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Rein tension in harness trotters during on-track exercise.
Abstract: Horseracing is under public scrutiny with increasing demands to safeguard horse welfare. It is accepted that, as a result of bit pressure and/or equipment, mouth lesions accompany many types of horse use, including racing. However, there are currently no data available on the range of bit pressures in driven trotters. Our aim was to investigate whether rein tension (RT, proxy for bit pressures) differs among gaits, between tempo within gait, between horses and drivers, and between left/right reins. Standardbreds (n = 9), driven by experienced drivers (n = 11), performed exercise tests on a racetrack (cross-over design; total 31 tests, data available from 26 tests). Horses' motion symmetry was measured before tests (trotting in hand). Rein tension, speed and heart rate were measured during exercise. A moving-window filter was applied to RT raw data. Median, maximum and interquartile range for the estimated stride median RT were determined for each rein (left/right) and segment: walk; circling in slow trot followed by transition to faster trot; fast (racing) trot; and slowing down to walk. Mixed models were used for statistical analysis. Least square means for segment median RT ranged between 17-19 N in walk, 34-40 N during circling-accelerating, 51-62 N in fast trot, and 53-71 N for slowing down. Segment maximum RT was between 60-81 N in walk, 104-106 N during circling-accelerating, 72-86 N in fast trot, and 86-129 N during slowing down. Interquartile ranges were between 7-9 N in walk, 28-31 N during circling-accelerating, 8-10 N in fast trot, and 12-18 N for slowing down. Hind limb asymmetry exceeded the recommended threshold in three horses and was associated with higher median (48 N) and maximum (106 N) RT than symmetric horses (29 N and 73 N, respectively, p < 0.01). Consistent left-right asymmetry in RT was more common among horses than among drivers. Rein tension increased with increasing heart rate (p ≤ 0.0006). Rein tensions were higher than those reported during riding or in horses worked from the ground. The findings of high RT, taken together with the high reported prevalence of oral injuries in harness trotters, call for further research into RT, motion symmetry and use of equipment.
Copyright © 2022 Egenvall, Byström, Pökelmann, Connysson, Kienapfel-Henseleit, Karlsteen, McGreevy and Hartmann.
Publication Date: 2022-10-11 PubMed ID: 36304413PubMed Central: PMC9592803DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.987852Google 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.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This study explores how rein tension relates to trotting speed, left and right reins, and to different horses and drivers among harness racehorses. The findings indicate that rein tension increases as the horse’s heart rate and trotting speed increase, with higher tensions noted in horses worked from the ground or while riding. Further study into rein tension and motion symmetry in relation to the use of equipment may be necessary due to reported mouth injuries in harness trotters.
Study Aim and Methodology
- The main aim was to investigate the variation in rein tension (a measure of bit pressure in a horse’s mouth) among different gaits, tempo variations within a gait, different horses and drivers, and between left and right reins.
- Nine standardbred horses, driven by eleven experienced drivers, took part in exercise tests on a racetrack. A total of 31 tests were conducted, and data was captured from 26 tests.
- Before each test, the horses’ motion symmetry was assessed. During the exercise, rein tension, speed, and heart rate were monitored and recorded.
- The researchers applied a moving-window filter to the raw rein tension data, and the median, maximum and interquartile ranges were established.
Results and Observations
- Fragment by fragment, the least square means for median rein tension varied between 17-19 Newtons (N) when walking, 34-40 N during circular trotting and acceleration, 51-62 N in fast trot, and 53-71 N in deceleration.
- The maximum observed rein tension was between 60-81 N during walk, 104-106 N during acceleration, 72-86 N in fast trot, and 86-129 N while decelerating.
- Prominent left-right asymmetry in rein tension was more frequently noticed among horses than drivers.
- Three horses showed hindlimb asymmetry above the suggested threshold and were connected with higher median and maximum rein tensions than symmetric horses.
- Rein tension noticeably increased with an increasing heart rate.
Implications and Conclusion
- The study findings reveal that during trotting exercises, rein tensions are considerably higher than reported during equestrian riding or ground workwith horses.
- This research is significant because it provides some initial insights into the rein tension of harness trotters, an area with little existing data.
- The observed high rein tensions and the reported prevalence of oral injuries in harness trotters call for further research on rein tension, motion symmetry, and equipment usage to protect the welfare of racing horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Egenvall A, Byström A, Pökelmann M, Connysson M, Kienapfel-Henseleit K, Karlsteen M, McGreevy P, Hartmann E.
(2022).
Rein tension in harness trotters during on-track exercise.
Front Vet Sci, 9, 987852.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.987852 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Wången, National Center for the Education and Development of Harness Racing and Icelandic Horse Riding, Alsen, Sweden.
- Wången, National Center for the Education and Development of Harness Racing and Icelandic Horse Riding, Alsen, Sweden.
- Agroscope, Swiss National Stud Farm, Avenches, Switzerland.
- Department of Applied Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden.
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Biau S, Pycik E, Boichot L, Berg LC, Ruet A. Rein tensions and behaviour with five rein types in international-level vaulting horses. PLoS One 2024;19(10):e0311919.
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