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Topic:Athletic Horses
The topic of athletic horses encompasses the study and analysis of horses that are trained and conditioned for performance in various disciplines such as racing, show jumping, dressage, and eventing. These horses are subject to specialized training regimens and nutritional plans to optimize their physical capabilities and performance outcomes. Research in this area often focuses on aspects such as biomechanics, cardiovascular fitness, muscle physiology, and injury prevention. This topic includes a collection of peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the physiological adaptations, training methodologies, and health management practices associated with maintaining and enhancing the performance of athletic horses.
Overuse injuries in equestrian athletes. Some 30 million Americans are involved in equestrian sports. Although there is significant literature regarding catastrophic injury, there is very little literature that addresses overuse injury and its effect on rider and horse. As the horse and rider function as a unit, overuse injuries to the rider can affect the horse's training and responsiveness. Sports physicians treating riders should understand correct posture in the saddle and its alteration by muscular imbalance and injury. This review discusses common equestrian events, and common overuse injuries in recreational and competitive ri...
Feeble weekly rhythmicity in hematological, cardiovascular, and thermal parameters in the horse. The homeostatic control of physiological processes is affected by a variety of temporal programs, such as circadian rhythms, estrous cycles, and circannual rhythms. The existence of circaseptan rhythms (endogenous rhythms with the duration of a week) has been postulated but not properly verified. In this study, we compared plasma concentration of lactic acid, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and rectal temperature in athletic horses (maintained under a weekly training schedule) with those in sedentary horses (maintained under a constant schedule throughout the week). Although exercise ha...
Race- and course-level risk factors for fatal distal limb fracture in racing Thoroughbreds. Considerable variation in the rates of equine fatality at different racecourses draws attention to probable risk factors at the level of course or race that might be partly responsible. Distal limb fractures are the most common cause of equine fatality on UK racecourses and identification of risk factors for such injuries and subsequent implementation of intervention strategies could significantly reduce the total number of racecourse fatalities. Objective: To identify race- and course-level risk factors for fatal distal limb fracture in Thoroughbreds on UK racecourses. Methods: A case-control...
Tenoscopic surgery for treatment of lacerations of the digital flexor tendon sheath. Lacerations to the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) are a common injury in the horse, but little information is available in the literature regarding prognostic indicators. Objective: To ascertain whether laceration of the DFTS carried a better prognosis if treated by tenoscopic lavage, debridement and repair within 36 h of the original injury. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 39 horses treated surgically for lacerations to the DFTS was performed over a 3 year period. The injury-to-surgery interval was recorded as 36 h. The structures damaged by the injury were also recorded, as well as...
3-Methoxytyramine as an indicator of dopaminergic manipulation in the equine athlete. The influence of sampling variables on the concentration of the dopamine metabolites 3-methoxytyramine (3MT), dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanilic acid (HVA) was examined in equine urine. A logarithmic transformation of the data for all horses gave distribution which approximated the normal distributions for each metabolite. The mean urinary concentration of 3 MT in horses was 214 ng/mL and the application of a threshold with a probability of 1 in 10,000 gave an actionable level of 4 microg/mL. Environmental variables were not forensically significant in determining the populatio...
Acute hypervolemia does not improve arterial oxygenation in maximally exercising thoroughbred horses. Recently, it was reported that acute hypervolemia improves arterial oxygen tension in human athletes known to experience exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia. Since exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia is routinely observed in racehorses and is known to limit performance, we examined whether pre-exercise induction of acute hypervolemia would similarly benefit arterial oxygenation in maximally exercising thoroughbred horses. Two sets of experiments, namely, placebo [intravenous (IV) physiological saline] and acute hypervolemia (IV 7.2% NaCl, causing an 18.2% expansion of plasma volume) studies we...
Confirmation and quantification of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers in equine and human plasma by hyphenated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Oxyglobin (OXY) and Hemopure (HMP) are produced from bovine hemoglobin (Hb) and were developed for the treatment of anemia in animal and human patients, respectively. Hemolink (HML) is a blood substitute of human Hb origin under development. The ability of these agents to carry oxygen in circulating blood and their promise to improve oxygen delivery to tissues supports the potential for their abuse in equine and human athletes. To deter athletes from abuse of these agents, a method has been developed for the detection, confirmation and quantification of OXY, HMP, and HML in equine and human pl...
Influence of fasting and exercise on the daily rhythm of serum leptin in the horse. The hormone leptin is secreted by white adipocytes and regulates food intake and energy expenditure in rodents and humans. The goal of the present study was to investigate the existence of a daily rhythm of serum leptin in horses and its dependence on fasting and physical exercise. A robust daily rhythm of leptin was found in both athletic and sedentary horses, with a daytime trough and a peak in the dark phase. While physical exercise never induced changes in circulating leptin, fasting reliably affected serum leptin levels. Food deprivation did not abolish the daily rhythm of serum leptin, b...
Reproducibility of a locomotor test for trotter horses. Locomotion analysis is increasingly used to assess the gait of horses in the selection and training of equine athletes. We have developed a specific locomotor test for fast trotting harnessed horses that uses an accelerometric device. We describe here the reproducibility of the locomotor test and the validation of its use to analyse trotters on the racetrack. We measured the performance of eight horses under the same conditions three times in a single week. We then tested the influence of five tracks on the variables measured using eight different trotters every two days. The horses trotted at...
Variation in free jumping technique within and among horses with little experience in show jumping. To quantify variation in the jumping technique within and among young horses with little jumping experience, establish relationships between kinetic and kinematic variables, and identify a limited set of variables characteristic for detecting differences in jumping performance among horses. Methods: Fifteen 4-year-old Dutch Warmblood horses. Methods: The horses were raised under standardized conditions and trained in accordance with a fixed protocol for a short period. Subsequently, horses were analyzed kinematically during free jumping over a fence with a height of 1.05 m. Results: Within-hor...
Evaluation of consistency of jumping technique in horses between the ages of 6 months and 4 years. To determine whether differences in jumping technique among horses are consistent at various ages. Methods: 12 Dutch Warmblood horses. Methods: Kinematics were recorded during free jumps of horses when they were 6 months old (ie, no jumping experience) and 4 years old (ie, the horses had started their training period to become show jumpers). Mean +/- SD height of the horses was 1.40 +/- 0.04 m at 6 months of age and 1.70 +/- 0.05 m at 4 years of age. Results: Strong correlations were found between values from 6-month-old foals and 4-year-old horses for variables such as peak vertical accelerat...
Relationship of foot conformation and force applied to the navicular bone of sound horses at the trot. Collapsed heels conformation has been implicated as causing radical biomechanical alterations, predisposing horses to navicular disease. However, the correlation between hoof conformation and the forces exerted on the navicular bone has not been documented. Objective: The angle of the distal phalanx in relation to the ground is correlated to the degree of heel collapse and foot conformation is correlated to the compressive force exerted by the deep digital flexor tendon on the navicular bone. Methods: Thirty-one shod Irish Draught-cross type horses in routine work and farriery care were trotte...
Performance after partial arytenoidectomy without mucosal closure in 27 Thoroughbred racehorses. To examine the effect of partial arytenoidectomy without mucosal closure on postoperative racing performance and long-term complications in Thoroughbred racehorses treated for laryngeal hemiplegia, arytenoid chondropathy, or failed laryngoplasty. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Twenty-seven Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Medical records of Thoroughbred racehorses that had partial arytenoidectomy without mucosal closure between 1992 and 2002 were reviewed. Horses were divided into groups: horses that had not raced (Group 1) and those that had raced (Group 2) before surgery. Lifetime r...
Arthroscopic removal of axial osteochondral fragments of the proximoplantar aspect of the proximal phalanx using electrocautery probes in 23 standardbred racehorses. To describe the outcome after arthroscopic electrosurgical excision of axial osteochondral (OC) fragments of the proximal plantar aspect of the 1st phalanx (P1) in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Twenty-three Standardbred racehorses. Methods: Medical records of Standardbred racehorses that had arthroscopic dissection of axial OC fragments of the proximal plantar aspect of P1 with electrocautery probes were reviewed. Horses were positioned in dorsal recumbency; a 1.5% glycine solution was used to maintain joint distension. The arthroscope portal was in the proximal plantar joint ...
Exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle stress protein responses in trotters. Acute exercise induces oxidative stress and heat shock protein (HSP) expression. Information on the protection of stress proteins against oxidant insult and muscle damage during moderate exercise is scanty. We aimed to show how a single bout of moderate exercise affects the markers of oxidative stress and heat shock factor-1 (HSF1; the transcriptional regulator of HSP synthesis), and HSP70, HSP90 and glucose-regulated protein (GRP75) expression in horses. Eight clinically normal and regularly trained standardbred trotters were treadmill-exercised for 45 min at moderate intensity. Blood samples...
Use of magnetic resonance imaging identify suspensory desmitis and adhesions between exostoses of the second metacarpal bone and the suspensory ligament in four horses. Four horses were examined because of chronic forelimb lameness. In all horses, the cause of the lameness was localized to the metacarpus by means of physical examination and diagnostic anesthesia, and radiography of the affected limb revealed a small exostosis of the second metacarpal bone. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed suspensory desmitis in the region of this exostosis in all 4 horses. In addition, an abnormal area of low signal intensity, suggestive of an adhesion, was seen between the exostosis and the suspensory ligament. In all horses, an adhesion between the suspensory ligament an...
Arthroscopic debridement of subchondral bone cysts in the distal phalanx of 11 horses (1994-2000). Historically, there has been a consensus that conservative management of subchondral cystic lesions of the distal phalanx carries a poor prognosis. Surgical management has been advocated; however, there are no reports documenting its routine use and successful surgical treatment. Objective: To describe arthroscopically-guided curettage of distal phalangeal subchondral cystic lesions (SCLs) and report the qualitative and quantitative results in 11 affected horses age 16-33 months. Methods: Medical records of horses with previously treated lameness resulting from SCLs of the third phalanx were r...
Memory decay and performance-related information bias in the reporting of scores by event riders. We used data from a case-control study investigating risk factors for horse falls in the cross-country phase of eventing in Great Britain (GB) to examine evidence for memory decay and information bias. Responses to two questions obtained by telephone for 173 cases and 521 controls were examined for evidence of differential reporting according to the respondent's case-control status and performance in the dressage and cross-country phases of competitions. Information bias was found in the accuracy of reporting dressage penalty scores when analysed as a function of performance level (good/poor)....
A punch drunk jockey? The case is reported of a retired professional jockey with progressive memory loss. The concern is that he may be suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy or the "punch drunk syndrome".
Gracilis muscle injury as a cause of lameness in two horses. Injury to the gracilis muscle can cause acute, severe lameness in horses. Two female Quarter Horses that were used for barrel racing sustained gracilis muscle tear injuries. The site of injury was localized by direct infiltration of the area with mepivacaine. The extent of muscle tearing and seroma formation was determined via ultrasonographic evaluation. One horse developed fibrotic myopathy approximately 3 months after the original injury and underwent surgery to transect a palpable fibrous band at the previous injury site. Both horses returned to barrel racing 5 to 6 months after the injury...
Evaluation of a sensor-based system of motion analysis for detection and quantification of forelimb and hind limb lameness in horses. To compare a sensor-based accelerometer-gyroscopic (A-G) system with a video-based motion analysis system (VMAS) technique for detection and quantification of lameness in horses. Methods: 8 adult horses. Methods: 2 horses were evaluated once, 2 had navicular disease and were evaluated before and after nerve blocks, and 4 had 2 levels of shoe-induced lameness, alternatively, in each of 4 limbs. Horses were instrumented with an accelerometer transducer on the head and pelvis, a gyroscopic transducer on the right forelimb and hind feet, and a receiver-transmitter. Signals from the A-G system were...
Palmar digital neurectomy in 24 horses using the guillotine technique. To determine the effectiveness and incidence of complications of palmar digital neurectomy using the guillotine technique in horses presented for lameness originating from sites innervated by these nerves. Methods: Retrospective study of 24 clinical cases. Methods: Twenty-four horses undergoing a palmar digital nerve neurectomy between June 1997 and June 2001. Methods: The records of all horses undergoing a uniaxial or biaxial, unilateral or bilateral neurectomy during the defined time period were retrieved. Information retrieved from the record included breed, age, gender, discipline for whic...
Equine welfare: risk of horses falling in the Grand National. As in other competitive sports, the famous Grand National steeplechase, which is held at Aintree in the United Kingdom and is watched by 600 million people worldwide, sometimes results in injury. By analysing data from the past 15 Grand National races (consisting of 560 starts by horses), we are able to identify several factors that are significantly associated with failure to complete the race: no previous experience of the course and its unique obstacles, unfavourable ground conditions (too soft or too hard), a large number of runners, and the length of the odds ('starting price'). We also f...
Weight prediction from linear measures of growing Thoroughbreds. Monitoring weight of foals is a useful management practice to aid in maximising athletic potential while minimising risks associated with deviations from normal growth. Objective: To develop predictive equations for weight, based on linear measurements of growing Thoroughbreds (TBs). Methods: Morphometric equations predicting weight from measurements of the trunk and legs were developed from data of 153 foals. The accuracy, precision and bias of the best fitting equation were compared to published equations using a naive data set of 22 foals. Results: Accuracy and precision were maximised with...
Effect of an external nasal dilator strip on cytologic characteristics of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in Thoroughbred racehorses. To determine the effects of an external nasal dilator strip on cytologic characteristics of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in racing Thoroughbreds. Methods: Clinical trial. Methods: 23 Thoroughbred racehorses in active training. Methods: Each horse raced on 2 occasions: once while wearing an external nasal dilator strip and once while not. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 12 to 18 hours after each race, and BAL fluid was analyzed for RBC and leukocyte counts and hemosiderin content. Results: Mean +/- SEM count of RBCs in BAL fluid when horses raced without the nasal dilator strip (84.6...
Electromyographic activity of the longissimus dorsi muscles in horses during trotting on a treadmill. To use electromyography (EMG) to measure physiologic activity of the longissimus dorsi muscles of horses during trotting on a treadmill. Methods: 15 adult horses (5 to 20 years old that weighed 450 to 700 kg) that did not have clinical signs of back pain. Methods: Data were recorded for each horse during trotting on a treadmill at speeds of 2.6 to 4.4 m/s. Surface electromyography was recorded bilaterally from the longissimus dorsi muscles at the levels of T12, T16, and L3. Results: In each motion cycle, 2 EMG maxima were found at the end of the diagonal stance phases. The EMG activity peaked ...
Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric screening and confirmation methods for beta2-agonists in human or equine urine. Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra of 19 common beta(2)-agonists were investigated in terms of fragmentation pattern and dissociation behavior of the analytes, proving the origin of fragment ions and indicating mechanisms of charge-driven and charge-remote fragmentation. Based on these data, liquid chromatographic/ESI tandem mass spectrometric (LC/ESI-MS/MS) screening and confirmation methods were developed for doping control purposes. These procedures employ established sample preparation steps including either acidic or enzymatic hydrolysis, alkaline extraction and, in the case of eq...
