways. This paper addresses the issue of poor accuracy in detecting user context due to varying smartphone positions. It describes the design and prototype development of a smartphone position discovery service that accurately detects a smartphone position, and then demonstrates that the accuracy of an existing context aware application is significantly enhanced when run in conjunction with this proposed smartphone position discovery service.}, number={5}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Goertzen, E.W. and Lloyd, K.E. and Spears, J.W. and Siciliano, P.M. and Pratt-Phillips, S.E.}, year={2015}, month={May}, pages={416} }
 @article{chavez_siciliano_huntington_2014, title={Intake estimation of horses grazing tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) or fed tall fescue hay}, volume={92}, ISSN={["1525-3163"]}, DOI={10.2527/jas.2013-7119}, abstractNote={Six mature geldings of light horse breeds (557 ± 37 kg) were randomly assigned to a nontoxic endophyte-infected tall fescue hay (n = 3) or pasture treatment (n = 3) in a crossover design with 14-d periods to estimate DMI with alkane markers and to compare DMI of hay and pasture. When fed pasture, horses were housed in stalls from 0700 to 1300 h daily with access to water and then grazed pasture as a group in a single 0.4 ha pasture from 1300 to 0700 h. When fed hay, horses were maintained individually in stalls and given access to hay ad libitum from 1300 to 0700 h. All horses were individually fed 225 g oats twice daily treated with hexatriacontane (C36; external marker) and fecal samples were collected at 0700 and 1900 h on d 10 to 14. Fecal samples were mixed, dried, subsampled, and analyzed for tritriacontane (C33) and hentriacontane (C31) as internal markers and C36 as the external marker using gas chromatography. Estimated hay DMI using either C33 (1.75 kg/100 kg BW) or C31 (1.74 kg/100 kg BW) as internal alkane marker did not differ (P = 0.55) from measured hay DMI (1.70 kg/100 kg BW). Pasture DMI and DM digestibility (DMD) estimated with C31 (2.24 kg/100 kg BW and 53.1 g/100 g DMI) or with C33 (2.34 kg/100 kg BW and 56.2 g/100 g DMI) was greater (P = 0.05) than hay DMI and DMD (1.74 kg/100 kg BW and 44.5 g/100 g DMI). Intake estimated with C33 or C31 did not differ (P = 0.35) during hay or pasture. In conclusion, alkanes can be used to estimate pasture or hay DMI and DMD, and pasture intake exceeded hay intake when offered ad libitum.}, number={5}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Chavez, S. J. and Siciliano, P. D. and Huntington, G. B.}, year={2014}, month={May}, pages={2304–2308} }
 @article{siciliano_2013, title={Effect of "class-room capture" technology on student attendance and performance in an introductory equine science course}, volume={33}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.JEVS.2013.03.138}, DOI={10.1016/J.JEVS.2013.03.138}, number={5}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Siciliano, P.D.}, year={2013}, month={May}, pages={382} }
 @article{glunk_pratt-phillips_siciliano_2013, title={Effect of Restricted Pasture Access on Pasture Dry Matter Intake Rate, Dietary Energy Intake, and Fecal pH in Horses}, volume={33}, ISSN={["0737-0806"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2012.07.014}, abstractNote={Eight mature horses were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to determine the effect of restricted pasture access on dry matter intake rate (DMIR), energy intake, and fecal pH. Horses were randomly assigned to one of four groups (HGRPs), each containing two horses. HGRPs were randomly assigned to one of four treatments consisting of 3, 6, 9, or 24 hours of pasture access, for a period of 7 days. Treatments were switched every 7 days. The 3- and 6-hour groups were fed free choice mature grass hay while not grazing. Daily pasture dry matter intake (DMI) for each HGRP was estimated by calculating the difference between initial herbage mass of the grazing cell before grazing and residual herbage mass after 7 days of grazing. Total dry matter intake was the sum of pasture and hay DMI for the 3- and 6-hour treatments. Fecal pH was measured on day 7 of each period. Response variables were analyzed using analysis of variance for Latin square design. Restricting pasture access decreased mean pasture DMI (P = .02), pasture dietary energy (DE) (P = .02), and fecal pH (P < .001), but increased DMIR (P = .02). Mean total dry matter intake was not different (P = .16) among treatments. In conclusion, restricting pasture access accelerates pasture DMIR and decreases fecal pH, and although restricting pasture access decreases DE intake from pasture, it did not result in a decrease in total DE intake for horses having ad libitum access to hay.}, number={6}, journal={JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Glunk, Emily C. and Pratt-Phillips, Shannon E. and Siciliano, Paul D.}, year={2013}, month={Jun}, pages={421–426} }
 @article{wycoff_glunk_sykes_rodpitak_pratt-phillips_siciliano_2013, title={Effect of day-time vs. night-time grazing on hindgut fermentation parameters in fall pasture-fed horses}, volume={33}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.JEVS.2013.03.047}, DOI={10.1016/J.JEVS.2013.03.047}, number={5}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Wycoff, C.L. and Glunk, E.C. and Sykes, C.C. and Rodpitak, S. and Pratt-Phillips, S.E. and Siciliano, P.D.}, year={2013}, month={May}, pages={338–339} }
 @article{gill_pratt-phillips_mansmann_siciliano_2013, title={Estimated digestible energy intakes in moderate and overweight horses}, volume={33}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.JEVS.2013.03.050}, DOI={10.1016/J.JEVS.2013.03.050}, abstractNote={s / Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 33 (2013) 321-399 340 The LFHC diet consisted of grass hay (1.0% BW/d) and high NSC (42%) concentrate (1.2% BW/d). The NSC was starch plus WSC. Forage and concentrate meals were fed twice daily. Fecal pH measurements were recorded weekly. Every 14 d, SATs were performed to assess individual permeability. Sugars were administered via nasogastric tube at time 0 and total urine was collected over a 24 h period. Sugar excretion was quantified via gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Data were analyzed using a mixed ANOVA with repeated measures. Percent excretion was greater in the LFHC horses for sucrose, mannitol, and sucralose, with no detected difference in lactulose excretion (P < 0.05). Fecal pH values were higher for the HFLC diets than the LFHC diets at 6.95 and 6.53 (P < 0.0001), respectively. The SATs may be an effective tool in measuring gastrointestinal permeability in the horse and provides evidence that high concentrate low forage diets increase gastrointestinal permeability and decrease hindgut pH. Estimated digestible energy intakes in moderate and overweight horses J.C. Gill , S.E. Pratt-Phillips , R.A. Mansmann , and P. Siciliano 1 Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, 2 Equine Podiatry and Rehabilitation Practice, Chapel Hill, NC, 27517 Obesity in horses is an increasingly common problem, with significant health risks to the animal. Factors contributing to obesity include owner overfeeding, lush unrestricted pasture intake, and variation in basal metabolic rate between horses. As part of a larger weight-loss study, this preliminary study examined the differences in estimated digestible energy (DE) intakes in overweight horses compared to horses with moderate body condition scores (BCS). Twenty-four client-owned overweight horses, (BCS 7; mean SD 529 69 kg BW, 3 – 18 yr of age, mixed light breeds) were identified. Ten horses having moderate BCS (BCS < 6; 528 44kg BW, 6 – 23 yr of age, mixed light breeds) that were housed at facilities with the overweight horses were also identified. Horse evaluations included; girth circumference, body length, estimated body weight, height, girth to height ratio (G:H), BCS and cresty neck score (CNS). A dietary evaluation was conducted to obtain; feed types and weights, chemical composition analysis of hay and pasture, health history and exercise level. For NRC DE requirement estimation, overweight horses were categorized as “minimum maintenance”, “average maintenance” or “light work”, while moderate horses were categorized as “average maintenance”, “elevated maintenance” or “light work”. DE contents of feeds were calculated using chemical composition obtained through analysis or were obtained from feed companies. Free choice pasture intakes were estimated based on 2% BW DMI, and for horses that had restricted grazing, limited pasture quality, or other feeds, estimated intakes were adjusted. Mean BCS in the overweight and moderate groups was 7.7 0.6 and 5.3 0.6, respectively (P<0.0001). Of the 24 horses in the overweight group, 9 were obese (BCS 8), with regional adiposity, dimpling of fat along the body and CNS 3. Mean G:H in the overweight group was 1.27 0.04, and 1.20 0.03 in the moderate group (P<0.0001). Overweight horses consumed an average 141.9 28.5% of their estimated DE requirements. However, this was not different from the moderate horses, who consumed an average of 145.4 28.8% of their estimated DE requirements. DE intakes when expressed as kcal/kg BW were not different, with mean DE intakes of 45.3 8.1 kcal/kg BW for overweight horses and 50.3 9.8 kcal/kg BW for moderate horses. DMI as % BW was not different between the two groups (2.0 0.3 for the overweight horses and 2.2 0.4 for the moderate horses). However, overweight horses had a greater proportion of their intake from pasture (P<0.01), and using 2% BW DMI may have underestimated intakes in these horses. Meanwhile, moderate horses had a greater proportion of their diet coming from hay (P<0.01) and concentrates (P<0.01), where intakes were more easily quantified. Discrepancies between estimated energy intakes and NRC requirements need further evaluation. Feed composition and animal factors affecting forage digestibility by horses T.L. Hansen, and L.M. Lawrence Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546 The concentrations of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) are often used to assess forage quality in animal diets. Relative feed value (RFV) uses NDF and ADF to predict digestible dry matter in cattle; however, a comprehensive evaluation of the effect these forage characteristics have on dry matter digestibility (DMD) in horses has not been performed. A literature review on Google Scholar was conducted between January 1, 2013 to January 23, 2013 for the terms digestibility, horses, and forages to locate in vivo digestibility studies in horses and ponies that were fed greater than 50% forage diets and included: NDF, ADF, and crude protein (CP) concentrations of feeds; DMD, NDF digestibility (NDFD), ADF digestibility (ADFD), and CP digestibility (CPD), DM intake (% BW), and animal factors such as age, gender, and breed. Additionally, the proceedings from the previous Equine Nutrition and Physiology/Equine Science Symposiums were searched for the same criteria. The search resulted in 15 articles and abstracts that included all of the necessary information and 24 additional studies containing partial information. Data from these studies were compiled and used for linear regression on DMD, NDFD, ADFD, and CPD by feed and animal characteristics. DMD was significantly related to the NDF, ADF, CP, difference between NDF and ADF (NDF-ADF), and percent ADF in NDF (P< 0.0001); however, multiple regression of DMD by NDF and CP content of the forage}, number={5}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Gill, J.C. and Pratt-Phillips, S.E. and Mansmann, R.A. and Siciliano, P.}, year={2013}, month={May}, pages={340} }
 @article{pratt-phillips_wycoff_sykes_kutzner-mulligan_siciliano_2013, title={Glucose and insulin concentrations in restricted pasture-fed horses}, volume={33}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.JEVS.2013.03.073}, DOI={10.1016/J.JEVS.2013.03.073}, number={5}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Pratt-Phillips, S.E. and Wycoff, C. and Sykes, C. and Kutzner-Mulligan, J. and Siciliano, P.D.}, year={2013}, month={May}, pages={351} }
 @misc{bott_greene_koch_martinson_siciliano_williams_trottier_burk_swinker_2013, title={Production and Environmental Implications of Equine Grazing}, volume={33}, ISSN={["1542-7412"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2013.05.004}, abstractNote={Horses' physical and digestive well-being is often enhanced when allowed to graze on pastures. Furthermore, a well-managed pasture can contribute to economic viability. Grazing can however have deleterious effects on the environment if not properly managed. Although equine grazing, defecating, and ground trampling behavior is unique from that of other livestock species, pasture management practices are often based on those derived from cattle grazing. This review summarizes the current knowledge of impacts of equine grazing on pasture quality and environment and identifies gaps where further information is needed to formulate and recommend sustainable grazing methods specific to equine.}, number={12}, journal={JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Bott, Rebecca C. and Greene, Elizabeth A. and Koch, Katherine and Martinson, Krishona L. and Siciliano, Paul D. and Williams, Carey and Trottier, Nathalie L. and Burk, Amy and Swinker, Ann}, year={2013}, month={Dec}, pages={1031–1043} }
 @article{kutzner-mulligan_eisemann_siciliano_smith_hewitt_sharlette_pratt-phillips_2013, title={The effect of different feed delivery methods on time to consume feed and the resulting changes in postprandial metabolite concentrations in horses}, volume={91}, ISSN={["1525-3163"]}, DOI={10.2527/jas.2012-5727}, abstractNote={Management techniques that reduce the insulin response to feeding in horses have application in preventing insulin resistance (IR) and potential associations (e.g., laminitis). Eight mature idle horses of BCS between 5 and 6.5 and with no previous indication of IR were fed a meal of concentrate under 4 feed delivery treatments in a repeated Latin Square design. Treatments were all based on a bucket of equal dimensions. The treatments included a control (CON) and 3 treatments hypothesized to increase time to consume feed (TCF): mobile obstacles above the feed (BALL), stationary obstacles below the feed (WAFF), and feed with water added (WTR). Jugular venous blood samples were taken at feed delivery, every 10 min for the first hour, and then every 30 min until 300 min after feed delivery. The TCF was different across treatment and was greater (P < 0.05) for BALL and WAFF when compared with CON and WTR. Glucose and insulin concentrations increased after feeding (P < 0.05) and tended to differ among treatments (P < 0.10). Peak insulin and glucose concentrations were affected by treatment as were the time to peak insulin and the area under the curve of insulin (P < 0.05). Therefore, feed delivery methods that include obstacles effectively increase TCF and attenuate postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations. A second experiment was designed to determine if the TCF changes associated with BALL and WAFF in Exp. 1 remain effective over a 4-d period. Four horses with no recent or regular history of consuming concentrates were fed concentrate meals for 4 consecutive d using the same treatments described in Exp. 1 and a Latin square design. Horses were subject to a 4-d adaptation period and were randomly assigned to 4-d treatment periods using the 4 previously described treatments. During adaptation, TCF decreased over time (P = 0.02). After adaptation, WAFF had greater TCF when compared with CON and WTR (P < 0.05) whereas WTR had the lowest TCF overall. Using obstacles to increase TCF on a daily basis may be an effective method to reduce postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations, thereby decreasing the risk of IR development in horses.}, number={8}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Kutzner-Mulligan, J. and Eisemann, J. and Siciliano, P. and Smith, J. and Hewitt, K. and Sharlette, J. and Pratt-Phillips, S.}, year={2013}, month={Aug}, pages={3772–3779} }
 @article{dowler_siciliano_pratt-phillips_poore_2012, title={Determination of Pasture Dry Matter Intake Rates in Different Seasons and Their Application in Grazing Management}, volume={32}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2011.06.006}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2011.06.006}, abstractNote={Eight mature horses weighing 576 ± 32 kg (mean ± SD) were used to compare differences in pasture dry matter (DM) intake rate in October (period 1), February (period 2), and May (period 3). Horses were randomly assigned to a pair of adjacent 5 m × 5 m grazing cells containing nontoxic, endophyte-infected tall fescue. Horses had access to each cell for 4 hours. Pasture DM intake rate was estimated over the entire 8-hour period by measuring the pre- and postgrazing herbage mass within each cell and was expressed as kg DM/100 kg body weight (BW)/hr. Mean 8-hour DM intake rate in period 1 (0.17 ± 0.01 kg DM/100 kg BW/hr) was greater (P < .001) than for period 2 (0.09 ± 0.01 kg DM/100 kg BW/hr) and period 3 (0.11 ± 0.01 kg DM/100 kg BW/hr), but it was not different (P = .274) between periods 2 and 3. A second experiment using the same eight horses was conducted immediately after the first experiment, within each season, to determine whether the DM intake rates derived from the first experiment could be used along with estimates of maintenance digestible energy (DE) requirements and pasture DE concentrations to predict the amount of grazing time required for a horse to consume only its maintenance DE requirement and maintain zero BW change over a 6-week period. Grazing time necessary to maintain zero BW change was accurately predicted for period 1 only.}, number={2}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Dowler, Lauren E. and Siciliano, Paul D. and Pratt-Phillips, Shannon E. and Poore, Matthew}, year={2012}, month={Feb}, pages={85–92} }
 @article{siciliano_schmitt_2012, title={Effect of Restricted Grazing on Hindgut pH and Fluid Balance}, volume={32}, ISSN={["1542-7412"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2012.01.004}, abstractNote={Abstract Six mature idle geldings were used in a crossover design to determine the effects of restricted grazing on hindgut pH and fluid balance. Initially, horses were randomly assigned to a control group (CTRL: n = 3) having access to warm-season grass pasture continuously, or a restricted grazing (RG: n = 3) group having access to pasture for 12 consecutive hours (1900-700 hours) per 24-hour period for 7 days; they were then reassigned to the opposite treatment for an additional 7 days (i.e., CTRL: n = 6; RG: n = 6). Fecal samples were collected from each horse at 700 hours on day 7 of each period and analyzed for pH and dry matter (DM) as indicators of hindgut pH and fluid balance, respectively. Jugular blood samples were also collected at 700, 1300, and 1900 hours on day 7 and were analyzed for plasma protein as an indicator of systematic fluid balance. Fecal pH and DM data were analyzed using a paired t test. Plasma protein data were analyzed as a repeated-measures design. The mean (± SE) difference between CTRL and RG for fecal pH (.01 ± .16) and fecal DM (.68 ± .6%) was not significant ( P = .93 and .52, respectively). Mean plasma protein concentrations were not affected by treatment or by treatment × sample time interaction, but tended to increase ( P = .07) during the sampling period regardless of treatment. In conclusion, 12 hours of grazing restriction followed by 12 hours of grazing did not negatively impact hindgut pH or fluid balance.}, number={9}, journal={JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Siciliano, Paul D. and Schmitt, Sterling}, year={2012}, month={Sep}, pages={558–561} }
 @article{westendorf_williams_burk_trottier_martinson_siciliano_swinker_greene_bott_2012, title={Environmental Impacts of Equine Operations: A U.S. Department of Agriculture Multistate Project}, volume={32}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2011.12.001}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2011.12.001}, abstractNote={Abstract The U.S. Department of Agriculture supports agricultural research by encouraging the formation of multidisciplinary and multi-institutional teams. Project teams focus on agricultural issues related to profitability and economic and environmental sustainability. Recently, a U.S. Department of Agriculture project to study the impact of equine management and feeding practices on the environment was approved. The project, “NE-1041: Environmental Impacts of Equine Operations,” is a Northeast regional project but includes research and extension faculty from across the country. The project team includes representatives from Alabama, Connecticut, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Vermont. The goal of this project is to incorporate the best available data on horse management and feeding practices, manure storage and disposal, pasture and cropping management, soil and environmental quality, erosion control, and farm management practices to minimize negative impacts of equine operations on the environment. The specific objectives of the project are to assess existing data on environmental impacts of equine operations, identify gaps in current knowledge, conduct research when data are lacking or nonexistent, and incorporate existing and newly generated data into a systematic description of nutrient flow in soil, water, and air occurring on horse farms. Estimates will be made of pathogen transports and nitrogen (N)-, phosphorus (P)-, potassium (K)-, and energy (carbon)-loss potentials. In addition to identifying system-wide losses on equine farms, another goal of the project is to assist farmers and agricultural professionals in determining the value of equine management practices and other accepted best management practices.}, number={6}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Westendorf, Michael L. and Williams, Carey and Burk, Amy O. and Trottier, Nathalie and Martinson, Krishona and Siciliano, Paul D. and Swinker, Ann M. and Greene, Elizabeth A. and Bott, Rebecca}, year={2012}, month={Jun}, pages={324–326} }
 @article{glunk_siciliano_2011, title={Effect of Restricted Grazing on Dry Matter Intake Rate}, volume={31}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.124}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.124}, number={5-6}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Glunk, E.C. and Siciliano, P.D.}, year={2011}, month={May}, pages={296–297} }
 @article{sharlette_hewitt_mcleod_fellner_siciliano_pearson_pratt-phillips_2011, title={Effect of pasture consumption on blood insulin, glucose and volatile fatty acid concentrations in horses}, volume={31}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.126}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.126}, number={5-6}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Sharlette, J. and Hewitt, K. and McLeod, S.J. and Fellner, V. and Siciliano, P. and Pearson, A. and Pratt-Phillips, S.}, year={2011}, month={May}, pages={298–299} }
 @article{pearson_siciliano_mcleod_fellner_2011, title={Effect of turn-out time on pasture NSC intake and hindgut fermentation characteristics}, volume={31}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.125}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.125}, number={5-6}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Pearson, A.C. and Siciliano, P.D. and McLeod, S.J. and Fellner, V.}, year={2011}, month={May}, pages={297–298} }
 @article{chavez_siciliano_huntington_2011, title={Horse Intake Estimation of AM versus PM Grazing}, volume={31}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.123}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.123}, abstractNote={Risk prevention is often counterproductive to stallions’ living conditions when assessed under welfare aspects. In the wild, stallions live in social groups, but under domestic conditions, the majority of breeding stallions live in individual boxes with limited social contact. This stimulates aggressiveness and the incidence of stereotypic behavior. While racehorse stallions start their breeding career after having finished their performance career, riding horse stallions are often simultaneously used for breeding and performance. Training, performance, and the associated stress are unlikely to impair semen characteristics, but performing stallions may benefit from more opportunities for social contact. With regard to accommodation of stallions in single boxes, changes in the construction of the partition between them may help to improve social contact from merely visual to much more physical. This will help to reduce social isolation but requires careful observation if neighbors tend to either sympathize or fight with each other. Careful organization of the barn is thus of great importance. Under certain conditions, even keeping adult stallions in groups on spacious pastures is possible. Interestingly, the frequency of agonistic interactions usually decreases quickly and remains low after successful group integration. General changes in the husbandry of young stallions and at their transfer into the future career may help to produce stallions with better social skills and facilitate accommodation under improved welfare conditions.}, number={5-6}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Chavez, S.J. and Siciliano, P.D. and Huntington, G.B.}, year={2011}, month={May}, pages={296} }
 @article{chavez_siciliano_huntington_2011, title={Intake Estimation of Grazing or Stall-fed Horses}, volume={31}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.071}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.071}, number={5-6}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Chavez, S.J. and Siciliano, P.D. and Huntington, G.B.}, year={2011}, month={May}, pages={263–264} }
 @article{siciliano_2011, title={Olen Frederick Harper (May 25,1938-October 28, 2009) In Memory}, volume={31}, ISSN={["0737-0806"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.203}, number={5-6}, journal={JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Siciliano, Paul D.}, year={2011}, pages={203–204} }
 @article{fry_lloyd_jacobi_siciliano_robarge_spears_2010, title={Effect of dietary boron on immune function in growing beef steers*}, volume={94}, ISSN={["0931-2439"]}, DOI={10.1111/j.1439-0396.2008.00906.x}, abstractNote={Summary}, number={3}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND ANIMAL NUTRITION}, author={Fry, R. S. and Lloyd, K. E. and Jacobi, S. K. and Siciliano, P. D. and Robarge, W. P. and Spears, J. W.}, year={2010}, month={Jun}, pages={273–279} }
 @article{siciliano_pratt-phillips_dowler_2009, title={Evaluation of Factors Contributing to Daily Within-Horse Variation of Plasma Alpha-Tocopherol Concentration}, volume={29}, ISSN={["1542-7412"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2009.10.011}, abstractNote={The current study was conducted to evaluate daily within-horse variation of plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration (TOC) (Experiment 1 [EXPT1]) and to determine the effect of a single meal on plasma TOC (Experiment 2 [EXPT2]). In EXPT1, venous jugular blood samples were collected from four pregnant (6–7 months of gestation), light horse mares (8.8 ± 2.9 years of age, mean ± SD; range, 5–11 years of age) between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM, followed by eight hourly samples, and analyzed for plasma TOC. All horses were fed 5 kg dry matter (DM) grass hay 18 hours before sample collection and received no additional feed during the sampling period. Mean within-horse coefficient of variation for TOC was 3.5% ± 0.01%. In EXPT2, seven mature light horses, four mares and three geldings (4.9 ± 4.4 years of age, mean ± SD; range, 2–14 years of age), were randomly assigned to one of two treatments (fasted [FST; n = 7] or fed [FD; n = 7]), followed by reversal of treatments 24 hours later. At 7:30 AM, FD horses were fed 2.1 kg DM grain-mix concentrate (187 IU vitamin E/kg DM) plus 3.3 kg DM mixed-grass hay, whereas FST horses received no feed. Neither group received any feed for 18 hours before 7:30 AM. Venous jugular blood samples were collected at 10:30 AM from all horses and analyzed for plasma TOC. The mean (±SD) within-horse paired-treatment difference was not significant (0.05 ± 0.12 μg/mL). The results suggest that variation in within-horse plasma TOC is relatively small over an 8-hour period in fasting horses and is unaffected 3 hours after a hay grain meal.}, number={12}, journal={JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Siciliano, Paul D. and Pratt-Phillips, Shannon E. and Dowler, Lauren E.}, year={2009}, month={Dec}, pages={842–847} }
 @article{dowler∗_siciliano_2009, title={Prediction of Hourly Pasture Dry Matter Intake in Horses}, volume={29}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2009.04.061}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2009.04.061}, number={5}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Dowler∗, L.E. and Siciliano, P.D.}, year={2009}, month={May}, pages={354–355} }
 @article{gee∗_bruemmer_siciliano_morel_engle_squires_2009, title={The Influence of Dietary Vitamin E on Serum Vitamin E and Fatty Acids, and Spermatozoa Fatty Acids in Stallions}, volume={29}, ISSN={0737-0806}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2009.04.043}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2009.04.043}, abstractNote={Analysis of the spatial lithofacies variability within lava-fed delta formations in southern Iceland has revealed complex three-dimensional volcanic architectures in hyaloclastite deposits in non-glacial settings. Two depositional environments are studied, (a) lava entering a marine embayment (Stóri-Nupur) and; (b) lava advancing into a body of water of the flanks of a Surtseyan cone (Hjörleifshöfði). Interaction between environmental factors such as shoreline geomorphology, water depth, wave energy levels, the nature of the lava transport system, lava supply rate all affect the resulting lava deltas creating complex lithofacies arrangements and stacking patterns. Recognised here are two types of hyaloclastite deltas. One of syn-sedimentary origin (Hjörleifshöfði) and one derived from primary fragmentation processes (Stóri-Nupur). Syn-sedimentary systems are dominated by destabilisation of the hyaloclastite pile leading to reworking downslope and share similarities to alluvial delta systems. Conversely, primary fragmented systems are controlled by waxing and waning cycles in volcanic effusivity whereby the hyaloclastite unit recorded is not the product of one lava flow rather than one eruptive event.}, number={5}, journal={Journal of Equine Veterinary Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Gee∗, E.K. and Bruemmer, J.E. and Siciliano, P.D. and Morel, P.C.H. and Engle, T.E. and Squires, E.L.}, year={2009}, month={May}, pages={334–336} }
 @article{pratt_siciliano_walston_2009, title={Variation of Insulin Sensitivity Estimates in Horses}, volume={29}, ISSN={["0737-0806"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jevs.2009.04.194}, abstractNote={In the horse, resting insulin concentration (INS), the glucose-to-insulin ratio (G:I), and the reciprocal of the square root of insulin (RISQI = 1/√INS) are commonly used to estimate insulin sensitivity, whereas the modified insulin-to-glucose ratio (MIRG = [800 – 0.30 × (INS -50)2]/(GLU – 30) is used to estimate pancreatic beta-cell responsiveness. Because no estimates of their within-horse variability and repeatability have been reported, the objective of this study was to evaluate the within-horse variation of these estimates. Resting blood samples were obtained from six healthy equids (three geldings, two mares; mean ± SD body weight, 525.0 ± 43.36 kg; mean age, 9.8 ± 8.2 years; and one pony gelding: 293 kg; 12 years) on three consecutive days in week 1 and again in week 2. Samples were collected at 12:00 noon, approximately 6 hours postprandially. Serum insulin and plasma glucose (GLU) concentrations were analyzed and used to calculate G:I, RISQI, and MIRG, as well as the insulin to glucose ratio (I:G). The coefficient of variation was used to determine within-horse variation, and repeatability was determined using the repeatability coefficient (RC; measurements from a single horse should differ less than the RC for 95% of the pairs). The mean coefficients of variation (CVs) for resting GLU, INS, G:I, I:G, MIRG, and RISQI were 5.5%, 33.7%, 36.0%, 31.6%, 22.3%, and 18.6%, respectively. All variables had values that differed more than the RC in at least one horse. These data suggest that care should be taken when interpreting insulin sensitivity estimates from a single blood sample.}, number={6}, journal={JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Pratt, S. E. and Siciliano, P. D. and Walston, L.}, year={2009}, month={Jun}, pages={507–512} }
 @article{gee_bruemmer_siciliano_mccue_squires_2008, title={Effects of dietary vitamin E supplementation on spermatozoal quality in stallions with suboptimal post-thaw motility}, volume={107}, ISSN={0378-4320}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.05.101}, DOI={10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.05.101}, abstractNote={Spermatozoa contain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Cryopreservation damages sperm membranes and they become less functional after thawing. We analysed the lipid composition of spermatozoa from Shetland stallions (n = 15) collected monthly from January to June and hypothesized that sperm lipid patterns change with season. In addition, one ejaculate per month was submitted to cryopreservation. Content of saturated palmytic and stearic acid decreased from January to March (p < 0.001) while content of the PUFA docosapentaenoic (p < 0.001) and arachidonic acid (p < 0.05) and total PUFA (p < 0.001) increased. Docosapentaenoic acid was the predominant PUFA in stallion spermatozoa. In conclusion, the sperm fatty acid composition of Shetland pony stallions undergoes seasonal changes, and PUFA content increases from the non-breeding to the breeding season. Seasonal differences in sperm fatty acids might in part explain seasonal differences in the resistance of equine spermatozoa to cryopreservation and cooled-storage.}, number={3-4}, journal={Animal Reproduction Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Gee, E.K. and Bruemmer, J.E. and Siciliano, P.D. and McCue, P.M. and Squires, E.L.}, year={2008}, month={Sep}, pages={324–325} }