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Author Clayton, H.M. openurl 
  Title Development of conditioning programs for dressage horses based on time-motion analysis of competitions Type Journal Article
  Year 1993 Publication Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985) Abbreviated Journal J Appl Physiol  
  Volume 74 Issue 5 Pages 2325-2329  
  Keywords Animals; Horses/*physiology; *Physical Conditioning, Animal; *Sports; Statistics; Time Factors; *Time and Motion Studies; Videotape Recording  
  Abstract The time-motion characteristics of Canadian basic- and medium-level dressage competitions are described, and the results are applied in formulating sport-specific conditioning programs. One competition was analyzed at the six levels from basic 1 to medium 3. Each test was divided into a series of sequences based on the type and speed of activity. The durations of the sequences were measured from videotapes. The basic-level tests had fewer sequences, and they were shorter in distance and duration than the medium tests (P < 0.10), but the average speed did not differ between the two levels. It is recommended that horses competing at the basic levels be conditioned using 5-min exercise periods, with short (10-s) bursts of lengthened trot and canter included at basic 2 and above. In preparation for medium-level competitions, the duration of the work periods increases to 7 min, 10- to 12-s bursts of medium or extended trot and canter are included, and transitions are performed frequently to simulate the energy expenditure in overcoming inertia.  
  Address Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor (up)  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 8750-7587 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes PMID:8335563 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3750  
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Author Clayton, H.M. openurl 
  Title The extended canter: a comparison of some kinematic variables in horses trained for dressage and for racing Type Journal Article
  Year 1993 Publication Acta Anatomica Abbreviated Journal Acta Anat (Basel)  
  Volume 146 Issue 2-3 Pages 183-187  
  Keywords Animal Husbandry; Animals; *Gait; Horses/*physiology; *Physical Conditioning, Animal; *Sports  
  Abstract This study was designed to test the hypothesis that there is no significant difference in selected temporal and linear stride variables of the extended canter in horses bred and trained for dressage or racing. Nine advanced-level dressage horses and 7 Thoroughbred racehorses were filmed at a frame rate of 200 Hz at an extended canter on a sand track. Two strides were recorded per trial, and each horse performed 6 or 7 trials. Temporal and linear data were determined from the films, and descriptive statistics (mean, SD) were calculated. Strides were selected for analysis on the basis of having a velocity in the range of 6.0-7.0 m/s, and multivariate analysis of variance was used to detect significant differences in the stride kinematics of horses trained for the two sports (p < or = 0.01). The average velocity of the dressage horses was 6.37 m/s, compared with 6.40 m/s for the racehorses. There were no significant differences between the two groups in velocity, stride duration, stride length or the distances between limb placements. The stance durations of all four limbs and the overlaps between them were longer, whereas the duration of the suspension phase was shorter in the dressage horses than in the racehorses (p < or = 0.01). The time between impacts of the diagonal limb pair was close to zero in both groups, with individual horses showing some variability in the order of placement of the diagonal limb pair. However, the sequence of footfalls was not significantly different between the two groups (p < or = 0.01).  
  Address Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor (up)  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0001-5180 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes PMID:8470464 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3751  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Argue, C.K.; Clayton, H.M. openurl 
  Title A preliminary study of transitions between the walk and trot in dressage horses Type Journal Article
  Year 1993 Publication Acta Anatomica Abbreviated Journal Acta Anat (Basel)  
  Volume 146 Issue 2-3 Pages 179-182  
  Keywords Animals; Forelimb/physiology; Gait/*physiology; Hindlimb/physiology; Horses/*physiology; Locomotion/physiology; *Physical Conditioning, Animal  
  Abstract The object of this study was to determine the limb support sequence during the transitions from walk to trot and from trot to walk in dressage horses under saddle and to test the null hypothesis that the limb support sequence during the transitions is not related to the level of training. Sixteen dressage horses training at novice to FEI Grand Prix level were videotaped performing an average of 9 transitions each from walk to trot and from trot to walk. The 30-Hz videotapes were viewed in slow motion, and based on the limb support sequence the transitions were categorized into two types. In type 1 transitions there were no intermediate steps between the walk and trot sequences. Type 2 transitions were characterized by intermediate steps, including a single support phase. The Kendall rank-order correlation coefficient showed that a higher level of training was positively associated with an increased percentage of type 1 transitions for both walk-to-trot transitions (p < or = 0.05) and trot-to-walk transitions (p < or = 0.01). No significant preference for initiating or completing the trot on the left or right diagonal was found using the binomial test for individual horses and the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test for the group.  
  Address Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor (up)  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0001-5180 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes PMID:8470463 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3752  
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Author Holmstrom, M.; Magnusson, L.E.; Philipsson, J. openurl 
  Title Variation in conformation of Swedish warmblood horses and conformational characteristics of elite sport horses Type Journal Article
  Year 1990 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J  
  Volume 22 Issue 3 Pages 186-193  
  Keywords Age Factors; Analysis of Variance; Animals; *Breeding; Female; Forelimb/anatomy & histology; Hindlimb/anatomy & histology; Horses/*anatomy & histology/physiology; Least-Squares Analysis; Male; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Regression Analysis; Sex Characteristics  
  Abstract The variation in conformation of 356 Swedish Warmblood horses is described, using a quantitative method of measuring horses. Thirty-three of the horses were elite dressage horses, 28 were elite showjumpers, 100 were riding school horses and 195 were unselected four-year-olds. Most horses had a long body form. The average height at the withers was 163.4 cm. Sixty per cent of the horses had a bench knee conformation, 50 per cent had a toe-in conformation of the forelimbs and 80 per cent had outwardly rotated hind limbs. The majority of these deviations were mild or moderate. Conformation was influenced by sex and age. Mares were smaller and had longer bodies and shorter limbs. The elite dressage horses and showjumpers had larger hock angles and more sloping scapulas than other horses. The showjumpers also had smaller fetlock angles in the front limbs. It is suggested that the larger hock angles among the elite horses may be because hocks with small angles are more prone to injury, and because small hock angles may negatively influence the ability to attain the degree of collection necessary for good performance in advanced classes.  
  Address Department of Animal Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor (up)  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0425-1644 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes PMID:2361507 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3756  
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Author Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan, M.M.; Spierenburg, A.J.; van den Broek, E.T.W. openurl 
  Title The workload of riding-school horses during jumping Type
  Year 2006 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J Suppl  
  Volume Issue 36 Pages 93-97  
  Keywords Acid-Base Equilibrium/physiology; Animals; Blood Gas Analysis/veterinary; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Cross-Over Studies; Electrolytes/blood; Female; Heart Rate/*physiology; Hematocrit/veterinary; Horses/blood/*physiology; Lactates/*blood; Male; Physical Conditioning, Animal/*physiology; *Sports; Time Factors; Water-Electrolyte Balance/physiology  
  Abstract REASONS FOR PERFORMING THE STUDY: As there are no reports on the real workload of horses that jump fences, this study was undertaken in riding-school horses. OBJECTIVE: To compare the workload of horses jumping a course of fences with that of horses cantering over the same course at the same average speed without jumping fences. The workload variables included heart rate (HR), packed cell volume (PCV), acid-base balance (venous pH, pCO2, HCO3-) and blood lactate (LA), glucose, total protein and electrolyte concentrations. METHODS: Eight healthy riding-school horses performed test A (a course of approximately 700 m with 12 jumps from 0.8-1.0 m high at an average speed of approximately 350 m/min) and test B (same course at the same speed, but without the rails) in a crossover study with at least 4 h between the 2 tests. Before each test the horses were fitted with a heart rate meter (Polar Electro). Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein at rest prior to the test, after warm-up before starting the course, immediately after the course and after recovery. All samples were analysed immediately. RESULTS: The mean +/- s.d maximal HR (beats/min) during the course (184 +/- 17 and 156 +/- 21, respectively) and the mean HR after recovery (75 +/- 6 and 63 +/- 7, respectively) were significantly higher in test A compared to test B (P = 0.001 and P = 0.007 respectively). The mean LA concentrations after the course and after recovery (mmol/l) were significantly higher in test A (3.6 +/- 2.7 and 1.0 +/- 0.9, respectively) compared to test B (0.9 +/- 0.5 and 0.3 +/- 0.1, respectively), (P = 0.016 and P = 0.048 respectively). The mean PCV (I/l) after the course and after recovery was also significantly different between tests A (0.48 +/- 0.04 and 0.39 +/- 0.03, respectively) and B (0.42 +/- 0.04 and 0.36 +/- 0.03, respectively) (P<0.01). The mean pH and the mean HCO3- (mmol/l) after the course were significantly lower in test A (7.40 +/- 0.04 and 28.9 +/- 1.4, respectively) compared to test B (7.45 +/- 0.03 and 30.4 +/- 2.3, respectively) (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that in riding-school horses jumping fences, even at a low level competition, provokes a significant workload compared to cantering the same distance and speed without fences. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: This study makes it clear that the extra workload of jumping fences should be taken into account in the training programmes of jumping horses. Further research with more experienced horses jumping higher fences will reveal the workload for top-level jumping horses.  
  Address Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor (up)  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes PMID:17402399 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3760  
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Author Boden, L.A.; Anderson, G.A.; Charles, J.A.; Morgan, K.L.; Morton, J.M.; Parkin, T.D.H.; Slocombe, R.F.; Clarke, A.F. openurl 
  Title Risk of fatality and causes of death of Thoroughbred horses associated with racing in Victoria, Australia: 1989-2004 Type Journal Article
  Year 2006 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J  
  Volume 38 Issue 4 Pages 312-318  
  Keywords Animals; Athletic Injuries/epidemiology/mortality/*veterinary; *Cause of Death; Female; *Floors and Floorcoverings; Horses/*injuries; Male; Physical Conditioning, Animal/*adverse effects; Risk Factors; Running/injuries; Safety; Sports; Victoria  
  Abstract REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Determining the risk of fatality of Thoroughbred horses while racing is essential to assess the impact of intervention measures designed to minimise such fatalities. OBJECTIVES: To measure the risk of racehorse fatality in jump and flat starts on racecourses in Victoria, Australia, over a 15 year period and to determine proportional mortality rates for specific causes of death. METHODS: All fatalities of Thoroughbred horses that occurred during or within 24 h of a race were identified from a database. The risk of a start resulting in a racehorse fatality in all races and within flat and jump races, proportional mortality rates, population attributable risk, population attributable fraction and risk ratios were calculated along with 95% confidence intervals. Poisson regression was also performed to estimate risk ratios. RESULTS: There were 514 fatalities over the 15 year period; 316 in flat races and 198 in jump races. The risk of fatality was 0.44 per 1000 flat starts and 8.3 per 1000 jump starts (18.9 x greater). The risk of fatality on city tracks was 1.1 per 1000 starts whereas on country tracks it was 0.57 per 1000 starts. Of the 316 fatalities in flat races, 73.4% were due to limb injury, 2.5% to cranial or vertebral injury and 19.0% were sudden deaths. Of the 198 fatalities in jump races, 68.7% were due to limb injury, 16.2% to cranial or vertebral injury and 3.5% were sudden deaths. The risk of fatality in flat starts increased between 1989 and 2004 but the risk in jump starts remained unchanged over the 15 year period. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of fatality in flat starts was lower in Victoria than North America and the UK but the risk in jump starts was greater. Catastrophic limb injury was the major reason for racehorse fatality in Victoria but there was a larger percentage of sudden deaths than has been reported overseas. The risk of fatality in jump starts remained constant over the study period despite jump racing reviews that recommended changes to hurdle and steeple races to improve safety. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: This study provides important benchmarks for the racing industry to monitor racetrack fatalities and evaluate intervention strategies.  
  Address Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor (up)  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0425-1644 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes PMID:16866197 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3761  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Murray, J.K.; Singer, E.R.; Morgan, K.L.; Proudman, C.J.; French, N.P. openurl 
  Title The risk of a horse-and-rider partnership falling on the cross-country phase of eventing competitions Type Journal Article
  Year 2006 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J  
  Volume 38 Issue 2 Pages 158-163  
  Keywords *Accidental Falls; Animals; Athletic Injuries/epidemiology/*veterinary; Case-Control Studies; Horses/*injuries; Humans; Logistic Models; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Safety; Sports; Time Factors  
  Abstract REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Fatalities resulting from horse falls occurring during the cross-country phase of eventing competitions initiated epidemiological investigation of the risk factors associated with horse falls. OBJECTIVES: To identify variables that increased or decreased the risk of a horse fall during the cross-country phase of an eventing competition. METHODS: Data were collected from randomly selected British Eventing competitions held in Great Britain during 2001 and 2002. Data were obtained for 173 cases (jumping efforts resulting in a fall of the horse-and-rider partnership) and 503 matched controls (jumping efforts not resulting in a fall). The risk of falling was modelled using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: An increased risk of a horse fall was associated with jumping into or out of water; taking off from good-to-soft, soft or heavy ground; fences with a drop landing; nonangled fences with a spread > or =2 m; and angled fences. Other risk factors included riders who knew that they were in the lead within the competition before the cross-country phase; an inappropriate speed of approach to the fence (too fast or too slow); horse-and-rider partnerships that had not incurred refusals at earlier fences; and riders who received cross-country tuition. CONCLUSIONS: This study has identified modifiable course- and fence-level risk factors for horse falls during the cross-country phase of eventing competitions. The risk of horse and rider injury at eventing competitions should be reduced by 3 simple measures; maintaining good to firm take-off surfaces at fences, reducing the base spread of fences to <2 m and reducing the use of fences at which horses are required to jump into or out of water. Risk reduction arising from course and fence modification needs to be confirmed by intervention studies. Potential relevance: Knowledge of factors that increase or decrease the risk of a horse fall can be used by UK governing bodies of the sport to reduce the risk of horse falls on the cross-country phase of eventing competitions, and reduce the risk of horse and rider injuries and fatalities. As one in 3 horses that fall injure themselves and one in 100 horse falls results in fatality to the horse, we suggest that immediate consideration is given to these recommendations.  
  Address Epidemiology Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, South Wirral CH64 7TE, UK  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor (up)  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0425-1644 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes PMID:16536386 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3765  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Young, L.E.; Rogers, K.; Wood, J.L.N. doi  openurl
  Title Left ventricular size and systolic function in Thoroughbred racehorses and their relationships to race performance Type Journal Article
  Year 2005 Publication Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985) Abbreviated Journal J Appl Physiol  
  Volume 99 Issue 4 Pages 1278-1285  
  Keywords *Adaptation, Physiological; Aging/physiology; Animal Husbandry; Animals; *Echocardiography; Female; Heart/*physiology; Heart Ventricles; Horses/*physiology; Male; *Physical Conditioning, Animal; Running/*physiology; Stroke Volume; Systole; Task Performance and Analysis  
  Abstract Cardiac morphology in human athletes is known to differ, depending on the sports-specific endurance component of their events, whereas anecdotes abound about superlative athletes with large hearts. As the heart determines stroke volume and maximum O(2) uptake in mammals, we undertook a study to test the hypothesis that the morphology of the equine heart would differ between trained horses, depending on race type, and that left ventricular size would be greatest in elite performers. Echocardiography was performed in 482 race-fit Thoroughbreds engaged in either flat (1,000-2,500 m) or jump racing (3,200-6,400 m). Body weight and sex-adjusted measures of left ventricular size were largest in horses engaged in jump racing over fixed fences, compared with horses running shorter distances on the flat (range 8-16%). The observed differences in cardiac morphologies suggest that subtle differences in training and competition result in cardiac adaptations that are appropriate to the endurance component of the horses' event. Derived left ventricular mass was strongly associated with published rating (quality) in horses racing over longer distances in jump races (P < or = 0.001), but less so for horses in flat races. Rather, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular mass combined were positively associated with race rating in older flat racehorses running over sprint (<1,408 m) and longer distances (>1,408 m), explaining 25-35% of overall variation in performance, as well as being closely associated with performance in longer races over jumps (23%). These data provide the first direct evidence that cardiac size influences athletic performance in a group of mammalian running athletes.  
  Address Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK. lesley.young@aht.org.uk  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor (up)  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 8750-7587 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes PMID:15920096 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3768  
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Author Kasashima, Y.; Takahashi, T.; Smith, R.K.W.; Goodship, A.E.; Kuwano, A.; Ueno, T.; Hirano, S. openurl 
  Title Prevalence of superficial digital flexor tendonitis and suspensory desmitis in Japanese Thoroughbred flat racehorses in 1999 Type Journal Article
  Year 2004 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J  
  Volume 36 Issue 4 Pages 346-350  
  Keywords Age Factors; Animals; Female; Forelimb; Hindlimb; Horse Diseases/*epidemiology/etiology; Horses; Inflammation/epidemiology/etiology/*veterinary; Japan/epidemiology; Ligaments/injuries/*pathology; Male; Musculoskeletal Diseases/epidemiology/etiology/veterinary; *Physical Conditioning, Animal; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Sports; Tendinopathy/epidemiology/etiology/*veterinary; Tendon Injuries/epidemiology/etiology/*veterinary  
  Abstract REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Overstrain injuries to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and suspensory ligament (SI) are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries which contribute to the considerable wastage of racing Thoroughbreds. Many epidemiological studies have demonstrated the prevalence of and risk factors for tendon injury when racing but have not included those injuries sustained during training. However, since tendon injury during training is seen commonly in clinical practice, it is appropriate to determine the overall prevalence of tendon injury sustained during both training and racing. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of overstrain injury to the SDFT and SL during training and racing among Thoroughbred flat racehorses in Japan in 1999. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed using a sample population of 10,262 Thoroughbred racehorses. The medical information database of Thoroughbred racehorses registered by the Japan Racing Association (JRA) in 1999 was analysed for SDFT and SL overstrain injury diagnosed by a veterinarian employed by JRA during training and racing. Jump racehorses were excluded from this study. RESULTS: The prevalence of forelimb SDFT tendonitis and SL desmitis was 11.1% (1130 cases) and 3.61% (370 cases) of the population, respectively. In the hindlimb, there were 0.06% (6 cases) and 0.14% (14 cases), respectively. Risks of SDF tendonitis in the forelimb in 3-year-olds or older horses were significantly higher than in 2-year-olds. In contrast, the risk of SL desmitis in the forelimb at age 3 and 4 years was 2.23 and 2.11 times higher, respectively, than in 2-year-olds, but this increased to 5.07 times in those age > or = 5 years. Entire males were at greater risk in comparison to females and geldings. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the prevalence of SDF tendonitis and SL desmitis in the forelimb was associated with the horse's age and sex. The prevalence of SL desmitis increased further with age compared with SDF tendonitis, possibly reflecting a more rapid accumulation of degeneration in this structure. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The age-related risk demonstrated in this study provides further support that overstrain injuries are associated with accumulated degeneration. These data provide a valuable resource for further research into the aetiology of tendon injury in the racehorse.  
  Address Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, 321-4, Tokami-cho, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi, 320-0856, Japan  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor (up)  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0425-1644 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes PMID:15163043 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3775  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Meershoek, L.S.; Schamhardt, H.C.; Roepstorff, L.; Johnston, C. openurl 
  Title Forelimb tendon loading during jump landings and the influence of fence height Type Journal Article
  Year 2001 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J Suppl  
  Volume Issue 33 Pages 6-10  
  Keywords Animals; Biomechanics; Forelimb/injuries/physiology; Horses/injuries/*physiology; Lameness, Animal/etiology; Ligaments, Articular/*physiology; Locomotion/*physiology; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Tendon Injuries/complications/physiopathology/veterinary; Tendons/*physiology; Weight-Bearing/physiology  
  Abstract Lameness in athletic horses is often caused by forelimb tendon injuries, especially in the interosseus tendon (TI) and superficial digital flexor tendon (SDF), but also in the accessory ligament (AL) of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDF). In an attempt to explain the aetiology of these injuries, the present study investigated the loading of the tendons during landing after a jump. In jumping horses, the highest forces can be expected in the trailing limb during landing. Therefore, landing kinematics and ground reaction forces of the trailing forelimb were measured from 6 horses jumping single fences with low to medium heights of 0.80, 1.00 and 1.20 m. The tendon forces were calculated using inverse dynamics and an in vitro model of the lower forelimb. Calculated peak forces in the TI, SDF and DDF + AL during landing were 15.8, 13.9 and 11.7 kN respectively. The relative loading of the tendons (landing forces compared with failure forces determined in a separate study) increased from DDF to TI to SDF and was very high in SDF. This explains the low injury incidence of the DDF and the high injury incidence of the SDF. Fence height substantially influenced SDF forces, whereas it hardly influenced TI forces and did not influence AL strain. Reduction of fence height might therefore limit the risks for SDF injuries, but not for TI and AL injuries.  
  Address Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology, Institute for Fundamental and Clinical Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor (up)  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes PMID:11721571 Approved no  
  Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3786  
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