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Author Pinchbeck, G.L.; Clegg, P.D.; Proudman, C.J.; Stirk, A.; Morgan, K.L.; French, N.P.
Title Horse injuries and racing practices in National Hunt racehorses in the UK: the results of a prospective cohort study Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication The Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal
Volume 167 Issue 1 Pages 45-52
Keywords Racehorse; Horse; Injury; Cohort; National Hunt
Abstract A prospective cohort study was conducted on horses starting in hurdle and steeplechase races on six UK racecourses in 2000 and 2001. Trainers or carers were questioned on the horses' pre-race routine and observational data were collected in the stables and parade ring. Some practices were common to many starters, such as withholding food and water before racing whereas other practices, such as schooling frequency, were more variable. There was a total of 2879 starts and a total of 83 injuries or medical events (28.8/1000 starts). The commonest types of injury were tendon/suspensory injuries and lacerations/wounds. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the relationship between predictor variables and the risk of injury. Risk of injury or medical event was associated with distance of the race and weight carried. The risk of injury, excluding medical events, was associated with the speed of the race and foot conformation.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial (down) 3672
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Author Peham, C.; Licka, T.; Schobesberger, H.; Meschan, E.
Title Influence of the rider on the variability of the equine gait Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Human Movement Science Abbreviated Journal European Workshop on Movement Science
Volume 23 Issue 5 Pages 663-671
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Abstract The aim of this study was to show that the motion pattern of a well-ridden horse varies less than the motion pattern of an unridden horse. In order to do so, we recorded the motion of two markers, one attached to the dorsal spinous processus of lumbar vertebra L4, the other to the right fore hoof. In total, we measured 21 horses in trot, ridden and unridden, with a fitting and with a non-fitting saddle. After breaking down the entire time series of the three-dimensional motion of the markers into their respective motion cycles, we computed a measure of motion pattern variability for the motion as well as for the derivatives (velocity and acceleration) along each of the three principal dimensions. Two of six variables (velocity and acceleration in the forward direction) displayed a significant discrimination between the ridden and the unridden case, and demonstrated the beneficial effect of a rider on the horse's motion pattern variability. Saddle fit was shown to have also an influence on motion variability: variability of two variables (velocity and of acceleration in forward direction) was significantly lower with a fitting saddle compared to a non-fitting saddle, a third variable (acceleration in the transversal direction) showed a significant difference also. This new method offers an objective evaluation of saddle fit, and a sensitive assessment of the quality of the rider in the moving horse.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial (down) 3670
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Author PNR Powers[1]; AJ Harrison[1]
Title Influences of a rider on the rotation of the horse-rider system during jumping Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 1 Issue Pages 33-40
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial (down) 3662
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Author Parkin, T.D.H.; Clegg, P.D.; French, N.P.; Proudman, C.J.; Riggs, C.M.; Singer, E.R.; Webbon, P.M.; Morgan, K.L.
Title Horse-level risk factors for fatal distal limb fracture in racing Thoroughbreds in the UK Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J
Volume 36 Issue 6 Pages 513-519
Keywords Animals; Athletic Injuries/epidemiology/mortality/*veterinary; Case-Control Studies; Female; Fractures, Bone/epidemiology/mortality/*veterinary; Great Britain/epidemiology; Horses/*injuries; Logistic Models; Male; Physical Conditioning, Animal/*adverse effects/mortality; Questionnaires; Radius Fractures/epidemiology/mortality/veterinary; Risk Factors; Survival Analysis; Tibial Fractures/epidemiology/mortality/veterinary
Abstract REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Fractures below the level of the radius or tibia (distal limb fractures) are the most common cause of equine fatality on UK racecourses; however, little is known about their epidemiology or aetiology. Identification of risk factors could enable intervention strategies to be designed to reduce the number of fatalities. OBJECTIVES: To identify horse-level risk factors for fatal distal limb fracture in Thoroughbreds on UK racecourses. METHODS: A case-control study design was used. Fractures in case horses were confirmed by post mortem examination and 3 matched uninjured controls were selected from the race in which the case horse was running. One hundred and nine cases were included and information was collected about previous racing history, horse characteristics and training schedules. Conditional logistic regression was used to identify the relationship between a number of independent variables and the likelihood of fracture. RESULTS: Horses doing no gallop work during training and those in their first year of racing were at significantly increased risk of fracture on the racecourse. Case horses were also more likely to have trained on a sand gallop, i.e. a gallop described by trainers as being primarily composed of sand. CONCLUSIONS: Modifications to training schedules, specifically within the first year of racing, may have a large impact on the risk of fatal distal limb fracture on the racecourse. Horses should do some gallop work in training and our results suggest that the minimum distance galloped should be between 805-2012 m (4-10 furlongs)/week. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The information from this study can be used to alter training schedules in an attempt to reduce the incidence of fatal distal limb fracture in Thoroughbred racehorses. Training should include some gallop work, and further studies, recording the exact level of work, will help to identify an optimum range of training speeds and distances which will reduce the liklihood of catastrophic fracture on the racecourse.
Address Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK
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ISSN 0425-1644 ISBN Medium
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Notes PMID:15460076 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial (down) 3660
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Author Pinchbeck, G.L.; Clegg, P.D.; Proudman, C.J.; Morgan, K.L.; French, N.R.
Title Whip use and race progress are associated with horse falls in hurdle and steeplechase racing in the UK Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J
Volume 36 Issue 5 Pages 384-389
Keywords Accidental Falls/*statistics & numerical data; Animals; Athletic Injuries/epidemiology/etiology/*veterinary; Case-Control Studies; Cohort Studies; Great Britain/epidemiology; Horses/*injuries; Logistic Models; Odds Ratio; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Running/statistics & numerical data; Sports; Videotape Recording
Abstract REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Falls during racing present a risk of injury to both horse and jockey and a risk of fatality to horses. OBJECTIVES: To use video recordings of races to describe the circumstances surrounding horse falls at hurdle and steeplechase fences and to identify and quantify within-race risk factors for horse falls in National Hunt racing in the UK. METHODS: A retrospective, matched, nested case-control study using video recordings of races was conducted on 6 UK racecourses. Cases and controls were matched on both race type and jump number at which the fall occurred. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to examine the univariable and multivariable relationship between predictor variables and the risk of falling. RESULTS: The risk of falling was significantly associated with whip use and race progress. Horses which were being whipped and progressing through the race were at greater than 7 times the risk of falling compared to horses which were not being whipped and which had no change in position or lost position through the field. CONCLUSIONS: This study has identified whip use and the position of the horse with respect to others in the field as potential risk factors for horse falls. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: If these findings are confirmed by the use of intervention trials (e.g. with whip-free or restricted whip use races), modifications could be introduced which would reduce the frequency of horse falls, leading to improved equine welfare.
Address Epidemiology Group, Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK
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ISSN 0425-1644 ISBN Medium
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Notes PMID:15253077 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial (down) 3659
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Author Witte, T.H.; Knill, K.; Wilson, A.M.
Title Determination of peak vertical ground reaction force from duty factor in the horse (Equus caballus) Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication The Journal of Experimental Biology Abbreviated Journal J Exp Biol
Volume 207 Issue Pt 21 Pages 3639-3648
Keywords *Acceleration; Animals; Biomechanics; Forelimb/physiology; *Gait; Hindlimb/physiology; Horses/*physiology; Locomotion/*physiology; Telemetry; Time Factors
Abstract Measurement of peak vertical ground reaction force (GRFz) from multiple limbs simultaneously during high-speed, over-ground locomotion would enhance our understanding of the locomotor mechanics of cursorial animals. Here, we evaluate the accuracy of predicting peak GRFz from duty factor (the proportion of the stride for which the limb is in contact with the ground). Foot-mounted uniaxial accelerometers, combined with UHF FM telemetry, are shown to be practical and accurate for the field measurement of stride timing variables, including duty factor. Direct comparison with the force plate produces a mean error of 2.3 ms and 3.5 ms for the timing of foot on and foot off, respectively, across all gaits. Predictions of peak GRFz from duty factor show mean errors (with positive values indicating an overestimate) of 0.8+/-0.04 N kg(-1) (13%; N=42; mean +/- S.E.M.) at walk, -0.3+/-0.06 N kg(-1) (3%; N=75) at trot, -2.3+/-0.27 N kg(-1) (16%; N=18) for the non-lead limb at canter and +2.1+/-0.7 N kg(-1) (19%; N=9) for the lead limb at canter. The substantial over- and underestimate seen at canter, in the lead and non-lead limbs, respectively, is attributed to the different functions performed by the two limbs in the asymmetrical gaits. The difference in load experienced by the lead and non-lead limbs decreased with increasing speed.
Address Structure and Motion Lab, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK
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ISSN 0022-0949 ISBN Medium
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Notes PMID:15371472 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial (down) 3658
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Author Wennerstrand, J.; Johnston, C.; Roethlisberger-Holm, K.; Erichsen, C.; Eksell, P.; Drevemo, S.
Title Kinematic evaluation of the back in the sport horse with back pain Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J
Volume 36 Issue 8 Pages 707-711
Keywords Animals; Back/*physiology; Back Pain/diagnosis/physiopathology/*veterinary; Biomechanics; Exercise Test/veterinary; Gait/*physiology; Horse Diseases/diagnosis/*physiopathology; Horses/anatomy & histology/*physiology; Locomotion/physiology; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiology; Range of Motion, Articular; Stress, Mechanical; Thoracic Vertebrae/physiology; Weight-Bearing
Abstract REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Earlier studies have developed a clinical tool to evaluate objectively the function of the equine back. The ability to differentiate horses with back pain from asymptomatic, fully functioning horses using kinematic measures from this tool has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVES: To compare the kinematics of the back at walk and trot in riding horses with back dysfunction to the same parameters in asymptomatic sport horses. METHODS: The kinematics of the back in 12 horses with impaired performance and back pain were studied at walk and trot on a treadmill. Data were captured for 10 sees at 240 Hz. Range of movement (ROM) and intravertebral pattern symmetry of movement for flexion and extension (FE), lateral bending (LB) and axial rotation (AR) were derived from angular motion pattern data and the results compared to an earlier established database on asymptomatic riding horses. RESULTS: At walk, horses with back dysfunction had a ROM smaller for dorsoventral FE in the caudal thoracic region (T13 = 7.50 degrees, T17 = 7.71 degrees; P<0.05), greater for LB at T13 (8.13 degrees; P<0.001) and smaller for AR of the pelvis (10.97 degrees; P<0.05) compared to asymptomatic horses (FE-T13 = 8.28 degrees, FE-T17 = 8.49 degrees, LB-T13 = 6.34 degrees, AR-pelvis = 12.77 degrees). At trot, dysfunctional horses had a smaller (P<0.05) ROM for FE at the thoracic lumbar junction (T17 = 2.46 degrees, L1 = 2.60 degrees) compared to asymptomatic horses (FE-T17 = 3.07 degrees, FE-L1 = 3.12 degrees). CONCLUSIONS: The objective measurement technique can detect differences between back kinematics in riding horses with signs of back dysfunction and asymptomatic horses. The clinical manifestation of back pain results in diminished flexion/extension movement at or near the thoracic lumbar junction. However, before applying the method more extensively in practice it is necessary to evaluate it further, including measurements of patients whose diagnoses can be confirmed and long-term follow-ups of back patients after treatment. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Since the objective measurement technique can detect small movement differences in back kinematics, it should help to clinically describe and, importantly, objectively detect horses with back pain and dysfunction.
Address Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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ISSN 0425-1644 ISBN Medium
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Notes PMID:15656501 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial (down) 3656
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Author Dutto, D.J.; Hoyt, D.F.; Clayton, H.M.; Cogger, E.A.; Wickler, S.J.
Title Moments and power generated by the horse (Equus caballus) hind limb during jumping Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication The Journal of Experimental Biology Abbreviated Journal J Exp Biol
Volume 207 Issue Pt 4 Pages 667-674
Keywords Animals; Biomechanics; Hindlimb/*physiology; Horses/*physiology; Locomotion/*physiology
Abstract The ability to jump over an obstacle depends upon the generation of work across the joints of the propelling limb(s). The total work generated by one hind limb of a horse and the contribution to the total work by four joints of the hind limb were determined for a jump. It was hypothesized that the hip and ankle joints would have extensor moments performing positive work, while the knee would have a flexor moment and perform negative work during the jump. Ground reaction forces and sagittal plane kinematics were simultaneously recorded during each jumping trial. Joint moment, power and work were determined for the metatarsophalangeal (MP), tarsal (ankle), tibiofemoral (knee) and coxofemoral (hip) joints. The hip, knee and ankle all flexed and then extended and the MP extended and then flexed during ground contact. Consistent with our hypothesis, large extensor moments were observed at the hip and ankle joints and large flexor moments at the knee and MP joints throughout ground contact of the hind limb. Peak moments tended to occur earlier in stance in the proximal joints but peak power generation of the hind limb joints occurred at similar times except for the MP joint, with the hip and ankle peaking first followed by the MP joint. During the first portion of ground contact (approximately 40%), the net result of the joint powers was the absorption of power. During the remainder of the contact period, the hind limb generated power. This pattern of power absorption followed by power generation paralleled the power profiles of the hip, ankle and MP joints. The total work performed by one hind limb was 0.71 J kg(-1). Surprisingly, the knee produced 85% of the work (0.60 J kg(-1)) done by the hind limb, and the positive work performed by the knee occurred during the first 40% of the take-off. There is little net work generated by the other three joints over the entire take-off. Velocity of the tuber coxae (a landmark on the pelvis of the animal) was negative (downward) during the first 40% of stance, which perhaps reflects the negative work performed to decrease the potential energy during the first 40% of contact. During the final 60% of contact, the hip, ankle and MP joints generate positive work, which is reflected in the increase of the animal's potential energy.
Address Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA 91768, USA. ddutto@csupomona.edu
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ISSN 0022-0949 ISBN Medium
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Notes PMID:14718509 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial (down) 3654
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Author Geisbauer, G.; Griebel, U.; Schmid, A.; Timney, B
Title Brightness discrimination and neutral point Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Canadian Journal of Zoology Abbreviated Journal Can. J. Zool
Volume 82 Issue 4 Pages 660-670
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Abstract Abstract: Equine brightness discrimination ability and color discrimination were measured using a two-choice discrimination

task. Two Haflinger horses (Equus caballus L., 1758) were trained to discriminate 30 different shades of grey

varying from low to high relative brightness. Their ability to distinguish shades of grey was poor, with calculated

Weber fractions of 0.42 and 0.45. In addition, a “neutral point” test to determine the dimensionality of color vision

was carried out. Three hues of blue-green were tested versus a range of grey targets with brightnesses similar to those

of the blue-green targets. A neutral point was found at about 480 nm. Thus, we can conclude that horses possess

dichromatic color vision.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial (down) 3649
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Author McGee, S.; Smith, H.V.
Title Accompanying pre-weaned Thoroughbred (Equus caballus) foals while separated from the mare during covering reduces behavioural signs of distress exhibited Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 88 Issue 1-2 Pages 137-147
Keywords Distress; Foals; Maternal separation; Stereotypies; Welfare
Abstract Some Thoroughbred stallion farms separate the mare from the foal during breeding, leaving the foal alone in its stall. Such separation often leads to distress in the foal, as evidenced by behavioural indicators such as vocalisations, pacing or moving about, pawing and striking the body against solid objects. This study examined whether the foal's distress is reduced if a handler accompanies it during the period of separation. A total of 57 foals on an Irish stud farm were observed: 27 foals were accompanied during separation and 30 were left in isolation but discretely observed from outside the stall. On average, unaccompanied foals vocalised at significantly (P<0.001) shorter intervals (14.8 s versus 26.8 s), and spent significantly (P<0.05) more time pawing (29.6 s versus 6.8 s) than accompanied ones. In addition, 17 of the unaccompanied foals hurled themselves against a solid object on at least one occasion, while not one of the accompanied foals did this (P<0.001). Age, gender and number of times the foal had been previously separated from the mare while she was being teased or covered were not significantly related to any of the behavioural indicators of distress. Overall, the data provide clear evidence that accompanying a foal reduces the distress that it exhibits when separated from the mare. This procedure has obvious welfare benefits in the short term, in that the foal both experiences less distress and has a reduced likelihood of injuring itself, and it may have longer-term benefits by reducing the chance of the animal later developing a locomotory stereotypical behaviour.
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial (down) 3639
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