Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to Horses Competing in British Eventing 90, 100 and Novice One-Day Events and Comparison with Performance.
Abstract: The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) was applied to 1010 competition starts at British Eventing (BE) 90, 100 and Novice one-day events and compared with performance. The overall median RHpE score was 4/24 (IQR 2,6; range 0,12). There were moderate positive correlations between RHpE scores and dressage penalties (Spearman’s rho = 0.508, 0.468, 0.491, all p < 0.001 for BE 90, 100 and Novice, respectively). There were weak positive correlations between RHpE scores and final placings (Spearman’s rho = 0.157, p = 0.033, BE90; rho = 0.263, p < 0.001, BE 100; rho = 0.123, p = 0.035, Novice). In showjumping, 1.7% of starters were eliminated or retired, compared with 9.8% of cross-country starters. Horse or rider falls occurred in 2.6% of cross-country starts. Horses placed first, second or third had lower median RHpE scores (2/24, IQR 1,4; range 0,8) than other horses that finished (p < 0.001), those that were eliminated or retired (p < 0.001) or were withdrawn (p < 0.001). The RHpE score was ≥8/24 for 9.3% of starters; horses with a RHpE score ≥8/24 had higher total penalty scores (p < 0.001) than horses with a RHpE score <8/24. The overall low median RHpE score supports the social licence to compete, but 9% of starters had a RHpE score ≥8/24. Investigation and treatment of these horses may improve both welfare and performance.
Publication Date: 2022-02-25 PubMed ID: 35268159PubMed Central: PMC8909886DOI: 10.3390/ani12050590Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study investigates the correlation between horse’s discomfort during riding, measured by the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE), and their performance in British One-Day Eventing competitions, revealing a positive correlation between RHpE scores and performance penalties, and suggesting the need to address the welfare of horses with high RHpE scores to optimize performance.
Overview of the Research
- The study’s main aim is to examine the relationship between the pain experienced by horses during riding and their performance in British Eventing competitions. It specifically makes use of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE), a tool designed to identify signs of pain in horses while being ridden.
- British Eventing (BE) competitions consist of dressage, show jumping, and a cross-country event. The study includes 1010 competition starts involving three categories: BE 90, BE 100, and Novice.
Analysis of Results and Correlations
- The research reveals a moderate positive correlation between RHpE scores and dressage penalties in all three categories, indicating that horses exhibiting higher signs of pain during riding earned more penalties in the dressage rounds.
- Additionally, a weak positive correlation was noted between RHpE scores and the final place rankings, suggesting that horses with higher pain scores often placed lower in the competition.
- In showjumping and cross-country events, the percentage of starters eliminated or retired were also examined, with a higher percentage retiring during the cross-country event. Instances of horse or rider falls were also noted, recording the highest in cross-country starts.
Performance versus RHpE Scores
- Horses that ranked first, second, or third had a lower median RHpE score compared to those that finished lower, were eliminated, retired, or withdrawn. This observation reinforces the established correlation between lower RHpE scores (lesser pain) and better performance.
- 9.3% of starters had high RHpE scores (≥8/24), indicating a relatively high occurrence of pain. The study found that these horses with high pain scores had higher total penalty scores, again reinforcing the correlation between higher pain scores and poorer performance in competitions.
Implications and Recommendations
- The low median RHpE score (4/24) implies general acceptability of horse involvement in such competitions but raises concerns for the 9% starters with high pain scores.
- The research concludes that investigating and perhaps treating these horses with higher RHpE scores could potentially improve both their welfare and their performance in the competition.
Cite This Article
APA
Dyson S, Pollard D.
(2022).
Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to Horses Competing in British Eventing 90, 100 and Novice One-Day Events and Comparison with Performance.
Animals (Basel), 12(5).
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050590 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- The Cottage, Church Road, Market Weston, Diss, Suffolk IP22 2NX, UK.
- The Rodhams, Rodham Road, Christchurch, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire PE14 9NU, UK.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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