- Email: [email protected]
Monitoring equine (acute) pain: validation of two composite pain scales for general pain expression and facial expression of pain
Abstracts / Journal of Veterinary Behavior 15 (2016) 78e95
As part of ongoing research into the relationship between HRV measures and behavior, we examined social isolation (SI) as a potential stressor in 8 Arabian horses. We hypothesized that horses displaying the strongest indication of behavioral distress would show HRV indicators of distress also. Horses were fitted with Polar heart rate monitors and 5 min of baseline HR, HRV and behavioral data were collected. Individually, horses were released into an isolated round pen. Five min of SI data were collected for HR, HRV and behavior, which was videotaped for later review. Post testing, an ethogram was developed. Behaviors deemed to indicate a level of distress (DB), e.g. vocalizing, defecating, pawing, bucking, snorting were counted as frequencies; behavioral states, e.g. trotting, cantering were recorded as duration. Heart rata data were analysed with Kubios software, version 2.2. HRV values were highly correlated (Pearson test) to combined behavioral scores (mean HR, r ¼ 0.99; SDRR, r ¼ -0.99; RMSSD, r ¼ -0.99; LF, r ¼ 0.98; HF, r ¼ -0.98; LF/HF ratio, r ¼ 0.95) (all P values < 0.001). ANOVA was used to compare groups; analyses were performed using SPSS 17.1. The group average of baseline HR and HRV as compared to SI differed significantly. The basal mean HR ¼ 42.7 6.89 bpm, whereas the SI average ¼ 120.11 15.88 bpm (F1,14 ¼ 45.0, P < 0.05). LF/HF ratio was 1.49 0.15 for the basal average and 11.25 3.58 for the SI average (F1,14 ¼ 55.0, P <0.05). HRV measures were strongly correlated with behavioral indicators of distress. Key words: social isolation; horse; HRV; behavior
19 An investigation into noseband tightness levels on competition horses O. DOHERTY 1, *, V. CASEY 1, P. MCGREEVY 2, S. ARKINS 1 1 University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland 2 Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia *Corresponding author: [email protected] Nosebands are used by riders to prevent the horse from opening its mouth, increase control and, in some cases, to comply with the rules of competition. Possible negative consequences such as discomfort, pain or tissue damage are of concern to equine scientists and the public. The current study sought to identify the level of noseband tightness among competition horses. Using the ISES taper gauge, noseband tightness data were collected from 737 horses competing in national and international competitions in eventing, dressage and performance hunter competitions in Ireland, England and Belgium. Results were classified according to the number of ‘fingers’ that could fit under the noseband at the nasal planum. The data were not normally distributed. Kruskall-Wallis and MannWhitney tests were applied to compare noseband tightness levels between disciplines. Seven per cent of nosebands were fitted to the recommended 2-finger noseband tightness level. The remainder of nosebands were tighter, with 44% fastened at zero fingers. Twentythree per cent of nosebands were at 1 finger tightness and 19% at 1.5 fingers. Significant differences emerged between disciplines (H2 ¼ 31.6, P < 0.001). The highest level of noseband tightness was found among eventers (Mdn ¼ 0.00, P < 0.01, mean ¼ 0.56, SE ¼ 0.35), followed by dressage competitors (Mdn ¼ 1.00, P < 0.001, mean ¼ 0.75, SE ¼ 0.04) followed by performance hunter classes (Mdn ¼ 1.00, P < 0.05, mean ¼ 1.04, SE ¼ 0.10). The current lack of guidelines and regulations regarding permitted noseband tightness levels permit the use of noseband tightness levels that may be detrimental to horse welfare. Key words: noseband; tightness; competition; horse; welfare
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20 Monitoring equine (acute) pain: validation of two composite pain scales for general pain expression and facial expression of pain M. VAN DIERENDONCK 1,2,3, *, T. VAN LOON 1 1 Equine Clinic, Veterinary Faculty, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584CM, The Netherlands 2 Veterinary Faculty, Ghent University Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Gent, Belgium 3 Veterinary Department, Antwerpen University, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Antwerpen, Belgium *Corresponding author: [email protected] The recognition and treatment of equine pain has been studied extensively over recent decades. However, there is still need for improvement in objective identification of acute pain in horses, especially for severe pain. This study assessed the validity and applicability of two Composite-Pain-Score systems: Equine Utrecht University Scale for COMposite Pain ASSessment (EQUUS-COMPASS) and EQUUS-Facial Assessment of Pain (EQUUS-FAP) in horses with acute pain. For both a scale construction and scale validation phase was performed by two cohort follow-up studies of 50 adult horses each (n ¼ 25 horses with acute colic and n ¼ 25 controls) was performed. All control horses were checked by a vet and declared free from any painful condition. The scores were taken during five minutes (COMPASS) and one-minute (FAP) direct observations. Patients and controls were assessed on arrival at the clinic and patients also on their first and second morning. Both scores showed high inter-observer reliability in all cases (construction: COMPASS ICC ¼ 0.98, FAP ICC ¼ 0.93, P < 0.001). Internal validation by specificity and sensitivity for differentiating between control horses and colic patients (n ¼ 50) was >79% for both scales in both phases. Internal specificity and sensitivity differentiating between conservatively treated and surgically treated / euthanized colic patients was good both scales in both phases. External validation with new colic patients versus controls was satisfactory both scales for construction and validation. Development of pain score over days after treatment for the conservatively treated horses (n ¼ 13 and 17 respectively) decreased significantly both scales in both phases. Key words: Composite Pain Scale (CPS); Facial Assessment Pain Scale (FAP); acute pain; validation; welfare
21 Effects of ridden exercise on night time resting behavior of individually housed horses T. JONES*, K. GRIFFIN, C. HALL, A. STEVENSON School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK *Corresponding author: kym.griffi[email protected] Resting behavior is used as a welfare measure in horses, however, it may also be influenced by the amount of ridden exercise the horse has performed. If so, the level of exercise should be considered when using resting behavior as a measure of welfare. Resting behavior includes rest standing (ST), sternal (SR), and lateral (LR) recumbency. This study investigated whether ridden exercise has an effect on the horse’s resting behavior compared to non-ridden exercise in horses housed individually. Eight geldings aged 7-16 were used. CCTV cameras monitored the horse from 6pm-6am for 5 nights over 2 weeks, and the duration of ST, SR, and LR behaviors
As part of ongoing research into the relationship between HRV measures and behavior, we examined social isolation (SI) as a potential stressor in 8 Arabian horses. We hypothesized that horses displaying the strongest indication of behavioral distress would show HRV indicators of distress also. Horses were fitted with Polar heart rate monitors and 5 min of baseline HR, HRV and behavioral data were collected. Individually, horses were released into an isolated round pen. Five min of SI data were collected for HR, HRV and behavior, which was videotaped for later review. Post testing, an ethogram was developed. Behaviors deemed to indicate a level of distress (DB), e.g. vocalizing, defecating, pawing, bucking, snorting were counted as frequencies; behavioral states, e.g. trotting, cantering were recorded as duration. Heart rata data were analysed with Kubios software, version 2.2. HRV values were highly correlated (Pearson test) to combined behavioral scores (mean HR, r ¼ 0.99; SDRR, r ¼ -0.99; RMSSD, r ¼ -0.99; LF, r ¼ 0.98; HF, r ¼ -0.98; LF/HF ratio, r ¼ 0.95) (all P values < 0.001). ANOVA was used to compare groups; analyses were performed using SPSS 17.1. The group average of baseline HR and HRV as compared to SI differed significantly. The basal mean HR ¼ 42.7 6.89 bpm, whereas the SI average ¼ 120.11 15.88 bpm (F1,14 ¼ 45.0, P < 0.05). LF/HF ratio was 1.49 0.15 for the basal average and 11.25 3.58 for the SI average (F1,14 ¼ 55.0, P <0.05). HRV measures were strongly correlated with behavioral indicators of distress. Key words: social isolation; horse; HRV; behavior
19 An investigation into noseband tightness levels on competition horses O. DOHERTY 1, *, V. CASEY 1, P. MCGREEVY 2, S. ARKINS 1 1 University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland 2 Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia *Corresponding author: [email protected] Nosebands are used by riders to prevent the horse from opening its mouth, increase control and, in some cases, to comply with the rules of competition. Possible negative consequences such as discomfort, pain or tissue damage are of concern to equine scientists and the public. The current study sought to identify the level of noseband tightness among competition horses. Using the ISES taper gauge, noseband tightness data were collected from 737 horses competing in national and international competitions in eventing, dressage and performance hunter competitions in Ireland, England and Belgium. Results were classified according to the number of ‘fingers’ that could fit under the noseband at the nasal planum. The data were not normally distributed. Kruskall-Wallis and MannWhitney tests were applied to compare noseband tightness levels between disciplines. Seven per cent of nosebands were fitted to the recommended 2-finger noseband tightness level. The remainder of nosebands were tighter, with 44% fastened at zero fingers. Twentythree per cent of nosebands were at 1 finger tightness and 19% at 1.5 fingers. Significant differences emerged between disciplines (H2 ¼ 31.6, P < 0.001). The highest level of noseband tightness was found among eventers (Mdn ¼ 0.00, P < 0.01, mean ¼ 0.56, SE ¼ 0.35), followed by dressage competitors (Mdn ¼ 1.00, P < 0.001, mean ¼ 0.75, SE ¼ 0.04) followed by performance hunter classes (Mdn ¼ 1.00, P < 0.05, mean ¼ 1.04, SE ¼ 0.10). The current lack of guidelines and regulations regarding permitted noseband tightness levels permit the use of noseband tightness levels that may be detrimental to horse welfare. Key words: noseband; tightness; competition; horse; welfare
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20 Monitoring equine (acute) pain: validation of two composite pain scales for general pain expression and facial expression of pain M. VAN DIERENDONCK 1,2,3, *, T. VAN LOON 1 1 Equine Clinic, Veterinary Faculty, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584CM, The Netherlands 2 Veterinary Faculty, Ghent University Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Gent, Belgium 3 Veterinary Department, Antwerpen University, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Antwerpen, Belgium *Corresponding author: [email protected] The recognition and treatment of equine pain has been studied extensively over recent decades. However, there is still need for improvement in objective identification of acute pain in horses, especially for severe pain. This study assessed the validity and applicability of two Composite-Pain-Score systems: Equine Utrecht University Scale for COMposite Pain ASSessment (EQUUS-COMPASS) and EQUUS-Facial Assessment of Pain (EQUUS-FAP) in horses with acute pain. For both a scale construction and scale validation phase was performed by two cohort follow-up studies of 50 adult horses each (n ¼ 25 horses with acute colic and n ¼ 25 controls) was performed. All control horses were checked by a vet and declared free from any painful condition. The scores were taken during five minutes (COMPASS) and one-minute (FAP) direct observations. Patients and controls were assessed on arrival at the clinic and patients also on their first and second morning. Both scores showed high inter-observer reliability in all cases (construction: COMPASS ICC ¼ 0.98, FAP ICC ¼ 0.93, P < 0.001). Internal validation by specificity and sensitivity for differentiating between control horses and colic patients (n ¼ 50) was >79% for both scales in both phases. Internal specificity and sensitivity differentiating between conservatively treated and surgically treated / euthanized colic patients was good both scales in both phases. External validation with new colic patients versus controls was satisfactory both scales for construction and validation. Development of pain score over days after treatment for the conservatively treated horses (n ¼ 13 and 17 respectively) decreased significantly both scales in both phases. Key words: Composite Pain Scale (CPS); Facial Assessment Pain Scale (FAP); acute pain; validation; welfare
21 Effects of ridden exercise on night time resting behavior of individually housed horses T. JONES*, K. GRIFFIN, C. HALL, A. STEVENSON School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK *Corresponding author: kym.griffi[email protected] Resting behavior is used as a welfare measure in horses, however, it may also be influenced by the amount of ridden exercise the horse has performed. If so, the level of exercise should be considered when using resting behavior as a measure of welfare. Resting behavior includes rest standing (ST), sternal (SR), and lateral (LR) recumbency. This study investigated whether ridden exercise has an effect on the horse’s resting behavior compared to non-ridden exercise in horses housed individually. Eight geldings aged 7-16 were used. CCTV cameras monitored the horse from 6pm-6am for 5 nights over 2 weeks, and the duration of ST, SR, and LR behaviors