Horseback Research Articles

Effect of a 14-Day Period of Heat Acclimation on Horses Using Heated Indoor Arenas in Preparation for Tokyo Olympic Games.

To optimise the performance and welfare of horses during equestrian competitions in hot climates, it is advised to acclimate them to the heat. The effects of training in a heated indoor arena were studied. Four Olympic horses (13.3 ± 2.2 years; three eventers, one para-dressage horse) were trained for 14 consecutive days in a heated indoor arena (32 ± 1 °C; 50-60% humidity) following their normal training schedule in preparation for the Tokyo Olympic games. Standardised exercise tests (SETs) were performed on Day 1 and Day 14, measuring heart rate (HR; bpm), plasma lactate concentration (LA; mmol/L), deep rectal temperature (Trec; °C), sweat loss (SL; L), and sweat composition (K+, Cl- and Na+ concentration). The data were analysed using linear mixed models. The Trec and HR were significantly decreased after acclimation (estimate: -0.106, 95% CI -0.134, -0.078; estimate: -4.067, 95% CI -7.535, -0.598, respectively). Furthermore, for all the horses, the time taken to reach their peak Trec and heat storage increased, while their LA concentrations decreased. The SL, Cl-, and Na+ concentrations decreased in three out of the four horses. Conclusions: Fourteen days of normal training in a heated indoor arena resulted in a reduction in cardiovascular and thermal strain. This is advantageous because it shows that elite sport horses can be acclimated while training as usual for a championship.

Freezing Stallion Semen-What Do We Need to Focus on for the Future?

Artificial insemination (AI) is used frequently in the breeding of sport horses, apart from Thoroughbreds. Most AIs are carried out with cooled semen rather than frozen semen because of the difficulties in identifying a protocol that is suitable for freezing most ejaculates and the necessity to inseminate close to ovulation because of the short life of the thawed spermatozoa. More widespread use of frozen semen would improve biosecurity, allow greater choice of stallions, and offer more flexibility when managing deliveries of semen to the stud. It would even decrease the amount of antibiotics used in semen extenders, since the volume of frozen semen is smaller than when cooled semen is inseminated. However, there is considerable variability in the cryosurvival of spermatozoa from different stallions, leading to the classification of stallions as good or bad freezers. Improvements could be made at the level of stallion nutrition, the semen collection regimen, the extender, the removal of seminal plasma, and the cooling protocol, among others. Stallion sperm membranes are highly susceptible to lipid peroxidation, but research on antioxidants has failed to identify an additive that would benefit all stallions. In the future, biomarkers for sperm freezability could be used as an aid in identifying suitable ejaculates for cryopreservation.

Treatment of Equine Tarsus Long Medial Collateral Ligament Desmitis with Allogenic Synovial Membrane Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Enhanced by Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell-Derived Conditioned Medium: Proof of Concept

Horses are high-performance athletes prone to sportive injuries such as tendonitis and desmitis. The formation of fibrous tissue in tendon repair remains a challenge to overcome. This impels regenerative medicine to develop innovative therapies that enhance regeneration, retrieving original tissue properties. Multipotent Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (MSCs) have been successfully used to develop therapeutic products, as they secrete a variety of bioactive molecules that play a pivotal role in tissue regeneration. These factors are released in culture media for producing a conditioned medium (CM). The aforementioned assumptions led to the formulation of equine synovial membrane MSCs (eSM-MSCs)—the cellular pool that naturally regenerates joint tissue—combined with a medium enriched in immunomodulatory factors (among other bioactive factors) produced by umbilical cord stroma-derived MSCs (eUC-MSCs) that naturally contribute to suppressing the immune rejection in the maternal–fetal barrier. A description of an equine sport horse diagnosed with acute tarsocrural desmitis and treated with this formulation is presented. Ultrasonographic ligament recovery occurred in a reduced time frame, reducing stoppage time and allowing for the horse’s return to unrestricted competition after the completion of a physical rehabilitation program. This study focused on the description of the therapeutic formulation and potential in an equine desmitis treatment using the cells themselves and their secretomes.

Effects of Horseback Riding on the Postural Control of Autistic Children: A Multiple Baseline Across-subjects Design.

The aim of this research was to study the effect of a horseback-riding programme on postural control in a group of autistic children (ASD). Nine children aged 9 to 12 years participated in this study through a multiple baseline across subjects design. The whole programme took place over nine months. Participants followed a previously developed specific horseback-riding programme, consisting of 45-minute sessions held twice a week for at least three months. To evaluate postural control, the average velocity of the centre of pressure displacement was measured by means of a posturographic platform. Results indicated that this intervention with horses had a positive effect on the postural control in children with ASDs.

Multiple Equine Therapies for the Treatment of Gross Motor Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the impact of three equine therapy approaches on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy. Methods The studies were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and the Cochrane Library, in accordance with the style commonly found in scientific journal publications:(1) peer-reviewed articles written in English; (2) experimental or quasi-experimental; (3) three Equine Therapy Interventions as experiment’s independent variable; (4) children with cerebral palsy; and (5) measurement of outcomes related to Gross Motor Function. Results The study examined 596 patients with cerebral palsy, whose average age was 8.03 years. The three types of horse therapy interventions had a significant impact on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy (SMD = 0.19, 95% CI 0.02–0.36, p = 0.031). Additionally, the interventions positively affected dimensions C (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI 0.00–0.62, p = 0.05), D (SMD = 0.30, 95% CI 0.06–0.56, p = 0.017), and B (SMD = 0.72, 95% CI 0.10–1.34, p = 0.023). The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) consists of 88 or 66 items, which are divided into five functional dimensions: GMFM-A (lying down and rolling), GMFM-B (sitting), GMFM-C (crawling and kneeling), GMFM-D (standing), and GMFM-E (walking, running, and jumping). Each subsection of the GMFM can be used separately to evaluate motor changes in a specific dimension of interest. Subgroup analysis revealed that different horse-assisted therapy approaches, types of cerebral palsy, exercise duration, frequency, and intervention periods are important factors influencing treatment outcomes. Conclusion The intervention period ranged from 8 to 12 weeks, with session durations of 30 to 45 minutes, 2 to 3 times per week. Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) demonstrated significant improvements in the overall gross motor function score, Dimension B, Dimension C, and Dimension D among children with cerebral palsy. The most effective treatment is provided by Equine-Assisted Therapy, followed by Horseback Riding Simulator (HRS). Due to its economic practicality, HRS plays an irreplaceable role. Clinical Evidence Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT) demonstrates the most effective treatment outcomes, suggesting that hospitals and healthcare professionals can form specialized teams to provide rehabilitation guidance. 2. Within equine-assisted therapy, Horseback Riding Simulator (HRS) exhibits treatment efficacy second only to Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT), making it a cost-effective and practical option worthy of promotion and utilization among healthcare institutions and professionals. 3. In equine-assisted therapy, Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THR) holds certain value in rehabilitation due to its engaging and practical nature.

Physical Activities Recommender System Based on Sequential Data Use K-Mean Clustering

Physical activities such as Exercise are essential in maintaining health and fitness, especially for those who adopt a healthy lifestyle. Irregularity in doing Exercise can hurt the body and health, especially if it is not done according to one's physical capacity. In the framework of this research, we developed a Recommender System that aims to provide exercise suggestions according to the user's preferences, especially in the categories of cycling, running, walking, and horse riding. The primary considerations of the variables include heart rate (Average Heart Rate) and pace (Speed Rate). This research approach uses the FitRec Dataset and applies the K-Mean Clustering Algorithm, with the support of APACHE SPARK, for large-scale data processing, given the large data size in the FitRec dataset. Grouping is done using the FitRec dataset and K-Mean. Users are grouped according to heart rate and pace information; this provides appropriate Exercise for users. The test results show that the proposed system performs well, as indicated by the silhouette score = 0.596, calinzski-harabaz score = 2133.09, and davies bouldin score = 0.480. These test metrics reflect the system's ability to cluster. Indirectly, the accuracy performance of the system is assessed through these metrics, showing good accuracy test results.

Joint Stress Analysis of the Navicular Bone of the Horse and Its Implications for Navicular Disease.

The horse's navicular bone is located inside the hoof between the deep flexor tendon (DDFT) and the middle and end phalanges. The aim of this study was to calculate the stress distribution across the articular surface of the navicular bone and to investigate how morphological variations of the navicular bone affect the joint forces and stress distribution. Joint forces normalised to the DDFT force were calculated from force and moment equilibria from morphological parameters determined on mediolateral radiographs. The stress distribution on the articular surface was determined from the moment equilibrium of the stress vectors around the centre of pressure. The ratio of the proximal to the distal moment arms of the DDFT, as well as the proximo-distal position and extent of the navicular bone, individually or in combination, have a decisive influence on the position and magnitude of the joint force and the stress distribution. If the moment arms are equal and the bone is more proximal, the joint force vector originates from the centre of the joint surface and the joint load is evenly distributed. However, in a more distal position with a longer distal moment arm, the joint force is close to the distal edge, where the joint stress reaches its peak. Degenerative navicular disease, which causes lameness and pathological changes in the distal portion of the bone in sport horses, is likely to be more severe in horses with wedge-shaped navicular bones than in horses with square bones.

Detection of methandienone and its metabolites in equine urine, plasma and hair following a multidose oral administration.

Methandienone is an anabolic-androgenic steroid that is prohibited in equine sports due to its potential performance enhancing properties. Metabolism and detection of methandienone in equine urine have been investigated comprehensively in literature; however, there is a limited knowledge about its metabolites in equine plasma and no information about its detection in equine hair. Following a multi-dose oral administration of methandienone to two Thoroughbred horses, 17-epimethandienone, methyltestosterone, two mono-hydroxylated, two di-hydroxylated and three 17α-methylandrostanetriol metabolites were detected in plasma. The majority of these were present as free analytes, whilst the mono-hydroxylated metabolites and one isomer of 17α-methylandrostanetriol were partially conjugated. Estimated peak concentrations of methandienone were 6,000 and 11,100 pg/ml; meanwhile, they were 25.4 and 40.5pg/ml for methyltestosterone. The most abundant analyte in the post-administration plasma samples of both horses was the mono-hydroxylated metabolite; however, the parent compound provided the longest detection (up to 96 h). Screening analysis of hair enabled the detection of methandienone in mane hair samples only, for up to 3months. Its mono- and di-hydroxylated metabolites were detected with greater peak responses for up to 6months post-administration in both mane and tail samples, showing that these metabolites could be better analytical targets for hair analysis when administered orally. A follow-up methodology with an extensive wash procedure confirmed the presence of methandienone and its metabolites in a number of post-administration hair samples. Final wash samples were also analysed to assess the degree of internal incorporation (via bloodstream) against possible external deposition (via sweat/sebum).

Conflict behaviour in Icelandic horses during elite competition

Sport horse welfare is currently under scrutiny. Among other issues, it has been pointed out that behavioural signs of discomfort are frequently overlooked during training and competitions. Previous studies reported a relatively high prevalence of these types of behaviour (e.g., tail swishing, mouth opening – typically jointly labelled ‘conflict behaviour’) in elite level dressage and show jumping warmblood horses. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of conflict behaviour in Icelandic horses competing at elite level in breed-specific gait competitions. We used online video recordings from a competition in Iceland, including two different competitions (MD22, Fivegait F1: n = 25, and Loose-rein Tölt T2: n = 24 participating horses). The recordings were viewed at slow speed (x 0.25) enabling a detailed recording of the horses’ behavioural expressions. Mouth opening was the most frequently observed behaviour and occurred more in pace and tölt (Fivegait F1, P<0.001). In T2, mouth opening was more frequent in short-rein tölt than during loose-rein tölt (P<0.001). Sudden head movements, tail swishing and undesired gait changes also occurred, but less frequently. An elongated upper lip was observed in 12 of the 24 participating horses in T2, but only in short-rein tölt, suggesting that upper lip elongation is related to rein tension. We conclude that mouth movements (mouth opening and an elongated upper lip) are common behavioural expressions in Icelandic horses competing at elite level. Further studies are required to reveal the significance of these behaviours in terms of horse welfare.

Volunteer Engagement within Equine Assisted Services.

This study examines the effect of volunteering within a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl) premiere accredited center by exploring the experiences of volunteers leading horses in adaptive riding lessons. Adaptive Riding lessons are horseback riding lessons for individuals ages four through the lifespan, with special needs, varying from cognitive, physical, social-emotional, or other challenges. Volunteers directly impact the rider-horse bond by increasing accessibility to horseback riding for individuals with disabilities, fostering a meaningful bond between the rider and horse. The research questions were as follows: (1) do saliva measures of cortisol and alpha-amylase (stress), and oxytocin (affiliative bonding) change over time for volunteers; and (2) how satisfied are volunteers with volunteering for Equine Assisted Services (EAS)? Forty-one volunteers participated in Reining in Anxiety, an intervention combining adaptive riding and cognitive behavioral therapy. Physiological data (i.e., pooled saliva, saliva combined from various glands throughout the mouth, resting under the tongue prior to collection) were collected pre/post riding session at four time points during the 10-session intervention, measuring oxytocin, cortisol, and alpha-amylase. Post-intervention, volunteers completed a survey about their experiences as volunteers and as participants in the study. All saliva samples were collected successfully. There was a non-significant, positive trend in oxytocin and alpha-amylase, while cortisol remained level. The responses in the survey suggested that volunteers perceive their role positively, with nuanced experiences of a sense of responsibility to ensure safety, and enjoyment in assisting the riders. Volunteers are vital to the safety of the rider and horse. While their perceived and internalized responsibility is evidenced by an increase in stress (e.g., cortisol remaining level and an increase in alpha-amylase), it is not necessarily negative stress, as there is simultaneously affiliative bonding expressed (oxytocin). The complex emotions and experiences of volunteers are important to understand to create meaningful, sustainable volunteer engagement. This is particularly important in the EAS industry, which is reliant on volunteerism.

Substantial variability exists in the interpretation of survey radiographs among equine veterinarians.

Radiographs are a common diagnostic tool utilised during pre-purchase examinations, yet differences surround their interpretation among equine veterinarians. (1) To determine veterinarians' subjective impressions of a spectrum of radiographic abnormalities regarding suitability for purchase; (2) To determine how veterinarians' years in practice, primary discipline or board certification status influence their subjective impression of radiographic abnormalities, and (3) To determine how horses' discipline, current level of work (working at intended level vs. future prospect) and buyer intent (sell vs. retain ownership) influence veterinarians' subsequent recommendation. Worldwide electronic survey of veterinary professionals. Four radiographic series of navicular bones, tarsi, and stifles, representing varying degrees of pathological change (normal, mild, moderate and marked) were presented. Respondents (n = 211) graded their level of concern from 1 (no concern) to 10 (very concerned) based on the radiographs and case scenarios presented. Overall, as the grade of pathological change increased for each anatomical location, so did the level of veterinarian concern, but a wide range of answers were submitted for all grades of pathology. Board certified practitioners had a higher level of concern over marked radiographic changes of the navicular bone for both western performance and English sport horses as well as prospect horses (mean = 7.2 vs. 6.1; P = 0.009; 95% CI for difference = [0.3, 2.0]). Board certified respondents had a lower level of concern over marked radiographic changes of the tarsus regardless of the performance status of the horse (mean = 7.1 vs. 8.0; P = 0.008; 95% CI for difference = [-1.5, -0.2]). Western performance horse practitioners had a lower level of concern over mild radiographic changes of the tarsus regardless of the performance status of the horse (mean = 3.3 vs. 4.2; P = 0.009; 95% CI for difference = [-1.6, -0.2]). Only one example of each pathological grade per anatomical region was presented. On survey radiographs, the perceived clinical relevance of radiographic abnormalities among equine practitioners differs widely, making purchase recommendations highly variable.

Electrophysiological features of bioelectrical activity of the horse brain

Purpose: to study the bioelectrical activity of the brain and determine the parameters of electroencephalograms in sports and untrained horses.Materials and methods. The object of the study were horses aged from 2 to 20 years in the amount of 150 heads. The animals were in active training and were also used for rental training in horse riding; their average weight was 550.78 kg; the breeds were Oryol Trotter, Russian Trotter, American Trotter and Hanoverian. During EEG recording, horses were restrained using a halter at the junctions. Experiments were carried out in the morning or afternoon, 1 hour before feeding/training or 1 hour after. EEG registration was carried out with patch electrodes in 6 unipolar leads using a special patented Ippolitova / Gauss helmet for recording EEG in animals, the electrodes on which are located along the projections of different lobes of the brain, which allows non-invasively, without the use of sedatives and shaving hair, to record the electrical activity of the brain . EEG recording continued for 10-15 minutes. We assessed brain rhythms using the following indicators: Rhythm severity index (RSI) – the degree of manifestation of the rhythm, the percentage of time during which a given rhythm is recorded (%). Frequency – the number of complete oscillations performed per unit of time, sec. (Hz). Amplitude is the largest deviation (from the average) value of a quantity, the range of oscillations.Results. As a result of the research and analysis of the obtained EEG data, waves of bioelectrical activity of the brain in horses were established in the following ranges: alpha rhythm (α-rhythm) – 7.1 – 13 Hz, amplitude up to 100 µV; beta-1 rhythm (low-frequency β-1 rhythm) – 13.1 – 25 Hz, amplitude – 3-5 µV; beta-2 rhythm (high-frequency β-2 rhythm) – 25.1 – 40 Hz, amplitude – 3-5 µV; delta rhythm (δ rhythm) – 0.3 – 4 Hz, amplitude up to 40 µV; theta rhythm (Ѳ-rhythm) – 4.1 – 7 Hz, amplitude about 30 µV; gamma rhythm (γ rhythm) – above 40.1 µV. When analyzing EEG rhythms in animals, the most pronounced spontaneous brain activity at rest in the horses studied is the delta rhythm in all leads and hemispheres. We observe oscillations with a frequency of 0.3–4 Hz and an amplitude of up to 40 μV. The waveform is regular, sinus. Such oscillations represent the delta rhythm.

Chiropractic effects on stride parameters and heart rate during exercise in sport horses.

Equine veterinarians performing chiropractic treatments are frequently asked to evaluate and treat sound horses to improve their performance and address pain associated with the axial skeleton. Studies describing the effects and mechanisms of chiropractic treatments in horses without overt lameness are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chiropractic treatments on stride rate, length, symmetry, heart rate and rider-perceived quality of the ridden work in sport horses. A blind randomised controlled trial with crossover design. Thirty-eight horses ridden in the hunter-jumper discipline were enrolled. Exercise tests were recorded before and after chiropractic or sham treatment while horses were wearing a fitness tracker. Stride length, rate and symmetry, heart rate and the perceived quality of the ridden work were compared. There was a difference in the qualitative assessment of the ridden work by riders between treatments (odds ratio 33.8, 95% CI [4.68, 458.71], p < 0.01). Stride length, rate, symmetry and heart rate were not different between treatments. The quantitative outcomes measured may not be sensitive enough to detect changes that improve the ridden work. Terrain, weather and rider were not standard across horses making small changes difficult to detect. Riders participating in a blind randomised controlled trial perceived a positive effect of chiropractic treatments on the quality of the ridden work. There were no differences in stride length, stride rate, stride symmetry or heart rate. The mechanisms, indications and potential benefits of chiropractic treatments in horses need further study.

From stable to stable: how does stress influence the first line of immune defense in sport horses

Stressful factors, including physical exercise, can influence the body’s defense mechanisms and can be involved in the etiology and evolution of systemic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of various stressors to which sport horses are commonly subjected on the innate immune system. For this, four experimental protocols were designed including different animals, namely: (a) resting horses subjected to everyday medium level exercise (n = 18, average age = 7 years, range: 6 to 11 years), (b) medium course transportation, where the distance of one-way trips represented 270 km (n = 8, average age = 7 years, range: 6 to 9 years), (c) a long course, with a 561 km one-way distance (n = 5, average age = 8.2, range: 7 to 11 years) and (d) pre- and post-competition investigations (n = 9, average age = 7 years, range: 6 to 11). Blood was sampled on heparine (50 UI/ml) before and after the workout or transportation. The phagocytic activity of leukocytes was measured by a carbon particle inclusion test, along with total immunoglobulin/opsonin levels (Ig) (24% Zn sulphate precipitation test) and circulating immune complexes (4.2% polyethylene glycol precipitation test). The results were statistically interpreted by use of Micrososft Excel program (Student’s t test). The various types of stress differently influenced the equine athletes. While a moderate daily exercise did not substantially influence the humoral and cellular effectors of innate immunity, transportation exerted stronger beneficial effects based on the distance to the competition site. As a fast acting antimicrobial mechanism, the phagocytosis underwent the most pronounced changes, positively influenced mainly by the short course transportation. While the transportation stress enhanced phagocytosis, the competition decreased the potential of the cells to react, without significantly influencing their numbers. The experiment suggested that management measures, such as age-tailored exercise and maternal care and diet could help in alleviating stress from stable to stable, during the competition season, thus improving animal welfare and allowing a better health forecast.

The hazards of the pastoralist lifestyle: Evidence from postcranial fractures in Middle Bronze and Early Iron Age populations of the Forest‐Steppe Altai, Russia

AbstractA global comparison has shown that subsistence‐specific practices influenced the risk of postcranial fractures in prehistoric hunter‐gatherers and agriculturalists. Much less is known about pastoralists in this regard. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and patterns of postcranial injuries of herders in the Forest‐Steppe Altai, Russia. Skeletal samples associated with the Andronovo Culture of the Middle Bronze Age, and Staroaleyka and Kamen Cultures of the Early Iron Age were studied. Long bones of 595 adults were examined for evidence of antemortem and perimortem injuries. Fracture frequencies were calculated per individual and per skeletal element, and the differences were evaluated statistically. While assessing per individual, the relative risk with a 95% confidence interval was calculated as well. All of the observed fractures were healed. This study suggests that pastoralists sustained not only traumatic, but also stress injuries. There were sex‐related differences in the rates, patterns, and location of the injuries. In the males, the main reason of fractures could have been high‐velocity incidents during horseback riding and using horse‐drawn vehicles. In the females, the majority of the injuries were possibly associated with accidents when walking (short falls and twists of ankle) and milking. Females of the Staroaleyka Culture sustained fractures of the limb bones significantly more often than those of the Kamen Culture, probably as a result of differences in their daily activities. In terms of the total fracture rates, the Forest‐Steppe Altai pastoralists and their neighbors seem to have surpassed low‐intensity agriculturalists but lag behind hunter‐gatherers and high‐intensity agriculturalists. More datasets are needed to further elucidate the association between postcranial fracture risk and subsistence‐specific practices and environments within the Eurasian Steppe, where pastoralism has been the predominant form of economic activity for millennia.

Brief report: Impact of a horseback riding lesson on youth well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, children and adolescents were at a high risk of experiencing anxiety and stress which undoubtedly had a negative impact on their psychological well-being. While research has shown that canine interactions during this time were beneficial for young people’s well-being, the impact of horse-human activities has not been examined outside of at-risk youth and populations with psychological and/or physical conditions. This pilot study examined whether a recreational horseback riding lesson held during the height of the pandemic improved the well-being of non-at-risk, neurotypical youth. Using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children (Ebesutani et al., 2012 [36]), the mood and stress of beginner/novice riders (n = 16) at a local stable were evaluated before and after the lesson. The Human-Animal Interaction Scale (Fournier et al., 2016 [38]) was also used to assess the quality of the horse-rider interaction to examine its potential impact on the efficacy of riding in improving psychological well-being. Results found a significant increase in positive affect and decrease in negative affect after the lesson compared to before. However, these effects appear to be driven by the group of riders that had a higher quality interaction with their horse. Overall, this study provides initial support for the efficacy of horseback riding for improving well-being in neurotypical, non-at-risk children, and demonstrates that the quality of the interaction between the horse and rider likely plays an important role.

Hypoallergenic animals: A promise of hope for allergic patients?

Furry pets are beloved companion animals; horse riding is a popular leisure activity. So-called hypoallergenic animals have gained high interest as sensitization to animal dander and allergy to furry animals are widespread. Allergen immunotherapy to furry animals is still limited, and allergen avoidance in addition to symptomatic pharmaceutical treatment is often the only available option. Patients with an existing allergy to furry animals or with an atopic background are seeking for a hypoallergenic alternative. This review summarizes current knowledge and discusses future strategies.

Analysis of the impact of osteochondral fragments detached inside the hock joint depending on the histological characteristics in sport horses

Analysis of the impact of osteochondral fragments detached inside the hock joint depending on the histological characteristics in sport horses

The therapeutic utility of mesenchymal stem cells and platelet-rich plasma in tendon injuries in sport horses

The therapeutic utility of mesenchymal stem cells and platelet-rich plasma in tendon injuries in sport horses

Men and Women Competing on Equal Terms? A Cross-Sectional Study of Young Women About the Impact of Menstrual Concerns on Equestrian Sport Participation

In equestrian sport, women are popularly thought to compete on equal terms with men. This ideal has been critiqued by studies documenting how women’s participation is impacted by gendered equestrian cultures and society more broadly. However, one physiological process has been overlooked—menstruation. This is the first study to focus specifically on the impacts of menstruation and menstrual concerns on women’s participation in horse sport and to locate those concerns within broader equestrian traditions of attire and discourses of control. The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of 328 female riding members of Pony Club Australia aged 10–17 years. Findings challenge the idea of equestrian as a sport where men and women compete “on equal terms.” In particular, they illustrate how traditional dress codes of white-/light-colored riding pants exacerbate menstrual concerns, limit/prevent participation, and pose safety concerns due to distraction. The majority (80%) of participants supported changing the formal uniform to allow darker-colored riding pants. However, longstanding equestrian associations between white pants, prestige, and respect are a barrier to the adoption and therefore normalization of period-friendly attire. While discriminatory rules or standards need to be revised, they are insufficient to challenge entrenched gendered, socio-historical, and esthetic constructions of some organized sports. The authors therefore recommend that rule changes be supported by other practical and educational initiatives necessary to create period-friendly cultures for equestrian sport.