Abstract: Various forms of intensive sport activities places stresses on the musculoskeletal system of the horse while involve in any forms of the activity (race &/or training). The musculoskeletal system of the horse has an inherent ability to adapt to the demands of high speed exercise, though if a threshold in adaptive capacity is exceeded, then some forms of damages to the structures of the musculoskeletal system may result. In case, if the insult (race &/or training) continued, it may worsen the repair and adaptation process and put the horse at risk of more serious musculoskeletal injury.
The result of this research describe the finding of the study performed in different breeds of horses involved in various types of activity in Tehran’s riding clubs, concentrating on the types of injuries observed in those horses. The study was then focused on the types of injuries observed in various activities (events) horses involved in.
Totally 400 horses took part in various activities during race season (March – September) in Tehran’s riding clubs, out of which 26 horses injured, in most of which musculoskeletal system of the fore limbs were involved.
From the sexual aspect of the study the percentages of the stallions were more (54%) when compared to the mares (46%). In this study the relation between the sex, breed, age and the weight of the horses with anatomical site of the injury, outcome of the injury, climate and the type of the event (jumping, polo etc.) were studied and compare with each other.
Bibliography:
Hill AE, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Kane AJ, Whitcomb MB, Emerson AG, 2001. Risk factors for and outcomes non catastrophic suspensory apparatus injury in Thoroughbred race horse. J.A.V.M.A. 218, 1136-44
Johnson BJ 1993. A look at race horse breakdowns. J.Eq.Vet.Scie. 13, 129-32
Morse SJ. 1999. A longitudinal study of racing thoroughbreds; performance during the first year of racing. Aust.Vet.J. 77, 105-12
Peloso JG, Mundy GD, Cohen ND. 1994. Prevalence of, and factors associated with, musculoskeletal racing injuries of thoroughbreds. J.A.V.M.A. 204, 620-6

Abstract: The aim of was to compare of biochemical and haematological parameters in the aging process in a cold-blooded mares breed Norik Murá&#328; type. 27 of breeding mares Norik Murá&#328; type without pathological symptoms in horse breeding farm in Dobšiná (Slovakia) were used in this study. Mares were divided by age into four groups: A (n = 7, 5-8 years), B (n = 6, 9-15), C (n = 7, 16-20) and D (n = 7, 21-23). Blood samples were collected from v. jugularis externa by needles (Vacutainer ® Precision Glide ™, BD Diagnostics, USA) in serum tubes (Serum-SST TM II Advance, BD Diagnostics, USA) in the morning hours, kept at 8 to 10 °C and analyzed as soon as possible. Biochemical parameters of blood serum like aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine (CREA), urea (Urea), albumin (ALB) and glucose (Glu) were analyzed using biochemical analyzer Cobas c 111 (Roche, Switzerland). Reference values were determined by Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry and Haematology (UVMF, Košice). Were used a same nutrition for all mares. The results were statistically processed using Student\'s t-test. The concentrations of AST decreased in mares with aging (A=5.69 ± 1.13 &#956;kat/l; B=5.36 ± 0.9 &#956;kat/l; C=5.13 ± 1.1 &#956;kat/l), but in the oldest mares (D=5.88 ± 1.37 &#956;kat/l). were higher than the youngest age group A. Were found no significant differences between groups (P> 0,05). The concentrations of ALP increased with age (A=2.47 ± 0.3 &#956;kat/l; C=2.66 ± 0.43 &#956;kat/l; D=2.77 ± 1.17 &#956;kat/l), but in the middle age mares were found (B= 2;44 ± 0.46 &#956;kat/l) (P> 0,05). Crea concentrations had a decreasing trend (A=139.1 ± 37.49 &#956;mol/l; B=118.45 ± 23.18 &#956;mol/l; C=119.31 ± 19.85 &#956;mol/l; D=111.59 ± 21.08 &#956;mol/l) (P> 0,05). Urea increased with age (A=7.88 ± 2.04 mmol/l, B= 7.97 ± 0.8 mmol/l, D= 8.29 ± 1.23 mmol/l) except C (7.76 ± 0.85 mmol/l) (P> 0,05). ALB decreased with age (A=31.34 ± 3.24 g/l; B=30.03 ± 2.41 g/l; C=30±2.77 g/l; D=29.67± 2.85 g/l) (P> 0,05). Also glucose concentrations were lower in older mares (A=4.51 ± 0.99 mmol/l; B=4.69 ± 1.05 mmol/l; C= 4.69 ± 1.05 mmol/l; D =4.03 ± 0.64 mmol/l) (P> 0,05). Significantly differences were found in leukocytes between group A =2,76±1,82 g/l versus groups B=6,74±0,56 g/l, C =6,46±1,14 g/l and D =6,13±1,61 g/l (P<0.05), also in neutrophiles between A=2,06±1,26 109/l versus B= 3,47±1,17 109/l, C =3,12±0,9 109/l and D =2,88±0,71 109/l (P<0.05). Were found significantly differences in eosinophiles between group A =0,06±0,09 109/l versus groups B=0,21±0,17 109/l, C=0,19±0,1 109/l and D=0,12±0,11 109/l (P<0.05), also in lymphocytes between A=4,59±1,59109/l versus B =2,95±1,04109/l, C=2,99±1,14109/l and D=2,65±1,87109/l (P<0.05). This research evaluated selected biochemical and haematological parameters of breed mares Norik Murá&#328; type of different ages. We found that age affects these indices in mares Norik Murá&#328; type. Data from this study may enhance our understanding of the biochemical parameters in this species, allowing a veterinarian to fix the interpretation of laboratory data and give these animals the appropriate care. This study was supported by grant from the Ministry of Education VEGA 1/0498/12 of the Slovak Republic.

Abstract: In active stabling the horses live in a group and are in constant social contact with their equine companions. Separate, dedicated areas define the concept. The key element of active stabling is the automatic feeding of hard feed, minerals and forage. This ensures the correct level of feeding and encourages the horses to increase their level of activity. The organisation of the dedicated areas in active stabling is dependent on a number of factors, such as the given facilities, the planned group sizes and the commercial and working aspects.
The ongoing acquisition of knowledge from science and research, practical experience from the horse industry, and the relevant national guidelines and conditions for keeping horses, form the basis for the planning of active stabling.
For example, in Germany, an important contribution to the further development of the active stabling concept is coming from the current research by Dr Zeitler-Feicht and her team into automatic feeding systems and the arrangement of areas to lie down in the quiet space. Together they run around 500 active stabling facilities, and they made a significant contribution to the 2009 guidelines for horse husbandry in the animal protection regulations.
At the ISEM 2012, practical examples of group management in active stabling will be presented. The aim of the participants is to achieve a continuing improvement in horse husbandry, combining the requirements of animal protection with the uses of the horses.

Abstract: Horses kept in small enclosures move very little in comparison to horses living in an unconfined environment. There are health consequences of this sedentary lifestyle. The use of GPS allows the accurate quantification of distance travelled by horses. Methods: Ten horses (5 pairs) were alternated between a control paddock and a research paddock, both measuring 20 x 30m. Grass hay was fed from a novel feeding system in the research paddock, while the same hay was fed from a standard hay feeder in the control paddock. In the research paddock access to hay was alternated at 5 min intervals between either side of a fence, forcing horses to walk around a walkway to access feed continuously. The interactive behavior of horses was observed and movement was monitored using GPS. Results: All 10 horses learnt to use the feeding system quickly. Dominance behavior in some horses was modified by competition for feed. On average, horses in the research paddock travelled 5.4 times more distance than in the control paddock. Conclusion: The dynamic feeding system was successful in encouraging horses to exercise in a small paddock. However, due to the exaggeration of dominance behavior in some horses, horses should be well matched if housed in pairs. This system may have application in the management of equine obesity and insulin resistance in horses. KW -

Abstract: While writings from the Hittite Kikkuli and the Greek hippiatrica concerned stamina training and mainly veterinary aspects, the first explicit writings left about schooling are from the hand of Xenophon. He showed already a plight to understand the horse’s behaviour and apply an animal-friendly schooling. What happened in Roman times and early middle ages is unclear through a lack of documents. Literature increased in late middle ages (a few Iberic authors and the Italian Rusius) but remained scarce. One presumes knights were brutal because of the strength of bits and spurs, but iconography shows also horses ridden without coercion. Linear progress in schooling cannot be found before the transition between the renaissance and baroque periods. Writings from renaissance masters such as Grisone, Fiaschi, Pignatelli and de la Broue, show a generally violent way of schooling (excepted Conte and Pavari) strangely contrasting with appeals for kindness. One then observes from the 17th century authors to the 18th century baroque masters a gradual improvement concerning important aspects: evolving 1/ from anthropomorphism to understanding horse behaviour, and 2/ from coercion to obtaining gradually suppleness and applying the laws of physics concerning weight distribution. Many baroque and early 19th century masters had understood intuitively conditioning laws discovered scientifically in the 20th century by the Pavlovians and behaviourists. The essence of schooling was settled in the baroque period. It subsided unfortunately in the 19th (with better survival in Germany, Austria and Iberic countries) because of a/ more interest for racing and hunting, b/ the French revolution that closed academies and c/ mass army training. Pressure of competition in the 20th nearly eradicated academic tradition. In the second part we translate some fundamental riding principles into scientific terminology. “Independence of aids” is based on discrimination of stimuli and overshadowing. “Discretion of aids” on generalization and second-order conditioning. “Descente de mains et de jambes” on avoidance of habituation, of confusion, and of the impossibility to apply negative reward. “Legs without hands, hands without legs” on avoidance of experimental neurosis due to contradictory stimuli. Time permitting, processes such as positive social modelling and occasion setting will be explained. The above mentioned principles are rarely applied nowadays. The FEI holds a large responsibility in the acceptance, even institutionalizing, of a probably animal-unfriendly riding. It is also shameful that some schools, that for years, or even centuries, were the guardians of old principles, are relinquishing them under commercial pressure. All too often, modern riding is obviously animal-unfriendly for the intuitive rider. Scientists however seek facts. Frequency of conflict behaviours is an indicator at ethological level. However, some horses could be in learned helplessness. There is no litmus test for that (except complicated avoidance learning procedures). There is a need for physiological stress parameters according to breed, age, sex. Horses schooled according to different philosophies are often from different breeds making matched-pairs studies difficult. The important role of pre- and postnatal experience complicates precise scientific evaluation in everyday equine practice. One cannot standardize ontogeny in horses as in laboratory animals. Keywords: academic riding principles, history, learning theory, welfare KW -