Ridden Work Research Articles

Physiological comparison of conditioned and non-conditioned university horses following semester break

Periods of limited activity during semester break may reduce performance during return to ridden work. This study evaluated fitness and muscling of horses when returning to work, following a 12-week period during which horses either continued (conditioned) or discontinued (non-conditioned) ridden work. It was hypothesized that non-conditioned horses would have a lower level of fitness, resulting in higher resting and peak heart rates and lower levels of muscling. Twelve mature, stock type horses aged 16 ± 5 years were assigned to either a conditioned group that maintained light-to-moderate riding or a non-conditioned group receiving no formal exercise. All horses had access to voluntary exercise for 12-24hr/d on grass pasture (1.5-2.5 hectares). Following the 12-week period, all horses were placed into a light-to-moderate intensity exercise program with resting heart rate, peak heart rate, body condition score, gaskin and forearm circumference, and topline muscle measurements performed on d 0, 14, and 28. Peak and resting heart rates were not different between groups (P > 0.05) but increased for both groups throughout the study (P = 0.04). Gaskin circumference of non-conditioned horses was larger (P = 0.04), although non-conditioned horses tended to be heavier (551.4 versus 491.4 ± 21.4 kg; P = 0.07). Conditioned horses had greater average topline muscling scores (P = 0.02). Horses that were conditioned over a 12-week break had greater muscling, but changes in fitness were not detected. Pasture access could contribute to maintenance of fitness during unridden periods.

The Equiband Pro System improves gait symmetry in horses at the trot.

Abstract It has been shown that there is a relationship between spinal stability and gait symmetry in horses (1-3). Use of the Equiband Pro System, an elastic band system used for in-hand or ridden work with horses, has previously been shown to improve spinal stability and abdominal muscle engagement (4-6). More recently, it was demonstrated that a 4 week handwalking protocol with the System improves hindlimb symmetry in horses with a mild hind limb lameness (7). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Equiband Pro System affects gait symmetry immediately in horses trotting on the lunge, using a repeated measures crossover study design. Six horses with varying degrees of gait asymmetries trotted on a lunge in both directions, with and without the abdominal and hindquarter bands of the Equiband Pro System. After evaluation of movement symmetry data, generated by an inertial measurement unit (the Equestic SaddleClip), landing forces were found to be significantly more symmetrical between the left and right diagonal limbs in horses while using the Equiband Pro System (p = 0.05). These results suggest that the Equiband Pro System can immediately alter motor patterns, leading to improved gait symmetry. More work is needed to understand the precise mechanism of this effect.

Chondromalacia of the cranial medial femoral condyle; its occurrence and association with clinical outcome in a population of adult horses with stifle lameness.

Chondromalacia of the cranial medial femoral condyle (CMFC) is a potential cause of stifle lameness in adult horses. However, there is scant published evidence of either its occurrence or its clinical significance. To document the occurrence of CMFC seen during diagnostic arthroscopy in adult horses with stifle lameness and to investigate its prognostic significance. Retrospective cohort study. The records were reviewed of all horses with unilateral or bilateral lameness localised to the stifle that underwent diagnostic arthroscopy of the cranial medial femorotibial joint at a UK equine hospital. The surgical findings were noted from each. Case outcomes were determined by unstructured telephone discussions with owners. A satisfactory outcome was defined as a horse that was in ridden work without ongoing anti-inflammatory medication. Multivariable logistic regression was used to create a model with an outcome time point at 12-month post-operatively. One hundred and four horses were included in the study. CMFC was found in 79. In 25 CMFC was the only finding, 54 horses had CMFC plus other pathology and 25 had other pathology, but no CMFC. At 12months, horses with CMFC were 9.9 (95% CI 2.2-45.0, P<0.01) times more likely to have an unsatisfactory outcome than horses without CMFC. The study relied on retrospective analysis of clinical notes and archived arthroscopy videos. Assessment of outcome was determined by unstructured telephone interview and therefore there is potential for reporting errors to exist. CMFC is a common arthroscopic finding in horses with stifle lameness and is significantly associated with an increased likelihood of the horse not being in ridden work at long-term follow-up.

Exploring Synchronicity in the Heart Rates of Familiar and Unfamiliar Pairs of Horses and Humans Undertaking an In-Hand Task

ABSTRACTPhysiological responses that occur in horses and humans during their interactions, on the ground and during ridden work, have been investigated in a number of studies with some conflicting results. These suggest that in some situations emotional state may be transferred from humans to horses and that there is the potential for the heart rates of horse–human pairs to become synchronized during ridden work. Here we explore the effect of familiarity on the physiological responses of horse–human pairs completing a task in-hand, using heart rate as an indicator for emotional state. We investigated differences in heart rate response between familiar and unfamiliar pairings and the possibility of heart rate synchronization within each pair. Complete sets of horse and human heart rate data were available for 17 horses. We found a significant order affect, with higher horse heart rates seen the first time around the course regardless of whether a familiar or unfamiliar handler was leading (Wilcoxon test: Z=–2.67, p<0.05). However, despite this, the horses’ mean heart rates for each course were significantly higher with the unfamiliar handler than with the familiar handler (Wilcoxon test: Z=–4.46, p<0.001). In contrast, human heart rates were higher when paired with a familiar horse compared with an unfamiliar horse (Mann-Whitney U test: Z=–5.08, p<0.001). Significant correlations between horse and human heart rates were seen in three familiar pairings and two unfamiliar pairings. Our findings indicate that the relationship between horse and human heart rates during interactions is not straightforward or consistent between horses and humans, and is likely to depend on a number of factors such as experience of the test situation. Although the lower heart rates seen in horses being led by their familiar handler suggest that they are more relaxed with someone they know, this could not be said for the human partner.

Clinical features and diagnosis of sacroiliac joint region pain in 296 horses: 2004–2014

SummaryThere has been no large‐scale study of the clinical signs of sacroiliac (SI) joint region pain and its association with lameness and/or thoracolumbar pain. Horses with a positive response to infiltration of local anaesthetic solution around the SI joint regions (SI block) and/or abnormal radiopharmaceutical uptake (RU) in the region of the SI joints were included. History, clinical signs, diagnostic imaging findings, response to SI block, and concurrent lameness and/or thoracolumbar pain were recorded. Horses (n = 296) were divided into 2 groups: SI joint region pain only (Group 1, n = 43) and SI joint region pain and concurrent source(s) of pain (Group 2, n = 253). Clinical signs in Group 1 included increased tension in the longissimus dorsi muscles (40%), restricted flexibility of the thoracolumbar region (44%), trunk stiffness during exercise (61%) and poor hindlimb impulsion (56%). When ridden 65% had a poor contact with the bit, in 81% canter quality was worse than trot, and 35% bucked or kicked out with a hindlimb during canter. In both Groups 1 and 2 clinical signs were seen in a significantly greater proportion of horses during ridden work than lungeing (P&lt;0.0001). Following SI block, 98% of horses showed dramatic improvement in clinical signs, including greater overall movement through the trunk, increased hindlimb impulsion and better quality canter. Abnormal RU in the SI joint regions was seen in 85/180 (47%) horses. Of horses with a positive response to SI block that underwent scintigraphy, only 43% had abnormal RU. Per rectum ultrasonographic examination of the SI joint region revealed abnormalities in 41/129 (32%) horses. Clinical signs of SI joint region pain are worse when horses are ridden. Sacroiliac joint region diagnostic analgesia is a useful, safe but nonspecific block. Ultrasonography and scintigraphy can provide additional information in some horses, but negative results do not preclude SI joint region pain.

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.

Training horses: Positive reinforcement, positive punishment, and ridden behavior problems

Abstract An Internet survey was used to investigate the relationship between riders' responses to their horse's behavior in 8 commonly encountered riding scenarios and the frequency of generic behavior problems displayed by their horse during ridden work. There was a significant negative correlation between the percentage of rewarding rider responses to appropriate behavior scenarios from their horse and ridden behavior problem score ( P = 0.007), but there was no association between punishing rider responses toward inappropriate behavior scenarios and their horses' generic ridden behavior problem score. Consistency of reward for appropriate behavior scenarios and punishment of inappropriate behavior scenarios had no correlation with the horses' generic ridden behavior problem score. However, riders who used a higher proportion of rewarding responses overall, even toward inappropriate behavior scenarios, had horses with fewer generic ridden behavioral problems ( P = 0.011). These respondents reported using reassuring responses to calm their horse and may have had greater success by responding to their horses' emotional state than by responding to their behavior per se .

How riding may affect welfare: What the equine veterinarian needs to know

Summary Veterinarians generally focus on keeping the performance horse in work but they need to be mindful of ways in which the work itself may jeopardise the animal's welfare and health. Elements of a horse's work may expose it to the risk of injury but insults to wellbeing, which are far more common and far more sustained, although less overt, also deserve consideration. A good example is the way in which chronic physiological stress responses arising from inhumane training techniques may compromise immunity and tissue repair. This article explores the physiological and musculoskeletal insults that can result from ridden work, alongside the gear and training paradigms that can compromise welfare. It also considers issues relating to the use of pharmaceuticals in the ridden horse. With stress reduction as a primary focus, it emerges that veterinarians are uniquely placed to comment on the somatic effects of psychological stressors, including the social and ethological challenges resulting from the work required of the so-called elite equine athlete. Whether the profession will step up to meet this significant challenge is also discussed.

Four cases of oesophageal obstruction in the horse

The mare was dull and pyrexic. Thoracic auscultation revealed reduced air movement in the left ventral lung field, adventitious ‘squeaks’ and pleural friction sounds. Aspiration pneumonia was suspected but further investigation was prohibited due to financial constraints. Antibiotic therapy was changed to oral enrofloxacin (7.5 mg/kg q 24h for 10 days) and the horse discharged from the clinic. Two weeks after discharge, the horse was clinically normal on examination and returned to light ridden work.

Facial hair whorls (trichoglyphs) and the incidence of motor laterality in the horse

Several species demonstrate obvious motor laterality (sidedness, handedness) in their motor function. Motor laterality in the horse affects locomotion and subsequently equine performance during training and may have inherent safety implications for equitation. Some of the most commonly used identification features in the horse are hair whorls (trichoglyphs), since their specific location and character vary to some degree in every horse. We investigated the relationship between the hair flow of single facial hair whorls and the incidence of lateralised motor bias in 219 horses when under saddle in ridden work. The horses exhibited significant differences in motor preferences with 104 left-lateralised (LL) horses, 95 right-lateralised (RL) horses compared to only 20 well-balanced (WB) horses (chi(2)=36.9, d.f.=2, P<0.01). There was also a significant difference in the frequency distribution of single facial hair whorl patterns in the horses consisting of 114 horses with counter-clockwise (CC) whorls, 82 horses with clockwise (C) whorls and 23 horses, which had radial (R) whorls (chi(2)=38.87, d.f.=2, P<0.01). Overall there was a statistically significant association between motor behaviour and facial hair whorl patterns in the horses (chi(2)=69.4, d.f.=4, P>0.001). The RL horses had significantly more C facial hair whorls and the LL horses had significantly more CC facial hair whorls than would be expected purely by chance alone (P<0.05). The findings may provide trainers with a useful tool when attempting to identify simple, non-invasive and reliable predictors of motor laterality in the horse. Furthermore, given that efficient targeted training of performance horses during ridden work may produce WB equine athletes, the findings could assist trainers when designing individual-specific training programmes for young horses.

An investigation into the effect of floor colour on the behaviour of the horse

Adverse reactions of the domestic horse to environmental stimuli can be problematic in training and management. Hesitation and alarm reactions to visual features of the ground can occur in both ridden work and when handling horses. To assess the effect of one visual feature (colour) on the behaviour of the domestic horse, the reactions of 16 riding horses to 8 different coloured mats were recorded. The effect of stimulus position on these reactions was assessed by presenting them in two different positions, either on the ground (where the horses had to walk over them) or against a wall (where the horses walked past them). Each colour/position combination was presented twice in order to assess the effect of previous experience. An alleyway was constructed to allow the horses to be tested unconstrained and freely walking throughout. The time taken to traverse the alleyway and the observed reaction to the colour was recorded. Significant differences in both measures were found in relation to the position of the colour and whether the subject had previous experience of that colour/position combination. The initial presentation of the colours on the ground produced the highest percentage of adverse reactions. Certain colours encountered for the first time on the ground (yellow, white, black and blue) were found to cause a greater number of adverse reactions than others (green, red, brown and grey) and an increase in time taken to traverse the alleyway. Although a significant difference in relation to colour was found in the behaviour observed during the second presentation on the ground, no difference was found in relation to the time taken to traverse the alleyway. No significant effect of colour was found when the coloured stimuli were presented against the wall. These findings have important implications for situations where the colour of flooring could be controlled in order to minimise adverse behavioural reactions, in particular during initial training.

Assessment of the welfare of working horses, mules and donkeys, using health and behaviour parameters

Working animals provide an essential transport resource in developing countries worldwide. Many of these animals are owned by poor people and work in harsh environments, so their welfare is a cause for concern. A protocol was developed to assess the welfare of working horses, mules and donkeys in urban and peri-urban areas, using direct observation of health and behaviour parameters. In this study, 4903 animals used for draught, pack and ridden work in Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Jordan and Pakistan were assessed between December 2002 and April 2003. The data showed that donkeys were more likely than mules or horses to demonstrate avoidance or aggressive behaviour towards an observer, while horses were most likely to make a friendly approach. Fewer than 8% of working equines had abnormal mucous membranes, ectoparasites or poor coat condition. Body lesions occurred predominantly in the areas of the breast/shoulder, withers and girth in all three species, with mules having the highest prevalence of lesions in these areas (22.5, 21.3 and 28.4%, respectively). Among horses and donkeys, the prevalence of these lesions was influenced by the type of work carried out. Lesions on the head, neck, ribs, flank and tail base were seen in less than 10% of animals. Across all three species approximately 70% of animals were thin, having a body condition score (BCS) of 2 or less on a scale of 1–5 (1, very thin; 5, very fat) and more horses were in very thin condition (BCS 1) than mules or donkeys. Over 75% of animals demonstrated limb deformities and abnormalities of gait. The results of this study are being used as the initial stage of a long-term strategy to inform priorities for welfare interventions in working equines and to establish a welfare benchmark. Subsequent stages will rank the welfare concerns identified, assess the contributing risk factors and implement specific interventions to address these risks. Following intervention, success in improving welfare will be measured by repetition of this protocol and comparison with the benchmark.