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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(4); 1105; doi: 10.3390/ani11041105

A Systematic Approach to Comparing Thermal Activity of the Thoracic Region and Saddle Pressure Distribution beneath the Saddle in a Group of Non-Lame Sports Horses.

Abstract: Thermography is a non-invasive method for measuring surface temperatures and may be a convenient way of identifying hypo/hyperthermic areas under a saddle that may be related to saddle pressures. A thermal camera quantified minimum/maximum/mean temperatures at specific locations (left/right) of the thoracic region at three-time points: (1) baseline; (2) post lunging; (3) post ridden exercise in eight non-lame sports horses ridden by the same rider. A Pliance (Novel) pressure mat determined the mean/peak saddle pressures (kPa) in the cranial and caudal regions. General linear mixed models with the horse as the random factor investigated the time point (fixed factor: baseline; lunge; ridden) and saddle fit (fixed factor: correct; wide; narrow) on thermal parameters with Bonferroni post hoc comparison. The saddle pressure data (grouped: saddle width) were assessed with an ANOVA and Tukey post hoc comparison ( ≤ 0.05). Differences between the saddle widths in the cranial/caudal mean ( = 0.05) and peak saddle pressures ( = 0.01) were found. The maximum temperatures increased post lunge ( ≤ 0.0001) and post ridden ( ≤ 0.0001) compared to the baseline. No difference between post lunge and post ridden exercise (all ≥ 0.51) was found. The thermal activity does not appear to be representative of increased saddle pressure values. The sole use of thermal imaging for saddle fitting should be applied with caution.
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Publication Date: 2021-04-13 PubMed ID: 33924326PubMed Central: PMC8068952DOI: 10.3390/ani11041105Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study investigates the connection between saddle fitting, skin temperature under the saddle, and pressure distribution in non-lame sports horses. The researchers found that while temperatures increase following exercise, they do not correlate with increased saddle pressure, suggesting that thermal imaging alone might not be sufficient for saddle fitting.

Research Methodology

  • The research team used thermography, a non-invasive technique for measuring surface temperatures, to identify hypo/hyperthermic areas underneath the saddle. A thermal camera provided minimum, maximum, and average temperature readings at various places (left and right) in the thoracic region at three different time points: before exercise (baseline), after lunging (light physical activity), and after riding exercises.
  • An instrument called a Pliance pressure mat was used for measuring saddle pressure in the forward (cranial) and rear (caudal) quadrants. The method calculated the mean and peak saddle pressures with the saddle fitted correctly, too wide or too narrow on the horse.
  • Horses were the random factor in the model, targeting the varying factors of time and saddle fit (narrow, correct, or wide) using general linear mixed models with a subsequent comparison through the Bonferroni post hoc method.
  • The saddle pressure data for different saddle widths were evaluated using ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) and a post hoc comparison using Tukey method to ascertain statistical significance levels.

Key Findings

  • There were significant differences in the mean and pressure peaks in the cranial/caudal areas depending on the saddle width used.
  • The maximum temperature rose substantially following lunging and riding compared to the baseline.
  • No significant difference was found in the temperature following lunging and the riding exercise.
  • Crucially, the thermal activity or temperature changes were not reflective of saddle pressure increments.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that while thermal imaging can be beneficial in identifying temperature changes post-exercise, it doesn’t correlate with saddle pressure and thus may not be an effective standalone tool for saddle fitting. Therfore, the use of thermal imaging for saddle fitting needs to be applied with caution.
  • The findings underscore the need for a more comprehensive approach to saddle fitting that takes into consideration both thermal and pressure factors.

Cite This Article

APA
MacKechnie-Guire R, Fisher M, Mathie H, Kuczynska K, Fairfax V, Fisher D, Pfau T. (2021). A Systematic Approach to Comparing Thermal Activity of the Thoracic Region and Saddle Pressure Distribution beneath the Saddle in a Group of Non-Lame Sports Horses. Animals (Basel), 11(4), 1105. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11041105

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 4
PII: 1105

Researcher Affiliations

MacKechnie-Guire, Russell
  • Centaur Biomechanics, 25 Oaktree Close, Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire CV35 9BB, UK.
  • Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Brookman's Park, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK.
Fisher, Mark
  • Woolcroft Saddlery, Mays Lane, Wisbech PE13 5BU, UK.
Mathie, Helen
  • Helen Mathie Physiotheraphy, Estate House, Matfen NE20 0RP, UK.
Kuczynska, Kat
  • Vet-IR, 83 Ducie Street, Manchester M1 2JQ, UK.
Fairfax, Vanessa
  • Fairfax Saddles, The Saddlery, Fryers Road, Bloxwich, Walsall, West Midlands WS3 2XJ, UK.
Fisher, Diana
  • Woolcroft Saddlery, Mays Lane, Wisbech PE13 5BU, UK.
Pfau, Thilo
  • Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Brookman's Park, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

H.M. and K.K. work with Vet-IR—thermography consultancy. M.F., D.F. and V.F. are SMS qualified saddle fitters. T.P. is owner of EquiGait Ltd. providing gait analysis products and services. R.M.-G. is director of Centaur Biomechanics.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Domino M, Borowska M, Trojakowska A, Kozłowska N, Zdrojkowski Ł, Jasiński T, Smyth G, Maśko M. The Effect of Rider:Horse Bodyweight Ratio on the Superficial Body Temperature of Horse's Thoracolumbar Region Evaluated by Advanced Thermal Image Processing. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jan 13;12(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12020195pubmed: 35049815google scholar: lookup
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