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Relationship of equine conformation to stride length at the trot
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Abstracts / Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 52 (2017) 41e48
respondents indicated horses can be offered water immediately after work (43%) with 34% indicating to wait at least one hour. The number of correct responses to knowledge questions did not increase with number of horses owned/managed (P > 0.05). Correct answers and explanations of best practices were provided upon completion of the survey. These results identify a gap in implementation of recommended practices, even with accurate knowledge. There are needs, opportunities, and challenges for further equine nutrition programming in the Upper Midwest.
to 158 ± 2.9 bpm during CK2, and decreasing to 79 ± 1.6 bpm during REC (P < 0.01). Although different game scenarios led to different HR during CK1 and CK3, HR and Lac recovery were similar among scenarios. The lack of differences among game scenarios may indicate that reducing effort during chukkers in fit horses does not change recovery. Key Words: polo, recovery, lactate
Key Words: nutrition, survey, feeding practices
19 Relationship of equine conformation to stride length at the trot
18 Effects of different chukker lengths on exercise recovery in intercollegiate polo horses
M.V. Starnes*, R.C. Strunk, W.C. Bridges, K.L. Vernon Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
S. Dale*, C. Carver, C. Zweck-Bronner, A.M.G. Braga da Silva, L.B. Latorraca, C.E.B. Lopes, J.E. Bruemmer, T.M. Hess Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA Intercollegiate polo games are played in 4 chukkers (periods): 6 of 12 team horses play 2 alternate chukkers in each game. This study compared different polo game scenarios and their effects on heart rate (HR) and plasma lactate levels (Lac). We hypothesized that a reduction in chukker length, and short rests after goals would improve heart rate and Lac recovery. Six conditioned polo mixed breed mares (12 ± 1 years old) played in 3 different scenarios: traditional game (TG) with 7-min chukker lengths (02/26/2016), shortened chukker (SC) with 6.5 min chukker lengths (11/13/2015), and interval game (IG), with 6-min chukker lengths and 1-min breaks after the goals (12/11/ 2015). Polo players were similar in all games. Horses were submitted to field lactate threshold tests before each game to ensure similar fitness level. Before game start horses were fitted with heart rate monitors, HR was recorded and classified by the different activities (warm up: WU; chukker one and 3: CK1, CK3; recovery between 2 chukkers: CKREC; recovery after game: REC, where horses were hand walked for 30 min). Venous blood samples were collected 1 h before (PRE) the game, 5 (CKBR5) and 15 min (CKBR 15) after CK1, 5 (REC5), 15 (REC15), 30(REC30) and 60 min (REC60) after CK3. Blood was centrifuged, plasma separated and frozen within 10 min of collection for Lac analysis using an automated analyzer. The effects of scenarios, game activities on heart rate and Lac were analyzed in SAS in a mixed model and significant interactions analyzed by LMS analysis. Different chukker scenarios had no effect on Lac during the game, breaks or recovery, increasing from rest (0.66 ± 0.93 mmol/L) to CKBR5 (5.6 ± 0.93 mmol/L) and remaining elevated until REC 30 (1.5 ± 1.0 mmol/L), decreasing to 0.90 ± 0.93 mmol/L at REC 60. Different chukker scenarios had no effect on HR during CKREC (30 to 37 min) and REC. Heart rate was higher (P ¼ 0.001) in horses during CK1 in TG (175 ± 3 bpm) compared with SC (158 ± 2 bpm) and IG scenarios (159 ± 2.6 bpm), HR was also higher during CK3 in IG (165 ± 2.7 bpm) scenario compared with TG (158 ± 2.9 bpm) and SC (154 ± 2.7 bpm). Overall HR increased from 85 ± 1.6 bpm at WU to 164.5 ± 1.6 bpm in CK1, decreasing to 144 ± 1.6 bpm at CKBR1, and to 85 ± 1.6 bpm at CKREC, increasing again
A popular selection trait in horses is conformation, which is believed to be a determining factor in functionality and longevity for riding disciplines. Conformation determines balance of the body, and thus is likely to be linked to overall efficiency in movement and longevity of the horse’s athletic career. The purpose of this study was to determine if conformation affects overall stride length. Six horses (3 Quarter Horses, 3 Thoroughbreds; 5 geldings, 1 mare), ranging in age from 10 to 20 years old were used in this study. Joints were palpated and targeted anatomical locations on each joint were marked. A 30.48 cm ruler was affixed to the shoulder of each horse to calibrate limb segment analyses. Limb segments were measured from joint to joint in the front and hind legs, overall length of the topline, front leg from elbow joint to ground, front leg from the highest point on the wither to the ground, the length of hip to the ground, and joint angles were all measured using KLONK Image Measurement Software (Image Measurement Corp., Cheyenne, WY). Limb segment measurements were taken in triplicate using 1 photo of each of the 6 horses, where each horse stood square on level ground 3 m away from the camera. For gait kinematic analysis, horses were ridden in a prescribed path and 5 videos per horse were captured using a high speed camera placed 8 m away from the path, with a meter stick used for calibration. Each video was analyzed in triplicate using MatLab Software (Math Works Inc., Natick, MA) to calculate stride length. To obtain correlations between stride length and limb measurement and joint angle variables, simple correlation and step-wise multiple regression models were used. The stepwise regression revealed (P ¼ 0.002) that the combination of the following lengths and angles strongly affect stride length: wither to hip, front leg length, stifle angle, and hock angle. Stride length is typically subjectively evaluated and lauded as a positive selection criterion for the performance horse, being indicative of efficiency of movement. Often, the shoulder angle is used to subjectively assess stride quality predictions, in that the more angulated, or slope of the scapula, the longer the stride should be. However, it was interesting to find that shoulder angle (humerus and scapula) was not a correlated contributor to stride length in the model. It appears from our data that the topline and front leg length and the hindquarter joint angles may be a more useful predictor of stride quality. These data indicate that more research is warranted to objectively quantify “form to function” in the horse. Key Words: stride length, conformation, joint angulation
Abstracts / Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 52 (2017) 41e48
respondents indicated horses can be offered water immediately after work (43%) with 34% indicating to wait at least one hour. The number of correct responses to knowledge questions did not increase with number of horses owned/managed (P > 0.05). Correct answers and explanations of best practices were provided upon completion of the survey. These results identify a gap in implementation of recommended practices, even with accurate knowledge. There are needs, opportunities, and challenges for further equine nutrition programming in the Upper Midwest.
to 158 ± 2.9 bpm during CK2, and decreasing to 79 ± 1.6 bpm during REC (P < 0.01). Although different game scenarios led to different HR during CK1 and CK3, HR and Lac recovery were similar among scenarios. The lack of differences among game scenarios may indicate that reducing effort during chukkers in fit horses does not change recovery. Key Words: polo, recovery, lactate
Key Words: nutrition, survey, feeding practices
19 Relationship of equine conformation to stride length at the trot
18 Effects of different chukker lengths on exercise recovery in intercollegiate polo horses
M.V. Starnes*, R.C. Strunk, W.C. Bridges, K.L. Vernon Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
S. Dale*, C. Carver, C. Zweck-Bronner, A.M.G. Braga da Silva, L.B. Latorraca, C.E.B. Lopes, J.E. Bruemmer, T.M. Hess Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA Intercollegiate polo games are played in 4 chukkers (periods): 6 of 12 team horses play 2 alternate chukkers in each game. This study compared different polo game scenarios and their effects on heart rate (HR) and plasma lactate levels (Lac). We hypothesized that a reduction in chukker length, and short rests after goals would improve heart rate and Lac recovery. Six conditioned polo mixed breed mares (12 ± 1 years old) played in 3 different scenarios: traditional game (TG) with 7-min chukker lengths (02/26/2016), shortened chukker (SC) with 6.5 min chukker lengths (11/13/2015), and interval game (IG), with 6-min chukker lengths and 1-min breaks after the goals (12/11/ 2015). Polo players were similar in all games. Horses were submitted to field lactate threshold tests before each game to ensure similar fitness level. Before game start horses were fitted with heart rate monitors, HR was recorded and classified by the different activities (warm up: WU; chukker one and 3: CK1, CK3; recovery between 2 chukkers: CKREC; recovery after game: REC, where horses were hand walked for 30 min). Venous blood samples were collected 1 h before (PRE) the game, 5 (CKBR5) and 15 min (CKBR 15) after CK1, 5 (REC5), 15 (REC15), 30(REC30) and 60 min (REC60) after CK3. Blood was centrifuged, plasma separated and frozen within 10 min of collection for Lac analysis using an automated analyzer. The effects of scenarios, game activities on heart rate and Lac were analyzed in SAS in a mixed model and significant interactions analyzed by LMS analysis. Different chukker scenarios had no effect on Lac during the game, breaks or recovery, increasing from rest (0.66 ± 0.93 mmol/L) to CKBR5 (5.6 ± 0.93 mmol/L) and remaining elevated until REC 30 (1.5 ± 1.0 mmol/L), decreasing to 0.90 ± 0.93 mmol/L at REC 60. Different chukker scenarios had no effect on HR during CKREC (30 to 37 min) and REC. Heart rate was higher (P ¼ 0.001) in horses during CK1 in TG (175 ± 3 bpm) compared with SC (158 ± 2 bpm) and IG scenarios (159 ± 2.6 bpm), HR was also higher during CK3 in IG (165 ± 2.7 bpm) scenario compared with TG (158 ± 2.9 bpm) and SC (154 ± 2.7 bpm). Overall HR increased from 85 ± 1.6 bpm at WU to 164.5 ± 1.6 bpm in CK1, decreasing to 144 ± 1.6 bpm at CKBR1, and to 85 ± 1.6 bpm at CKREC, increasing again
A popular selection trait in horses is conformation, which is believed to be a determining factor in functionality and longevity for riding disciplines. Conformation determines balance of the body, and thus is likely to be linked to overall efficiency in movement and longevity of the horse’s athletic career. The purpose of this study was to determine if conformation affects overall stride length. Six horses (3 Quarter Horses, 3 Thoroughbreds; 5 geldings, 1 mare), ranging in age from 10 to 20 years old were used in this study. Joints were palpated and targeted anatomical locations on each joint were marked. A 30.48 cm ruler was affixed to the shoulder of each horse to calibrate limb segment analyses. Limb segments were measured from joint to joint in the front and hind legs, overall length of the topline, front leg from elbow joint to ground, front leg from the highest point on the wither to the ground, the length of hip to the ground, and joint angles were all measured using KLONK Image Measurement Software (Image Measurement Corp., Cheyenne, WY). Limb segment measurements were taken in triplicate using 1 photo of each of the 6 horses, where each horse stood square on level ground 3 m away from the camera. For gait kinematic analysis, horses were ridden in a prescribed path and 5 videos per horse were captured using a high speed camera placed 8 m away from the path, with a meter stick used for calibration. Each video was analyzed in triplicate using MatLab Software (Math Works Inc., Natick, MA) to calculate stride length. To obtain correlations between stride length and limb measurement and joint angle variables, simple correlation and step-wise multiple regression models were used. The stepwise regression revealed (P ¼ 0.002) that the combination of the following lengths and angles strongly affect stride length: wither to hip, front leg length, stifle angle, and hock angle. Stride length is typically subjectively evaluated and lauded as a positive selection criterion for the performance horse, being indicative of efficiency of movement. Often, the shoulder angle is used to subjectively assess stride quality predictions, in that the more angulated, or slope of the scapula, the longer the stride should be. However, it was interesting to find that shoulder angle (humerus and scapula) was not a correlated contributor to stride length in the model. It appears from our data that the topline and front leg length and the hindquarter joint angles may be a more useful predictor of stride quality. These data indicate that more research is warranted to objectively quantify “form to function” in the horse. Key Words: stride length, conformation, joint angulation