FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to Elite Dress...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(5); doi: 10.3390/ani11051187

Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to Elite Dressage Horses Competing in World Cup Grand Prix Competitions.

Abstract: There is considerable debate about the social license to compete with horses and controversy about training methods for dressage horses. The objectives were to: 1. apply the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) to dressage horses competing at elite Grand Prix level; 2. compare RHpE and judges' scores; and 3. document deviations in gaits from Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) guidelines. Video recordings of 147 competitors from nine World Cup competitions were assessed. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient tested the correlation between RHpE and judges' scores. The median RHpE score was 3 (IQR 1, 4; range 0, 7). There was a moderate negative correlation (Spearman rho -0.40, p < 0.001) between the RHpE scores and the judges' scores. Mouth open with separation of the teeth for ≥10 s (68%), head behind vertical ≥10° ≥10 s (67%), an intense stare for ≥5 s (30%) and repeated tail swishing (29%) were the most frequent RHpE behaviours. Deviations from FEI guidelines were most frequent in passage, piaffe, canter flying-changes, canter pirouettes and "halt-immobility-rein back five steps-collected trot". In conclusion, most horses appeared to work comfortably for the majority of the test. Further investigation of the influence of a double bridle compared with a snaffle bridle on head position and mouth opening is merited.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2021-04-21 PubMed ID: 33919208PubMed Central: PMC8143096DOI: 10.3390/ani11051187Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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.

This research study applies the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) to elite-level dressage horses competing in World Cup Grand Prix competitions, comparing these results with judges’ scores, and noting any deviations from the established guidelines of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

Understanding the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE)

  • The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) is a tool used to measure signals associated with pain in ridden horses.
  • The use of RHpE on elite dressage horses competing in World Cup Grand Prix allowed the researchers to investigate the extent to which competitive dressage may involve discomfort for the animals, a subject of ongoing debate in the dressage community.

Comparison with Judges’ Scores

  • The study also compared the results from the RHpE with the judges’ scores from the competitions.
  • There was a moderate negative correlation between RHpE scores and judges’ scores, meaning as the pain incidence increased, the judges’ scores tended to decrease.
  • This negative correlation suggests judges may be indirectly responsive to signs of pain or discomfort in competing horses, considering them as performance issues rather than welfare concerns.

Deviation from FEI Guidelines

  • The research also kept track of deviations from the FEI guidelines during these competitions.
  • These deviations were most noticeable in certain exercises, including passage, piaffe, canter flying-changes, canter pirouettes, and “halt-immobility-rein back five steps-collected trot”.
  • This documentation of deviations provides valuable insight into areas where dressage training and performance might need adjustment to align better with FEI guidelines.

Evaluation of Most Frequent RHpE Behaviors

  • Some RHpE behaviours were found to be more prevalent, including mouth open with separation of the teeth for an extended period, head positioned highly vertically, an intense stare, and repeated tail swishing.
  • These behaviors could indicate discomfort or pain in the competing horses, although further research is necessary to confirm this interpretation and its implications.

Recommendations for Future Research

  • The paper concludes by suggesting further investigation into the influence of the double bridle as compared to a snaffle bridle on the horse’s head position and the frequency of mouth opening.
  • This recommendation reflects the research’s overall aim: to improve understanding of dressage performance in relation to equine welfare and to guide future best-practice guidelines in the sport.

Cite This Article

APA
Dyson S, Pollard D. (2021). Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to Elite Dressage Horses Competing in World Cup Grand Prix Competitions. Animals (Basel), 11(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051187

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 5

Researcher Affiliations

Dyson, Sue
  • The Cottage, Church Road, Market Weston, Diss IP22 2NX, UK.
Pollard, Danica
  • The Rodhams, Rodham Road, Christchurch, Wisbech PE14 9NU, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 41 references
  1. Dyson S, Berger J, Ellis A, Mullard J. Development of an ethogram for a pain scoring system in ridden horses and its application to determine the presence of musculoskeletal pain.. J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res. 2018;23:47–57.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2017.10.008google scholar: lookup
  2. Dyson S, Berger J, Ellis A, Mullard J. Behavioural observations and comparisons of non-lame horses and lame horses before and after resolution of lameness by diagnostic analgesia.. J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res. 2018;26:64–70.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2018.05.001google scholar: lookup
  3. Dyson S, Van Dijk J. Application of a ridden horse ethogram to video recordings of 21 horses before and after diagnostic analgesia: Reduction in behaviour scores.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2020;32:104–111.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.13029google scholar: lookup
  4. Dyson S, Thomson K, Quiney L, Bondi A, Ellis A. Can veterinarians reliably apply a whole horse ridden ethogram to differentiate non-lame and lame horses based on live horse assessment of behaviour?. Equine Vet. Educ. 2020;32:112–120.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.13104google scholar: lookup
  5. Dyson S, Bondi A, Routh J, Pollard D. Gait abnormalities and ridden horse behaviour in a convenience sample of the United Kingdom ridden sports horse and leisure horse population.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2020.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.13395google scholar: lookup
  6. Dyson S, Pollard D. Application of a Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram and its relationship with gait in a convenience sample of 60 riding horses.. Animals 2020;10:1044.
    doi: 10.3390/ani10061044pmc: PMC7341225pubmed: 32560486google scholar: lookup
  7. Dyson S, Martin C, Bondi A, Ellis A. The influence of rider skill on ridden horse behaviour, assessed using the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram, and gait quality.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2020.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.13434google scholar: lookup
  8. Dyson S. Application of a ridden horse ethogram to horses competing at a 4-star three-day-event: Comparison with cross-country performance.. Equine Vet. J. 2019;51(Suppl. 53):11.
    pubmed: 0
  9. Dyson S, Ellis A. Application of a Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to horses competing at 5-star three-day-events: Comparison with performance.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2020.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.13415google scholar: lookup
  10. Dyson S. Unexplained forelimb lameness possibly associated with radiculopathy.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2020;32:92–103.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.12980google scholar: lookup
  11. Thomson K, Chan C, Dyson S. Head tossing behaviour in six horses: Idiopathic headshaking or musculoskeletal pain?. Equine Vet. Educ. 2020;32:58–64.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.13084google scholar: lookup
  12. Jones B, McGreevy P. Ethical equitation: Applying a cost-benefit approach.. J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res. 2010;5:196–202.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2010.04.001google scholar: lookup
  13. Campbell M. Ethical analysis of the use of animals for sport.. UFAW Animal Welfare .
    doi: 10.1002/97811118384282.ch14google scholar: lookup
  14. Fiedler J, Thomas M, Ames K. Informing a social license to operate communication framework: Attitudes to sport horse welfare; Proceedings of the 15th International Society of Equitation Science Conference; Guelph, ON, Canada. 19–21 August 2019;. .
  15. Heleski C, Stowe J, Fiedler J, Peterson M, Brady C, Wickens C, MacLeod J. Thoroughbred racehorse welfare through the lens of ‘social license to operate’—with an emphasis on a U.S. perspective.. Sustainability 2020;12:1706.
    doi: 10.3390/sህ1706google scholar: lookup
  16. Rhodin M, Gómez Álvarez C, Byström A, Johnston C, van Weeren P.R., Roepstorff L, Weishaupt M. The effect of different head and neck positions on the caudal back and hindlimb kinematics in the elite dressage horse at trot.. Equine Vet. J. 2009;41:274–279.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X394436pubmed: 19469235google scholar: lookup
  17. Christensen J, Beckmans M, Van Dalum M, Van Dierendonck M. Effects of hyperflexion on acute stress response in ridden dressage horses.. Physiol. Behav. 2014;128:39–45.
    doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.01.024pubmed: 24518858google scholar: lookup
  18. Kienapfel K, Link Y, König von Borstel U. Prevalence of different head-neck positions in horses shown at dressage competitions and their relation to conflict behaviour and performance marks.. PLoS ONE 2014;9:e103140.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103140pmc: PMC4121138pubmed: 25090242google scholar: lookup
  19. . FEI Dressage Rules 25th edition, Effective 1 January 2014. Including Updates Effective 1 January 2019.. .
  20. Lashley M, Nauwerlaerts S, Vernooj J, Back W, Clayton H. Comparison of the head and neck position of elite horses during top-level competitions in 1992 versus 2008.. Vet. J. 2014;202:462–465.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.08.028pubmed: 25296851google scholar: lookup
  21. . FEI Stewards Manual 2019.. .
  22. Schober P, Boer C, Lothar A. Correlation coefficients: Appropriate use and interpretation.. Anaesth. Analg. 2018;126:1763–1768.
    doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000002864pubmed: 29481436google scholar: lookup
  23. König von Borstel U, Pasing S, Gauly M. Towards a more objective assessment of equine personality using behavioural and physiological observations from performance test training.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2011;135:277–285.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2011.10.007google scholar: lookup
  24. Dyson S, Berger J, Ellis A, Mullard J. Can the presence of musculoskeletal pain be determined from the facial expressions of ridden horses (FEReq)?. J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res. 2017;19:78–89.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2017.03.005google scholar: lookup
  25. Górecka-Bruzda A, Kosińska I, Jaworski Z, Jezierski T, Murphy J. Conflict behavior in elite show jumping and dressage horses.. J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res. 2015;10:137–146.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2014.10.004google scholar: lookup
  26. Mellor D. Mouth pain in horses: Physiological foundations, behavioural indices, welfare implications, and a suggested solution.. Animals 2020;10:572.
    doi: 10.3390/ani10040572pmc: PMC7222381pubmed: 32235343google scholar: lookup
  27. Uldahl M, Clayton H. Lesions associated with the use of bits, nosebands, spurs and whips in Danish competition horses.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2018;51:154–162.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12827pubmed: 29502345google scholar: lookup
  28. International Society for Equitation Science. Position Statement on Restrictive Nosebands.. 2019.
  29. Clayton H, Singleton W, Lanovaz J, Cloud G. Measurement of rein tension during horseback riding using strain gauge transducers.. Exp. Tech. 2003;27:34–36.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1747-1567.2003.tb00112.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  30. Clayton H, Larson B, Kaiser L, Lavagnino M. Length and elasticity of side reins affect rein tension at trot.. Vet. J. 2011;188:291–294.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.05.027pubmed: 20638876google scholar: lookup
  31. Eisersiö M, Roepstorff L, Weishaupt M.A., Egenvall A. Movements of the horse’s mouth in relation to horse–rider kinematic variables.. Vet. J. 2013;198:e33–e38.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.030pubmed: 24157341google scholar: lookup
  32. König Von Borstel U, Glißman C. Alternatives to conventional evaluation of rideability in horse performance tests: Suitability of rein tension and behavioural parameters.. PLoS ONE 2014;9:e87285.
    pmc: PMC3906164pubmed: 24489890
  33. Christensen J, Munk R, Hawson L, Palme R, Larsen T, Egenvall A, König von Borstel U, Rørvang M. Rider effects on horses’ conflict behaviour, rein tension, physiological measures and rideability scores.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2021;234:105184.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105184google scholar: lookup
  34. Holmström M, Fredricson I, Drevemo S. Biokinematic effects of collection in the elite dressage trot.. Equine Vet. J. 1995;27:281–287.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb03078.xpubmed: 8536664google scholar: lookup
  35. Clayton H. Classification of collected trot, passage and piaffe using stance phase temporal variables.. Equine Vet. J. 1997;29(Suppl. S23):54–57.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb05054.xpubmed: 9354290google scholar: lookup
  36. Weishaupt M, Byström A, Von Peinen K, Wiestner T, Meyer H, Waldern N, Johnston C, Van Weeren R, Roepstorff L. Kinetics and kinematics of the passage.. Equine Vet. J. 2009;41:263–267.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X397226pubmed: 19469233google scholar: lookup
  37. Clayton H, Hobbs S.J. An exploration of strategies used by dressage horses to control moments around the center of mass when performing passage.. PeerJ 2017;5:e3866.
    doi: 10.7717/peerj.3866pmc: PMC5623309pubmed: 28970972google scholar: lookup
  38. Clayton H.M, Hobbs S.J. Ground reaction forces of dressage horses performing the piaffe.. Animals 2021;11:436.
    doi: 10.3390/ani11020436pmc: PMC7915051pubmed: 33567549google scholar: lookup
  39. Burns T, Clayton H. Comparison of the temporal kinematics of the canter pirouette and collected canter.. Equine Vet. J. 1997;23(Suppl. S23):58–61.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb05055.xpubmed: 9354291google scholar: lookup
  40. Heuschmann G. Tug of War—Classical Versus ‘Modern’ Dressage.. .
  41. Leibbrandt K. Compassionate Training for Todays’ Sport Horse.. .
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,359 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.