Federation Equestre Internationale Research Articles

A hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent-based vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction applied for doping control of aromatase inhibitors from equine urine

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) can indirectly cause increased testosterone in animals, which leads to the improvement of the athletic ability of horses. For the protection of horses and the consideration of fair competition, AIs were listed as prohibited drugs by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). There were several disadvantages using traditional pretreatment methods before analyzing these drugs from biological samples. A rapid and green pretreatment method has been developed by utilizing the hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (DES)-based vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction (DES-VALLME) followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) technique for the efficient extraction and sensitive detection of AIs in equine urine samples. The combination of menthol and 4-fluorophenol in a molar ratio 1:4 was chosen as the optimum composition of DES for extracting AIs. Under the optimum conditions, only 80 μL of DES, 1 mL equine urine and 2 min were expended. An external standard calibration method was utilized for determination, and a linear relationship was achieved with a concentration range of 0.02–4000 ng mL−1 (r2 ≥ 0.9983). The limits of detection of the method based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 were 0.01–4 ng mL−1. The accuracy recoveries ranged from 94.9% to 113.4% within the intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations of less than 9.1%. Compared with traditional extraction methods, the DES-VALLME method had the advantages of rapidity, simplicity, efficiency, low toxicity, and low cost. This method has potential and possessed brilliant prospects for doping control.

How equestrians conceptualise horse welfare: Does it facilitate or hinder change?

More than ever the welfare of horses in equestrian sport is in the spotlight. In response to this scrutiny, one peak body, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) has created an Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission to protect their sport's longevity. However, for welfare-based strategies to be successful, the conceptualisation of horse welfare must align across various stakeholders, including the general public. The value-laden nature of welfare makes agreement on its definition, even among scientists, difficult. Given little is known about how equestrians conceptualise horse welfare, we interviewed 19 Australian amateur equestrians using a semi-structured format. Systems thinking and the Five Domains Model provided the theoretical framework and informed our methods. Using reflexive thematic analysis, three themes were identified: (1) good horse welfare is tangible; (2) owners misinterpret unwanted horse behaviour; and (3) equestrians publicly minimise horse welfare issues but are privately concerned. Our results highlight participants' conceptualisations of horse welfare do not align with the Five Domains Model; participants' ideal of prioritising horse welfare does not align with their practice; and there is inconsistency between what participants share publicly and what they think privately about horse welfare. These findings can inform the development of programmes to improve ridden horse welfare throughout the horse industry. As a starting point, programmes that provide a safe space for equestrians to explore their private horse welfare concerns, and programmes that build a partnership mindset to facilitate knowledge exchange between all stakeholders are needed.

Equine influenza vaccination in the UK: Current practices may leave horses with suboptimal immunity.

BackgroundVaccination is integral to preventive healthcare. Despite numerous guidelines on equine vaccination, evidence of current vaccination practices is lacking.ObjectivesTo describe current vaccination practices advised by vets treating horses in the United Kingdom (UK) and compare practices with manufacturer datasheets and current guidelines.Study designCross‐sectional survey.MethodsAn online questionnaire was distributed using email addresses acquired through professional registration listings and social media, targeting vets who treat horses in the UK. The questionnaire collected demographic data and information regarding vaccination practices and vaccine hesitancy. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed.ResultsQuestionnaires were completed by 304 UK vets working with horses used for leisure (97.4%, n = 296/304), competition (86.2%, n = 262/304), stud‐work (47.7%, n = 145/304) and racing (40.5%, n = 123/304). Variation was identified in vaccine protocols for competition and noncompetition horses. Fifty‐seven per cent (n = 170/298) of respondents reported variation in advised ‘booster’ frequency; most commonly (n = 118) advising a 6‐monthly vaccination in competition horses and annual vaccination in noncompetition horses. Most common vaccination guidelines volunteered were British Horseracing Authority (68.8%, n = 172/250) and Federation Equestre Internationale (66.4%, n = 166/250). Most vaccination practices were not consistent with datasheet guidance. Only 7.7% (n = 23/300) of respondents complied with datasheet timeframes between the second and third vaccination. Adverse events following vaccination in the previous year were encountered by 66% (n = 199/304) of respondents, representing 2760 adverse events; but only 526 (19.1%) cases were reported to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. Most common reactions were transient, including stiffness (931), localised swelling (835), lethargy (559) and pyrexia (355). 86.4% respondents reported vaccine hesitancy from horse owners, most commonly due to perception of over‐vaccination, cost and concern regarding adverse events.Main limitationsPotential selection, respondent and recall bias. The recent Equine Influenza (EI) and Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) outbreaks in the UK may have altered responses.ConclusionsCurrent equine vaccination practices, although complying with competition rules, are mostly noncompliant with datasheet guidelines, potentially risking suboptimal immunity.

Evaluation of Current Equine Influenza Vaccination Protocols Prior to Shipment, Guided by OIE Standards.

To facilitate the temporary importation of horses for competition and racing purposes, with a minimum risk of transmitting equine influenza, the World Organisation for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties, or OIE), formally engaged in a public–private partnership with the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) and the International Federation for Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) to establish, within the context of existing OIE standards, a science-based rationale to identify the ideal time period for equine influenza vaccination prior to shipment. Field trials using vaccines based on different technologies were carried out on three continents. The antibody response post-booster vaccination at intervals aligned with the different rules/recommendations of the OIE, FEI, and IFHA, was monitored by single radial haemolysis. It was determined that 14 days was the optimum period necessary to allow horses adequate time to respond to booster vaccination and for horses that have previously received four or more doses of vaccine and are older than four years, it is adequate to allow vaccination within 180 days of shipment. In contrast, the results indicate that there is a potential benefit to younger (four years old or younger) horses in requiring booster vaccination within 90 days of shipment, consistent with the current OIE standard.

Challenges encountered by Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) veterinarians in gait evaluation during FEI endurance competitions: an international survey

Equine endurance competitions are long races over 1-2 days and horses can be eliminated in international competitions by FEI veterinarians for lameness at any time. Elimination rates due to lameness are high, affect the outcome of the races and commonly elicit objections to the decision from endurance competitors. The aims of this study were: (1) to assess the opinion of FEI official endurance veterinarians (OEVs) about the challenges in assessing lameness; (2) the occurrence of confrontations with riders when horses are eliminated from races due to lameness; (3) to assess OEVs’ thoughts about the adoption of user-friendly technology for objective gait evaluation to help detect, quantify and document lameness. All FEI OEVs were asked to complete a questionnaire. There were 157 responses, being most of the respondents from Europe (56.1%) or the Middle East (16.6%). For the majority of respondents, detection of lameness was considered challenging, even for experienced and well-trained veterinarians (57.3%). OEVs also considered it was often hard to classify horses as lame or sound (65.8%). Handlers not trotting the horse appropriately during gait evaluations was considered the most common problem compromising the evaluation (94.3%). Most OEVs (98.2%) responded that they had been confronted at least once by a rider or associate about the decision to eliminate a horse due to lameness. Most OEVs (71.3%) would be interested in having the support of user-friendly technology for objective gait evaluation (33.3% for all evaluations; 38.0% only when horses have more subtle gait abnormalities). The findings of this survey suggest that technology to objectively detect and quantify gait abnormalities during endurance competitions would be beneficial to support decisions made by OEVs when evaluating and or eliminating horses for lameness.

Equine Endurance Race Pacing Strategy and Performance in 120-km Single-Day Races

Race pace strategy has been extensively studied in human sports such as running, cycling, and swimming. In contrast, pacing strategy appears to have been virtually ignored in equestrian sport despite its potential to contribute to performance optimization. Previously, we have demonstrated that there are significant differences in pacing strategy between finishers and nonfinishers in 120-km single-day endurance races. The aim of the present study was to further analyze the same dataset of electronically timed Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) 120-km (single day) Concours de Raid d’Endurance International (CEI)∗∗∗∗All rides between 120 km and 139 km in one day or between 70 km and 89 km per day over two days. Maximum Pulse at Vet Gates: 64 bpm within 20 minutes. endurance races that took place in Europe and the Middle East in 2016 and 2017. The competition records of 218 horses that finished (average completion rate: 56%) in 24 races, each consisting of 4 loops (laps), were evaluated. Final loop speed was significantly increased for horses placed in the top 3 who recorded 12% faster mean speed (P = .011) compared with horses that finished outside of the top 3. Top 3–finishing horses also significantly increase the speed with which they complete loop 3 (P = .040; 3% increase in percentage of loop 1 speed) and the final loop (P = .008; 8% increase in percentage of loop 1 speed) of races compared with horses who achieve lower placings and completed loop 1 at a 3% lower percentage of their average race speed (P = .008) and those who finished fourth or higher. These results suggest that horses that are placed in the top 3 are ridden more consistently.

Conflict behavior in elite show jumping and dressage horses

Conflict behavior (CB) is a response exhibited by animals that experience difficulty coping with mental or physical discomfort and is most often demonstrated as some form of resistance to handling or training cues and/or equipment. In equestrian sport, Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) code of conduct for the welfare of the horse stipulates that “. horses must only undergo training that matches their physical capabilities and level of maturity for their respective disciplines.” The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of CB in horses participating in elite equestrian competition. The behavior of 150 horses (N ¼ 100 during show jumping and N ¼ 50 during dressage top-level competitions) was monitored via FEI TV transmissions. We assessed the occurrence of specific CBs in each horse including head shaking, pulling the reins out of the rider’s hands (PR), gaping, and tail swishing (TS) per second during competition. In jumping competitions, the CB occurrence associated with each type of obstacle (fence) was divided by the total number of obstacles of that same type. In dressage competition, CB occurrence associated with a given dressage movement was divided by total time (pooled duration in seconds) associated with the movement. Percentage of the time where each horse presented with low head position and with the nose behind the vertical was also recorded. The data indicated that jumping and dressage competitions differed in the occurrence of studied CB per second of the course or test (head shaking, P ¼ 0.0279; PR, P < 0.0001; TS, P < 0.0001, and gaping, P < 0.0001). In show jumping, PR was most frequent and vertical and combination fences were the more problematic obstacles. In dressage, TS was most frequent, whereas other CBs occurred only sporadically. Although TS was observed significantly more often during the complicated dressage movement phases compared with less complicated movement phases, there were no differences in the occurrence of CB in particular movements within the groups of more and less complicated dressage movement phases. Dressage horses were ridden more often (P < 0.0001) in low head position and with nose behind the vertical compared to show jumping horses. Both the percentage of time with head in low position and the nose behind the vertical were positively correlated (r s ¼ 0.50; P ¼ 0.0002) although there was no relationship between these parameters and the occurrence of CB in either jumping or dressage. However, the high incidence of CB observed in elite jumping and dressage competition suggests that many horses may not be sufficiently prepared for competition in line with the FEI code of conduct guidelines. Clearly, this could lead to welfare concerns for the horses within these equestrian disciplines. Finally, we suggest that the occurrence and/or the extent of CB exhibited by horses participating in elite jumping and dressage sport require further scrutiny in terms of the FEI code of conduct guidelines.

Assessing ridden horse behavior: Professional judgment and physiological measures

The assessment of ridden horse behavior by 12 equestrian professionals (riding instructors n = 4, riders n = 4, veterinarians n = 4) was compared with observed behavior and physiological measures (salivary cortisol and eye temperature). Horses (n = 10) were ridden at walk, trot, and canter in a predefined test of approximately 2-3 minutes. Video footage of the ridden test (RT) was analyzed using Observer XT 10 and duration of behavioral states/events recorded. Saliva was collected in the stable, after the warm-up (WU) and at 0, 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes after the RT. The saliva was analyzed for cortisol (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and the difference between minimum and maximum concentration (ng/mL) and associated sample times recorded. Eye temperature was measured using an infrared thermal camera (MobIR M8), static images (stable, after WU, after RT), and video footage (WU and RT) with maximum eye temperatures derived from set intervals. Mean maximum eye temperatures during ridden work were calculated. Video footage of the RT was observed by the 12 equestrian professionals who each scored the horses on 7 performance parameters derived from the Federation Equestre Internationale rules for dressage events and the training scale of the German National Equestrian Federation (relaxation, energy, compliance, suppleness, confidence, motivation, and happiness). These scores were compared with behavioral and physiological measures and correlations investigated (Spearman's rank order correlation). Higher percentage durations of high head carriage (ranging from 0 to 50.75% of RT) and the nose carried at an angle in front of the vertical (0%-74.29% of RT) correlated with overall less favorable assessment by the equestrian professionals (P < 0.05) and only the instructors associated neutral head carriage (32.76%-91.92% of RT) and vertical nasal angle (0.97%-68.90% of RT) as a positive sign (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively). Increases in salivary cortisol positively correlated with the duration of low head carriage (P < 0.05), suggesting that this way of going increased the demands placed on the horse. Increased eye temperature positively correlated with duration of nose carried behind the vertical when ridden (P = 0.02) and negatively correlated with duration of nose carried in front of the vertical (P = 0.01). Some discrepancy between physiological evidence and professional assessment of ridden horse behavior was evident as were differences between groups of professionals. Further evaluation of the association between behavioral signs and physiological measures is now required to ensure that the assessment of ridden horse performance is based on valid and consistent measures.

Variability of scores in the 2008 Olympic dressage competition and implications for horse training and welfare

Abstract Olympic dressage involves an intimate unity between a human and a non-human and is scored by a subjective judging process, under the auspices of the Federation Equestre Internationale whose Code of Conduct declares the welfare of the horse as paramount. Dressage is of particular interest to equitation scientists and equine ethologists because it embodies the full range of the stimulus-response contingencies that operate in all of the Olympic disciplines. In Federation Equestre Internationale dressage competition, collective marks are awarded across four domains immediately after each performance. Collective marks are designed to summarize the performance of horse and rider and must reflect the qualities of the entire performance. They are derived from the observation of the judges of the separate test movements. The 4 collective marks include: (1) paces; (2) impulsion; (3) submission; and (4) the rider's position and seat; correctness and effect of the aids (rider signals). The definition of submission in this context makes reference to lightness and other qualities that align with optimal ridden horse welfare. We assessed the characteristics of these marks in horses competing in the 2008 Olympic Games Grand Prix (GP; n =46) and Grand Prix Special (GPS; n =25) dressage competitions. We also examined the effect of judge location and used Pearson correlation coefficients to explore relationships between collective marks and test-movement scores. All 4 collective marks correlated with each other significantly ( P r =0.22) and the strongest between impulsion and rider position scores (RPS) ( r =0.59). In the GP, paces and submission scores were less correlated with test movement scores than the impulsion and RPS scores. In the GPS, submission scores were less correlated with individual movements than the other collective marks. Indeed, they failed to significantly correlate with 19 of 32 movement scores ( P F =31.27) made the least significant contribution (paces, F =61.3; impulsion, F =69.77; RPS F =53.01; P

Pharmacokinetics of altrenogest in horses

The Federation Equestre Internationale has permitted the use of altrenogest in mares for the control of oestrus. However, altrenogest is also suspicious to misuse in competition horses for its potential anabolic effects and suppression of typical male behaviour, and thus is a controlled drug. To investigate the pharmacokinetics of altrenogest in horses we conducted an elimination study. Five oral doses of 44 mug/kg altrenogest were administered to 10 horses at a dose interval of 24 h. Following administration blood and urine samples were collected at appropriate intervals. Altrenogest concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The plasma levels of altrenogest reached maximal concentrations of 23-75 ng/mL. Baseline values were achieved within 3 days after the final administration. Urine peak concentrations of total altrenogest ranged from 823 to 3895 ng/mL. Twelve days after the final administration concentrations were below the limit of detection (ca 2 ng/mL).

Multivariate analysis of international level (CCI****) eventing competition

Eventing is a three phased equestrian sport involving the completion of dressage, speed and endurance phases (cross country course) and show jumping phase. Penalty points are accrued during each phase of competition;. Competitors are ranked within competition on the basis of overall penalty points accrued (lowest points – winning the competition). The relative influence of each phase of the competition is currently being debated by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) and its membership. The reasons for this, amongst other factors, include concerns over equine welfare, financial commitment to infrastructure and accessibility of nations developing within the sport. The essence of eventing, a speed and endurance contest, has been based around the cross country phase; the FEI refers to the phase as ‘the major test’ (FEI 2003) and British Eventing (BE) state ‘‘the relative influence on the whole competition exerted by dressage should be slightly more than that exerted by the show jumping, but considerably less than that exerted by the cross country’’ (BE 2004).

Physiological measurements in horses after strenuous exercise in hot, humid conditions

The purpose of this study was 1) to measure and compare some physiological parameters in horses during a standardised treadmill exercise performed either in temperate atmospheric conditions (TC) (ambient temperature: 15 degrees C; relative humidity: 55%), or in hot and humid conditions (HHC) (ambient temperature: 30 degrees C; relative humidity: 75%) and 2) to follow the recovery of the same horses during 1 h after both tests. Five healthy fit Standardbred horses were investigated twice at 8 days interval, in TC and in HHC. Some measurements were made during a standardised treadmill exercise test (SET), others during a 1 h recovery period. The SET consisted of 8 min warm-up and 8 min exercise. During the SET, respiratory airflow and O2 and CO2 fraction in the respiratory gases were continuously recorded, using 2 ultrasonic pneumotachographs connected to a face mask and a mass spectrometer. Oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide output, respiratory quotient and expired minute volume (VE) were obtained on a breath-by-breath basis. The maximal values obtained during the highest intensity of the SET and the values obtained 2 min after the end of the test were used for the comparison between both tests. Heart rate (HR) and skin temperature were continuously recorded, using a heart rate recording system and a real time infrared thermographic unit, respectively. After both SETs in TC and HHC, the horses recovered in TC. Heart rate, respiratory frequency (f) and rectal temperature were regularly measured during 1 h after the test. Venous blood was sampled after the completion of the test for biochemical analysis, namely plasma electrolytes and enzymatic activities. Exercising in HHC induced a reduction of the aerobic metabolism to the total energy requirement, i.e. a 20% decrease of VO2 and 55% increase in lactate, as well as a decrease in VE. The increase in rectal and skin temperature, the dehydration and the weight loss were higher in HHC than in TC. During the recovery period the HR and f remained higher up to 30 min after the end of the SET in HHC while the rectal temperature remained higher up to 60 min after the end of this test. Therefore, despite the fact that our horses recovered in TC after exercising in HHC, there were significant differences between their physiological parameters measured during the recovery. This means that the recovery in air-conditioned unit would probably be an insufficient measure to ensure an adequate cooling of the horses and justify consequently the adaptations proposed by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), i.e. the decrease of the distance of the run and the increase of the time devoted to the halt between phases.

Regulatory Aspects of Drug Use in Performance Horses

The control of drug use in performance horses and the policing of rules and regulations to prevent unauthorized drug use are important tasks for agencies overseeing equestrian events. This article describes the roles of the American Horse Shows Association, the Federation Equestre Internationale, and the Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc, in the policing of drug use in horses competing in events under their control.