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Topic:Equestrian Sports
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.
Development of the Human-Equine Attachment Scale. Human-horse relationships encompass diverse roles, from companion to competition partner. The impact of such bonds informs owner decision-making regarding horse management and veterinary care, yet standardised instruments to measure these unique bonds are limited. Objective: To develop the Human-Equine Attachment Scale (HEAS), a novel instrument to measure the multi-faceted dimensions of human-horse attachment. Methods: Cross-sectional design using a self-administered psychometric instrument. Methods: Initial items were developed through a systematic review of human and animal attachment resea...
Is There a Genetic Link Between Resting Infrared Thermography in Young Horses and Longevity in Jumping Competition? The objective was to evaluate the genetic relationship between the surface temperature of regions of interest, measured using infrared images of young horses and functional longevity in jumping. This relationship was assessed by comparing the temperatures measured in the offspring of two groups of sires, one favourable and one unfavourable, to longevity. The study used a specific data collection protocol on a sample of 921 young progeny, before they began competing, of 141 extreme stallions, comprising 61 favourable and 80 unfavourable sires. These stallions had been selected based on estimate...
Spatiotemporal patterns in British racing and equestrian sports: Implications for pathogen transmission. The widespread assumption that there is minimal potential for pathogen transmission between British racehorse and sport horse populations remains unverified by empirical evidence. Objective: To characterise spatiotemporal patterns of horse attendance at racing and other sport events in Great Britain in 2018. Methods: Spatiotemporal analysis. Methods: Publicly available data from British Horseracing Authority, British Dressage, British Eventing, Endurance GB, and British Showjumping events in Great Britain during 2018 were analysed. Horse attendance was summarised by discipline, month, and seas...
Factors influencing equestrian helmet use, purchase and safety perceptions: A cross-sectional study. Helmets play a critical role in preventing and reducing the severity of head injuries in high-risk sports. Understanding the factors influencing equestrian helmet use and safety perceptions is needed to optimise injury prevention strategies. Methods: In this cross-sectional study of 596 equestrian participants aged ≥12 years, we assessed helmet use, factors influencing helmet purchase decisions, and perceptions of helmet safety. Chi square tests and regression models examined differences by age, professional status, jumping versus non-jumping disciplines and concussion history. Results: Helm...
Radiological assessment of equestrian-related trauma: A retrospective cohort study. Equestrian sports have been found to cause high rates of injuries. In clinical practise after such injuries, polytrauma protocol workups usually include whole-body computed tomography (WBCT), CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis with intravenous iodine contrast medium, and CT of the cervical spine and brain without contrast. The purpose was to investigate the use of WBCT in equestrian-related accidents, to analyse demographics, mechanism of injury (MOI), therapy and severity of equine-related accidents, radiology, and the use of protecting equipment. Methods: This is a retrospective study inclu...
Player-Reported Perceptions of Lameness Risks and Contributing Factors for Polo Horses: Results from a Survey. Polo is an equestrian sport with a long tradition, but to date there is little scientific data on health risks, particularly lameness. In an international online survey, 145 polo players (47.6% female, 52.4% male) with an average of 13.4 years of playing experience were questioned about lameness risks and influencing factors. The respondents reported a median of six horses, most frequently mares as their best-performing and healthiest animals. Horse age was significantly associated with the risk of lameness, increasing by approximately 19.5% per year (OR = 1.195; = 0.030) and differed dependi...
The next hurdle – Female jockeys, motherhood and the horse racing industry. Feminist sport researchers examine the unique experiences of female athletes as crucial in promoting women's sport participation and parity in opportunities (Lebel et al., 2021). Insight into the unique stressors encountered by female jockeys in Ireland (Irl) and the United Kingdom (UK) may provide sport scientists, practitioners and policy makers with a greater awareness of the specific supports they need (Losty & Sreenivas, 2023). Deeply personal and complex decisions for female athletes, such as starting a family, can be shaped by various professional performance factors. The impact of ...
What if Horses Were Humans? Comparing Rein Tension and Bit Pressures to Human Pressure Pain Thresholds. Bit pressure and rein tension-induced mouth pain in horses have recently become a significant welfare concern, fueling debates within the equestrian community and beyond. Evidence indicates that bits can cause pain-related behaviors and even oral lesions. Although studying pressure-induced pain in animals is challenging, the similarities in the physiology of pain processing (nociception) across mammals suggest that it is reasonable to assume that pain perception in humans and horses is principally comparable. Therefore, we compared human pressure pain detection thresholds (PPDTs) to reported r...
Plasma and Urine Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Pridinol in Thoroughbreds for Its Medication Control. We examined the pharmacokinetics of intravenous pridinol in six thoroughbred horses. Each horse received a single 20 mg dose of pridinol mesylate via the jugular vein, and plasma and urine samples were collected over 72 h. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to quantify pridinol concentrations in plasma and urine, allowing for the calculation of pharmacokinetic parameters. A three-compartment model best fit the plasma elimination data. Using the Toutain model, irrelevant plasma and urine concentrations were estimated to be 0.00284 and 0.000612 ng/mL, respec...
Comparing the Difference in Traction Between the Bare Hoof, Iron Horseshoes and Two Glue-On Models on Different Surfaces. The interaction between equine hooves and various ground surfaces is a critical factor for injury prevention and performance in modern equestrian sports. Accurate measurement of surface grip is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of different hoof protection systems. This study introduces the Vienna Grip Tester (VGT), a novel sensor-based device developed to quantify rotational resistance-an important parameter for assessing hoof-surface interaction. The VGT utilizes a torque wrench and spring-loaded mechanism to simulate lateral hoof movements under a standardized vertical load (~700 N...
Factors Influencing the Intra-Oral Movement of the Bit: A Cadaveric Study. Bit-related trauma is a welfare issue in equestrian sports; therefore, a proper understanding of how the bit behaves inside the mouth is of importance. The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of bit design (snaffle bits/single/double-jointed; ring/eggbutt and curb bits), size, rein tension, and rein angle on the intra-oral movement of the bit in ex vivo specimens. The lateral and posterior movement of different bits was measured on cadaver heads under different circumstances. This ex vivo model, while not fully replicating natural conditions, provided insight into potential...
Technologies for equine welfare and performance monitoring under field conditions – Where do we stand? The need for comprehensive equine welfare assessments has become particularly evident amid ongoing debates about the social licence to operate in equestrian sports. During exercise, multiple physiological systems, principally the cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular, thermoregulatory, endocrine, and locomotory systems, undergo complex adaptations. To monitor and determine equine welfare, an approach that focuses on the quantitative monitoring of both physiological and psychological parameters to determine and understand the impact of equestrian sports on horses is essential. Existing and emer...
Youth horse-related injuries (2014-2024): a scoping review of epidemiological and disciplinary insights. Although horse riding is hazardous and injuries are common, young riders regularly engage in horse-related activities. To our knowledge, there have been no syntheses on youth horse-related injuries published during the past decade that employ a multi- and interdisciplinary research agenda (M-IDR) and that incorporate both quantitative and qualitative methods. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to (1) review studies on horse-related injuries among children and adolescents and (2) identify methodological and paradigmatic trends according to M-IDR. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for System...
Suzetrigine in Equestrian Sports: Optimized Extraction and LC-HRMS Detection Strategies. Suzetrigine, a recently approved Na1.8 sodium channel blocker, shows strong potential in the treatment of neurological, psychiatric, and pain-related conditions. Its peripheral selectivity enables effective pain management while avoiding central nervous system complications and addiction risks linked to opioid use. Following FDA approval in January 2025, concerns have emerged regarding its possible misuse for performance enhancement in sports, highlighting the need for reliable detection tools in doping control. Methods: An analytical procedure was designed and validated to detect suzetrigine ...
Effects of vitamin E and selenium supplementation on oxidative stress parameters and marker of genomic instability in show jumping equines exposed to different sources of atmospheric pollution. The inhalation of pollutants from fossil fuel combustion increases oxidative stress and may cause genotoxic damage, a risk heightened during physical exercise due to increased respiratory rates. This concern extends to equines engaged in intense activities like show jumping. Antioxidant supplementation with vitamin E and selenium may mitigate oxidative stress induced by exercise in polluted environments. This study evaluated the effects of oral supplementation on show jumping horses subjected to physical exertion in urban (n = 10) and peri-urban (n = 10) areas with varying pollution le...
Integration of empirical network data and agent-based modelling to examine the risk of equine influenza infection in equine athletes in Ontario, Canada. Horses are frequently transported, creating opportunities for the spread of pathogens. Disease transmission models for equine infectious diseases face limitations on their generalizability due to challenges in describing equine movement and the structure of their contact networks beyond simplistic assumptions. This study aimed to combine a stochastic, agent-based, SEIR model for equine influenza disease dynamics with an observed Ontario, Canada equine contact network structure to quantify the potential magnitude of equine influenza outbreaks in Ontario competition horses under different condit...
Are Immune-Integrative Biomarkers Predictors of Systemic Inflammation in Show Jumping Horses? This study evaluated the dynamics of blood immune-inflammatory biomarkers in response to exercise-induced changes in jumping horses. Methods: For this purpose, adult Brazilian Sport Horses (n = 9), aged 10.1 years, both sexes, underwent a specific training test consisting of warm-up, flatwork, and jumping exercises, and recovery on a 900 m sand track over 40 min. Clinical examinations and blood collections were performed at three time points: before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 1 h after (T2) the final exercise. Hematologic and biochemical parameters, such as total protein, gl...
Developing a greenhouse gas emission model for sport horses: case studies in dressage and jumping. Sustainability is gaining growing attention within the equine sector. Sustainability consists of various subjects including feed and nutrition, resource efficiency, animal welfare, carbon footprint (CFP) and biodiversity, for example. Studies in horse research focus mainly on behaviour and welfare. Little information is available about the environmental impact of equids. The few studies that can be found are principally concerned with local impact, such as nitrogen leaching or ammonia concentrations in bedding. Little is known about greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) for horses, although GHG emiss...
“But my horse is well cared for”: A qualitative exploration of cognitive dissonance and enculturation in equestrian attitudes toward performance horses and their welfare. There is concern amongst the public, equestrians, animal welfare organisations, and horse-sport governing bodies regarding the welfare of performance horses, but equestrian culture appears slow to change. The present study seeks to increase our understanding of human factors underlying the persistence of welfare-compromising management and training practices within the performance horse world. Individual, semi-structured interviews focused on equestrians' attitudes were conducted with 22 equestrians from classical equestrian disciplines in the US, Canada, and the UK. Interview transcripts were...
Sources of Environmental Exposure to the Naturally Occurring Anabolic Steroid Ecdysterone in Horses. Ecdysterone controls moulting and reproduction in insects, crustaceans, and helminths. It is also produced by many plants, probably as an insect deterrent. The steroid is not made by vertebrates but has anabolic effects in mammals and could be useful for treating sarcopenia in aged horses. However, ecdysterone is banned in horseracing and equestrian sports, and with no limit of reporting, the risk of unintended exposure to this naturally occurring prohibited substance is a concern. To explore this risk, pasture plants and hay samples were analysed for ecdysterone content, as well as samples of...
Lady and the champ: The shared career experiences and retirement transition of a champion jockey and his partner. Elite sporting careers are made up of a succession of transitions and adjustments across multiple layers. Part of the microenvironment is an athlete's romantic partner who moves through the transitions alongside them, being impacted along the way. Though researchers are yet to explore jockeys and their partners experiences within the horse racing context. Framed through the transition environment working model (Henriksen et al., 2024) and supported by the family systems theory (Broderick, 1993), this study aimed to explore the career experiences and retirement transition of a retired Champion ...
Regulatory Integrity and Welfare in Horse Sport: A Constructively Critical Perspective. This commentary evaluates contemporary equestrian sport governance through the lens of equine welfare science. Drawing on evidence from the FEI Sport Forum 2025 debates, the IFHA Racing Integrity Handbook, media coverage of horse sport, recent scientific presentations, regulatory texts, and published research, we identify systemic shortcomings in how horse welfare is assessed, prioritised, and protected. Key issues include reliance on performance as a proxy for welfare, inadequate "fit-to-compete" protocols, neglect of horses' mental states, coercive tack and equipment practices (e.g., double ...
Stress responses of horses transported long-distance by road to and from a jumping competition in a tropical climate. Long-distance road transport is known to be stressful for horses, with most research conducted in temperate climates. This study investigated horses' stress responses during long-distance transport before and after a jumping competition in a tropical environment. Ten healthy horses (aged 7.9 ± 1.9 years) were studied. Blood cortisol concentrations, haematology, and heart rate variability (HRV) were monitored during outbound (OTJ) and inbound journeys (INJ). Cortisol concentrations increased five minutes after unloading and remained elevated for up to 180 minutes in the OTJ (P < 0.05-0.001)...
Biological markers and metabolic energy indexes of show jumping horses during a field exercise test in Portugal. Show jumping is a popular and complex equestrian modality practiced by a athletes of different levels. However, most studies focus on elite athletes. Objective: The aim of this work was to assess the effect of a show jumping test (SJT), designed for novice athletes, on the physiological biomarkers and energy indexes of a group of horses, bred and trained in Portugal. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, thirteen horses and their riders performed a SJT with obstacles set at 80 cm height using a heart rate monitor (M430 with H10 sensor). Physical examination and blood samples, for...
Modelling Energy Demands of Cross-Country Tests in 2-Star to 5-Star Eventing Competitions. Eventing is an Olympic equestrian discipline comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping, with the cross-country phase imposing the greatest physical demands on horses. This study presents a composite model to estimate energy expenditure during the cross-country phase, integrating physiological data (heart rate-derived VO2 and lactate-based anaerobic estimates) with external workload indicators (GPS-derived speed, elevation, and course complexity). Model development was based on 691 rides from 256 horses across 232 events at 2-star to 5-star competition levels. The analysis showed tha...
Influences of Double Versus Snaffle Bridles on Equine Behaviour at Dressage Competitions and Factors That Interact with Their Effect. Despite welfare concerns, conflict behaviours (indicative of momentary states of acute stress) are common in horses during dressage competitions. Identifying factors that affect conflict behaviours during competition therefore has the potential to improve equine welfare. The aim of this exploratory study was to assess the effect of bridle type (double versus snaffle) in relation to other potential affecting factors (e.g., average head angle, competition level and type, tack variation) on conflict behaviours during dressage competition. An ethogram was created to analyse the conflict behaviour ...
Assessment of erector spinal muscles activation in pre and post training with surface electromyography in an equestrian athlete with recurring non-specific low back pain: a case report. Several studies have highlighted the association between low back pain (LBP) and horse riding, but none have specifically analyzed the underlying causes. Furthermore, there is a lack of literature addressing LBP in equestrian athletes, as the focus is often placed on the health of the horse rather than that of the rider. This study aims to determine if surface electromyography can identify changes in spinal erector activation pre- and post-training in an equestrian athlete with recurring nonspecific LBP by measuring the flexion relaxation phenomenon (FRP). The patient, an equestrian athlete, e...
Equine fatalities in equestrian eventing. To date, industry and research outputs that have aimed to improve safety in equestrian eventing have tended to focus on identifying risk factors for horse falls during cross-country, which have been identified as the greatest risk of injury and fatality for riders. There is an absence of research that investigates fatalities of horses within the sport of eventing. Objective: To use a combination of media reports and eventing federation databases to describe and document equine fatalities in equestrian eventing, including their context, location and a basic pathology. Methods: Descriptive study...
Equestrian STAR: Development of an Experimental Methodology for Assessing the Biomechanical Performance of Equestrian Helmets. The current equestrian helmet standards set minimal requirements for passing helmets, highlighting the need for a rating system that differentiates helmets based on their impact performance. This study's objectives were to compare equestrian helmet impact response kinematics between linear-driven and oblique impact conditions and then to evaluate the effect of incorporating oblique drop tests into a previously established equestrian helmet rating system, Equestrian STAR. Methods: Oblique drop tests were conducted with 45 equestrian helmet models at two impact locations, front boss and rear bos...
The Effect of Victory and Defeat on the Correlations of Stress Parameters Between the Horse and Rider in Kök-Börü Equestrian Teams. The presented study outlines a research plan aimed at determining the effects of winning and losing situations on the relationship levels between the rider and horse's stress, metabolic, and physiological parameters in Kök-Börü, a traditional equestrian team game. For this purpose, blood samples were collected from both the horses and riders of four different teams participating in two different Kök-Börü games before and after the games. Cortisol, ACTH, beta-endorphin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, T3 and T4 analyses were performed on the collected blood samples using species-specific com...
