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) / Effects of a 15° Variation in Poll Flexion during Riding on...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(10); doi: 10.3390/ani13101714

Effects of a 15° Variation in Poll Flexion during Riding on the Respiratory Systems and Behaviour of High-Level Dressage and Show-Jumping Horses.

Abstract: From previous studies, the International Society for Equitation Science has advised that further research be conducted on the physiological/psychological effects of less-exacerbated poll flexion angles. We aimed to evaluate the effects of two riding poll flexion positions with a difference of only 15° on the respiratory systems and behaviour of horses through an evaluation of dynamic airway collapse via over-ground endoscopy, the pharyngeal diameter, pleural pressure, arterial oxygenation and lactate, HR/RR, and the occurrence of conflict behaviours. Twenty high-level dressage and twenty show-jumping horses underwent a 40 min ridden test at a ground angle of 85°; 3 weeks later, they underwent a ridden test at a 100° ground angle (the angle between the ground and the line from the forehead to the muzzle) and in a cross-over design. Using a mixed model for repeated measures, Wilcoxon/Friedman tests were carried out according to the experimental design and/or error normality. For both groups, at 100°, conflict behaviours and upper airway tract abnormalities were significantly more frequent, and the pleural pressure was higher, and the pharyngeal diameter was lower. At 85°, relaxation behaviours were significantly more frequent. Lactate was significantly higher at 100° only in the dressage horses. Compared to the first test at 85°, the HR/RR were significantly lower at the beginning of the second test (at 100°) but higher at the end. The significant differences identified in these dressage and show-jumping horses support the idea that an increase of just 15° in riding poll flexion can have negative effects on the respiratory system and behaviour of a horse and therefore on its welfare.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2023-05-22 PubMed ID: 37238147PubMed Central: PMC10215520DOI: 10.3390/ani13101714Google 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 investigates the impact of a minor change of 15° in riding poll flexion on the respiratory system and behavior of high-level dressage and show-jumping horses, highlighting that even a small change like this can negatively affect the horse’s overall health and well-being.

Research Purpose

  • The main purpose of this study was to revisit the International Society for Equitation Science‘s advice to conduct further research on the physiological and psychological impacts of different poll flexion angles during horse riding. The study aimed to assess the effects of a 15° variation in poll flexion on the respiratory system and the behavior of high-level dressage and show-jumping horses.

Methodology

  • A study group of twenty dressage horses and twenty show-jumping horses were ridden in two separate tests, scheduled three weeks apart. In these tests, the horses were ridden at poll flexion angles of 85° for the first ride and three weeks later, at 100°. The poll flexion angle refers to the angle between the ground and a line drawn from the horse’s forehead to its muzzle.
  • The various parameters studied included dynamic airway collapse, pharyngeal diameter, pleural pressure, arterial oxygenation and lactate, heart rate (HR) or respiratory rate (RR), and instances of conflict behaviors.

Findings

  • Results showed that an increase in poll flexion to 100° caused significantly more conflict behaviors and upper respiratory tract abnormalities in both groups of horses. Additionally, there was an increase in pleural pressure and decrease in pharyngeal diameter.
  • On the other hand, when the horses were ridden at the lesser flexion angle of 85°, they exhibited more frequent relaxation behaviors.
  • Noticeably, lactate levels were significantly higher at the 100° flexion angle, but this was only observed in the dressage horses.
  • In comparison to the initial test at 85°, the HR/RR values were significantly lower at the start of the second test at 100°, but became higher towards the end.

Conclusions

  • This research observation emphasizes the significance of a seemingly minor increase of 15° in the poll flexion angle, as it can cause negative effects on both the respiratory health and the behavior of high-level dressage or show-jumping horses. These findings advocate for the careful consideration of riding techniques so as to prioritize animal welfare and health.

Cite This Article

APA
Tilley P, Simões J, Sales Luis JP. (2023). Effects of a 15° Variation in Poll Flexion during Riding on the Respiratory Systems and Behaviour of High-Level Dressage and Show-Jumping Horses. Animals (Basel), 13(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13101714

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 10

Researcher Affiliations

Tilley, Paula
  • Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Lisbon, Portugal.
Simões, Joana
  • Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Equine Clinical Academic Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal.
Sales Luis, José Paulo
  • Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Lisbon, Portugal.

Grant Funding

  • UI/BD/153071/2022 to M.P.S., UIDB/00276/2020 to CIISA and LA/P/0059/2020 to AL4AnimalS / Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

References

This article includes 55 references
  1. Mellor D, Beausoleil N. Equine welfare during exercise: An evaluation of breathing, breathlessness and bridles. Animals 2017;7:41.
    doi: 10.3390/ani7060041pmc: PMC5483604pubmed: 28587125google scholar: lookup
  2. Mazan M. Equine exercise physiology—Challenges to the respiratory system. Anim. Front. 2022;12:15–24.
    doi: 10.1093/af/vfac035pmc: PMC9197307pubmed: 35711503google scholar: lookup
  3. Campbell M. The role of veterinarians in equestrian sport: A comparative review of ethical issues surrounding human and equine sports medicine. Vet. J. 2013;197:535–540.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.05.021pmc: PMC3898908pubmed: 23773811google scholar: lookup
  4. Van Weeren P.R. About Rollkur, or low, deep and round: Why Winston Churchill and Albert Einstein were right. Vet. J. 2013;196:290–293.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.04.016pubmed: 23707577google scholar: lookup
  5. McGreevy P, Harman A, McLean A, Hawson L. Over-flexing the horse’s neck: A modern equestrian obsession?. J. Vet. Behav. 2010;5:180–186.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2010.03.004google scholar: lookup
  6. Caspar G.L, Dhand N.K, McGreevy P.D. Human preferences for conformation attributes and head-and-neck positions in horses. PLoS ONE 2015;10:e0131880.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131880pmc: PMC4488389pubmed: 26126209google scholar: lookup
  7. Kienapfel K, Link Y, König v, 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
  8. Lashley M, Nauwelaerts S, Vernooij J, Back W. Comparison of the head and neck position of elite dressage 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
  9. Gerber V. Heads-up on head position: The need for equestrian reality. Vet. J. 2014;202:5–6.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.08.005pubmed: 25175720google scholar: lookup
  10. International Society for Equitation Science (ISES). Position Statement on Alterations of the Horses’ Head and Neck Posture in Equitation. ISES; Derby, UK: 2018. [(accessed on 29 August 2018)]. 14p..
  11. Dalla Costa E, Minero M, Lebek D, Stucke D, Canali E, Leach M. Development of the horse grimace scale (HGS) as a pain assessment tool in horses undergoing routine castration. PLoS ONE 2014;9:e92281.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092281pmc: PMC3960217pubmed: 24647606google scholar: lookup
  12. Smiet E, van Dierendonck M, Sleutjens J, Menheere P, van Breda E, de Boer D, Back W, Wijnberg I, van der Kolk J. Effect of different head and neck positions on behaviour, heart rate variability and cortisol levels in lunged Royal Dutch Sport horses. Vet. J. 2014;202:26–32.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.07.005pubmed: 25127376google scholar: lookup
  13. Górecka-Bruzda A, Kosinska I, Jaworski Z, Jezierski T, Murphy J. Conflict behaviour in elite show jumping and dressage horses. J. Vet. Behav. 2015;10:137–146.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2014.10.004google scholar: lookup
  14. Von Borstel U.U, Duncan I.J.H, Shoveller A.K, Merkies K, Keeling L.J, Millman S.T. Impact of riding in a coercively obtained Rollkur posture on welfare and fear of performance horses. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2009;116:228–236.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2008.10.001google scholar: lookup
  15. Carstens A, Kirberger R, Grimbeek R, Donnellan C, Saulez M. Radiographic quantification of tracheal dimensions of the normal thoroughbred horse. Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound 2009;50:492–501.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2009.01570.xpubmed: 19788033google scholar: lookup
  16. Cehak A, Rohn K, Barton A.-K, Stadler P, Ohnesorge B. Effect of head and neck position on pharyngeal diameter in horses. Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound 2010;51:491–497.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2010.01701.xpubmed: 20973380google scholar: lookup
  17. Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan M.M, Blok M.B, Begeman L, Kamphuis M.C.D, Lameris M.C, Spierenburg A.J, Lashley M.J.J.O. Workload and stress in horses: Comparison in horses ridden deep and round (“rollkur”) with a draw rein and horses ridden in a natural frame with only light rein contact. Tijdschr. Voor Diergeneeskd. 2006;131:152–157.
    pubmed: 16532786
  18. Sleutjens J, Smiet E, van Weeren R, van der Kolk J, Back W, Wijnberg I.D. Effect of head and neck position on intrathoracic pressure and arterial blood gas values in Dutch Warmblood riding horses during moderate exercise. Am. J. Vet. Res. 2012;73:522–528.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.73.4.522pubmed: 22452499google scholar: lookup
  19. Becker-Birck M, Schmidt A, Wulf M, Aurich J, von den Wense A, Mösti E, Berz R, Aurich A. Cortisol release, heart rate and heart rate vriability, and superficial body temperature, in horses lunged either with hyperflexion of the neck or with an extended head and neck position. J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr. 2012;97:322–330.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2012.01274.xpubmed: 22320155google scholar: lookup
  20. Zebisch A, May A, Reese S, Gehlen H. Effect of different head-neck positions on physical and psychological stress parameters in the ridden horse. J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr. 2014;98:901–907.
    doi: 10.1111/jpn.12155pubmed: 24329719google scholar: lookup
  21. Go L, Barton A.K, Ohnesorge B. Objective classification of different head and neck positions and their influence on the radiographic pharyngeal diameter on sport horses. BMC Vet. Res. 2014 10:118.
    doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-118pmc: PMC4041040pubmed: 24886564google scholar: lookup
  22. Guthrie A, Beadle R, Bateman R, White C. The effects of three models of airway disease on tidal breathing flow-volume loops of thoroughbred horses. Vet. Res. Commun. 1995;19:517–527.
    doi: 10.1007/BF01839340pubmed: 8619290google scholar: lookup
  23. Stadler P, Deegan E. Diurnal variation of dynamic compliance, resistance and viscous work of breathing in normal horses and horses with lung disorders. Equine Vet. J. 1986;18:171–178.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1986.tb03587.xpubmed: 3732235google scholar: lookup
  24. McGivney C.L, Sweeney J, David F, O’Leary J.M, Hill E.W, Katz L.M. Intra- and interobserver reliability estimates for identification and grading of upper respiratory tract abnormalities recorded in horses at rest and during overground endoscopy. Equine Vet. J. 2017;49:433–437.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12653pubmed: 27859573google scholar: lookup
  25. Holcombe S.J. Epidemiology of Airway Inflammation and Mucus in Horses. AAEP Proceedings Volume 51 American Association of Equine Practitioners; Lexington, KY, USA: 2005.
  26. Linford R.L, O’Brien T.R, Wheat J.D, Meagher D.M. Radiographic assessment of epiglottic length and pharyngeal and laryngeal diameters in the Thoroughbred. Am. J. Vet. Res. 1983;44:1660–1666.
    pubmed: 6625319
  27. Morris E. Dynamic evaluation of the equine upper respiratory tract. Vet. Clin. N. Am. Equine Pract. 1991;7:403–416.
    doi: 10.1016/S0749-0739(17)30506-0pubmed: 1933570google scholar: lookup
  28. Lane J, Bladon B, Little D, Naylor J, Franklin S. Dynamic obstructions of the equine upper respiratory tract. Part 1: Observations during high-speed treadmill endoscopy of 600 Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet. J. 2006;38:393–399.
    doi: 10.2746/042516406778400583pubmed: 16986598google scholar: lookup
  29. Fretheim-Kelly Z, Halvorsen T, Clemm H, Roksund O, Heimdal J, Vollsaeter M, Fintl C, Strand E. Exercise induced laryngeal obstruction in humans and equines. A comparative review. Front. Physiol. 2019;10:1333.
    doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01333pmc: PMC6831747pubmed: 31736771google scholar: lookup
  30. Fretheim-Kelly Z, Engan M, Clemm H, Andersen T, Heimdal J, Strand E, Halvorsen T, Roksund O, Vollsaeter M. Reliability of translaryngeal airway resistance measurements during maximal exercise. ERJ Open Res. 2022;8:00581-2021.
    doi: 10.1183/23120541.00581-2021pmc: PMC8923134pubmed: 35309036google scholar: lookup
  31. Parente E. Upper airway conditions affecting the equine athlete. Vet. Clin. N. Am. Equine Pract. 2018;34:427–441.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2018.04.008pubmed: 29793735google scholar: lookup
  32. Barakzai S, Dixon P. Correlation of resting and exercising endoscopic findings for horses with dynamic laryngeal collapse and palatal dysfunction. Equine Vet. J. 2011;43:18–23.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00108.xpubmed: 21143629google scholar: lookup
  33. Allen K. Soft palate displacement in horses. Pract. 2015;37:415–421.
    doi: 10.1136/inp.h4531google scholar: lookup
  34. Chesen A.B, Whitfield-Cargile C. Update on diseases and treatment of the pharynx. Vet. Clin. N. Am. Equine Pract. 2015;31:1–11.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2014.11.001pubmed: 25600454google scholar: lookup
  35. Franklin S.H, Allen K.J. Assessment of dynamic upper respiratory tract function in the equine athlete. Equine Vet. Educ. 2017;29:92–103.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.12432google scholar: lookup
  36. Rakesh V, Ducharme N, Datta A, Cheetham J, Pease A. Development of equine upper airway fluid mechanics model for Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet. J. 2008;40:272–279.
    doi: 10.2746/042516408X281216pubmed: 18290260google scholar: lookup
  37. Strand E, Fjordbakk C, Holcombe S, Risberg A, Chalmers H. Effect of poll flexion and dynamic laryngeal collapse on tracheal pressure in Norwegian Coldblooded Trotter racehorses. Equine Vet. J. 2009;41:59–64.
    doi: 10.2746/042516408X330392pubmed: 19301583google scholar: lookup
  38. McCarrel T.M, Woodie J.B. Update on laryngeal disorders and treatment. Vet. Clin. North Am. Equine Pract. 2015;31:13–26.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2014.11.009pubmed: 25770065google scholar: lookup
  39. Fretheim-Kelly Z, Fjordbakk C, Fintl C, Krontveit R, Strand E. A bitless bridle does not limit or prevent dynamic laryngeal collapse. Equine Vet. J. 2021;53:44–50.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13287pubmed: 32449540google scholar: lookup
  40. Strand E, Össurardóttir S, Wettre K, Fjordbakk C. Alar fold resection in 25 horses: Clinical findings and effect on racing performance and airway mechanics (1998–2013). Vet. Surg. 2019;48:835–844.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.13214pubmed: 31002392google scholar: lookup
  41. Davie A.J, Evans D.L. Blood lactate responses to submaximal field exercise tests in thoroughbred horses. Vet. J. 2000;159:252–258.
    doi: 10.1053/tvjl.1999.0420pubmed: 10775469google scholar: lookup
  42. Allen K, van Erck-Westergren E, Franklin S. Exercise testing in the equine athlete. Equine Vet. Educ. 2016;28:89–98.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.12410google scholar: lookup
  43. Allen K, Young L, Franklin S. Evaluation of heart rate and rhythm during exercise. Equine Vet. Educ. 2016;28:99–112.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.12405google scholar: lookup
  44. Tavanaeimanesh H, Dashli-Boroon O, Corley K. Comparison of -endorphin, lactate and cortisol concentrations in winning and losing racehorses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2022;110:103857.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103857pubmed: 34965409google scholar: lookup
  45. Kovac M, Ippolitova T, Pozyabin S, Aliev R, Lobanova V, Drakul N, Rutland C. Equine Stress: Neuroendocrine Physiology and Pathophysiology. IntechOpen; London, UK: 2020.
    doi: 10.5772/intechopen.105045google scholar: lookup
  46. Van Breda E. A non-natural head-neck position (rollkur) during training results in less acute stress in elite, trained, dressage horses. J. Appl. Anim. Welf. Sci. 2006;9:59–64.
    doi: 10.1207/s15327604jaws0901_5pubmed: 16649951google scholar: lookup
  47. Allen K, Terron-Canedo N, Hillyer M, Franklin S. Equitation and exercise factors affecting dynamic upper respiratory tract function: A review illustrated by case reports. Equine Vet. Educ. 2011;23:361–368.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3292.2010.00171.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  48. Zsoldos R.R, Licka T.F. The equine neck and its function during movement and locomotion. Zoology 2015;118:364–376.
    doi: 10.1016/j.zool.2015.03.005pubmed: 26163862google scholar: lookup
  49. Strand E, Fjordbakk C, Sundberg K, Spangen L, Lunde H, Hanche-Olsen S. Relative prevalence of upper respiratory tract obstructive disorders in two breeds of harness racehorses (185 cases: 1998–2006). Equine Vet. J. 2012;44:518–523.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00517.xpubmed: 22150875google scholar: lookup
  50. Velie B, Smith P, Fjordbakk C, Solé M, Fegraeus K, Rosengree M, Roed K, Ihler C, Lindgreen G, Stranhd E. Exploring the genetics underpinning dynamic laryngeal collapse associated with poll flexion in Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotter racehorses. Equine Vet. J. 2020;52:174–180.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13171pubmed: 31461557google scholar: lookup
  51. Fjordbakk C, Chalmers H, Holcombe S, Strand E. Results of upper airway radiography and ultrasonography predict dynamic laryngeal collapse in affected horses. Equine Vet. J. 2013;45:705–710.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12066pubmed: 23662675google scholar: lookup
  52. Fjordbakk C, Strand E, Hanche-Olsen S. Surgical and conservative management of bilateral dynamic laryngeal collapse associated with poll flexion in harness race horses. Vet. Surg. 2008;37:501–507.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2008.00396.xpubmed: 19134098google scholar: lookup
  53. Fjordbakk C, Holcombe S, Fintl C, Chalmers H, Strand E. A novel treatment for dynamic laryngeal collapse associated with poll flexion: The modified checkrein. Equine Vet. J. 2012;44:207–213.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00388.xpubmed: 21696430google scholar: lookup
  54. Fitzharris L, Franklin S, McConnell A, Hezzell M, Allen K. Inspiratory muscle training for the treatment of dynamic upper airway collapse in racehorses: A preliminary investigation. Vet. J. 2021;275:105708.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2021.105708pubmed: 34147643google scholar: lookup
  55. Fjordbakk C, Revold T, Goodwin D, Piercy R. Histopathological assessment of intrinsic laryngeal musculature in horses with dynamic laryngeal collapse. Equine Vet. J. 2015;47:603–608.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12357pubmed: 25256848google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Faithfull R, Lewis K, Drury E, McBride S. Influences of Double Versus Snaffle Bridles on Equine Behaviour at Dressage Competitions and Factors That Interact with Their Effect. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 17;15(12).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15121782pubmed: 40564336google scholar: lookup
  2. König von Borstel U, Kienapfel K, McLean A, Wilkins C, McGreevy P. Hyperflexing the horse's neck: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2024 Oct 2;14(1):22886.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-72766-5pubmed: 39358404google scholar: lookup
  3. Scholler D, Wittenberg J, Zablotski Y, May A. Do tight nosebands have an effect on the upper airways of horses?. Vet Med Sci 2024 Jul;10(4):e1478.
    doi: 10.1002/vms3.1478pubmed: 38885311google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.