FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Equine veterinary journal2024; 57(1); 69-75; doi: 10.1111/evj.14043

Chiropractic effects on stride parameters and heart rate during exercise in sport horses.

Abstract: Equine veterinarians performing chiropractic treatments are frequently asked to evaluate and treat sound horses to improve their performance and address pain associated with the axial skeleton. Studies describing the effects and mechanisms of chiropractic treatments in horses without overt lameness are scarce. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chiropractic treatments on stride rate, length, symmetry, heart rate and rider-perceived quality of the ridden work in sport horses. Methods: A blind randomised controlled trial with crossover design. Methods: Thirty-eight horses ridden in the hunter-jumper discipline were enrolled. Exercise tests were recorded before and after chiropractic or sham treatment while horses were wearing a fitness tracker. Stride length, rate and symmetry, heart rate and the perceived quality of the ridden work were compared. Results: There was a difference in the qualitative assessment of the ridden work by riders between treatments (odds ratio 33.8, 95% CI [4.68, 458.71], p < 0.01). Stride length, rate, symmetry and heart rate were not different between treatments. Conclusions: The quantitative outcomes measured may not be sensitive enough to detect changes that improve the ridden work. Terrain, weather and rider were not standard across horses making small changes difficult to detect. Conclusions: Riders participating in a blind randomised controlled trial perceived a positive effect of chiropractic treatments on the quality of the ridden work. There were no differences in stride length, stride rate, stride symmetry or heart rate. The mechanisms, indications and potential benefits of chiropractic treatments in horses need further study. Unassigned: A los veterinarios de equinos que realizan tratamientos quiroprácticos, se les pide frecuentemente evaluar y tratar caballos que están sanos para mejorar su desempeño y tratar el dolor asociado con el esqueleto axial. Estudios que describen los efectos y mecanismos de los tratamientos quiropráctico en caballos sin cojeras aparentes, son pocos. Objective: Este estudio tiene por objetivo evaluar el efecto de los tratamientos quiroprácticos sobre frecuencia, largo y simetría de la zancada, la frecuencia cardiaca y la calidad del trabajo montado percibida por el jinete en caballos de deporte. DISEÑO DEL ESTUDIO: Prueba aleatoria cegada controlada con diseño cruzado. MÉTODOS: Se enrolaron 38 caballos montados en la disciplina de caza‐salto. Pruebas de ejercicio fueron anotadas antes y después de tratamientos quiropráctico reales o simulados mientras los caballos llevaban un monitor físico. Se compararon el largo, frecuencia y simetría de la zancada, frecuencia cardiaca y calidad del trabajo montado percibida por el jinete. Results: Se encontró una diferencia en la evaluación cualitativa del trabajo montado por los jinetes entre los tratamientos (odds ratio 33.8, 95% CI [4.68, 458.71], p < 0.01). Largo, frecuencia y simetría de zancada y frecuencia cardiacas no difirieron entre tratamientos. Unassigned: Los resultados cuantitativos medidos, pueden no ser lo suficientemente sensibles para detectar cambios que mejoran el trabajo montado. El terreno, tiempo y jinete no fueron estandarizados a través de los caballos, lo que hizo que cambios pequeños fuesen difíciles de detectar. Conclusions: Los jinetes que participaron en una prueba aleatoria cegada controlada, percibieron un efecto positivo de los tratamientos quiroprácticos sobre la calidad del trabajo montado. No hubo diferencia en largo de zancada, frecuencia de zancada, simetría de zancada o frecuencia cardiaca. Los mecanismos, indicaciones y beneficios potenciales de los tratamientos quiroprácticos en caballos necesitan ser estudiados mas.
© 2024 EVJ Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2024-01-04 PubMed ID: 38176911DOI: 10.1111/evj.14043Google 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
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Veterinary

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 effects of chiropractic treatments on stride parameters, heart rate, and perceived work quality of sport horses. It concludes that while quantitative measures like stride length, rate, symmetry, and heart rate showed no significant changes, riders perceived an improvement in the quality of the ridden work.

Research Objective

  • The objective of this study is to assess the impact of chiropractic treatments on various parameters in sport horses such as stride length, rate, symmetry, and heart rate. More importantly, it also evaluated how riders perceive the quality of ridden work post these treatments.

Research Method

  • A blind randomised controlled trial was conducted involving thirty-eight hunter-jumper discipline horses.
  • Exercise tests were carried out before and after both chiropractic treatment and a sham treatment. Fitness trackers were deployed on the horses during the tests.
  • The data was then compared for stride length, rate, symmetry, heart rate, and perceived quality of ridden work by the riders.

Research Findings

  • Post analysis, no significant difference was found in the stride length, rate, symmetry, and heart rate in horses after the chiropractic treatment.
  • However, interestingly, the riders reported a difference in the quality of the ridden work with chiropractic treatments as opposed to the sham treatments. They perceived an improvement in the work performed by the horse post-treatment.
  • The study suggests that the quantitative measures deployed might not be sensitive enough to detect the changes that correspond to improved ridden work.

Conclusions and Further Study

  • The riders reported a positive effect of chiropractic treatments on the quality of the ridden work. However, given the lack of quantitative evidence, the study suggests that more research is needed to understand the underpinning mechanisms, indications, and potential benefits of chiropractic treatments in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Lorello O, Rule E, Haughan J, Wang K, Niu M, Brown K, Navas de Solis C. (2024). Chiropractic effects on stride parameters and heart rate during exercise in sport horses. Equine Vet J, 57(1), 69-75. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14043

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 1
Pages: 69-75

Researcher Affiliations

Lorello, Olivia
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Rule, Emily
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Haughan, Joanne
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Wang, Kai
  • Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Niu, Mutian
  • Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Brown, Kara
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Navas de Solis, Cristobal
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / physiology
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Manipulation, Chiropractic / veterinary
  • Male
  • Female
  • Gait
  • Sports
  • Horse Diseases / therapy

Grant Funding

  • Raymond Firestone Trust/Raker/Tulleners Fund/Tamworth Fund Research Grants

References

This article includes 41 references
  1. Haussler KK. Chiropractic evaluation and management.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1999;15(1):195–209.
  2. Haussler KK, Hesbach AL, Romano L, Goff L, Bergh AA. Systematic review of musculoskeletal mobilization and manipulation techniques used in veterinary medicine.. Animals 2021;11(10):2787.
  3. Haussler KK, Holt TN. Spinal mobilization and manipulation in horses.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2022;38(3):509–523.
  4. Ramey D. Statement of chiropractic manipulations for the back lacks support.. Equine Vet J 2008;40(5):523.
  5. Lange CD, Flammer SA, Gerber V, Kindt D, Koch C. Complementary and alternative medicine for the management of orthopaedic problems in swiss warmblood horses.. Vet Med Sci 2017;3(3):125–133.
  6. Gilberg K, Bergh A, Sternberg‐Lewerin S. A questionnaire study on the use of complementary and alternative veterinary medicine for horses in Sweden.. Animals 2021;11(11):3113.
  7. Keller P, Vanwesenbeeck I, Hudders L, Decloedt A. Horse owners' attitudes towards and motivators for using complementary and alternative veterinary medicine.. Vet Rec 2021;189(2):47–84.
  8. Ladewig J, McLean AN, Wilkins CL, Fenner K, Christensen JW, McGreevy PD. A review of the ridden horse pain ethogram and its potential to improve ridden horse welfare.. J Vet Behav 2022;54:54–61.
  9. Martin BB Jr, Klide AM. Physical examination of horses with back pain.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1999;15(1):61–70.
  10. Dyson S. The ridden horse pain ethogram.. Equine Vet Educ 2022;34(7):372–380.
  11. Toutain P‐L, Cester CC. Pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic relationships and dose response to meloxicam in horses with induced arthritis in the right carpal joint.. Am J Vet Res 2004;65(11):1533–1541.
  12. Argüelles D, Saitua A, Sánchez de Medina A, Muñoz JA, Muñoz A. Clinical efficacy of clodronic acid in horses diagnosed with navicular syndrome: a field study using objective and subjective lameness evaluation.. Res Vet Sci 2019;125:298–304.
  13. van Erck Westergren E. Value of field trials to investigate poor performance in sport horses.. Equine Vet J 2014;46(S46):14.
  14. ter Woort F, Dubois G, Didier M, van Erck‐Westergren E. Validation of an equine fitness tracker: heart rate and heart rate variability.. Comp Exerc Physiol 2021;17(2):189–198.
  15. ter Woort F, Dubois G, Tansley G, Didier M, Verdegaal EL, Franklin S. Validation of an equine fitness tracker: ECG quality and arrhythmia detection.. Equine Vet J 2023;55(2):336–343.
  16. Multi Micro Hornet ORG1520‐MK04/MK05 GPS/GNSS Module with Integrated Antenna Datasheet. Accessed 5 July 2023. https://cdn.sparkfun.com/assets/b/6/a/c/a/ORG1510-MK05-TR1.pdf
  17. Morrice‐West AV, Hitchens PL, Walmsley EA, Stevenson MA, Wong ASM, Whitton RC. Variation in GPS and accelerometer recorded velocity and stride parameters of galloping Thoroughbred horses.. Equine Vet J 2021;53(5):1063–1074.
  18. Schrurs C, Blott S, Dubois G, van Erck‐Westergren E. Locomotory profiles in Thoroughbreds: peak stride length and frequency in training and association with race outcomes.. Animals 2022;12(23):3269.
  19. Pfau T, Bruce O, Edwards WB, Leguillette R. Stride frequency derived from GPS speed fluctuations in galloping horses.. J Biomech 2022;145:111364.
  20. Wong ASM, Morrice‐West AV, Whitton RC, Hitchens PL. Changes in thoroughbred speed and stride characteristics over successive race starts and their association with musculoskeletal injury.. Equine Vet J 2023;55(2):194–204.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13581google scholar: lookup
  21. Keegan KG, Yonezawa Y, Pai PF, Wilson DA. Accelerometer‐based system for the detection of lameness in horses.. Biomed Sci Instrum 2002;38:107–112.
  22. Kingston J, Soppet GM, Rogers CW, Firth EC. Use of a global positioning and heart rate monitoring system to assess training load in a group of thoroughbred racehorses.. Equine Vet J 2006;38(S36):106–109.
  23. R Core Team. R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing.. Vienna, Austria: R Foundation for Statistical Computing; 2022.
  24. Bates D, Mächler M, Bolker B, Walker S. Fitting linear mixed‐effects models using lme4.. J Stat Softw 2015;67:1–48.
  25. Nakagawa S, Johnson PC, Schielzeth H. The coefficient of determination R 2 and intra‐class correlation coefficient from generalized linear mixed‐effects models revisited and expanded.. J R Soc Interface 2017;14(134):20170213.
  26. Sullivan K, Hill A, Haussler K. The effects of chiropractic, massage and phenylbutazone on spinal mechanical nociceptive thresholds in horses without clinical signs.. Equine Vet J 2008;40(1):14–20.
  27. Maldonado MD, Parkinson SD, Story MR, Haussler KK. The effect of chiropractic treatment on limb lameness and concurrent axial skeleton pain and dysfunction in horses.. Animals 2022;12(20):2845.
  28. Acutt EV, le Jeune SS, Pypendop BH. Evaluation of the effects of chiropractic on static and dynamic muscle variables in sport horses.. J Equine Vet Sci 2019;73:84–90.
  29. Haussler K, Martin C, Hill A. Efficacy of spinal manipulation and mobilisation on trunk flexibility and stiffness in horses: a randomised clinical trial.. Equine Vet J 2010;42:695–702.
  30. Haussler KK. Pressure algometry for the detection of mechanical nociceptive thresholds in horses.. Animals 2020;10(12):2195.
  31. Faber MJ, van Weeren PR, Schepers M, Barneveld A. Long‐term follow‐up of manipulative treatment in a horse with back problems.. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med 2003;50(5):241–245.
  32. Gomez Alvarez CB, L'ami JJ, Moffat D, Back W, van Weeren PR. Effect of chiropractic manipulations on the kinematics of back and limbs in horses with clinically diagnosed back problems.. Equine Vet J 2008;40(2):153–159.
  33. Zhang J, Dean D, Nosco D, Strathopulos D, Floros M. Effect of chiropractic care on heart rate variability and pain in a multisite clinical study.. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2006;29(4):267–274.
  34. Cakir AG, Ozden AV, Kerem AH, Alptekin JO. Immediate effects of chiropractic thoracic manipulations on the autonomic nervous system.. J Ortho Trauma Surg Rel Res 2019;14(3):7–13.
  35. Eckardt F, Witte K. Kinematic analysis of the rider according to different skill levels in sitting trot and canter.. J Equine Vet Sci 2016;39:51–57.
  36. Symes D, Ellis R. A preliminary study into rider asymmetry within equitation.. Vet J 2009;181(1):34–37.
  37. Engell M, Hernlund E, Byström A, Egenvall A, Bergh A, Clayton H. Head, trunk and pelvic kinematics in the frontal plane in un‐mounted horseback riders rocking a balance chair from side‐to‐side.. Comp Exerc Physiol 2018;14(4):249–259.
  38. Guire R, Mathie H, Fisher M, Fisher D. Riders' perception of symmetrical pressure on their ischial tuberosities and rein contact tension whilst sitting on a static object.. Comp Exerc Physiol 2017;13(1):7–12.
  39. Greve L, Dyson S. The interrelationship of lameness, saddle slip and back shape in the general sports horse population.. Equine Vet J 2014;46(6):687–694.
  40. Hill C, Crook T. The relationship between massage to the equine caudal hindlimb muscles and hindlimb protraction.. Equine Vet J 2010;42:683–687.
  41. Clayton HM. Comparison of the stride kinematics of the collected, working, medium and extended trot in horses.. Equine Vet J 1994;26(3):230–234.

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,850 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.