Arena Surfaces Research Articles

Reorienting strategies in a rectangular array of landmarks by domestic chicks (gallus gallus).

Spatial reorientation in a rectangular array of four landmarks located in the center of a circular enclosure was investigated in domestic chicks (Gallus gallus). One of the landmark possessed unique visual features, indicating the location of a food reward. After training, chicks were tested (a) with the same array as during the training; (b) with four identical landmarks of the type previously nonrewarded, of the type previously rewarded, or of a new type; (c) after having transformed one of the landmarks located at the geometric incorrect location into the type of landmark previously rewarded; or (d) with a fifth landmark of the rewarded type at a new location. Chicks encoded information provided by local featural cues but not the geometric information provided by the shape of the array. Moreover, when trained in a rectangular array of identical landmarks chicks failed to reorient. In a second series of experiments, the array was located in correspondence to the corners of a rectangular enclosure. This time chicks successfully learned to locate the reward using geometric information. However, when the rectangular array was located in the center of a larger rectangular enclosure, chicks failed to reorient, indicating that the geometric information given by the macroscopic layout of arena surfaces was not used to specify different locations. These results suggest that chicks reorient on the basis of a local representation of single landmarks and that encoding of the global aspects of geometry only occurs with respect to the large, extended surfaces of an enclosure.

An investigation of the total and airborne dust dynamics on two equine arena surfaces

Respiratory disease poses a significant threat to the health and athletic performance of both horses and riders, necessitating the reduction of potential pollutants within equine environments (Deaton and Marlin, 2004). Enhanced management protocols for minimising respiratory irritants within equine housing have been developed, however knowledge of such pollutants in exercise areas remains ambiguous. The aim of this project was to investigate total dust levels and airborne surface dust dynamics during riding sessions on two different widely used arena surfaces.

Preliminary investigation of maximal fetlock extension during jump landing phase on two arena surfaces; two dimensional motion analysis

Surface type has a recognised effect on the biomechanics of a horse, yet suitability of surfaces to discipline has not been fully substantiated. Ideal exercise surface conditions should be a balance of energy absorption to minimise concussion and energy return to aid performance (Barrey et al., 1999) and these conditions vary according to type of work. Greater force on a particular limb will increase the probability of injury, especially in sports that are repetitive in nature, such as show jumping. It is well known that high impact forces occur during the landing phase of jumping (Meershoek et al., 2001); investigation of this phase is therefore integral to understanding the effect that surface has on horses that jump. Maximal fetlock extension may be useful as an indicator of magnitude of ground reaction forces (Clayton, 1997). This means that in-field studies can be used to measure maximal fetlock extension as a guide to forces placed on the limb.