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Changes in the proximal hoof circumference in response to ridden work in experienced versus inexperienced horses
Abstracts CHANGES IN THE PROXIMAL HOOF CIRCUMFERENCE IN RESPONSE TO RIDDEN WORK IN EXPERIENCED VERSUS INEXPERIENCED HORSES Helen M.S. Davies* Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Vic 3010, Australia *Corresponding author: [email protected] Hoof shape measurements may help tailor training to individuals. This pilot experiment investigated the hypothesis that experienced horses would maintain a consistent response in proximal hoof circumference compared with inexperienced horses or horses recovering from a condition affecting front hoof loading. Front hoof proximal circumference was measured using a plastic measuring tape and a standardized method in three experienced riding horses before and after ridden work on 2 consecutive days, and a further three unfit horses (two were starting their first ridden work, and the third was recommencing work after recovering from laminitis). All experienced horses showed consistent changes in both days with one hoof showing no change in 2 horses and a 0.5 mm decrease in the 3rd, while their contralateral hoof increased by 1, 2 or 2.5 mm. In contrast the two inexperienced horses showed different changes in the left hoof between the 2 days ranging from a decrease of 1 mm to an increase of 2 mm while the right hoof showed a consistent 1 to 2 mm increase in one horse and 1 mm decrease in the other. The recovered laminitic horse showed a decrease of 1 and 2 mm in his front hooves the first day and an increase of 2 and 3 mm on the 2nd day. These differences suggest that the inexperienced horses changed the loading on their left front hooves between different work sessions, and the horse that had recovered from laminitis changed the loading in both front hooves between subsequent work sessions. Key words: proximal hoof circumference; training
HORSE MISBEHAVIOR AS A CAUSE OF POOR PERFORMANCE P. Buckley1,*, J. Morton2, D.J. Buckley3, G.T. Coleman2 1 School of Animal and Veterinary Science, Boorooma St, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia 2 School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia 3 Greater Southern Area Health Service, Johnston St, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia *Corresponding author: [email protected] The role of behavior in horse performance has not been described in the veterinary literature. The aim was to define and profile the performance of Pony Club horses in two phases. An exploratory survey revealed horse misbehavior as a cause of poor performance. Risk factor analysis for
219 misbehavior involved collecting daily exercise and misbehavior data over 13 months using monthly visits to 84 Pony Club horses and owner-kept diaries. Horses were generally exercised infrequently and for short periods, with a median of six exercise days and 10 hours, respectively each horse-month. The daily incidence risk of misbehavior was 4.1%. The incidence risk was highest during schooling and competition (both 5.4%) - likely reflecting a challenge to horses - and lowest during pleasure riding (2.5%). More than half of all misbehavior events were classified as dangerous (high risk of injury). Risk factors for misbehavior included horse height (135-143.75 cm, IRR 4.98 and 95% CI 1.56, 15.90), rider age (.14-19 yr, IRR 5.0, 95% CI 1.27, 19.40), and horse breed, with Ponies (IRR 7.5 95% and CI 1.54, 36.45), cross bred horses (IRR 6.3, 95% CI 2.25, 17.74) and other horse breeds (IRR 5.79, 95% CI 1.56, 21.5) having incidence rate ratios (IRR) of misbehavior considerably higher than Thoroughbreds. We were unable to demonstrate a link between back pain and misbehavior. We defined horse performance as a horse meeting rider expectation. The combination of tall ponies challenged by teenage riders carried the highest misbehavior risk. Key words: horse; performance; misbehavior; pony club; pleasure horse
THE EFFECT OF RIDER POSITION ON THE STRIDE AND STEP LENGTH OF THE HORSE AT CANTER Hayley Randle*, Hayley Edwards, Lorna Button Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, United Kingdom, PL17 8PB *Corresponding author: [email protected] Although rider position (RP) is used to maximise horse performance, objective data have yet to be published. This pilot study investigated the effect of RP on horses’ canter stride and step lengths as measures of performance. Six horseand-rider combinations matched for ability and standard were videoed in a working canter on the left rein down the 40 m side of an indoor school. Each combination was recorded three times in the normal ‘deep seat’ and three times in the ‘light seat’. Canter stride length (CSL), forelimb step length (FSL) and hindlimb step length (HSL) (m) data were derived using Dartfish movement analysis software. CSL was significantly longer (ANOVA: F 5 61.4; d.f. 5 1,24, P , 0.0001) when ridden in the light- (3.44 6 0.16 m) compared to the normalseat (3.15 6 0.22 m). While FSL was not significantly influenced by RP, horses ridden in the light seat exhibited a significantly shorter (ANOVA: F 5 4.6; d.f. 5 1,24, P , 0.05) HSL (1.10 6 0.09 m) than in the normal seat (1.12 6 0.09 m). CSL, FSL and HSL were all significantly influenced by horse-and-rider combination (ANOVA: F 5 9.79; F 5 55.2; and F 5 49.7; all d.f. 5 5,24, P , 0.000, respectively). RP and horse-and-rider combination have an interactive effect on CSL (ANOVA: F 5 6.21;
HORSE MISBEHAVIOR AS A CAUSE OF POOR PERFORMANCE P. Buckley1,*, J. Morton2, D.J. Buckley3, G.T. Coleman2 1 School of Animal and Veterinary Science, Boorooma St, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia 2 School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia 3 Greater Southern Area Health Service, Johnston St, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia *Corresponding author: [email protected] The role of behavior in horse performance has not been described in the veterinary literature. The aim was to define and profile the performance of Pony Club horses in two phases. An exploratory survey revealed horse misbehavior as a cause of poor performance. Risk factor analysis for
219 misbehavior involved collecting daily exercise and misbehavior data over 13 months using monthly visits to 84 Pony Club horses and owner-kept diaries. Horses were generally exercised infrequently and for short periods, with a median of six exercise days and 10 hours, respectively each horse-month. The daily incidence risk of misbehavior was 4.1%. The incidence risk was highest during schooling and competition (both 5.4%) - likely reflecting a challenge to horses - and lowest during pleasure riding (2.5%). More than half of all misbehavior events were classified as dangerous (high risk of injury). Risk factors for misbehavior included horse height (135-143.75 cm, IRR 4.98 and 95% CI 1.56, 15.90), rider age (.14-19 yr, IRR 5.0, 95% CI 1.27, 19.40), and horse breed, with Ponies (IRR 7.5 95% and CI 1.54, 36.45), cross bred horses (IRR 6.3, 95% CI 2.25, 17.74) and other horse breeds (IRR 5.79, 95% CI 1.56, 21.5) having incidence rate ratios (IRR) of misbehavior considerably higher than Thoroughbreds. We were unable to demonstrate a link between back pain and misbehavior. We defined horse performance as a horse meeting rider expectation. The combination of tall ponies challenged by teenage riders carried the highest misbehavior risk. Key words: horse; performance; misbehavior; pony club; pleasure horse
THE EFFECT OF RIDER POSITION ON THE STRIDE AND STEP LENGTH OF THE HORSE AT CANTER Hayley Randle*, Hayley Edwards, Lorna Button Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, United Kingdom, PL17 8PB *Corresponding author: [email protected] Although rider position (RP) is used to maximise horse performance, objective data have yet to be published. This pilot study investigated the effect of RP on horses’ canter stride and step lengths as measures of performance. Six horseand-rider combinations matched for ability and standard were videoed in a working canter on the left rein down the 40 m side of an indoor school. Each combination was recorded three times in the normal ‘deep seat’ and three times in the ‘light seat’. Canter stride length (CSL), forelimb step length (FSL) and hindlimb step length (HSL) (m) data were derived using Dartfish movement analysis software. CSL was significantly longer (ANOVA: F 5 61.4; d.f. 5 1,24, P , 0.0001) when ridden in the light- (3.44 6 0.16 m) compared to the normalseat (3.15 6 0.22 m). While FSL was not significantly influenced by RP, horses ridden in the light seat exhibited a significantly shorter (ANOVA: F 5 4.6; d.f. 5 1,24, P , 0.05) HSL (1.10 6 0.09 m) than in the normal seat (1.12 6 0.09 m). CSL, FSL and HSL were all significantly influenced by horse-and-rider combination (ANOVA: F 5 9.79; F 5 55.2; and F 5 49.7; all d.f. 5 5,24, P , 0.000, respectively). RP and horse-and-rider combination have an interactive effect on CSL (ANOVA: F 5 6.21;