The effect of different head and neck positions on the caudal back and hindlimb kinematics in the elite dressage horse at trot

Rhodin, Marie; Álvarez, C. B. Gómez; Byström, Anna; Johnston, C.; Weeren, P. R. van; Roepstorff, L.; Weishaupt, Michael A

doi:10.2746/042516409x394436

Cited by 73 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…A flexed head and neck position induced an increase in range of motion of the thoracic and the lumbar back in the unridden horse, which implies an activated use of the hindlimbs, a better step under the horse's body and a more equally divided weight load between fore-and hindlimbs (Gómez Álvarez et al 2006). However, the effect in the lumbar back could not be reproduced while ridden, whereas the thoracic area could not be investigated due to the saddle (Rhodin et al 2009). An extremely elevated neck, however, caused an increase in extension of the thoracic and lumbar back in the unridden as well as in the ridden horse (Gómez Álvarez et al 2006;Rhodin et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…However, the effect in the lumbar back could not be reproduced while ridden, whereas the thoracic area could not be investigated due to the saddle (Rhodin et al 2009). An extremely elevated neck, however, caused an increase in extension of the thoracic and lumbar back in the unridden as well as in the ridden horse (Gómez Álvarez et al 2006;Rhodin et al 2009). An extremely elevated neck also affected the functionality of the locomotor apparatus much more than an extremely low neck, as evidenced by an increase in peak vertical forces in the forelimbs, which is a potential risk factor for injury Waldern et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To our knowledge, no in vivo or ex vivo data are available regarding the influence of flexion and extension, related to various head and neck positions used in earlier studies (Gómez Álvarez et al 2006;Weishaupt et al 2006;Rhodin et al 2009;Sleutjens et al 2009;Waldern et al 2009), on cervical intervertebral foramina dimensions in the horse. This information could contribute to a greater understanding of the effect of training techniques regarding the head and neck position in healthy horses as well as in horses suffering from pathological conditions in the neck.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effect of ex vivo flexion and extension on intervertebral foramina dimensions in the equine cervical spine

Sleutjens

Voorhout

Kolk

et al. 2010

Equine Veterinary Journal

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SummaryReasons for performing study: In dressage, the head and neck position has become an issue of concern as certain extreme positions may imply a welfare risk for the horse. In man, extension and flexion of the cervical spine cause a decrease and increase in intervertebral foramina dimensions, respectively. However, in horses, the influence of flexion and extension on foramina dimensions and its possible interference with peripheral nerve functioning remains unknown.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effect of ex vivo flexion and extension on intervertebral foramina dimensions in the equine cervical spine

Sleutjens

Voorhout

Kolk

et al. 2010

Equine Veterinary Journal

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“…In a large scale study conducted on photographs of young, advertised and feral horses, McGreevy, Harman, McLean, and Hawson (2010) showed that the head-neck angle requested by riders is significantly smaller than when the horses move freely, whatever the gait and the horse's "experience" in riding. Gomez-Alvarez et al (2006) study showed that amongst six different head and neck positions, the extremely high posture was likely to be the most uncomfortable, leading to a significant decrease in the intra-vertebral pattern symmetry, an increase of lateral bending of the spine, an increased extension of the cranial part of the thoracolumbar area and a flexion in the caudally located part, which could be a risk of injury (Rhodin et al, 2009). To a lesser extent, these studies raise the question of the impact of hyperflexion ("Rollkur": an extremely flexed posture of the neck in which the nose of the horse touches its chest, Figure 1), which is a source of debate as it does mechanically put pressure on the spine (e.g., von Borstel et al, 2009).…”

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Detecting and Measuring Back Disorders in Nonverbal Individuals: The Example of Domestic Horses

Lesimple¹,

Fureix²,

Aubé³

et al. 2016

AB&C

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-Back disorders are amongst the major health-related disorders associated to working conditions in our society. Horses share with humans the exposure to potential physically harmful working conditions leading to back disorders. However, despite their high prevalence, these problems are often unacknowledged in the horse industry, mostly because their diagnosis remains difficult, particularly in field conditions. In the present review, we review the current scientific knowledge on back vertebral, muscular and musculoskeletal disorders. We will first present the existing knowledge about their prevalence and the tools available for diagnosis. Then, the different potential sources of back pain, including anatomical implications, the effect of emotionality and working conditions will be discussed. We finally present the existing behavioral, postural and physiological indicators of back pain that could help an early detection of back disorders.Keywords -Horse, Equine, Work, Illness, Back disorder assessment, IndicatorsSickness is defined as a state of unwellness, distress or disgust (Oxford Guide of the English Language, 1984), combining physical and emotional disorders. Sickness induces aversive experiences that range from mild discomfort to acute pain, which are mechanisms preventing the organism from incurring injuries (Bateson, 1991). According to this definition, the term "sickness" fits very well with back disorders. In humans, the presence of back disorders is related to increased aggressiveness (Berkowitz, 1993) and/or depression (Curie & Wang, 2004;Garon & Leavitt, 1983) and lower back pain is amongst the main causes of sick leave (Dionne et al., 2005). Back disorders may be caused by strictly physical parameters, such as bony dysfunction or malformations. However, working conditions are more and more often identified as a major source of back pain in humans (Banibrata, 2014;Widanarko, Legg, Devereux, & Stevenson, 2014), related to postural or psychological constraints.In horses too, physical malfunctions and malformations are possibly involved in some back related disorders (Haussler, 1996;Stubbs et al., 2006). However, working conditions, have also been proposed as further sources of such disorders (Fonseca et al., 2006;Gillis, 1999;Haussler, 1997;Jeffcott, 1980): horses share with humans working activities that may cause psychological (e.g., suppression of emotions) and physical stress (e.g., physical constraints; McGreevy & McLean, 2005). In this review, we present the current knowledge about the prevalence of back disorders and the tools used to diagnose them. We will review the potential causes of back disorders with a special highlight on working conditions. Psychological, physical and anatomical impacts of riding will be discussed in relation to the presence of visible indicators of back disorders. Finally, as the presence of back disorders is one of the main Lesimple et al. 160 pathologies in horses, we will review the validated indicators of back disorders as well as the signals that are ...

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“…Während Rhodin et al (2009) (Roepstorff et al 2002, Waldern et al 2009). In der vorliegenden Studie sprechen die größte Entlastung der Vordergliedmaße in der tiefen Kopf-Hals-Position im Vergleich zu den übrigen Kopf-Hals-Haltungen und die dabei größte Hyperflexion im Bereich des Fesselgelenks dafür, dass die resultierende Mehrbelastung der Hinterhand offensichtlich mit einer stärkeren Hyperflexion des Fesselgelenks einhergeht.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Kinetic and kinematic analysis of the influence of different head and neck position on biomechanics of the warmblood

Kattelans¹,

Lange²,

Rohn³

et al. 2013

PHK

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Kinetic and kinematic analysis of the influence of different head and neck position on biomechanics of the warmbloodThe aim of this study was to analyze the influence of different head and neck positions on hindlimb biomechanics. The basic research concept was a combination of kinetic and kinematic recordings in ten healthy horses which had to walk and trot on a treadmill in three different head and neck positions. In a first step kinematic and kinetic methods were developed for equine gate analysis using the relatively inexpensive three-dimensional high frequency motion analysis system of Simi as well as the hoof pressure system of Tekscan ® . This video analysis system allowed the objectivization of the three head and neck positions which were chosen for this analysis. The three head and neck positions resulted in significantly different atlanto-occipital and cervico-thoracic angles in walk and trot. Regarding the interaction between the head and neck positions and the hindlimb kinematics it was demonstrated that the metatarsophalangeal joint was significantly more hyperextended in the low position in comparison to the other two head-neck-positions. The vertical ground reaction force measured through the Tekscan ® -Hoof TM -System was significantly higher in the free head and neck position than in both other positions, indicating a significant reduction in loading of the fore quarters.

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The effect of different head and neck positions on the caudal back and hindlimb kinematics in the elite dressage horse at trot

Abstract: Head and neck positions influence significantly the kinematics of the ridden horse. It is important for riders and trainers to be aware of these effects in dressage training.

Cited by 73 publications

References 13 publications

The effect of ex vivo flexion and extension on intervertebral foramina dimensions in the equine cervical spine

The effect of ex vivo flexion and extension on intervertebral foramina dimensions in the equine cervical spine

Detecting and Measuring Back Disorders in Nonverbal Individuals: The Example of Domestic Horses

Kinetic and kinematic analysis of the influence of different head and neck position on biomechanics of the warmblood

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