| 1. |
- Egenvall, Agneta, et al.
(author)
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Rein tension in harness trotters during on-track exercise
- 2022
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In: Frontiers in Veterinary Science. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2297-1769. ; 9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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.
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| 2. |
- Hartmann, Elke, et al.
(author)
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Associations between driving rein tensions and drivers’ reports of the behaviour and driveability of Standardbred trotters
- 2022
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In: Applied Animal Behaviour Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-1591 .- 1872-9045. ; 254
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Effective communication between driver and horse through the reins is essential in harness racing to promote safety and optimise performance. Yet, the magnitudes of rein tension applied to driven horses, particularly Standardbred trotters (ST) are currently poorly understood. This is surprising given the number of reports that speak of mouth lesions after competition and equipment use that give raise to horse welfare concerns. Combining rein tension measurements with behavioural parameters has the potential to characterize “driveability” (as compared to “rideability”, the equivalent industry term for riding horses). Thus, the aims of the current study were: (i) identify how drivers perceive ST's behavioural reactions in response to rein signals when driven on a racetrack, (ii) investigate whether drivers’ subjective appraisals of horses’ behavioural responses align with measured rein tensions (RT), (iii) relate these appraisals to the horses’ perceived driveability (score 1 = poor, 10 = excellent), and (iv) assess whether drivers differ in their scoring of horses’ driveability. Nine ST (5 geldings, 7.8 mean ± 2.1 SE years; 4 mares, 6.8 ± 0.5) were driven by 11 drivers (7 females; 4 males) all of whom were experienced in driving ST. Nine drivers tested three different horses each, and two drivers drove two of the horses. This resulted in 31 test drives involving several segments, each comprising a series of changes of gait and direction of travel. Rein tension meters were used throughout. After each test, drivers were asked to report on their experience of each horse they had just driven and to estimate RT (continuous rating scale from 0 to 50 kg) while driving that horse. Overall, segment had a significant effect on median RT (P < 0.001), with RT rising significantly in racing trot (average 59 N; Trot Left/Trot Right) than trotting on a circle (23 N; Circle Left/Circle Right) and walking (8 N), and was higher in counter-clockwise than in clockwise direction in racing trot (P = 0.058). Furthermore, there was an alignment between recorded RT and drivers’ estimates of perceived RT (P < 0.001), and driveability scores increased when estimated RT increased. The current study has confirmed that rein tensiometry may have a place in providing an evidence-base for consistent rein use, especially when horses are driven by multiple drivers. Whether or not soft tissue damage after competitive racing is correlated to higher peak RT, caused by the use of harsher equipment, or a combination of both, merits further investigation.
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| 3. |
- Hartmann, Elke, et al.
(author)
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From the horse’s perspective : Investigating attachment behaviour and the effect of training method on fear reactions and ease of handling—a pilot study
- 2021
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In: Animals. - : MDPI AG. - 2076-2615. ; 11:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The study investigated equine responses to novelty and handling, aiming to reveal whether horse–human relationships reflect criteria of an attachment bond. Twelve adult Standardbreds were subjected to a fear-eliciting test (novel objects presented close to two humans) and a handling test (being led passing novel objects) to study attachment-related behaviours and ease of handling. The tests were performed both before (pre-test) and after (post-test) horses had been trained by the same female handler (10 sessions of 15 min). Horses were assigned to three groups of four, each of which underwent different operant conditioning protocols: negative reinforcement (NR; pressure, release of lead, and whip tap signals) or combined NR with either positive reinforcement using food (PRf) or wither scratching (PRs). Results showed that neither familiarity of the person nor training method had a significant impact on the horses’ behavioural responses in the post-tests. However, horses showed decreased heart rates between pre-and post-tests, which may indicate habituation, an effect of training per se, or that the presence of the familiar trainer served to calm the horses during the challenging situations. There were large individual variations among the horses’ responses and further studies are needed to increase our understanding of horse–human relationships. © 2021 by the authors.
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| 4. |
- McGreevy, Paul, et al.
(author)
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Problems at the human-horse interface and prospects for smart textile solutions
- 2014
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In: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 1558-7878 .- 1878-7517. ; 9:1, s. 34-42
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The significant potential for so-called “smart textiles” in the design of the next generation of devices that measure pressure, tension, moisture, and heat at the humanehorse interface is discussed in this article. Research techniques from theoretical and experimental physics laboratories, combined with wireless technology, can be readily adapted to measure and store metrics for numerous variables in equine structure and function. Activities, such as breathing, the extension and flexion of joints, limb kinematics, and cardiac function, can be logged as indicators of physiological and behavioral conditioning (training). Such metrics may also, one day, support veterinary diagnostics but also play a role in safeguarding sporthorse welfare, especially in elite contexts where the horse may be pushed to its functional limits. As such, they are likely to emerge as an area of great interest to equitation and welfare scientists. It is important to note that smart textiles sense and react to exogenous stimuli via integrated sensors. So, beyond the equitation science laboratory, the emergence of polymers and smart materials may enhance the effectiveness of, or challenge us to completely rethink, traditional items of saddlery, thus improving equitation. The integration of smart textiles in all sorts of extant and emergent equipment for everyday equestrians could, in the future, lead to equipment that responds appropriately to the demands of equitation in its various forms. Rethinking equitation through physics and the use of smart textiles seems to have merit in that it is a novel means of both investigating and addressing problems that compromise the welfare and performance of horses. The purpose of this article is to envision the use of smart textiles in research, clinical, equestrian, and horse care contexts.
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| 5. |
- Sjöberg, Linnea, 1989, et al.
(author)
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DEVELOPMENT OF A PROTOTYPE FOR REFEREES TO MONITOR WHIP USE IN HORSE RACING
- 2017
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In: ISES 2017 Down Under. - 9781864673067
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is no standard surveillance system for modern flat horse racing in Sweden, so the surveillance camera placement and image quality varies between tracks. Reported whip misuse and unauthorised whipping often occur outside of the camera’s view and are therefore unrecorded. Thorough investigation of the current monitoring system used in Sweden revealed concerns about whether the stewards have enough time to estimate the number of whip strikes per horse, even when camera quality is sufficient, and has led to the development of an enhanced whip system. The system prototype offers a technical solution for the supervision of whip use in modern horse racing, and it would be useful in countries where there are regulations limiting the number of strikes. Current specifications allow the system to record the attributes and number of strikes and to relay the data contemporaneously to the stewards. The system does not interfere with the operation of the camera monitoring system. Since the number of strikes is reported with total accuracy, stewards are afforded more time to focus on matters of interference and actions that are important to the final result list. The prototype is a whip with a custom-made force sensor placed on both sides of the cushion pad. The sensors measure an area 24mm wide by 275mm long and cover the entire padded part of the approved race whip. The sensor is constructed of polyester that is 0.203mm thick. The force sensor is connected to a microcontroller mounted in the handle of the whip. The microcontroller processes the sensor data and sends the information via radio waves up to 1.7km in outdoor conditions to a second microcontroller located in the steward’s office. The whip strike sensor prototype is able to distinguish between a wave of the arm that leads to no impact and a strike. The software allows the force of each strike impact to be recorded. The intention is to embed the whip strike sensor within the body of whips used in a range of equestrian disciplines in which whip use is permitted. The possibility to register the properties of whip strikes will help to safeguard the welfare of horses used in these disciplines and provide information to the equestrian community that could change the way whips are used in training and racing. Lay person message: The whipping of horses in racing leads to concerns about animal welfare globally. A whip strike sensor prototype has been developed that will facilitate detailed exploration of the effect whips have on horses and allow stewards to accurately assess the number of strikes made and forces used. It is intended to integrate strike sensors into whips used in disciplines where whipping is allowed; this will help to safeguard the welfare of horses used in these disciplines.
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