Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to Horses Competing in British Eventing 90, 100 and Novice One-Day Events and Comparison with Performance

Dyson, Sue; Pollard, Danica

doi:10.3390/ani12050590

Cited by 9 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 60 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The horses in this study were mainly used for leisure riding or low‐level competition. The RHpE has been applied to horses used for leisure riding and competition from low‐level eventing up to 5* 3‐day eventing and Grand Prix level dressage competition (Dyson & Pollard, 2020, 2021a, 2021b, 2022). Horses that perform best generally have low RHpE scores (0–4) in association with a low frequency of gait abnormalities (Dyson & Pollard, 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The RHpE has been applied to horses used for leisure riding and competition from low-level eventing up to 5* 3-day eventing and Grand Prix level dressage competition , 2021a, 2021b, 2022. Horses that perform best generally have low RHpE scores (0-4) in association with a low frequency of gait abnormalities (Dyson & Pollard, 2022). Gait evaluation and When the frequency of occurrence of specific behaviours was compared with another group of lame horses with the most frequent lameness grade 2/8 (Dyson & Van Dijk, 2020), in this study of Icelandic horses there was a higher frequency of an intense stare (75% vs. 53%), ears back ≥5 s (93% vs. 64%) and head above vertical ≥30° for ≥10 s (89% vs. 50%), but a lower frequency of mouth opening (55% vs. 72%).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This was a higher frequency than previously reported in convenience samples of ridden horses (Dyson, Martin, et al, 2020; Dyson & Pollard, 2020; Dyson, Routh, et al, 2020). However, in a study of event horses 75% of 204 horses competing at British Eventing 90 level had abnormalities of canter (Dyson & Pollard, 2022). A positive association between abnormalities of canter and RHpE scores has been documented (Dyson & Ellis, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The RHpE has been applied to horses used for leisure riding and competition from low‐level eventing up to 5* 3‐day eventing and Grand Prix level dressage competition (Dyson & Pollard, 2020, 2021a, 2021b, 2022). Horses that perform best generally have low RHpE scores (0–4) in association with a low frequency of gait abnormalities (Dyson & Pollard, 2022). Gait evaluation and application of the RHpE to Icelandic horses competing at high level competitions may give different results to this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Application of a Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram in Icelandic horses: A pilot study

Garcia

Lindegaard

Dyson³

2023

Equine Veterinary Education

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary Background A disturbing number of ridden horses are lame, although assumed by riders to be pain free. A Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) was developed; an RHpE score of ≥8/24 is likely to indicate the presence of musculoskeletal pain. Pain assessment in Icelandic horses is challenging; the RHpE may facilitate lameness recognition. Objectives To determine the repeatability of application of an adapted RHpE to Icelandic horses by a single observer. To evaluate the relationship between RHpE scores and lameness or abnormalities of canter. Study design Prospective, cross‐sectional study. Methods Video‐recordings of 30 Icelandic horses performing a standardised test (walk, trot, tölt, canter) were acquired. The adapted RHpE, to include tölt, was applied to all recordings twice in random order by a single observer. Agreement was assessed using Cohen's kappa. The presence of lameness, abnormalities of canter and lameness grade was determined by an independent expert. The association between maximum lameness grade and RHpE score was tested using Spearman's rank correlation. Results All horses exhibited both lameness, the majority in >1 limb, and abnormalities of canter. The RHpE score was ≥8/24 in 96% (median 10/24 and 10.5/24, respectively, for the two assessments). There was substantial to near‐perfect agreement for the majority of behaviours (63.6%) and moderate or fair agreement for 32%. There was no correlation between maximum lameness grades and RHpE scores. Main limitations The absence of non‐lame horses with correct saddle fit for horse and rider. Conclusions There was good repeatability of application of the RHpE. Musculoskeletal pain was associated with RHpE scores of ≥8/24 in the majority of horses. Data acquired from non‐lame horses, ridden in well‐fitting tack by riders of appropriate size, are needed to determine if the threshold of step frequency in trot needs to be adjusted for more accurate application of the RHpE in Icelandic horses.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Application of a Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram in Icelandic horses: A pilot study

Garcia

Lindegaard

Dyson³

2023

Equine Veterinary Education

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…25 In another study of 841 actively competing event horses, 8.6% of horses had an overt lameness (9% forelimb and 8% hindlimb). 26 While the current prevalence of lameness is unknown for most populations of horses, these and the current study suggest that some degree of lameness may be expected in horses across multiple disciplines both during early training and athletic competition.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

Effect of age at training initiation on hoof morphology and lameness in juvenile American Quarter Horses

Kawahisa-Piquini

Bass

Pezzanite

et al. 2023

Equine Veterinary Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundLameness, discipline, training intensity, environmental variability, and shoeing are all factors demonstrated to affect hoof loading and therefore act as adaptive stimuli to alter hoof morphology.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of age at training initiation on hoof morphology and lameness incidence and determine if specific hoof morphology measurements correlate with lameness in juvenile American Quarter Horses.Study designProspective cohort study.MethodsAmerican Quarter Horses (n = 42; 29 two‐year‐olds, 13 three‐year‐olds) entering training were monitored for hoof morphology and lameness over 6 months (months 0, 2, 4, and 6). Hoof measurements (palmar/plantar angles, frog base width/length, toe length/angle, heel length/angle, heel and foot width, wall height/angle) from radiographs and photographs were recorded. Lameness was graded subjectively and objectively (Lameness locator®). Statistical analyses were performed with Fisher's exact test and repeated measures ANOVA with p < 0.05.Results25/42 horses developed subclinical lameness (16/42 forelimb, 19/42 hindlimb), with 3‐year‐olds developing lameness more frequently compared to 2‐year‐olds overall (p = 0.04; 84.6 vs. 48.3%) and in forelimbs (p = 0.05; 61.5% vs. 27.6%); no difference was noted between 2‐ versus 3‐year‐olds in hindlimbs (p = 0.2; 61.5% vs. 37.9%). In lame versus sound forelimbs, 3‐year‐olds had decreased foot width (p = 0.03; 11.48 cm [CI 10.68–12.28] vs. 12.21 cm [CI 11.99–12.42]), decreased toe length (p = 0.03; 6.02 cm [CI 5.69–6.36] vs. 6.45 cm [CI 6.32–6.58]), shorter lateral wall height (p = 0.03; 4.64 cm [CI 4.31–4.96] vs. 5.11 cm [CI 5.03–5.2]), and shorter medial wall height (p = 0.02; 4.58 cm [CI 4.06–5.10] vs. 5.15 cm [CI 4.99–5.30]).In lame versus sound hindlimbs, horses overall (p = 0.05; 3.74, CI 3.53–3.96 vs. 3.55, CI 3.48–3.61) and 3‐year‐olds had longer heels p = 0.01; 3.90 cm (CI 3.5–4.3) vs. 3.50 cm (CI 3.39–3.61).Main limitationsSmall sample size, lack of control group not entering training.ConclusionsThree‐year‐old American Quarter Horses entering training were more likely to develop forelimb lameness than 2‐year‐olds. This subclinical lameness was associated with specific hoof morphology characteristics (decreased foot width, toe length, heel length, and lateral/medial wall height; greater toe angle).

show abstract

Do tight nosebands have an effect on the upper airways of horses?

Scholler,

Wittenberg,

Zablotski

et al. 2024

Veterinary Medicine & Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background/ObjectivesThe public perception relating to the welfare of horses involved with equestrian sports is associated with training methods used and the presentation of horses at events. In this context, very tight nosebands, which are intended to prevent the horse from opening its mouth, also attract a lot of attention. Various studies have evaluated the impact of tight nosebands on stress parameters, whereas the effect of tight nosebands on upper airway function is unknown. Therefore, the aim of the study was to use overground endoscopy to evaluate changes in pharyngeal and laryngeal function when a tight noseband is fitted. Moreover, the ridden horse pain ethogram (RHpE) was applied to investigate signs of discomfort (Dyson et al., 2018).Study designA randomized, blinded, and prospective study was performed.MethodsSixteen warmblood horses consisting of twelve mares and four geldings with a mean age of 11.63 ± 3.53 years were ridden on 2 consecutive days with either loose or tight nosebands (two fingers or no space between bridge of the nose and noseband, respectively) and inserted endoscope in a random order. Videos were taken in a riding arena during a standardized exercise protocol involving beginner level tasks for 30 min in all gaits. For video analysis, freeze frames were prepared and analyzed at the beginning of the expiration phase. Pharyngeal diameter was measured using the pharynx‐epiglottis ratio. Other findings (swallowing, pharyngeal collapse, soft palate movements, and secretion) were also evaluated. Moreover, the RHpE was applied. Descriptive statistics and generalized linear mixed effects models were used. Results with a p‐value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsWhile the pharynx‐epiglottis ratio did not change significantly in horses ridden with loose versus tight nosebands, there was an increase in mean grade and total counts of parameters assessed in the pharyngeal region, for example, grade of secretion (1.5 [±SD 0.89] vs. 3.13 [±SD 0.96]; p = 0.0001), axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds (0.29 [±SD 0.73] vs. 1.33 [±SD 1.44]; p = 0.01), and pharyngeal collapse (0.69 [±SD 0.87] vs. 1.88 [±SD 1.54]; p = 0.005) in horses ridden with tight nosebands. There was no RHpE score above 8 indicating musculoskeletal pain, but the RHpE scores were significantly higher in horses ridden with tight nosebands (p < 0.001).Main limitationsVideo quality was limited when horses showed large amounts of secretion. Another limitation was the small number of horses.ConclusionsResults add to the evidence obtained in other studies that tight nosebands do not only cause adverse reactions based on the RHpE score such as head behind the vertical or intense staring but also contribute to changes in the pharyngeal region, such as increased secretion and collapse of pharyngeal structures. This may provide further support for future decisions regarding regulations on nosebands.

show abstract

Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to Horses Competing in British Eventing 90, 100 and Novice One-Day Events and Comparison with Performance

Cited by 9 publications

References 60 publications

Application of a Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram in Icelandic horses: A pilot study

Application of a Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram in Icelandic horses: A pilot study

Effect of age at training initiation on hoof morphology and lameness in juvenile American Quarter Horses

Do tight nosebands have an effect on the upper airways of horses?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About