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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Poor Association between Facial Expression and Mild Lameness...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(11); 1727; doi: 10.3390/ani13111727

Poor Association between Facial Expression and Mild Lameness in Thoroughbred Trot-Up Examinations.

Abstract: Musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses are difficult to detect prior to catastrophic breakdown. Lameness is commonly attributed to orthopaedic pain in horses, therefore, subtle lameness may be a pre-clinical sign of injury and, if identified early, could allow for preventative intervention. Our objective was to determine if facial expressions could be used to detect mild lameness as an indicator of orthopaedic pain in 'fit to race' horses. The Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) and the facial expressions in ridden horses (FEReq), were used to score images (n = 380) of mildly lame (n = 21) and non-lame (n = 17) Thoroughbred horses by two independent observers. Using an Equinosis Lameness Locator, the lameness status of each horse was determined according to published thresholds [forelimb lameness (>|14.5 mm|) and hindlimb lameness (>|7.5 mm|)]. Inter and intraobserver reliability were assessed using two-way random-effects models. Univariable associations between lameness and facial expression parameters were identified using logistic and linear regression. Interobserver reliability was moderate (κ 0.45; 95% CI 0.36, 0.55). Horses with moderate mouth strain (HGS) and tense and extended upper lip (FEReq) were less likely to be lame ( = 0.042 and = 0.027, respectively). Exposed sclera was associated with lameness ( = 0.045). Higher orbital tightening (HGS) scores were associated with a lower degree of maximum head amplitude (HDmax) lameness ( = 0.044). Tension and moderate tension above the eye, for the HGS and FEReq scores, were associated with increasing amplitude of HDmax ( = 0.048 and = 0.034, respectively). Inconsistent associations between lameness status and HGS and FEReq scores may limit the potential use of the facial expression for the prediction of mild orthopaedic pain during pre-race lameness examinations. More objective parameters associated with mild orthopaedic pain should be explored.
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Publication Date: 2023-05-23 PubMed ID: 37889660PubMed Central: PMC10251806DOI: 10.3390/ani13111727Google 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.

The study investigates if facial expressions in horses can effectively indicate mild lameness, a potential precursor to injury, in race-ready Thoroughbred horses. The researchers found inconsistent associations between facial expressions and lameness, suggesting that this may not be a reliable method for detecting early orthopedic pain.

Research Objectives and Methodology

  • The aim of this research was to understand if facial expressions in horses, particularly Thoroughbreds prepared for racing, could be used as a predictor or an indicator of lameness. Early identification could provide an opportunity for intervention and potentially prevent further injury. Lameness is often a sign of orthopaedic distress in horses, which could lead to catastrophic injuries if not addressed appropriately.
  • Two measures of facial expressions were used in this study: the Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) and the Facial Expressions in Ridden Horses (FEReq). Both were utilised independently by two observers to score images of mildly lame and non-lame horses.
  • To determine lameness, an Equinosis Lameness Locator was used, with established thresholds to differentiate between forelimb lameness and hindlimb lameness in the horses. The reliability of the observations was tested using two-way random-effects models.
  • The researchers also used logistic and linear regression to identify any univariable associations between lameness and differing facial expression parameters.

Research Findings

  • The independent observers showed moderate reliability in their assessments.
  • The researchers identified specific facial expressions in horses that were less likely to exhibit lameness. Specifically, horses exhibiting moderate mouth strain or those with a tense or extended upper lip were found to be less likely to be lame. Conversely, horses with visible sclera were more likely to be lame.
  • The study also discovered ‘orbital tightening’ (a particular expression feature) was associated with a lower degree of maximum head movement lameness.
  • Despite these associations, the study presented inconsistent results when comparing lameness with the two facial expression scoring methods (HGS and FEReq). These inconsistent correlations suggest that facial expressions may not be an effective predictive tool for early identification of orthopaedic pain in preparation for races.

Implications and Recommendations

  • This study suggested that using horse facial expressions as a marker for mild lameness is not reliable. The lack of consistency in results from the HGS and FEReq scoring limits their use as a predictive measure of impending orthopaedic issues.
  • This leads to the recommendation for further exploration of more objective parameters connected to mild orthopaedic pain in horses, to establish an early detection system for preventing severe injuries in racehorses.

Cite This Article

APA
Anderson KA, Morrice-West AV, Wong ASM, Walmsley EA, Fisher AD, Whitton RC, Hitchens PL. (2023). Poor Association between Facial Expression and Mild Lameness in Thoroughbred Trot-Up Examinations. Animals (Basel), 13(11), 1727. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13111727

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 11
PII: 1727

Researcher Affiliations

Anderson, Katrina A
  • Equine Centre, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia.
Morrice-West, Ashleigh V
  • Equine Centre, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia.
Wong, Adelene S M
  • Equine Centre, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia.
Walmsley, Elizabeth A
  • Equine Centre, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia.
  • Avenel Equine Hospital, 34 Ferguson Lane, Avenel, VIC 3664, Australia.
Fisher, Andrew D
  • Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
Whitton, R Chris
  • Equine Centre, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia.
Hitchens, Peta L
  • Equine Centre, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia.

Grant Funding

  • n/a / Racing Victoria
  • n/a / Victorian Racing Industry Fund of the Victoria State Government
  • n/a / University of Melbourne

Conflict of Interest Statement

Three of the authors (A.V.M.-W., A.S.M.W. and P.L.H.) were Guest Editors of the Special Issue in which this paper is published. Alternate Editors handled the processing and peer-review evaluation of the manuscript.

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