Sport horses are a subset of the equine population specifically bred and trained for competitive disciplines such as dressage, show jumping, eventing, and racing. These horses are characterized by their athleticism, agility, and endurance. The management and training of sport horses require specialized knowledge to optimize their performance and maintain their health. Factors such as genetics, nutrition, exercise physiology, and veterinary care are integral to their development and success in various sports. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the breeding, training methodologies, performance evaluation, and health management of sport horses within the context of equine sports science.
Zarghooni K, Hub L, Bredow J, Yagdiran A, Hackenberg RK, Scheyerer M, Westermann L, Eysel P, Siewe J.Equestrian vaulting is a sport, particularly popular among children and adolescents, in which gymnastic and dance routines are performed on horseback. Current data regarding injuries and thus, the risks of this sport, is meager and based only on retrospective studies. Methods: In the current prospective study, 233 active members of a vaulting club were questioned monthly from November 2014 until October 2015. In addition to general information (training, competitions), the questionnaire collected the number of competitions, the competitive class, the discipline (single, team, Pas-de-Deux), and...
Lipreri G, Bladon BM, Giorio ME, Singer ER.To compare the outcome following conservative vs surgical management of sports horses with a diagnosis of subchondral bone trauma of the proximal aspect of the proximal phalanx (PP) by low-field MRI. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Twenty-one mature sports horses with evidence of high water signal within the proximal sagittal groove of the PP according to low-field MRI of the fetlock, with no definitive radiographic evidence of fracture. Methods: Medical records (2010-2017) of horses admitted to 2 referral hospitals were reviewed. Historical, clinical, radiographic, and MRI findin...
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...
Wypchło M, Korwin-Kossakowska A, Bereznowski A, Hecold M, Lewczuk D.The aim of this research was to evaluate the polymorphisms of selected genes and to find their potential effect on the occurrence of osteochondrosis in Polish Warmbloods (sport horse breeds). The study was conducted on a group of 198 horses subjected to official performance tests. Investigated joints-fetlock, hock and stifle-were X-rayed twice, once before and again at the end of the tests (first and second examination), and on this basis the degree of disease was evaluated. Based on the results of previous research, 13 candidate genes potentially associated with the occurrence of osteochondro...
Riccio B, Fraschetto C, Villanueva J, Cantatore F, Bertuglia A.Despite back-pain being a common cause of poor performance in sport horses, a tailored diagnostic workflow and a consolidated therapeutic approach are currently lacking in equine medicine. The aim of the study was to assess the evolution in the veterinarian approach to diagnose and treat back-pain over a 10 years period. To investigate this topic, two surveys were addressed to equine veterinarians working in practice throughout Europe 10 years apart (2006 and 2016). The answers were organized in an Excel dataset and analyzed. There were 47 respondents in 2006 and 168 in 2016, from 8 European C...
Padilha FGF, El-Jaick KB, de Castro L, Dos Santos Moreira A, de Almeida FQ, Ferreira AMR.The aim of this study was to look for mutations in the equine gene and to identify sequence variants that might be associated with the phenotype and performance of Brazilian sport horses training for events in a tropical climate. Among 17 such horses direct DNA sequencing and mutation analysis of the exon 15 and the intron-exon boundaries of revealed 2 new sequence variants in the intron 14-15, designated c.1681-86G > A and c.1681-129delA. Wild-type/deletion heterozygotes (A/del) had a lower mean subcutaneous fat layer in the region of the gluteus medius, as measured by ultrasonography, tha...
Byström A, Roepstorff L, Rhodin M, Serra Bragança F, Engell MT, Hernlund E, Persson-Sjödin E, van Weeren R, Weishaupt MA, Egenvall A.Saddle slip, defined as a progressive lateral displacement of the saddle during ridden exercise, has recently been given attention in the scientific press as a potential sign of lameness. The aim of this study was to objectively quantify the normal lateral movement (oscillations) of the saddle relative to the horse in non-lame horses, and associate this movement to the movements of the horse and rider. Data from seven Warmblood dressage horses competing at Grand Prix (n = 6) or FEI Intermediate (n = 1) level, ridden by their usual riders, were used. Simultaneous kinetic, kinematic and saddle p...
Chope KB.Cardiac murmurs are not uncommonly detected in the equine athlete. Although most are benign in nature, differentiation and quantification of murmurs due to valvular regurgitation are important for prognosis and recommendations. Arrhythmias can be associated with structural disease or occur independently and may range in severity from minimal clinical effect to poor performance to presenting a safety risk to rider and horse. This article discusses commonly encountered cardiac conditions in the sport horse. Physical examination, diagnostic approach, valvular disease, and arrhythmias with an impa...
Swinebroad EL.Given the variable clinical signs attributed to Borrelia burgdorferi, including infectious arthritis, neurologic disease, and behavioral changes, B burgdorferi is an important differential for decreased performance in sport horses. The primary vectors (Ixodes tick species) are expanding their range and thus Borrelia species are located in a wider area, making exposure more likely. Due to regionally high seroprevalence and vague clinical signs, diagnosis of Lyme disease in the horse is believed overestimated. Antibiotics are first-line treatment of confirmed Lyme disease. A single positive sero...
Wulster KB.This article discusses the basis of image formation of radiography, scintigraphy, PET, computed tomography (fan beam and cone beam), and magnetic resonance as it relates to imaging of musculoskeletal injury in the sport horse. The benefits and drawbacks of each modality are discussed with particular emphasis on sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of identification of subchondral bone injury. Examples of straightforward as well as confounding lesions are provided, emphasizing the need for appropriate clinical workup and diagnostic analgesia, where appropriate.
Haussler KK.Manual therapies involve the application of the hands to the body, with a diagnostic or therapeutic intent. Touch therapies, massage, joint mobilization, and manipulation are all critical components in the management of muscular, articular, and neurologic components of select injuries in performance horses. Musculoskeletal conditions that are chronic or recurring, not readily diagnosed, or are not responding to conventional veterinary care may be indicators that manual therapy evaluation and treatment is needed.
García-López JM.Pain localized to the neck, back, and or pelvis can result in a profound effect on the horse's performance. These conditions can present with a varied and nonspecific set of clinical signs. A careful and thorough examination of these areas by means of physical examination, lameness evaluation both in hand and under saddle, diagnostic anesthesia, and the use of multiple imaging modalities in combination is often necessary to have an accurate prognosis. Medical and surgical management where appropriate of the conditions highlighted in this article are discussed as well as their individual progno...
Bubeck KA, Aarsvold S.For successful diagnosis of soft tissue injuries in the sport horse, localizing the area of injury during clinical and lameness evaluation will be followed in most cases by an ultrasonographic examination. With MRI more available in equine veterinary clinics, this modality can allow for a complete evaluation of soft tissue and osseous structures and is especially useful for evaluation of structures within the hoof capsule. This article discusses special ultrasonographic techniques, an overview of MRI image generation, and the use of contrast computed tomography for diagnosis of soft tissue inj...
Valberg SJ.Optimal function of skeletal muscle is essential for successful athletic performance. Even minor derangements in locomotor muscle function will impact power output, coordination, stamina, and desire to work during exercise. In this review, the presenting clinical signs, differential diagnoses, approach to diagnostic testing and treatment of muscle atrophy and weakness, focal muscle strain, and exertional myopathies are discussed. Exertional myopathies include polysaccharide storage myopathies, recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis, malignant hyperthermia, and myofibrillar myopathy.
Ortved KF.Tendon and ligament injuries are a common source of lameness in the athletic horse. Although tendons and ligaments have the ability to spontaneously heal, lesions tend to fill with biomechanically inferior fibrous tissue such that the horse is prone to reinjury. Regenerative medicine is used to improve quality of repair tissue and prevent reinjury. Platelet-rich plasma, stem cells, and autologous conditioned serum are the most commonly used orthobiologics in the horse. A tailored rehabilitation program is key to returning horses to athleticism following injury. The specifics of regenerative me...
Kalashnikov V, Zajcev A, Atroshchenko M, Miroshnikov S, Frolov A, Zav'yalov O, Kalinkova L, Kalashnikova T.A study on the Russian trotting breeds was conducted to assess the impact of horses' sporting results and the degree of accumulation of chemical elements in the hair. In the first phase of the research, the elemental composition of the mane hair of trotter horses (n = 215) was studied. Based on these studies, percentile intervals for the distribution of concentrations of chemical elements in the hair have been established, and the values of 25 and 75 percentile adopted as a "physiological standard" have been defined. In the second stage of the research into clinically healthy Russian trott...
Contino EK.Joint disease is one of the most common issues effecting sport horses. Because there is no cure for joint disease, treatment goals surround slowing progression of the disease, minimizing pain, increasing function, and optimizing performance. Accomplishing these goals often requires a multimodal approach that combines systemic medications or supplements; intra-articular therapies, such as corticosteroids or biologics; management considerations; and physical therapy exercises.
Sauer FJ, Bruckmaier RM, Ramseyer A, Vidondo B, Scheidegger MD, Gerber V.The aims of this study were to better characterize the adrenal response to i.v. adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in horses with and without gastric disease and to validate and simplify the ACTH stimulation test by determining the diagnostic accuracy of six consecutive sampling time points after ACTH administration for equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) and equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD). Twenty-six endurance and eventing horses without clinical disease [Sport Horse Population (SHP)] and an independent population of 62 horses [General Population (GP)] were grouped by gastroscopic...
Quiney LE, Ireland JL, Dyson SJ.Skeletal scintigraphy is an established imaging modality, however, its validity as a diagnostic test in lame or poorly performing sports horses has not been determined. The objective of this retrospective cross-sectional analytical study was to determine the accuracy of skeletal scintigraphy as an indiscriminate screening test in sports horses. All sports horses that underwent scintigraphic examination between March 2008 and December 2014 for which a definitive diagnosis was reached were included. Examinations were evaluated blindly. Characteristics of increased radiopharmaceutical uptake were...
Hernández JÁ, Sánchez-Andrade R, Cazapal-Monteiro CF, Arroyo FL, Sanchís JM, Paz-Silva A, Arias MS.An approach to preventing strongyle infection in horses was tested, comprising rotational pasturing and the administration of spores of two parasiticidal fungi, Mucor circinelloides and Duddingtonia flagrans. Twenty-two adult Spanish Sport Horses were dewormed with ivermectin (1 mg pour-on/kg body weight) and then randomly divided into three groups. G-1 was maintained with continuous grazing, and G-2 and G-3 were kept on a four-paddock rotation system. Commercial pelleted feed (2.5 kg/horse) was supplied to G-1 and G-2 twice a week; horses in G-3 received pellets containing 2 × 10 spores/kg o...
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...
Steinhoff-Wagner J.Coat clipping is a common practice in sport horses; however, timing, purpose, technique, and clips vary widely, as do the management and feeding of a clipped horse. The aim of this study was to collect data regarding common clipping practices. A questionnaire was published online in Germany and contained 32 questions. Four hundred ninety-eight people answered at least one question, and 373 individuals (7% male, 93% female; ages 14-59 years) completed all the questions. Clipped horses were predominantly used as sport horses (68%), and they were either clipped immediately before or during the w...
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...
Padilha FGF, El-Jaick KB, de Castro L, Moreira ADS, Ferreira AMR.Polymorphisms in MSTN have previously been associated with equine performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify variants in intron 1 in 16 Brazilian Sport Horses selected for competition in eventing and their possible effects of selection on performance. Among the nine variants identified, eight had already been reported in previous studies or genomic databases, although they showed differences in frequencies when compared with other horse breeds. Moreover, a new mutation was identified in two horses, both in heterozygous form. Considering the absence of molecular studies in t...
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...
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...
Quintanar MN, Millar TP, Burd MA.The limb of the equine athlete is subjected to all types of various stressors during exercise. To ensure the health of the horse and to prevent the possibility of lameness, it has been a common practice to apply cold therapy to the distal limb of the horse pre- and post-exercise. Commercially available boots are widely available for the application of cold therapy. To test the effectiveness of the boot, 6 healthy performance level sport type horses were exercised at a walk, trot, and canter in a round-pen and then subjected to the application of the ice boot for 20 minutes on a treatment leg, ...
Yang L, Li P, Huang X, Wang C, Zeng Y, Wang J, Yao X, Meng J.Training is essential for enhancing equine athletic performance, but the genetic mechanisms that regulate athletic performance are unknown. Therefore, this paper aims to identify candidate genes and metabolic pathways for the effects of training on equine athletic performance through multi-omics analyses. Methods: The experiment selected 12 untrained trot-type Yili horses, which underwent a 12-week professional training program. Blood samples were collected at rest before training (BT) and after training (AT). Based on their race performance, whole blood and serum samples from 4 horses were ch...
Milczek-Haduch D, Żmigrodzka M, Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O.Significant systemic metabolic benefits result from even a single exercise session by activating multiple metabolic and signaling pathways within the organism. Among these mechanisms, extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a critical role by delivering their molecular cargo to neighboring or distant cells, thereby influencing cellular metabolism and function. As research progresses, EVs represent an exciting frontier in exercise science and fitness adaptation processes. There is increasing interest in understanding the physiology of EVs as signaling particles and their use as minimally invasive dia...
Rose RJ.Over the last 10 years, there has been a great increase in information on the physiological effects of endurance exercise in horses reflecting the increase in popularity of endurance riding throughout the world. This review, which is in two parts, examines energy considerations, fluid and electrolyte balance, acid-base balance, hormonal and metabolic changes, muscle function, renal and hepatic function, haematological changes and clinical problems encountered in endurance rides. Additionally, relevant information from studies in man is included.
Greve L, Murray R, Dyson S.Recommendations concerning saddle-fit are empirical rather than based on scientific information. A saddle needs to fit the horse in motion, but there has been no investigation of whether the thoracolumbar region changes in dimensions in association with exercise. The objectives of this study were to quantify exercise-induced back dimension changes and to describe the association with work quality, saddle-fit and rider skill. Sixty-three sports horses in regular work were assessed prospectively in a non-random, cross-sectional survey. Thoracolumbar dimensions/symmetries were measured at predete...
Bachmann I, Staﾬher M.Out of a representative sample of 1861 Swiss horse yards, 622 horse keepers (35.2%) with 2536 horses, ponies and donkeys sent back a questionnaire about general farm characteristics, their horse-specific training, horse stock, housing conditions, intraspecific social contacts, feeding, ability to move freely, use of the horses and management. 83.5% of horses were kept individually (thereof 18.3% tethered, 32.3% in a loose box indoors, 28.4% in a loose box outdoors, and 4.5% in a loose box with permanent access to a paddock or an individual pasture), and 16.5% lived in group housing systems. 36...
Galloux P, Barrey E.Thirty horses were filmed with a panning camera operating at 50 frames/s as they jumped over a 1.20 x 1.20 m fence. The markers of 9 joints on the horse and 7 joints on the rider were tracked in 2D with the TrackEye system. The centre of gravity and moment of inertia of each segment were calculated using a geometric algorithm and a cylindric model, respectively. The kinetic moment of each part of the horse was calculated after filtering, and resampling of data. This method showed the relative contribution of each body segment to the body overall rotation during the take-off, jump and landing p...
Saveraid TC, Judy CE.The use of intravenous gadolinium contrast during equine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a new technique that has been infrequently used in clinical imaging. This article describes the development of an effective contrast dose and the use of gadolinium contrast in clinical equine MRI. Gadolinium contrast improves lesion conspicuity across a broad range of lesion types. Contrast-enhanced MRI is potentially a valuable imaging tool in the assessment of the equine athlete.
Morales JL, Manchado M, Vivo J, Galisteo AM, Agüera E, Miró F.Normal speed videography was used to determine the angular parameters of 28 Spanish Thoroughbreds at trot. Horses were divided into 3 groups: Group UT, comprising 9 animals (provided by the VII National Stud, Cordoba, Spain) which had undergone no specific training programme and which were hand led at the trot; Group T, formed by 19 horses considered to be highly bred and trained, and which were also hand led; and Group RT, comprising the same horses as the latter group but this time trotted by a rider. Each animal was filmed 6 times from the right-hand side, using a Hi8 (25 Hz) video camera. ...
Imhasly A, Tschudi PR, Lombard CW, Gerber V.The clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of 108 horses with echocardiographically confirmed mild mitral valve regurgitation (MR) were investigated along with its clinical progression. Follow-up consisted of a re-examination of 28 horses and questionnaires were used to obtain information on a further 43 cases. Thirty-seven horses with mild MR were lost to follow-up. Horses with mild MR were re-examined between 2 and 9 years (3.8+/-1.8 years) following first presentation, with mild MR still present and a small, but statistically significant (P=0.049) increase of left ventricular diamet...
Lechler P, Walt L, Grifka J, Waltl V, Renkawitz T.The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency, extent, and effective preventive measures of sport injuries in professional and amateur-show jumping competitors. In a retrospective study design, 264 show-jumping riders (105 professionals, 159 amateurs) were interviewed by means of a standardised questionnaire. In total, 636 injuries were reported in detail. Injuries were categorised into severity grade I (36.0 %) (not requiring medical attention), grade II (34.6 %) (single medical treatment), grade III (20.9 %) (several outpatient medical treatments) and grade IV (8.5 %) (req...
Uldahl M, Bundgaard L, Dahl J, Clayton HM.This study addresses the presence and location of oral lesions in 342 dressage, show jumping, and eventing horses examined at an obligatory veterinary inspection before competing in the Danish National Championship in 2020. Ulcers in the lip commissures were photographed for subsequent pathological analysis. If a lesion was found at the lip commissures on one side, there was an increased risk of finding a similar lesion on the other side (ulcer: p < 0.0001; scarring/depigmentation: p < 0.0001; fissure: p = 0.002; erosion/contusion: p < 0.0001). At the lip commissures, external (cutaneous) ulce...
Cassiat G, Pourcelot P, Tavernier L, Geiger D, Denoix JM, Degueurce D.The costs and investments required for the purchase and training of showjumpers justify the need to find selection means for jumping horses. Use of objective kinematic criteria correlated to jumping ability could be helpful for this assessment. Objective: To compare back kinematics between 2 groups of horses of different competition levels (Group 1, competing at high level; Group 2 competing at low level) while free jumping over a 1 m vertical fence. Methods: Three-dimensional recordings were performed using 2 panning cameras. Kinematic parameters of the withers and tuber sacrale (vertical dis...
Martin BB, Klide AM.Fifteen horses that could not train or perform their sport at an acceptable level because of chronic back pain of 2 to 24 months' duration, and that did not obtain lasting improvement from other previous treatments, were treated with acupuncture. The treatments consisted of injection of 1 ml of sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, with no preservatives, at 9 acupuncture points. The horses were treated once a week for a mean of 9 treatments. The mean number of treatments before obvious improvement was 4. After treatment, 13 of the 15 horses had apparent alleviation of their signs of pain and co...
Valette JP, Robert C, Denoix JM.The objectives of this study were to establish standards for growth and to model the evolution of wither height (WH) between birth and adult age in different breeds of sport- and race-horses. Therefore, 398 foals, then yearlings of three different breeds, were measured regularly between birth and 18 months of age. Linear and non-linear functions were compared for describing the growth in each breed group. The monomolecular, Gompertz, logistic and cubic models correctly estimated WH in the three breeds during the first 2 years (R2 = 0.99, s.e. 3.9 to 4.5) and better than the cubic and quadratic...
Singer ER, Saxby F, French NP.Serious injuries to horses and riders in horse trials (HT) and three-day events (3DE) are usually associated with falls of horses, which invariably involve falls of the riders. Many potential causes for these falls have been discussed. Objective: The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the risk factors for horse falls on the cross-country phase of horse trials and three-day events. Methods: Using retrospective data, significant risk factors identified with unvariable analysis (P value <0.2) were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Significant risk factors (...
Wypchło M, Korwin-Kossakowska A, Bereznowski A, Hecold M, Lewczuk D.The aim of this research was to evaluate the polymorphisms of selected genes and to find their potential effect on the occurrence of osteochondrosis in Polish Warmbloods (sport horse breeds). The study was conducted on a group of 198 horses subjected to official performance tests. Investigated joints-fetlock, hock and stifle-were X-rayed twice, once before and again at the end of the tests (first and second examination), and on this basis the degree of disease was evaluated. Based on the results of previous research, 13 candidate genes potentially associated with the occurrence of osteochondro...
Clayton HM, O'Connor KA, Kaiser LJ.The objective of this study was to compare forces and pressure profiles beneath a conventional dressage saddle with a beechwood spring tree and a treeless dressage saddle without a rigid internal support and incorporating large panels and a gullet. The null hypothesis was that there is no difference in the force and pressure variables for the two saddles. Six horses were ridden by the same rider using the conventional dressage saddle and the treeless dressage saddle in random order and pressure data were recorded using an electronic pressure mat as the horses trotted in a straight line. The da...
Perkins NR, Reid SW, Morris RS.To describe characteristics of Thoroughbred training stables in Matamata and in all other locations in New Zealand combined, over two 19-month time periods in 1996-1997 and 1998-1999, representing equal length periods immediately prior to and after the construction of a new training surface at the Matamata Racing Club. Methods: Retrospective records covering all horses training and racing in New Zealand during two 19-month time periods (1996-1997 and 1998-1999), covering 161 locations, were obtained from New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR). Outcome variables included whether a horse was rac...
Van Cauter R, Serteyn D, Lejeune JP, Rousset A, Caudron I.Osteochondrosis is a developmental orthopedic disease characterized by a defect of enchondral ossification. This pathological condition develops and evolves during growth and is influenced by various factors, in particular genetic and environmental. However, little research has been conducted on the dynamic of this condition in horses after the age of 12 months. The retrospective study presented here investigates changes in osteochondrosis lesions through two standardized radiographic examinations carried out on young Walloon sport horses after one year of age (mean age at first and second exa...
Go LM, Barton AK, Ohnesorge B.In equine athletes, dynamic stenotic disorders of the upper airways are often the cause for abnormal respiratory noises and/or poor performance. There are hypotheses, that head and neck flexion may influence the morphology and function of the upper airway and thus could even induce or deteriorate disorders of the upper respiratory tract. Especially the pharynx, without osseous or cartilaginous support is prone to changes in pressure and airflow during exercise. The objective of this study was to develop a method for measuring the pharyngeal diameter in horses during exercise, in order to analy...
Schroter RC, Marlin DJ.This study provides an objective method for estimating the oxygen consumption of horses while running on variable slopes so that realistic comparisons may be made of the locomotory transport cost involved in 3-day events, particularly the Speed and Endurance Test, at sites of differing terrain. A knowledge of the work profile over a particular course would enable competitors to plan speed and interval times appropriately along its length. We have developed a semi-empirical, but mechanistically based, model to calculate the oxygen cost of transport [COTpath in ml O2/kg/m path] for running on th...
Tavanaeimanesh H, Dashli-Boroon OJ, Corley K.Understanding the physiological and biochemical changes in racehorses can be invaluable. Accurate information in this area could result in better understanding of needs of sport horses. The aim of this study was to prove the hypothesis that biochemical changes could influence the outcome of competitions. In this study, β-endorphin was evaluated as an indicator of analgesia, lactate as an indicator of fatigue and cortisol as an indicator of stress in the first two horses and the last ones that cross the finish line. This study was performed on 44 horses participating in the 1000-meter national...
Holmström M, Drevemo S.The angular velocities of the hindlimb angles of 14 horses, including 6 Grand Prix dressage horses, 4 horses judged as good at the trot and 4 horses judged as poor, were analysed. The horse material was the same as previously used by Holmström (1994) in studies on conformation and trotting gaits in the Swedish Warmblood riding horse. Four consecutive strides of each horse and the corresponding pace were analysed and mean velocity curves (Xh) for each angle were calculated. Before calculation the data were filtered forwards and backwards with a Butterworth third order filter with a cut off fre...
Swinebroad EL.Given the variable clinical signs attributed to Borrelia burgdorferi, including infectious arthritis, neurologic disease, and behavioral changes, B burgdorferi is an important differential for decreased performance in sport horses. The primary vectors (Ixodes tick species) are expanding their range and thus Borrelia species are located in a wider area, making exposure more likely. Due to regionally high seroprevalence and vague clinical signs, diagnosis of Lyme disease in the horse is believed overestimated. Antibiotics are first-line treatment of confirmed Lyme disease. A single positive sero...
Murray JK, Singer ER, Morgan KL, Proudman CJ, French NP.The cross-country phase of eventing competitions has been associated with injuries and fatalities to horses and riders. A case-control study was carried out to identify variables that were associated with increased or decreased risk of a horse fall on the cross-country phase at event competitions. After initial analysis, the dataset was split according to the categories of one-day events as compared to two- or three-day events to establish whether significant risk factors varied between the different types of eventing competitions. Data were collected for 121 cases (horse falls) at one-day eve...
Tilley P, Simões J, Sales Luis JP.From previous studies, the International Society for Equitation Science has advised that further research be conducted on the physiological/psychological effects of less-exacerbated poll flexion angles. We aimed to evaluate the effects of two riding poll flexion positions with a difference of only 15° on the respiratory systems and behaviour of horses through an evaluation of dynamic airway collapse via over-ground endoscopy, the pharyngeal diameter, pleural pressure, arterial oxygenation and lactate, HR/RR, and the occurrence of conflict behaviours. Twenty high-level dressage and twenty show...
Moreira F, Carmo H, Guedes de Pinho P, Bastos ML.Despite the impressive innate physical abilities of horses, camels, greyhounds, or pigeons, doping agents might be administered to these animals to improve their performance. To control these illegal practices, anti-doping analytical methodologies have been developed. This review compiles the analytical methods that have been published for the detection of prohibited substances administered to animals involved in sports over 30 years. Relevant papers meeting the search criteria that discussed analytical methods aiming to detect and/or quantify doping substances in animal biological matrices pu...
Tipton TE, Ray CS, Hand DR.To characterize superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendon lesions in the forelimbs of cutting horses and determine recurrence rate and prognosis for this condition. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 19 cutting horses with SDF tendonitis. Methods: Medical records for horses evaluated for SDF tendonitis in 2007 through 2011 were reviewed. Data regarding age, sex, lameness grade, affected limb, and treatment were collected. Ultrasonographic images were reviewed, and lesion characteristics were recorded. Follow-up telephone interviews with owners or trainers were conducted to determine re...
