Equestrian sports encompass a variety of competitive disciplines involving horses and riders. These sports include show jumping, dressage, eventing, and endurance riding, among others. Each discipline requires specific skills and training for both horse and rider, emphasizing aspects such as agility, precision, and stamina. The performance of horses in these sports is influenced by factors including genetics, training methodologies, and rider expertise. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the dynamics, training techniques, and performance outcomes associated with equestrian sports, as well as the welfare and management of sport horses.
Sinclair Elder AJ, Nilson CJ, Elder CL.To analyze injury frequency, density, location, type, mechanism of injury (MOI), activity phase of injury, and injury risk in professional rodeo. Retrospective epidemiological review. Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioned rodeos from 2011 to 2014. Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association competitors competing in bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, tie-down roping, and steer wrestling. Injury reports were documented by sports medicine personnel. Variables assessed include event, frequency, density, location, type, MOI, activity phase of injury, and injury d...
Waraksa E, Woźniak MK, Kłodzińska E, Wrzesień R, Bobrowska-Korczak B, Namieśnik J.Ibuprofen is widely used in human and veterinary medicine for the treatment of chronic pain as well as rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders. However, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of Ibuprofen have contributed to frequent drug abuse in equestrian sports. A sensitive and rapid gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry based method with a simple liquid-liquid extraction and derivatization requiring 200 μL volume of sample and 2 mL of extraction solvent for the simultaneous determination of ibuprofen and its metabolites was developed. The proposed procedure was optim...
Gunter KB, Shields CJ, Ott SD, Coronado RA.Equestrian riding is a sport with a high risk of concussion. Currently, the literature guiding rehabilitation for concussions in equestrian athletes is limited, especially for directing return to sport. In this case report, a 14-year-old female equestrian athlete presented to physical therapy following her third concussion in 3 years. Her primary complaints were headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, light sensitivity, and neck pain. On examination, the patient demonstrated reproduction of symptoms during testing of the vestibular-ocular reflex, showed a 3-line symptomatic loss on the...
Wicklund A, Foster SD, Roy AA. Despite a high incidence of injury in their sport, rodeo athletes have been underrepresented in the concussion literature. No standard postconcussion protocols are available across rodeo organizations for evaluating fitness to return to competition. Objective: To review the literature on concussion in rodeo, examine published guidelines, and offer an active return-to-play (RTP) protocol specific to rodeo athletes. Background: Unique barriers complicate the management and treatment of rodeo athletes with concussion, such as the solo nature of the sport, lack of consistent access to ...
Collins JA, Wall PG, Duggan VE.Data concerning the numbers, locations and types of donkeys being officially registered (passported) in Ireland (32 counties) via horse passport issuing organisations were gathered. The numbers of agricultural area aid scheme (Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC)) applicants registering passported donkeys (as compared with horses) as livestock units (LUs), the numbers of donkeys they registered and the value of payments that thus accrued to the applicants are also reported for each of 26 counties for the years 2012 to 2014 inclusive. Equids have not been eligible for equivalent agricultural schem...
Zak A, Siwinska N, Slowikowska M, Borowicz H, Szpot P, Zawadzki M, Niedzwiedz A.Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin are alkaloids with analgesic effects in humans and animals. When used locally, both of them minimalise pain sensation by defunctionalising nerve endings. According to the Federation Equestrian International Prohibited Substances List, these are substance banned in horse competitions. The aim of the study was to determine the detection time of capsaicin in both plasma and serum after long-term use of a gel recommended for commercial use and applied as intended. The objective of the study was to select the best material for the detection of capsaicin as a doping su...
Clayton HM, Hampson A, Fraser P, White A, Egenvall A.The purpose of a saddle is to improve the rider's safety, security, and comfort, while distributing the forces exerted by the rider and saddle over a large area of the horse's back without focal pressure points. This study investigates the effects on rider stability of an innovative saddle design that differs from a conventional saddle in having no flaps. Five horses were ridden by their regular rider in their usual saddle and in a flapless saddle. A pressure mat (60 Hz) placed between the saddle and the horse's back was used to determine the position of the center of pressure, which represent...
Wong JKY, Choi TLS, Kwok KY, Lei ENY, Wan TSM.Equine hair is becoming an increasingly popular biological matrix for doping control of horse sports; one of the reasons for this is the significantly longer detection window hair can offer. Hair analysis opens up the opportunity for longitudinal monitoring of drug exposure which would otherwise not be possible with the more traditional and common biological matrices, such as urine and blood. As such, there is a need for more multi-target screening methods covering a broad range of prohibited substances in equine hair at the required sensitivities for equine doping control. This paper describe...
Physick-Sheard PW, Avison A, Chappell E, MacIver M.The Province of Ontario maintains a registry of racehorse deaths occurring within 60 days of a race or trial entry that provides insight into mortality rates and costs of competition. Objective: To characterise and quantify mortality and identify breed differences. Methods: Retrospective annualised cohort study. Methods: The Ontario Death Registry for 2003-2015, containing 1713 cases, was audited and information on the relationship between death and official work added. Race and trial data from industry performance databases were used to determine mortality rates according to breed, year, age...
Quiney LE, Ireland JL, Dyson SJ.There is good correlation between increased radiopharmaceutical uptake anywhere in the feet of sports or leisure horses and the presence of foot pain. However, low sensitivity of scintigraphy for identifying lesions contributing to foot pain as determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been reported. The aim of this retrospective, cross-sectional, analytical study was to assess the accuracy of scintigraphy for identifying the cause(s) of foot pain, using MRI as the reference standard. Sports and leisure horses that underwent both skeletal scintigraphy and MRI of the front feet between...
Bennet ED, Parkin TDH.An epidemiological study of elite endurance riding was conducted using data from every Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) endurance event from 2010 to 2015, comprising 82,917 starts. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors associated with failure to qualify outcomes for horses during FEI endurance rides. The FEI endurance rules state that, during a ride, horses must be assessed by veterinarians several times, giving veterinarians the opportunity to prevent those horses exhibiting signs of lameness or metabolic problems from continuing further. Multivariable logistic regressio...
Bennet ED, Parkin TDH.This study examined the association between riding speed and elimination in Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) endurance events. A total of 35,061 horse starts from 1st July 2012 to 31st December 2015 were included in a multivariable logistic regression model containing 25 different risk factors. Riding speeds in individual stages ('loops') were included as individual risk factors in studying the progress of horses through loops 1-3 of each endurance ride. The possibility of real-time, 'mid-ride' predictive modelling was explored by modelling both riding speeds and sudden changes in sp...
Veen I, Killian D, Vlaminck L, Vernooij JCM, Back W.Debate surrounds the use of high rein tension for obtaining different head and neck positions in the training of sport horses on account of possible welfare issues. Objective: To compare auxiliary rein tension in two methods (Draw Reins and Concord Leader) for obtaining a standardised head and neck position on a hard and a soft surface. Methods: Intervention study. Methods: Left and right rein tensions were measured in 11 base-level trained client-owned sport horses (mean age ± s.d.; 10 ± 3.2 years) exercised in-hand with, in a random order, conventional draw reins or the newly developed Con...
Kiely MA, Warrington GD, Mcgoldrick A, O'loughlin G, Cullen S.Jockeys should maintain a high level of physical fitness to meet the physical demands of horse racing. The aim of this study was to determine the physiological requirements of the riding gaits used regularly in training. Methods: Eleven trainee jockeys performed a maximal incremental Wattbike cycle ergometer test. Mean absolute and relative oxygen uptake (VO2) and heart rate (HR) were recorded for the steady-state period during a walk, trot and canter. Energy expenditure (EE) and associated metabolic equivalent (MET) were also estimated. Results: During a walk, trot and canter, relative mean V...
Uldahl M, Clayton HM.Information is needed to guide sport administrators in formulating rules for equipment use in competitions. Objective: To seek associations between spurs, bits, nosebands and whips with injuries in horses during competitions in four equestrian sports. Methods: Cross sectional study. Methods: Post competition evaluations were performed in 3143 horse/rider combinations competing in Danish Equestrian Federation competitions in dressage, showjumping, eventing and endurance by trained evaluators who recorded the presence and type of spurs, bits, nosebands, and whips. Further evaluations recorded no...
Hanousek K, Salavati M, Fouladi-Nashta A.To test the hypothesis that gender affects horse scores in eventing competition, data on the scores and points awarded to 681 horses was collected from the British Eventing website. Equal numbers of mares, geldings and stallions were used, all foaled during or after 1994 and aged 4-10 years. The study included five levels of competition (BE90, BE100, Novice, Intermediate and Advanced) and investigated differences in mean phased scores, total scores and rank in competition. Additionally, the mean and median 'BE points per competition' of each gender were compared. Significant differences in per...
Wilson B, Jones B, McGreevy P.The use of whips in racing is subject to current debate, not least because the prospect that fatigued horses cannot respond renders the practice futile and inhumane. The racing industries maintain whip use is a form of encouragement and that the rules of racing that govern whip use safeguard horse welfare. The current study examined longitudinal trends in the frequency of medium and fast race winning times in Australian harness racing between September 2007 and August 2016 to explore relationships with a series of changes that moderated whip use. The first change, introduced January 2010, mode...
McGreevy PD, Griffiths MD, Ascione FR, Wilson B.Recent studies have cast doubt on the effectiveness of whipping horses during races and this has led to questions concerning its continuing justification. Furthermore, it has been argued that whipping tired horses in racing is the most televised form of violence to animals. The present study used de-identified data from a recent independent Australian poll (n = 1,533) to characterise the 26% of respondents (113 females and 271 males) who support the whipping of racehorses and the 10% of racing enthusiasts in the sample (44 females and 63 males) who would stop watching races and betting on them...
de Solis CN, Althaus F, Basieux N, Burger D.Sudden death affects the health of horses, the safety of riders and the public perception of animal welfare during equestrian events. Objective: To describe the signalment, clinical history, sudden death episode, rider injuries and causes of sudden death during exercise or closely thereafter in sport and pleasure riding horses. Methods: Retrospective case series based on an online questionnaire. Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed to the veterinary and equestrian community. Connections of animals reported in the press to have died suddenly were sent the survey. Responses were anal...
Waraksa E, Wójtowicz-Zawadka M, Kwiatkowska D, Jarek A, Małkowska A, Wrzesień R, Namieśnik J.A novel assay for the simultaneous determination of ibuprofen (IBU) and its four probable metabolites, 1-hydroxyibuprofen (1-OH IBU), 2-hydroxyibuprofen (2-OH IBU), 3-hydroxyibuprofen (3-OH IBU) and carboxyibuprofen (CBX IBU) in equine urine samples with the application of Gas Chromatography-Electron Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (GC-EI-MS) has been developed and elaborated. The new approach for sample preparation including minimizing matrix effects by the application of weak cation exchange solid-phase extraction together with strong cation exchange solid-phase extraction has been applied. The...
Negro S, Bartolomé E, Molina A, Solé M, Gómez MD, Valera M.The stress level is suggested to have a negative effect on horses during equestrian competitions, specifically in trotter racing. The main objectives of this study were to measure stress levels in Spanish Trotter Horse races with a reliable non-invasive method, and determining the threshold level of stress that leads to the best performance results and also shows when the stress perceived by the horse becomes distress. One hundred and thirty individuals were evaluated, measuring their performance (based on racing time per kilometre (TPK)) and their stress (based on eye temperature, assessed wi...
Bartolomé E, Menéndez-Buxadera A, Molina A, Valera M.To obtain a sport horse that excels in the highest levels of competition, breeders must take into account certain genetic and environmental factors that could influence the sport horse's performance, such as the rider-horse interaction (RHI). The main aim of this study was to describe this interaction in a genetic model by modelling it in relation to the horse's age. A total of 31,129 sport results from Spanish Sport Horses were used from a total of 1,101 animals evaluated, and these were grouped in three age levels and had been ridden by 606 different riders. Only riders who had ridden more t...
O'Connor S, Warrington G, McGoldrick A, Cullen S. Professional horse racing is considered a high-risk sport, yet the last analysis of fall and injury incidence in this sport in Ireland was completed between 1999 and 2006. Objective: To provide an updated analysis of the fall and injury incidence in professional flat and jump horse racing in Ireland from 2011 through 2015, compare it with the previous analysis, and detail the specific types and locations of injuries. Methods: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: A medical doctor recorded all injuries that occurred at every official flat and jump race meeting for the 2011 th...
Hernlund E, Egenvall A, Hobbs SJ, Peterson ML, Northrop AJ, Bergh A, Martin JH, Roepstorff L.The development of safety and quality standards for equestrian surfaces needs to be based on objective, repeatable measurements which allow comparisons between surfaces. These measurements should incorporate the assessment of surface performance by riders. This study provides data from objective and subjective assessment of functional properties of high-level show jumping competition and warm-up arenas. Twenty-five arenas in nine international show jumping events were evaluated by mechanical in-situ testing with a surface tester, rider assessments using visual analogue scales (198 riders provi...
Coelho CS, Sodre TDRP, Sousa LN, Siqueira RF, Manso Filho HC, Aragona F, Fazio F.Vaquejada is a high-intensity and short-duration exercise in which helper horses (HH) are responsible to keep a bull running in a line while pull horses (PH) work to put the bull down after 100 m of running. The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare energy expenditures (EE), transport costs (COT) and metabolic energy requirements (Pmet) of horses used in Vaquejada. Thus, eight Quarter Horses, in randomly formed pairs, performed a vaquejada simulation test (VST), which consisted of three races on a sand track (130-150 m), with a 5-min interval between them. All horses used an integr...
Bennet ED, Parkin TDH.This study examined the association between riding speed and elimination in Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) endurance events. A total of 35,061 horse starts from 1st July 2012 to 31st December 2015 were included in a multivariable logistic regression model containing 25 different risk factors. Riding speeds in individual stages ('loops') were included as individual risk factors in studying the progress of horses through loops 1-3 of each endurance ride. The possibility of real-time, 'mid-ride' predictive modelling was explored by modelling both riding speeds and sudden changes in sp...
Cravana C, Medica P, Ragonese G, Fazio E.To investigate the effects of training sessions on circulating β-endorphin changes in sport horses before and after competition and to ascertain whether competition would affect this response. Methods: A total of 24 trained jumping horses were randomly assigned to one of two training groups: Group A (competing) and Group B (not competing). To determined plasma β-endorphin concentrations, two pre- and post-competition training weeks at aerobic workout and two competitive show jumping event days at anaerobic workout were measured before, 5 and 30 min after exercise. Exercise intensity is descr...
Srinivasan V, Pierre C, Plog B, Srinivasan K, Petraglia AL, Huang JH.Equestrian sports can result in a variety of injuries to the nervous system due to many factors. We describe our series of 80 patients with injuries sustained during participation in equestrian sports. Results: All patients seen at the regional trauma center with injuries associated with equestrian sports between 2003 and 2011 were reviewed; 80 patients were identified. Fifty-four per cent were female and the average age was 37 years (2·2-79·3). The mean injury severity score (ISS) was 9·9 ± 0·7. Only two patients had documented helmet use. Glasgow coma score (GCS) was 15 in 93% of patien...
Dixon PM, McGorum BC, Railton DI, Hawe C, Tremaine WH, Dacre K, McCann J.There is continuing debate on the clinical benefit of laryngoplasty (LP) in the treatment of equine laryngeal paralysis. In particular, there is little information available on the clinical value of this surgery in older horses, in non-Thoroughbreds or in sports or pleasure horses; nor on the relationship between the degree of LP abduction achieved and the clinical value of LP. Objective: To evaluate the owner's assessment of the value of LP (and combined ventriculocordectomy) in an older, mixed breed and mixed workload population of horses and to also assess the relationship between the degre...
Best R, Standing R.When compared with other equestrian sports, Polo players engage in a high number of player-pony interactions. To ensure optimal performance of the player-pony dyad, an understanding of the workloads performed by each pony and the physiological cost placed on the rider are required. This investigation examined the relationship and interaction between Polo pony performance (speeds attained, distance covered, and movements performed) and the corresponding heart rate responses in Polo players, within and between games across a 16-goal Polo tournament. Descriptive statistics revealed Polo is played...
Wilkins CA, Nankervis K, Protheroe L, Draper SB.Static assessment and grouping of riders by competition level are prevalent in equestrian coaching practice and research. This study explored sagittal pelvic tilt in 35 competitive dressage riders to analyse the relationship between static and dynamic postures and assess the interaction of competition level. Riders were assessed using optical motion capture on a riding simulator at halt and in walk, trot, and left and right canter. Mean, minimum and maximum pelvic tilt, and range of motion (ROM) were measured as the pitch rotation of a rigid body formed by markers placed on the rider's left/ri...
Di Tocco J, Sabbadini R, Raiano L, Fani F, Ripani S, Schena E, Formica D, Massaroni C.In recent years, wearable devices for physiological parameter monitoring in sports and physical activities have been gaining momentum. In particular, some studies have focused their attention on using available commercial monitoring systems mainly on horses during training sessions or competitions. Only a few studies have focused on the jockey's physiological and kinematic parameters. Although at a glance, it seems jockeys do not make a lot of effort during riding, it is quite the opposite. Indeed, especially during competitions, they profuse a short but high intensity effort. To this extend, ...
Mizobe F, Takahashi Y, Kusano K.Jockey safety is of paramount importance from welfare perspective and public perception. This retrospective case-control study aims to identify risk factors associated with jockey falls (JF) in flat races of Japan Racing Association (JRA). JF in 715,210 race starts by 74,328 horses at 10 racecourses from 2003 to 2017 were reviewed. Data were extracted from a database maintained by JRA and from official accident reports issued by race stewards. Seventeen possible risk factors were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression, to identify those significantly associated with JF. A total of 9...
Broberg MN, Knych H, Bondesson U, Pettersson C, Stanley S, Thevis M, Hedeland M.Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) have anabolic properties but less adverse effects than anabolic androgenic steroids. They are prohibited in both equine and human sports and there have been several cases of SARMs findings reported over the last few years. The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolite profile of the SARM ACP-105 (2-chloro-4-[(3-endo)-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-8-yl]-3-methylbenzonitrile) in order to find analytical targets for doping control. Oral administration of ACP-105 was performed in horses, where blood and urine samples were collect...
Paine SW, Bright J, Scarth JP, Hincks PR, Pearce CM, Hannan C, Machnik M, Hillyer L.In equine and racing practice, detomidine and butorphanol are commonly used in combination for their sedative properties. The aim of the study was to produce detection times to better inform European veterinary surgeons, so that both drugs can be used appropriately under regulatory rules. Three independent groups of 7, 8 and 6 horses, respectively, were given either a single intravenous administration of butorphanol (100 µg/kg), a single intravenous administration of detomidine (10 µg/kg) or a combination of both at 25 (butorphanol) and 10 (detomidine) µg/kg. Plasma and urine concentratio...
De Guio C, Ségard-Weisse E, Thomas-Cancian A, Schramme M.The metacarpophalangeal joint is a common site of pain in horses. Little information is available about bone marrow lesions in the distal condyles of the third metacarpal bone in sports and pleasure horses. Aims of this prospective, retrospective, observational study were to evaluate the prevalence of bone marrow lesions in the distal condyles of the third metacarpal bone, to describe their anatomic distribution and to correlate lesions with the presence of lameness and the level and type of activity. All sports and pleasure horses undergoing standing low-field MRI of the front fetlock region ...
Pinchbeck GL, Clegg PD, Proudman CJ, Morgan KL, Wood JL, French NP.We identified risk factors associated with falling during steeplechase racing. We used retrospective data from all steeplechase runs on UK racecourses during 1999: 10,866 starts with 647 horse falls. The relationship between continuous variables and falling was assessed using generalised additive models (GAMs). Polynomial fits then were included in a multilevel, multivariable logistic-regression model. The number of runners had a linear, positive association with the risk of falling. The distance of the race had a non-linear relationship with the risk of falling; the risk steadily increased in...
Kiely MA, Warrington GD, Mcgoldrick A, O'loughlin G, Cullen S.Jockeys should maintain a high level of physical fitness to meet the physical demands of horse racing. The aim of this study was to determine the physiological requirements of the riding gaits used regularly in training. Methods: Eleven trainee jockeys performed a maximal incremental Wattbike cycle ergometer test. Mean absolute and relative oxygen uptake (VO2) and heart rate (HR) were recorded for the steady-state period during a walk, trot and canter. Energy expenditure (EE) and associated metabolic equivalent (MET) were also estimated. Results: During a walk, trot and canter, relative mean V...
Frankel HL, Haskell R, Digiacomo JC, Rotondo M.A 3-year chart survey and questionnaire was conducted of equestrian-injured patients at a regional trauma center to determine patterns and consequences of injury and rate of recidivism. Ninety-two patients (95 encounters) were treated; most were young (mean age, 27 +/- 11 years) women (84%) riders sustaining falls (80%). Most injuries were orthopedic (47%); 19 per cent of patients required hospital admission. There was one death. Helmet use was documented in only 34 per cent. Eighty-one per cent of patients responded to a follow-up telephone survey; 36 per cent recounted additional accidents (...
Schroter RC, Marlin DJ.There is a need to determine objectively the environmental heat load imposed on horses competing to an international standard in 3-day-events in environments where there is likely to be a high level of radiation added to high ambient temperatures and relative humidity; the presently used FEI 'Comfort Index' is severely limited in its applicability. It is proposed that the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) Index be used. This index was originally established for man exercising strenuously under harsh climatic conditions with high solar radiation levels. It may be defined as: WBGT = 0.7Twb + 0.3...
Kotschwar AB, Baltacis A, Peham C.Saddle pads are widely used in riding sports but their influence on saddle pressures is poorly understood. Objective: To evaluate the forces acting on the horse's back, and the eventual pressure distribution by using different saddle pads underneath a fitting saddle. Methods: Sixteen sound horses of different breeds and ages were ridden on a treadmill at walk and sitting trot. The horses were wearing a dressage saddle with a fitting saddle tree and 4 different saddle pads (gel, leather, foam and reindeer fur) successively. For comparison, measurements were made without any saddle pad. Right fo...
Ricard A, Dumont Saint Priest B, Danvy S, Barrey E.The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic component of the locomotor jumping ability, via a wearable accelerometer sensor, and to estimate the genetic correlation with performance in competition, to introduce such criteria in selection schema. A sample of 1,056 young 3-year-old horses were equipped with a 3-dimensional accelerometer during a free jumping test, in regular breeding shows from 2015 to 2017. Seven variables were extracted from the dorso-ventral acceleration curve for the last three jumps over a double bar obstacle of 1.15 m for the front pole and 1.20 m for the back pole w...
Maniego J, Pesko B, Hincks P, Taylor P, Stewart G, Proudman C, Scarth J, Ryder E.The misuse of gene therapy by the introduction of transgenes via plasmid or viral vectors as a doping agent is an increasing concern in human and animal sports, not only in consideration to fair competition but also in potential detrimental effects to welfare. Doping events can be detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a transgene-specific region of DNA. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is particularly suited to confirmatory investigations where precise limits of detection can be calculated. To fully validate a qPCR experiment, it is highly desirable to confirm the ident...
Perkins NR, Reid SW, Morris RS.To investigate training location (horses trained in Matamata vs those trained at all other venues in New Zealand), and time period (1996-1997 and 1998-1999), while controlling for other horse- and race- or trial-related factors, as a means of assessing the possible impact of construction of a new training surface at the Matamata Racing Club on indirect measures of racehorse performance (number of starts, and failure to race within 6 months of any start). Methods: Multivariable logistic regression and poisson analysis were used to analyse data derived using a retrospective cohort approach. Mult...
Barrey E, Valette JP, Jouglin M, Blouin C, Langlois B.The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of fast myosin heavy chains (fast MHCs = MHC 2A + 2B) in 2 propelling muscles to estimate the heritability and to identify any relationship with performance. The gluteus medius and the biceps femoris muscles were biopsied in 100 related French Anglo-Arabian horses. The percentages of slow and fast myosin heavy chains were measured using an ELISA technique. The heritability (s.e.) of the fast MHCs percentage was estimated at 13% (0.1) using a restricted maximum likelihood resolution of a mixed animal model. There were significant (P < 0....
Kraft CN, Urban N, Ilg A, Wallny T, Scharfstädt A, Jäger M, Pennekamp PH.The connection between morphologic changes of the spine and the intensity of training has been assessed for a number of sport activities. The influence of horseback riding on the spine has only rarely been evaluated. The aim of our study was to evaluate to what degree horseback riders suffer from back pain and whether there is an association between this parameter and the category i. e. the intensity of horseback riding. Furthermore we wanted to judge whether riding may have a positive effect on pre-existent back pain. Methods: 508 horseback riders (63.2 % females; 36.8 % males) competing in e...
McGreevy PD, Griffiths MD, Ascione FR, Wilson B.Recent studies have cast doubt on the effectiveness of whipping horses during races and this has led to questions concerning its continuing justification. Furthermore, it has been argued that whipping tired horses in racing is the most televised form of violence to animals. The present study used de-identified data from a recent independent Australian poll (n = 1,533) to characterise the 26% of respondents (113 females and 271 males) who support the whipping of racehorses and the 10% of racing enthusiasts in the sample (44 females and 63 males) who would stop watching races and betting on them...
Tozaki T, Ohnuma A, Hamilton NA, Kikuchi M, Ishige T, Kakoi H, Hirota KI, Kusano K, Nagata SI.Gene doping is prohibited for fair competition in human and horse sports. One style of gene doping is the administration of an exogeneous gene, called a transgene, to postnatal humans and horses. Although many transgene detection methods based on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), including real-time PCR and digital PCR, have been recently developed, it remains difficult to reliably detect low-copy transgenes. In this study, we developed and validated a nested digital PCR method to specifically detect low-copy transgenes. The nested digital PCR consists of (1) preamplification using...
Zeyner A, Harmeyer J.L-carnitine, a betaine derivative of beta-hydroxybutyrate, is found in virtually all cells of higher animals and also in some microorganisms and plants. In animals it is synthesized almost exclusively in the liver. Two essential amino acids, i.e., lysine and methionine serve as primary substrates for its biosynthesis. Also required for its synthesis are sufficient amounts of vitamin B6, nicotinic acids, vitamin C and folate. The first discovered ergogenic function of L-carnitine is the transfer of activated long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane into the mitochondrial m...
Kwok KY, Choi TLS, Kwok WH, Lau MY, Leung EMK, Leung GNW, Wong JKY, Wan TSM, Adrian FF, Prabhu A, Ho ENM.The use of bioactive peptides as a doping agent in both human and animal sports has become increasingly popular in recent years. As such, methods to control the misuse of bioactive peptides in equine sports have received attention. This paper describes a sensitive accurate mass method for the detection of 40 bioactive peptides and two non-peptide growth hormone secretagogues (< 2 kDa) at low pg/mL levels in horse urine using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC/HRMS). A simple mixed-mode cation exchange solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge was...
Verwilghen DR, Janssens S, Busoni V, Pille F, Johnston C, Serteyn D.Few reports are available on the relationship between developmental orthopaedic diseases (DOD) and future performances in Warmblood horses. Objective: To investigate the relationship between performance and the presence of DOD lesions. Methods: Records of Warmblood stallions for which radiographic and performance data were available were collected. Showjumping performances were expressed as scores derived from the final ranking of horses in each competition. These scores are available in an established performance database. The relationship between radiographic findings and both performance sc...
Art T, Duvivier DH, van Erck E, de Moffarts B, Votion D, Bedoret D, Lejeune JP, Lekeux P, Serteyn D.In equine sports medicine, VO2 has been measured exclusively with stationary systems, in laboratories equipped with a treadmill. Measurement during exercise in field conditions has not previously been reported because of the lack of portable equipment designed for horses. Objective: A commercially available portable metabolic measurement system, based on breath-to-breath gas analysis and flow spirometry, was adapted to the horse's physiology and morphology (Cosmed K4b2 and Equimask) and its validity tested by (1) repeatability of the measures and (2) comparing metabolic data to those obtained ...
Campbell-Hewson GL, Robinson SM, Egleston CV.This study's objective was to examine the nature, cause and frequency of injury resulting from equestrian sport in paediatric patients attending two accident and emergency departments. We recorded the attendances of patients aged less than 16 years with equestrian-related trauma in 1 year. Demographic details, injury, mechanism of injury, rider experience and use of protective equipment were noted. There were 41 attendances (39 female, two male, median age 12 years). Thirty-one were injured while mounted, 10 while dismounted. The commonest group of injuries were soft tissue injuries of the low...
