Equine Intelligence (or Good Old Horse Sense)
Authors: Wall Jacqueline Remondet, Wall David G.
Journal: PsycCRITIQUES
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Equine Intelligence (or Good Old Horse Sense) Three-dimensional geometric morphometrics has become increasingly valuable in veterinary research, offering sophisticated tools for analysing anatomical structure and diversity across species including horses. Wall and Wall's review synthesises the key methodological approaches—utilising CT, MRI, and surface scanning technologies—and emphasises the critical importance of standardised anatomical landmarks to ensure reproducibility and comparability across independent studies, whilst avoiding the pitfalls of excessive landmarking that can complicate statistical analyses. The authors propose a minimal yet anatomically rigorous landmark configuration for equine skulls alongside guidelines for cattle and sheep, establishing a foundation for consistent data collection and interpretation. Beyond descriptive anatomy, these 3D morphometric methods enable precise orthopedic surgical planning, biomechanical modelling, and diagnosis of congenital conditions with applications that extend across veterinary practice. As 3D morphometrics integrates with artificial intelligence and automated landmarking systems, this standardised approach becomes increasingly important for practitioners seeking access to robust, comparable data; equine professionals involved in rehabilitation, performance assessment, and surgical cases should anticipate enhanced diagnostic capabilities and improved evidence bases for clinical decision-making in coming years.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •3D morphometric methods offer practical benefits for pre-surgical planning in orthopedic cases, allowing more precise visualization and preparation before intervention
- •Standardized landmark protocols mean that data from your cases can potentially be compared and shared with other clinicians and researchers, contributing to broader understanding of breed variations and pathology
- •Understanding these morphometric principles helps interpret advanced imaging reports more effectively and supports evidence-based decision-making in complex anatomical cases
Key Findings
- •3D geometric morphometric methods are emerging as pivotal tools in veterinary anatomy, clinical research, and morphological assessment across multiple species
- •Standardized, minimal landmark sets are essential for reproducibility and comparability of results across independent studies
- •Applications include orthopedic surgical planning, biomechanical modeling, and assessment of congenital anomalies with enhanced diagnostic precision
- •Integration with automated landmarking and AI-driven analyses represents the future direction for advancing veterinary morphometric research