Topic:Sport Horses
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.
[Use of tempered, particle-reinforced aluminum horse shoes in sport horses under field conditions]. The use of handmade particulate reinforced alloy horseshoes (MMC metal matrix composites) was tested in a field study on 15 riding and draught horses. All horseshoes have been tempered after having been manually forged and tested concerning their surface imperfection. Forging temperature ranged between 350 degrees and 420 degrees C. Horseshoes in series A consisted of particulate reinforced wrought alloy (22% Al2O3 in alloy matrix). 11 shoeing periods with a duration of mean = 49.7 days (sd = 13.6) were evaluated. Horseshoes in series B consisted of particulate reinforced foundry alloy (20% Si...
Angular kinematic patterns of limbs in elite and riding horses at trot. 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. ...
[Traumatology and sports injuries in equestrian acrobatics in the adolescent].
Sportverletzung Sportschaden : Organ der Gesellschaft fur Orthopadisch-Traumatologische Sportmedizin
The objective of this study was to compile knowledge of athletic injuries and complaint patterns related specifically to equestrian acrobatics (e.a.). A 20-page standardized questionnaire was sent to 114 e.a. participants. The mean age of the participants in e.a. groups was 15 +/- 3 years, that of independent participants 21 +/- 3 years. A total of 489 injuries was reported, mainly to muscles and tendons (35%), skin (33%) and joints and ligaments (25%). Bone injuries (6%) and head injuries (2%) were infrequent. Analysis of the localization showed that the head-face-neck region was involved in ... [Cortisol levels in blood and urine of trotting horses]. Statistical analysis of normally occurring cortisol levels in serum and urine of horses served to recommend thresholds for this corticosteroid in these body fluids, as application of exogenous cortisol as well as ACTH may elevate the cortisol concentrations above the proposed threshold. The present study contributes to the general issue of how to establish thresholds for trotting horses upon sportive examination. 100 randomly selected post competition serum and urine samples, respectively, were submitted to cortisol analysis by means of HPLC. Concentrations of the endogenous corticosteroid in ...
Components of the total kinetic moment in jumping horses. 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...
Model for injury to the foreleg of the Thoroughbred racehorse. A discussion is presented of contributing factors to the injury to the foreleg of the Thoroughbred racehorse. The critical part of the step is taken to be the first 10-20 ms after ground contact as the hoof slides forward and stops. Large nonaxial loads associated with the deceleration of the hoof are shown to arise. Results of accelerometer measurements on the hoof of a horse running at racing speed are presented as well as mechanical properties of the racing surface. The mechanical properties of the track surface, the type of shoe, and the degree of fatigue of the horse all work together to ...
Effects of trot quality and collection on the angular velocity in the hindlimbs of riding horses. 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...
Analysis of the equine jumping technique by accelerometry. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the relationships between jumping technique and dorsoventral acceleration measured at the sternum. Eight saddle horses of various jumping abilities competed on a selective experimental show jumping course including 14 obstacles. An accelerometric belt fastened onto the thorax continuously measured the dorsoventral acceleration during the course. At each jump, 11 locomotor parameters (acceleration peaks, durations and stride frequency) were obtained from the dorsoventral acceleration-time curves. The type of obstacle significantly influenced the hind...
Classification of collected trot, passage and piaffe based on temporal variables. The objective was to determine whether collected trot, passage and piaffe could be distinguished as separate gaits on the basis of temporal variables. Sagittal plane, 60 Hz videotapes of 10 finalists in the dressage competitions at the 1992 Olympic Games were analysed to measure the temporal variables in absolute terms and as percentages of stride duration. Classification was based on analysis of variance, a graphical method and discriminant analysis. Stride duration was sufficient to distinguish collected trot from passage and piaffe in all horses. The analysis of variance showed that the mea...
Comparison of the temporal kinematics of the canter pirouette and collected canter. The objectives were to compare the temporal characteristics of canter pirouette strides with collected canter strides in elite dressage horses, and to determine whether the stride kinematics of the canter pirouettes fulfilled the requirements specified in the Federation Equestre Internationale Rules for Dressage Events. Eleven horses were videotaped (60 fields/s) during the individual medal competition at the 1992 Olympic Games. Temporal variables were extracted from the videotapes using standard methods. Two strides were analysed on each of the left and right leads and these were pooled to gi...
Lower respiratory tract disease. Lower respiratory tract disease is an important source of poor performance and exercise intolerance in racehorses and middle-aged sport horses. Horses that perform high-intensity exercise are predisposed to development of infectious and noninfectious respiratory disease. Diagnostic aids for investigation of lower respiratory tract disease include thorough thoracic auscultation with rebreathing, endoscopic examination, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and thoracic radiographic examination. The therapeutic approach for horses with lower respiratory tract diseases often can be directed by cytologic ...
Exercise intolerance in endurance horses. Endurance competition requires synchronism and development of metabolic and musculoskeletal systems. An understanding of the existence of performance-limiting factors may permit the detection of exercise intolerance that could lead to performance failure, fatigue, and exhaustion. New concepts for assessment of fitness have increased the understanding of individual capacities and deficiencies and the interaction of the different systems involved in exercise.
Reduction of serum hepatic transaminases and CPK in sport horses with poor performance treated with a standardized Schizandra chinensis fruit extract. Sport horses with long lasting high levels of gamma Glutamiltransferase (gGT) and Glutamic Oxalacetic Transaminase (GOT) and Creatinine Phosphokinase (CPK) and poor performance were administered during 14 days 3 g of Caval D'Or®, a standardized dried extract of Schizandra chinensis (fructus) orally. At day "0" the horses were divided into two groups: group 1 received a placebo and group 2 received Caval D'Or®. The results showed that Caval D'Or® is able to reduce significantly the levels of gGT and GOT in the serum at day 7 and 14 after administration. The CPK levels were also reduced by da...
Reproducibility of the blood lactate-running speed curve in horses under field conditions. To examine the reproducibility of blood lactate-running speed curve parameters derived by a curve-fit equation and by linear interpolation from the results of 4-speed tests of sport horses under field conditions. Methods: Thoroughbreds completed 10 test pairs with 3 to 11 days between tests and retest. Methods: 7 Thoroughbreds. Methods: The 4-speed test consisted of 4 runs over a distance of 2,110 m. Exercise intensity was increased by 1 m/s for each run. Blood lactate concentration measured after each run was plotted against running speed to determine the blood lactate-running speed relation....
Relationship of plasma lactate production to cortisol release following completion of different types of sporting events in horses. Fifty-eight healthy horses were studied during five sporting events of various intensities and durations, namely show-jumping (n = 6), cross-country in a three-day event (n = 30), trotting races (n = 7), galloping races (n = 7) and endurance rides (n = 8). Venous blood samples were collected at rest and immediately after exercise and analysed for plasma cortisol (CORT) and lactate (LA) levels. The experimental procedure was the same throughout the investigation so as to permit a reliable comparison between the five types of exercise. The type of event significantly affected both the resting (p...
[Injuries in horseback riding–incidence and causes].
Sportverletzung Sportschaden : Organ der Gesellschaft fur Orthopadisch-Traumatologische Sportmedizin
This article presents the examination of 78 accidents in horseback riding, referring to their origin and kind of injury. It was found that 76% of all injuries did not occur during the active phase of riding, but in the time just before and right after it. Children without any experience in horseback riding were most susceptible to injuries. Referring to lesions occurring before and after the active phase, the longer extremity was predominantly involved (40%); furthermore, the skull was injured in 18% and the hand in 14% of all lesions. During the active phase of horseback riding, skull injurie... Biokinematic effects of collection on the trotting gaits in the elite dressage horse. Trot in hand, working trot, collected trot, passage and piaffe of 6 Grand Prix dressage horses were recorded by high speed film (250 frames/s). Angular patterns and hoof trajectories of the left fore- and hindlimbs were analysed and presented as mean and standard deviation (s.d.) curves. Speed and stride length decreased and fore- and hind stance phase durations increased with collection resulting in no suspension in piaffe. The diagonal advanced placement was positive in all gaits except for piaffe. Most of the changes in forelimb angular patterns were effects of reduction in forelimb pendula...
Practical management of superficial digital flexor tendinitis in the performance horse. The authors of this section represent a broad range of practice experience with horses that perform in rigorous and varied sport competitions. Each breed and performance application represent unique challenges of diagnosis and uncompromising demands on rehabilitated tendon injuries. This article will serve to guide, stimulate, and encourage veterinarians to apply scientific criteria to the evaluation of tendinitis therapy in the years to come so that we can arrive at a more valid consensus as to the "best" means of tendon and ligament injury management.
Biokinematic analysis of the Swedish Warmblood riding horse at trot. The trotting gait of 4 approved Swedish Warmblood stallions with a mean gait score > or = 8.67 (maximum score = 10) at official performance tests was recorded by high speed film (approximately 250 frames/sec). Angular patterns and hoof trajectories of the left fore and hind limbs were analysed, and presented as mean and standard deviation curves. The horses had a mean stride duration of 794.0 msec (sd 13.7) and the mean diagonal advanced placement was +29.8 msec (sd 7.6). The variation in angular patterns between the horses was greatest during the swing phase. The trajectory of the hind hoof r...
Comparison of the stride kinematics of the collected, working, medium and extended trot in horses. Highly-trained dressage horses were studied to test the hypothesis that stride length is altered independently of stride duration in the transitions between the collected, working, medium and extended trot. Six well-trained dressage horses were filmed at a frame rate of 150 frames/s performing the collected, working, medium and extended trots in a sand arena. Temporal, linear and angular data were extracted from the films, with 4 strides being analysed for each horse and gait type. There were no significant asymmetries between the left and rights limbs or diagonals when data from the whole gro...
Kinetics and haematological effects of erythropoietin in horses. A plasma kinetic study of erythropoietin (EPO) was carried out in 4 horses after subcutaneous administration (30 IU/kg bwt) of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO). At standardized intervals for 48 h before injection and for 60 h post-administration, the EPO plasma levels were determined with an immunoradiometric assay based on a sandwich technique. The peak plasma concentration (30-113 mIU/ml) was observed after a delay ranging from 6 to 9 h post-administration and the drug levels reached a physiological value around 60 h following rhEPO injection. Moreover, reference values for plasma EP...
Removal of a fracture fragment from the palmar aspect of the intermediate carpal bone in a horse. A 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding sustained a fracture of the palmar tuberosity of the intermediate carpal bone 2 weeks prior to admission. The dorsolateral-palmaromedial oblique and flexed lateromedial radiographic views revealed the fracture line. The palmar fracture fragment from the intermediate carpal bone was removed by arthrotomy of the palmar intercarpal joint, which was approached through the carpal canal. Twenty months after surgery, the horse was show jumping without evidence of lameness.