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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Comparison of the Prevalence and Location of Trigger Points ...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(11); doi: 10.3390/ani15111558

Comparison of the Prevalence and Location of Trigger Points in Dressage and Show-Jumping Horses.

Abstract: Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are localized, hypersensitive areas in muscles that can cause pain and reduced performance. This study aimed to compare the prevalence and location of MTrPs in show-jumping and dressage horses. A secondary objective was to evaluate the potential of thermography, pressure algometry, and facial expression scoring in characterizing MTrPs in horses. Fourteen horses (seven dressage, seven show-jumping) were examined. Muscle palpation was used to identify MTrPs. Thermography was used to compare the skin surface temperature of MTrPs with adjacent control areas. Additionally, facial expressions were recorded during palpation and scored by three blinded observers using the Horse Grimace Scale (HGS). MTrPs were found in all horses. Both groups showed a high prevalence (>60%) of MTrPs in the back. Dressage horses had a higher prevalence of MTPrs in the neck (17%) and a lower prevalence in the rump (17%) than show-jumping horses (3% and 30%, respectively). Temperatures at MTrP sites were significantly higher than at control points (p < 0.01). Facial expression scores were also significantly higher during MTrP palpation compared to control (16 [0-24] vs. 6 [0-19], p = 0.004). These findings open a perspective for better recognition and treatment of myofascial pain in athletic horses.
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Publication Date: 2025-05-27 PubMed ID: 40509024PubMed Central: PMC12153837DOI: 10.3390/ani15111558Google 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.

This research studied the occurrence and location of muscle sensitivity areas, known as myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), in show-jumping and dressage horses. Different techniques were tested to understand these points better. Results showed that all horses had MTrPs, largely in the back. Dressage horses had more in the neck but fewer in the rump compared to show-jumping horses. The study sheds new light on treating muscle pain in sport horses.

Study Objective

  • The primary objective of this study was to explore the prevalence and location of hypersensitive areas in muscles, known as Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), in dressage and show-jumping horses.
  • A secondary aim was to evaluate the potential of thermography (measurement of heat), pressure algometry (measurement of pressure), and facial expression scoring in characterizing these MTrPs in horses.

Methodology

  • The researchers studied fourteen horses, seven each from dressage and show-jumping categories.
  • Methods like muscle palpation (examination by touch), thermography (measuring temperature), and facial expression scoring were used.
  • In order to compare, they measured the skin surface temperature of MTrPs and adjacent control areas, and recorded facial expressions during palpation. These were scored by three blinded observers using Horse Grimace Scale (HGS).

Findings

  • MTrPs were discovered in all horses studied. Both categories showed a high prevalence (more than 60%) of MTrPs in the back.
  • Dressage horses had a higher prevalence of MTrPs in the neck (17%) and a lower prevalence in the rump (17%) as compared to show-jumping horses (3% and 30% respectively).
  • The study found significantly higher temperatures at MTrP sites than at control points, validating the use of thermography.
  • Facial expression scores were also significantly higher during MTrP palpation compared to control, suggesting the effectiveness of the Horse Grimace Scale.

Conclusion

  • The findings provide insights into the better recognition and potential treatment strategies for muscle-based pain in athletic horses, especially in the sport categories of dressage and show-jumping.

Cite This Article

APA
Portier K, Schiesari C, Gauthier L, Yeng LT, Tabacchi Fantoni D, Formenton MR. (2025). Comparison of the Prevalence and Location of Trigger Points in Dressage and Show-Jumping Horses. Animals (Basel), 15(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15111558

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 11

Researcher Affiliations

Portier, Karine
  • VetAgro Sup (Campus Vétérinaire), Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Algologie Comparée (CREFAC), University of Lyon, 69280 Marcy l'Etoile, France.
  • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon (CRNL), University of Lyon, U1028 UMR 5292, Trajectoires, 69500 Bron, France.
Schiesari, Camilla
  • VetAgro Sup (Campus Vétérinaire), Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Algologie Comparée (CREFAC), University of Lyon, 69280 Marcy l'Etoile, France.
Gauthier, Lisa
  • VetAgro Sup (Campus Vétérinaire), Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Algologie Comparée (CREFAC), University of Lyon, 69280 Marcy l'Etoile, France.
  • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon (CRNL), University of Lyon, U1028 UMR 5292, Trajectoires, 69500 Bron, France.
Yeng, Lin Tchia
  • School of Medicine, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-010, Brazil.
Tabacchi Fantoni, Denise
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil.
Formenton, Maira Rezende
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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