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Twitching in veterinary procedures: How does this technique subdue horses?
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Abstracts / Journal of Veterinary Behavior 15 (2016) 78e95
Education programmes have been shown to have immediate outcomes in learning, skill development and positive behavior change and positive long-term effects. This study explored what communication strategy might encourage educated riders to try a new training practice. Semi-structured interviews of eight riders currently employed as higher education educators were conducted. Interviews covered the communication format, the communicator’s characteristics and the information approach that would encourage the participant to try a new training approach. Themes were identified using thematic content analysis without third-party verification. Participants felt that they would be most likely to try a new approach within a self-initiated personal training situation (personal exposure). They were unlikely to try something where they had not viewed the effects, either through personal experience or a demonstration (either live or video) (viewing the effects). The communicator had to inspire trust (trust) and all participants valued practical experience although its form varied between participants (experience). If participants already had prior positive knowledge of the communicator or the information they would be more likely to try a new training approach (previous exposure). To be tried, a training approach should be complementary to already held knowledge and experience (complementary) and framed within a context of personal relevance, e.g. holding a problem’s solution (context). These findings suggest a challenging strategy of personal and visual, resonant communication methods at a relevant moment is required if the ISES Principles of training are to be widely adopted. Key words: communication; equine; education; experience; training 36 A pilot study on the application of an objective scoring system M. GUERINI 1, C. RAMSEY 2, J. JOHNSON 3, *, A. MCLEAN 4 1 Dun Movin Ranch, 2045 Pacheco Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020 USA 2 Animal Care & Custody Assessment Associates LLC PO Box 752 Linden, CA 95236 USA 3 North American Western Dressage, 9174 Endicott Ave NW Maple Lake, MN 55358 USA 4 Australian Equine Behaviour Centre, 730 Clonbinane Rd, Clonbinane, 3658 Australia *Corresponding author: [email protected] Western Dressage is a recent addition to the arena of equine competitive disciplines and shares roots between western horsemanship and classical dressage. Judging in dressage has long been considered subjective. This new discipline presents an opportunity to evaluate the application of an acceptance of a change from the normal traditional dressage scoring system to one that employs a more objective system. This pilot study evaluated the use acceptance of this system by judges with 20+ years of judging experience or those with 19 and less years of judging experience. These data from the online survey revealed that judges with 20 years or more of judging experience in the discipline of dressage were less accepting (t28 ¼ 1.73, P < 0.05) of the proposed use of an objective judge scoring system. An online survey questioned riders, coaches, and trainers (n¼ 190 participants) with regards to whether they would show under a judge that used an objective scoring system and > 85% of respondents indicated they would show under a judge who used an objective scoring system. The continued study and use of this objective judging criteria will further promote a balanced system that is objective, ethical, transparent, and more easily helps riders and trainers stay in alignment with training and showing that is based on the welfare of the equine and education of the horse and rider. Key words: objective; scoring; dressage; judging; welfare
37 Twitching in veterinary procedures: How does this technique subdue horses? B. FLAKOLL*, A.B. ALI, C.Y. SAAB Brown University, Providence, RI, USA *Corresponding author: [email protected] This study analyzed mechanisms by which two forms of restraint (lip twitch and ear twitch) subdue horses. Prior research suggests that the lip twitch subdues horses through an analgesic effect; the mechanism of the ear twitch is unknown. Twelve male horses (all geldings) were divided into two groups (the first group received the lip twitch while the second group received the ear twitch), heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured in order to determine autonomic nervous system activity before and during application of the twitches, and salivary cortisol (SC) levels were analyzed to assess stress levels before and after application of the twitches. Results show that the lip twitch led to significantly decreased HR (F2,10 ¼ 129.8, P < 0.05), and significantly increased HRV (F2,10 ¼ 74.8, P < 0.05), when applied for 5 minutes, but significantly increased HR (F2,10 ¼ 129.8, P < 0.001), and significantly decreased HRV (F2,10 ¼ 74.8, P < 0.001) when applied for a longer period; and decreased SC levels (but not significantly). The ear twitch led to significantly increased HR (F2,10 ¼ 132.9, P < 0.001), and significantly decreased HRV (F2,10 ¼ 93.4, P < 0.001), regardless of the length of application; and significantly increased SC levels (F2,10 ¼ 15.9, P < 0.05). It was concluded that the lip twitch initially subdues horses through a calming, probably analgesic effect (which may be reduced after 5 minutes), while the ear twitch subdues horses through a stressful, probably painful effect. Key words: equine; twitch; stress; cortisol; heart rate
38 Closure times of the physes in high performance Mangalarga Marchador gaited horses - preliminary findings K. MOURA DA COSTA BARCELOS 1, *, A. SOUZA CARNEIRO DE REZENDE 1, R. WELLER 2, A.M. QUINTÃO LANA 1, R. RESENDE FALEIROS 1 1 Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Veterinária, Departamento de Pós Graduação em Zootecnia, Equinotecnia, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG Brasil e Cep 31270-901, Brazil 2 The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK *Corresponding author: [email protected] The closure of the physes of the long bones is commonly used as a parameter when training can be started in horses. The Mangalarga Marchador (MM) is a gaited horse breed if requires intense training at very young age. The aim of this study was to determine closure times of the distal physis of tibia and radius in MM horses with the ultimate aim to guide training programmes and promote animal welfare. 56 sound MM horses that competed in Marcha Picada were included and categorised by type of competition, age and gender in category I: leading by hand, 7 females-F (19-29 months-m) and 7 males-M (18-21 months), category II: leading by hand 7F (30-34m) and 7M (22-34m); category III: ridden, 7F (41-45m) and 7M (4153m) and category IV: ridden, 7F (54-56m) and 7M (53-58m). Cranio-caudal radiographs were taken of the left and right distal radius and the left distal tibia of each horse, using a digital radiography system with a focus-film distance of 60 cm, kV between 70-73 and 3.2 mAs. The radiographs were graded for physes closure by a single observer into: open-A, partially closed-B and fully closed-C. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The physis closure results for radius and tibia were the same, physis closure
Abstracts / Journal of Veterinary Behavior 15 (2016) 78e95
Education programmes have been shown to have immediate outcomes in learning, skill development and positive behavior change and positive long-term effects. This study explored what communication strategy might encourage educated riders to try a new training practice. Semi-structured interviews of eight riders currently employed as higher education educators were conducted. Interviews covered the communication format, the communicator’s characteristics and the information approach that would encourage the participant to try a new training approach. Themes were identified using thematic content analysis without third-party verification. Participants felt that they would be most likely to try a new approach within a self-initiated personal training situation (personal exposure). They were unlikely to try something where they had not viewed the effects, either through personal experience or a demonstration (either live or video) (viewing the effects). The communicator had to inspire trust (trust) and all participants valued practical experience although its form varied between participants (experience). If participants already had prior positive knowledge of the communicator or the information they would be more likely to try a new training approach (previous exposure). To be tried, a training approach should be complementary to already held knowledge and experience (complementary) and framed within a context of personal relevance, e.g. holding a problem’s solution (context). These findings suggest a challenging strategy of personal and visual, resonant communication methods at a relevant moment is required if the ISES Principles of training are to be widely adopted. Key words: communication; equine; education; experience; training 36 A pilot study on the application of an objective scoring system M. GUERINI 1, C. RAMSEY 2, J. JOHNSON 3, *, A. MCLEAN 4 1 Dun Movin Ranch, 2045 Pacheco Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020 USA 2 Animal Care & Custody Assessment Associates LLC PO Box 752 Linden, CA 95236 USA 3 North American Western Dressage, 9174 Endicott Ave NW Maple Lake, MN 55358 USA 4 Australian Equine Behaviour Centre, 730 Clonbinane Rd, Clonbinane, 3658 Australia *Corresponding author: [email protected] Western Dressage is a recent addition to the arena of equine competitive disciplines and shares roots between western horsemanship and classical dressage. Judging in dressage has long been considered subjective. This new discipline presents an opportunity to evaluate the application of an acceptance of a change from the normal traditional dressage scoring system to one that employs a more objective system. This pilot study evaluated the use acceptance of this system by judges with 20+ years of judging experience or those with 19 and less years of judging experience. These data from the online survey revealed that judges with 20 years or more of judging experience in the discipline of dressage were less accepting (t28 ¼ 1.73, P < 0.05) of the proposed use of an objective judge scoring system. An online survey questioned riders, coaches, and trainers (n¼ 190 participants) with regards to whether they would show under a judge that used an objective scoring system and > 85% of respondents indicated they would show under a judge who used an objective scoring system. The continued study and use of this objective judging criteria will further promote a balanced system that is objective, ethical, transparent, and more easily helps riders and trainers stay in alignment with training and showing that is based on the welfare of the equine and education of the horse and rider. Key words: objective; scoring; dressage; judging; welfare
37 Twitching in veterinary procedures: How does this technique subdue horses? B. FLAKOLL*, A.B. ALI, C.Y. SAAB Brown University, Providence, RI, USA *Corresponding author: [email protected] This study analyzed mechanisms by which two forms of restraint (lip twitch and ear twitch) subdue horses. Prior research suggests that the lip twitch subdues horses through an analgesic effect; the mechanism of the ear twitch is unknown. Twelve male horses (all geldings) were divided into two groups (the first group received the lip twitch while the second group received the ear twitch), heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured in order to determine autonomic nervous system activity before and during application of the twitches, and salivary cortisol (SC) levels were analyzed to assess stress levels before and after application of the twitches. Results show that the lip twitch led to significantly decreased HR (F2,10 ¼ 129.8, P < 0.05), and significantly increased HRV (F2,10 ¼ 74.8, P < 0.05), when applied for 5 minutes, but significantly increased HR (F2,10 ¼ 129.8, P < 0.001), and significantly decreased HRV (F2,10 ¼ 74.8, P < 0.001) when applied for a longer period; and decreased SC levels (but not significantly). The ear twitch led to significantly increased HR (F2,10 ¼ 132.9, P < 0.001), and significantly decreased HRV (F2,10 ¼ 93.4, P < 0.001), regardless of the length of application; and significantly increased SC levels (F2,10 ¼ 15.9, P < 0.05). It was concluded that the lip twitch initially subdues horses through a calming, probably analgesic effect (which may be reduced after 5 minutes), while the ear twitch subdues horses through a stressful, probably painful effect. Key words: equine; twitch; stress; cortisol; heart rate
38 Closure times of the physes in high performance Mangalarga Marchador gaited horses - preliminary findings K. MOURA DA COSTA BARCELOS 1, *, A. SOUZA CARNEIRO DE REZENDE 1, R. WELLER 2, A.M. QUINTÃO LANA 1, R. RESENDE FALEIROS 1 1 Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Veterinária, Departamento de Pós Graduação em Zootecnia, Equinotecnia, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG Brasil e Cep 31270-901, Brazil 2 The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK *Corresponding author: [email protected] The closure of the physes of the long bones is commonly used as a parameter when training can be started in horses. The Mangalarga Marchador (MM) is a gaited horse breed if requires intense training at very young age. The aim of this study was to determine closure times of the distal physis of tibia and radius in MM horses with the ultimate aim to guide training programmes and promote animal welfare. 56 sound MM horses that competed in Marcha Picada were included and categorised by type of competition, age and gender in category I: leading by hand, 7 females-F (19-29 months-m) and 7 males-M (18-21 months), category II: leading by hand 7F (30-34m) and 7M (22-34m); category III: ridden, 7F (41-45m) and 7M (4153m) and category IV: ridden, 7F (54-56m) and 7M (53-58m). Cranio-caudal radiographs were taken of the left and right distal radius and the left distal tibia of each horse, using a digital radiography system with a focus-film distance of 60 cm, kV between 70-73 and 3.2 mAs. The radiographs were graded for physes closure by a single observer into: open-A, partially closed-B and fully closed-C. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The physis closure results for radius and tibia were the same, physis closure