Recreational Horse Research Articles

Steroid-related pubic symphysis diastasis in recreational horse riders

Wide diastasis of the pubic symphysis is generally secondary to high energy trauma. Slight separation of the pubic symphysis can be seen when pubic ligamentous laxity or consistency is altered in specific situations namely during vaginal delivery, and in elderly rheumatoid patients receiving long-term corticosteroid therapy after minor injuries. We present two cases of wide diastasis of the pubic symphysis following a sudden horse U-turn in two young recreational horse riders with a recent short-term steroid intake drug history, and a contemporary view of the physiopathology and definitive treatment for these injuries. Diastasis of the pubic symphysis resulting from a sudden horse U-turn, in horse riders with a drug history of recent short-term steroid intake has not been previously reported. We want to emphasise the risks of pubic symphysis fragility in patients with a recent medical history of steroids therapy.

Public Access to Privately-Owned Planted Forests: An Environmental Service Under a Private-Public Partnership Property Rights Regime

The demand for forest environmental services for human well-being (e.g. physical exercise and recreation) is increasing especially in urban areas. However, providing the service in an affordable way to the public is a growing policy problem. In this paper, we present the case of the Whakarewarewa (Whaka) forest in Rotorua as an example of a privately managed planted forest that provides free access for recreational walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. The 5667 hectare Whaka forest is situated close to the Rotorua town with 677 hectares being managed as a forest park by the Rotorua District Council while the rest are mainly production forests managed by the a forest company called Kaiangaroa Timberlands Limited. Kaiangaroa Timberlands has a government license to plant and cut forest trees. Public access to the forest for recreational uses was assured when the New Zealand government handed over the Whaka forest land to the trust of Maori Central North Island Iwi (CNI) as a part of Waitangi treaty settlement in 2008. Both the Whaka Forest Park and production forest have recreational trails which are maintained by the joint forces of Rotorua Mountain Biker’s Club and the Rotorua District Council. This scenario makes the Whaka Forest a private managed planted forest used for public health fitness and recreation. The public use of the forest has also fostered local businesses (e.g. mountain bike retailers and a mountain bike shuttle service). This paper aims to illustrate how this institutional framework evolved and identify what institutional arrangements sustain this service provision mechanism. In a nutshell, this paper presents a private-public partnership model of property rights (contract) structure. From this study, we also aim to draw some policy implications on the management of ecosystem services of planted forest under private-public partnership property right regime in similar areas.

Horse Riding in Protected Areas: A Critical Review and Implications for Research and Management

Horse riding is a popular, high-impact recreational activity that occurs worldwide. The United States and Australia have a long history of recreational horse riding in protected areas and controversy accompanies this activity in both countries. This review describes and critiques research to date, and then draws out the implications for future research and management. Previous research has been experimental (using trampling lanes to determine impacts away from trails) and quasi-experimental (based on existing use of trails and describing impacts). The off-trail experimental research clearly demonstrates that horses can cause considerable damage. The trail-based quasi-experimental research also showed degradation from horses; however, critiques of this methodology make it more difficult to draw robust conclusions. In addition to biophysical impacts, social research based on surveying users has identified a number of issues associated with horse riding (e.g. conflict with other users) as well as exploring horse riders’ preferences for management actions. A major gap in current research is evaluating the effectiveness of management actions, such as trail construction and codes of conduct. Recommendations for future research include more attention to experimental design, research across and into new ecosystems to improve the generalisation of findings, and attention to researching management effectiveness.

Prevalence of non-glandular gastric ulcers in horses involved in a university riding program

The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of gastric ulcers in horses involved in a university riding program. Researchers examined 80 riding horses engaged in hunt seat lessons, stock seat lessons, polo, and training (breeds included Morgans, Quarter Horses including crosses, Thoroughbreds, and other lineage). Gastroscopic examination was performed to determine the presence of gastric ulcers. Non-glandular ulcers present were scored using an accepted scoring system. Descriptive characteristics such as age, sex, breed, housing, use, and prior medication of horses were recorded. Nine (11%) of the horses had non-glandular ulcerations. Age and sex had a significant ( P < .05) effect on non-glandular ulcers in this population. Horses that were 2 to 6 or 18 to 23 years of age and mares were most affected by non-glandular gastric ulcers. Non-glandular ulcer occurrence was lower in this population than in any previous studies focused on elite, heavy-use performance horses, show horses, racehorses, and recreational horses. Horses used predominantly in their home environment may suffer from a lower occurrence of non-glandular gastric ulcers than previously studied populations such as racing and show horses despite the frequency and intensity of their activities.

Biophysical Impacts of Recreational Horse Riding in Multi-use National Parks and Reserves

Horse riding is one of many recreational uses of national parks and forest reserves that provide participants with varied experiences of the environment. Concerns have been raised by a range of stakeholders that impacts imposed by horse riding are increasingly unacceptable, and consequently, access is being reduced in some areas through new plans of management. Studies in recreational ecology that could support decision-making on this issue generally relate to northern hemisphere conditions, which may have limited relevance and application to Australian conditions. Little research has been undertaken in Australia, most of which refers to specific environments or to small scale experimental studies that cannot be meaningfully extrapolated to other areas. In this paper, the available literature is reviewed and key knowledge gaps are identified to provide a supportive framework for decision makers and future research.

Biophysical Impacts of Recreational Horse Riding in Multi-use National Parks and Reserves

Horse riding is one of many recreational uses of national parks and forest reserves that provides participants with varied experiences of the environment. Concerns have been raised by a range of stakeholders that impacts imposed by horse riding are increasingly unacceptable, and consequently, access is being reduced in some areas through new plans of management. Studies in recreational ecology that could support decision-making on this issue generally relate to northern hemisphere conditions, which may have limited relevance and application to Australian conditions. Little research has been undertaken in Australia, most of which refers to specific environments or to small scale experimental studies that cannot be meaningfully extrapolated to other areas. In this paper, the available literature is reviewed and key knowledge gaps are identified to provide a supportive framework for decision-makers and future research.

The effect of seeds of exotic species transported via horse dung on vegetation along trail corridors

It has been suggested that exotic species will colonize within forests more frequently by the continual introduction of seeds through horse dung deposited along trails. Whether or not these exotic species have the ability to spread into and establish in the forest interior has been disputed. To address this, horse dung and soil samples were collected from trails during Autumn 1994 and Summer 1995 from three areas in southern Illinois, USA open to recreational horse travel. In addition, deer dung samples were collected from each of the study areas. Vegetation data were collected from each of the trail systems as well as from a trail along which horse travel was prohibited. The density of vascular plants in 0.25 m2 quadrats placed at varying distances from the trail center to 5 m into the forest interior were recorded. Finally, dung samples were placed in situ along horse trails at one site to examine seedling germination in natural conditions. While 23 exotic species germinated from samples of horse dung placed out in a greenhouse, only one of these exotic species was also found in trail plots (Kummerowia striata). Similarly, while there were empirically more exotic species found along the trails allowing horse travel than there were on the trail lacking horse travel, the relative importance of those species was negligible along both trails. These results suggest that the emigration of exotic species via horse dung does not pose an immediate threat to the plant communities adjacent to trails in these forest systems. Nevertheless, the large number of exotic species in horse dung reflects the constant threat to any system from these species. Care must be taken, when allowing horseback use in areas, to anticipate invasion by exotic species from horse dung

Understanding the impacts of recreation in Australian protected areas: Quantifying damage caused by horse riding in D'Entrecasteaux National Park, Western Australia

There is presently very little published quantitative information on the environmental impacts of recreational horse riding. Particularly in Western Australia the lack of "hard evidence" concerning the environmental impacts of horse riding hinders objective judgement of damage caused by horse riding in national parks. This paper presents data on horse riding impacts in a Western Australian (D'Entrecasteaux) national park. The research measured vegetation and soil impacts caused by horse use in un-tracked areas with the specific aim of relating the amount of horse use to degree of environmental impact. Horse riding altered plant species composition, increased the area of bare ground and decreased height and cover of vegetation. Significant impacts occurred after only low levels of horse use. The findings indicate the need for a database on horse riding impact in Australia so that, where horse riding is allowed, impacts can be properly assessed and effectively managed.

Developing a regional equine information network system

Summary Equine extension programs, targeted at adult audiences, have been coordinated and delivered by the Extension Horse Specialist direct to horse owners with minimal support from county livestock agents. Increased agent responsibilities and limited training continues to limit livestock agent involvement. The Regional Equine Information Network System (REINS) was established in 1995 as a pilot program of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. The program uses volunteers as trained paraprofessionals to assist in the development, management and evaluation of county and regional extension educational programs for recreational and professional horse owners. Through the guidance of a REINS coordinating extension agent, horse owners in a multi-county area were organized into a regional horse educational organization. The REINS organizations linked the educational efforts of the Cooperative Extension with the North Carolina Horse Council and Agri-businesses. Producers from each participating county within a region were identified to receive specialized training as a REINS volunteer. The Extension horse specialists and veterinarians provided volunteers with 38 hours of training on horse management and science topics, teaching techniques and program planning. Upon completion of the training, participants who successfully completed a certification exam served as unpaid Extension paraprofessionals. REINS volunteers assisted county Extension agents in the preparation of educational materials, formation of advisory groups, delivery of educational presentations, and the evaluation of the impact of REINS programs on horse owners. A pilot program, conducted in 1995–96 (Phase I), organized 31 counties into five REINS regions. Forty-two REINS volunteers received certification and reported an average of 404 hours donated per volunteer REINS region valued at $5,656 in volunteer time. An additional nine REINS regions including 69 counties will be organized and 72 volunteers certified in 1997 (Phase II). Phase III, offered in 1997–98 will provide specialized advanced level training.

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium/Giardia in the trail horse population utilizing public lands in Colorado

SummaryCryptosporidium and Giardia spp. are small coccidian parasites that infect the intestinal tract of birds, reptiles and mammals including humans. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum and cysts of Giardia duodenalis are shed in the feces of infected animals and directly infect subsequent hosts following ingestion. The broad host range, resistant nature, and small size of the parasites in the environment may potentially contribute to contamination of water supplies. The perception that recreational riding horses may increase the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in large watersheds adjacent to common trails, indirectly infecting humans, has resulted in banning recreational riding horses from some trails. However, there is currently no scientific data linking the recreational trail horse to the incidence or increased risk of human cryptosporidiosis or giardiasis. This survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp. in recreational horses utilizing trails located near large watershed areas in Colorado. At the trail heads, approximately 10 g of fresh feces were collected from recreational horses (n=300) that were utilizing the trails on the day they were sampled. Fecal samples were mixed with 10% formalin at a dilution rate of 1 part feces to 4 parts formalin and were transported to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Colorado State University. Samples were evaluated using the Merifluor™Cryptosporidium/Giardia Direct Immunofluorescent Detection Procedure. One horse (0.33%) was detected positive for Cryptosporidium and two horses (0.66%) were positive for Giardia. The low prevalence of Cryptosporidia and Giardia in the trial horse population surveyed indicates that the adult recreational trail horse population is not likely to be a significant source of Cryptosporidium and Giardia environmental contamination in watershed areas.