- Email: [email protected]
Is there a relationship between facial whorl direction and position and performance in the thoroughbred racehorse?
300
Journal of Veterinary Behavior, Vol 6, No 5, September/October 2011
Riding is based on an effective interaction between rider and horse and a correct seat of the rider is very important for this. The welfare of the horse can be compromised when a rider has an incorrect seat. The aim of the present study was to explore riders’ different perceptions of their own seat. It was also investigated whether it is possible to use a program with dismounted exercises for training of riders in riding schools. 24 riders of elementary level from three different riding schools in Sweden were interviewed and their balance, mobility and suppleness were tested in some simple tests. A Balimo stool (a stool with a mobile seat) was used to test the riders’ balance and mobility of the pelvis, spine and hip joint. Suppleness was tested by five different stretching exercises (chest muscles, hamstrings, front hip flexors, quadriceps muscles, thigh adductors). The riders in the study carried out physical exercises (dismounted exercises including exercises on the Balimo stool) voluntarily, three times a week over a period of 8 weeks. The exercises contained a general warmup program (walking in four different ways, small jumps, crossover movements, head shaking, shoulder-knee stretches) and exercises that addressed different problem areas of riders (sternum, spine, ilio-sacral joint, pelvis). The study addressed the interviewees perceptions of their own seat and how they experienced the dismounted training program (how they experienced the exercises, what exercises they found most/ least useful, if they perceived any difference in the seat before and after training period or not, experiences from the project). The results showed that an additional training program without horse was perceived as positive by the riders. 18 out of 24 riders perceived that they improved their seat/riding during the test period. The exercises on the Balimo stool were perceived as most valuable. The riders found it easy to transfer the exercises from the stool to the feeling of sitting on a horse. Riders experienced, among other things, that their posture improved and that they became more supple in pelvis and hips and sat deeper into the saddle. Tests and interviews helped the riders to become more aware of their seat, of the impact their seat has on the horse and how they can work with dismounted exercises to improve their seat. Riding instructors should be more aware of the usefulness of dismounted exercises to correct the riders individual seat deviations. They should be able to give riders individual advice on such exercises. This is likely to improve the interaction between horse and rider and thus the welfare of both horses and riders. Key words: equitation; dismounted exercises; Balimo stool
IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FACIAL WHORL DIRECTION AND POSITION AND PERFORMANCE IN THE THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE? R. Scofield, H. Randle* Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, UK, PL17 8PB *Corresponding author: [email protected]
Many indicators of racehorse performance have been investigated in order to predict the future success of a particular individual. Studies have reported links between physical features of facial whorls and behavior tendencies and facial whorls and laterality. If an easily identifiable (physical) indicator of performance such as a facial whorl could be acknowledged it might be used by racehorse trainers as a tool to decide which animals enter training. This study investigated the relationship between facial whorl direction and position and handicap rating in individual racehorses that have competed in the United Kingdom. 176 Thoroughbred racehorses and ex-racehorses were assessed at race meetings, training yards and livery yards by direct observation. Photographs were also taken as appropriate and facial whorl direction and position was validated by an independent observer. Current handicap ratings were taken from the publically available Racing Post database. The direction (clockwise, C or counterclockwise, CC) and positioning (left, L), (middle, M), or (right, R) of the midline and height in relation to the eye position, (above, A), (eye level, EL) and below, B) of each whorl was recorded using a simple coding methodology. Analysis of the data obtained (n 5 176) indicated that none of the measured physical features of facial whorls are related to racehorse performance (F1,174 5 1.26, F2,173 5 0.46, F2,173 5 0.38; all p . 0.05). This study suggests that racehorse performance is not significantly related to facial hair whorl position. Key words: horses; facial whorls; racehorse; performance
PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASURES OF FITNESS OF RIDERS AND NON-RIDERS Emma Halliday1,*, Brender Willmott1, Hayley Randle1 1 Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, UK *Corresponding author: [email protected] Equine sports involve two athletes, the horse and rider. However many riders fail to consider themselves as an athlete, despite believing that riding as a sole physical activity ensures that they are fit for purpose. Whilst limited data are available regarding rider fitness, current research indicates that riding as the sole physical activity does not promote peak physical fitness. Increased rider fitness can improve performance. This study aimed to quantify and compare 13 physiological measures of fitness in amateur riders, non-riding amateur surfers and amateur footballers. A total of 29 mixed gender athletes participated in the study (14 riders, 9 surfers and 6 footballers); groups were mix gender and were aged R 18 years and % 35 years. None of the athletes regularly participated in any other sport than their chosen discipline. A series of fitness tests were conducted to investigate general health, aerobic ability, flexibility and strength. Predicted VO2 Max was significantly lower in
Journal of Veterinary Behavior, Vol 6, No 5, September/October 2011
Riding is based on an effective interaction between rider and horse and a correct seat of the rider is very important for this. The welfare of the horse can be compromised when a rider has an incorrect seat. The aim of the present study was to explore riders’ different perceptions of their own seat. It was also investigated whether it is possible to use a program with dismounted exercises for training of riders in riding schools. 24 riders of elementary level from three different riding schools in Sweden were interviewed and their balance, mobility and suppleness were tested in some simple tests. A Balimo stool (a stool with a mobile seat) was used to test the riders’ balance and mobility of the pelvis, spine and hip joint. Suppleness was tested by five different stretching exercises (chest muscles, hamstrings, front hip flexors, quadriceps muscles, thigh adductors). The riders in the study carried out physical exercises (dismounted exercises including exercises on the Balimo stool) voluntarily, three times a week over a period of 8 weeks. The exercises contained a general warmup program (walking in four different ways, small jumps, crossover movements, head shaking, shoulder-knee stretches) and exercises that addressed different problem areas of riders (sternum, spine, ilio-sacral joint, pelvis). The study addressed the interviewees perceptions of their own seat and how they experienced the dismounted training program (how they experienced the exercises, what exercises they found most/ least useful, if they perceived any difference in the seat before and after training period or not, experiences from the project). The results showed that an additional training program without horse was perceived as positive by the riders. 18 out of 24 riders perceived that they improved their seat/riding during the test period. The exercises on the Balimo stool were perceived as most valuable. The riders found it easy to transfer the exercises from the stool to the feeling of sitting on a horse. Riders experienced, among other things, that their posture improved and that they became more supple in pelvis and hips and sat deeper into the saddle. Tests and interviews helped the riders to become more aware of their seat, of the impact their seat has on the horse and how they can work with dismounted exercises to improve their seat. Riding instructors should be more aware of the usefulness of dismounted exercises to correct the riders individual seat deviations. They should be able to give riders individual advice on such exercises. This is likely to improve the interaction between horse and rider and thus the welfare of both horses and riders. Key words: equitation; dismounted exercises; Balimo stool
IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FACIAL WHORL DIRECTION AND POSITION AND PERFORMANCE IN THE THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE? R. Scofield, H. Randle* Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, UK, PL17 8PB *Corresponding author: [email protected]
Many indicators of racehorse performance have been investigated in order to predict the future success of a particular individual. Studies have reported links between physical features of facial whorls and behavior tendencies and facial whorls and laterality. If an easily identifiable (physical) indicator of performance such as a facial whorl could be acknowledged it might be used by racehorse trainers as a tool to decide which animals enter training. This study investigated the relationship between facial whorl direction and position and handicap rating in individual racehorses that have competed in the United Kingdom. 176 Thoroughbred racehorses and ex-racehorses were assessed at race meetings, training yards and livery yards by direct observation. Photographs were also taken as appropriate and facial whorl direction and position was validated by an independent observer. Current handicap ratings were taken from the publically available Racing Post database. The direction (clockwise, C or counterclockwise, CC) and positioning (left, L), (middle, M), or (right, R) of the midline and height in relation to the eye position, (above, A), (eye level, EL) and below, B) of each whorl was recorded using a simple coding methodology. Analysis of the data obtained (n 5 176) indicated that none of the measured physical features of facial whorls are related to racehorse performance (F1,174 5 1.26, F2,173 5 0.46, F2,173 5 0.38; all p . 0.05). This study suggests that racehorse performance is not significantly related to facial hair whorl position. Key words: horses; facial whorls; racehorse; performance
PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASURES OF FITNESS OF RIDERS AND NON-RIDERS Emma Halliday1,*, Brender Willmott1, Hayley Randle1 1 Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, UK *Corresponding author: [email protected] Equine sports involve two athletes, the horse and rider. However many riders fail to consider themselves as an athlete, despite believing that riding as a sole physical activity ensures that they are fit for purpose. Whilst limited data are available regarding rider fitness, current research indicates that riding as the sole physical activity does not promote peak physical fitness. Increased rider fitness can improve performance. This study aimed to quantify and compare 13 physiological measures of fitness in amateur riders, non-riding amateur surfers and amateur footballers. A total of 29 mixed gender athletes participated in the study (14 riders, 9 surfers and 6 footballers); groups were mix gender and were aged R 18 years and % 35 years. None of the athletes regularly participated in any other sport than their chosen discipline. A series of fitness tests were conducted to investigate general health, aerobic ability, flexibility and strength. Predicted VO2 Max was significantly lower in