Hi All,
Welcome to the sixth topic for 624EHS - Contemporary Issues in Equine Science.
This topic is all about drugs in sport, its use and misuse. Make sure you watch the launch video which has been posted in the Classroom. Distance learning students have from now until 1 pm on Thursday 9th April to contribute to this blog, to debate the issues surrounding drugs in sport. Ensure you can also evidence your opinions and remember that you are also required to submit a reference list (word document emailed to module leader) by 1 pm on Thursday 9th of April. You will be graded on the quality and quantity of both your blog contributions and your reference list. Remember, the point of this is to debate the issues, so you should be replying to each others posts. I will be keeping an eye on the blog, but if you have any issues, you should email me.
Rosa
The use of some forms of tack is controversal, nosebands however are one of the most basic pieces of equipment however their use can be abusive. Nosebands are used to prevent the horse from opening its mouth, to increase control and, in some cases, to comply with the competition rules. However riders are tightening them to much, it is traditionally reccommended that two adult fingers should fit between the noseband and the horses skin possible detrimental consequences for the horse, of excessively tight nosebands, include discomfort, pain or tissue damage and long term behavioural and physiological consequences (Doherty et al, 2017).
ReplyDeleteRelating to the use of nosebands, the study by Doherty et al. (2017) found that the flash noseband was most common and had been done up tighter than other nosebands such as the cavesson, drop and micklem. 44% of the horses in this study were in a category where the researcher could fit no fingers between the noseband and the skin of the horse, when as mentioned before the recommended is two fingers. A study by Cargo et al. (2019) saw that the tightness of the noseband can lead to bony and soft tissue changes where the noseband sits of the face which can affect the welfare of the horse#.
DeleteHorse and hound published that, charlotte dicker a British international rider, received a FEI yellow card for competing with her nose band being fitted too tight. This shows action on ill fitted tack is taken and is noticed during competition, however, its uncertain if the same action and attention to detail would be seen at a lower level competition. (Horse&Hound,2019)
DeleteThere has been research carried out which has also linked noseband tightness to mouth lesions. As a result of this in Denmark, as of 2018, there must be a 1.5 cm gap between the horse’s nasal plate and the noseband. This is something which applies to all disciplines and will be enforced by official’s at events (Horse and Hound, 2017).
DeleteI totally agree with this its the basic equipment that is being overused and causing harm and injury to the horses.It is down to the correct education of the riders from beginners to even experienced as things are always changing. There is alot of current research out there that investigates more.
DeleteAdditional loading of the limb can also be seen in today's riding industry to try and enhance horse performance. This can be done through adding additional weight through the use of weighted boots. The weighted boots can be seen to have influences such A 7% increase in metabolic rate when distal limbs are loaded with the weighted boots(Wickler.S,2004) proving a higher demand on the biomechanical mechanisms of the horse, that may lead to fatigue which could then lead onto potential injury occurrence.
ReplyDeleteAnother controversial type of boot is pinch or performance boots, designed to encourage a more careful hind limb action over a fence. They are categorised into severity by the amount and type of straps they have. However some say they are abusive as it’s a way of putting pressure on a horse, as can be the case with some bits or devices placed in noseband. However it is linked with more cases of tendonitis in the hind legs more frequently in horses wearing them than otherwise. As well, the fact that this equipment is not just for protection but is also a form of pressure can be considered as a form of mistreatment (Roullier et al, 2018) (Daisy)
Deleteluckily boots of these nature are not allowed in a competition environment as a British showjumping rule states that The total maximum weight of equipment allowed to be added to a horse’s leg; front or hind (single or multiple boots, fetlock rings etc), is 500g.(Britishshowjuming,2019)
Deletehowever, this does not stop riders/ trainers using them whilst exercising outside of the competition environment, which can cause damaging effects on the horse.
DeleteThis study also suggests that additional weight loading causes a higher risk of fatigue due to the cardiovascular system of the horse as an increased oxygen consumption is seen when exercised with weighted boots (wickler.S,2004)
ReplyDeleteThe fit and durability of tack is also vital. Accidents involving tack breaking can be easily avoided when the fit of tack is correct. An Educational Impact Index was calculated with combined results of the cause of injury, avoidability, and severity. Other humans, horse spooked, and tack/equipment problems were the main causes of accidents with the highest educational impact index, and authors believe that educational efforts should be focused on these categories. (Thompson, McGreevy and McManus, 2015)
ReplyDeleteAlso it is seen that tack breakages are high due to riders and owners not checking the stitching and the tack each time the horse is ridden and how worn the tack is. As said broken tack can cause many issues and injury.
DeleteAnother area of concern is how the tack fits, especially saddles. As without qualified knowledge an ill fitting saddle could cause detrimental effects on the horses back and therefore influence other biomechanical structures and cause lameness and discomfort. An ill fitting saddle can also cause behavioural problems that can easily lead to injury occurrence for both horse and rider. According to 'your horse' a saddles condition and fit to the horse should be checked atleast twice a year, managing this can be difficult tho. However, a system could be put in place similar to the procedure of having your horses vaccinated where a signed date is completed with application, to allow proof of saddle maintenance that could be checked when entering a competition. This would make owners more inclined to follow thee guidelines provided and may decrease accidents and injuries.
ReplyDelete(Amy moore,2017)
Deletethe fit of the tack is something which can also cause issues for the horse. For example, a saddle which is not correctly fitted to the horse it is on may not always be suitable and could apply pressure to key points on the spine. A common method to fix the issues of an ill fitted saddle is to often use a thicker numnah or saddle pad which can actually make the fit look worse and have an adverse effect on the horse (Dyson, 2017). Effects of ill-fitting tack on the horse include muscle soreness, which can lead to the horse not wanting to be tacked up or ridden and becoming hypersensitive. With a common practice in many riding schools being to change saddles amongst horses when needed this could be a common issue which gets overlooked but could have long term effects on the horses.
ReplyDeleteThe use of certain bits in the horse’s mouth is also something which can be commonly misused by lower level and less experienced riders. This is also something which can link into the tension and angle of the tension which is applied to the reins by the rider. It has been suggested that horses may react negatively to not only the presence of the bit in the mouth but also the pressure applied. This was seen through the presence of bite marks on the bits used in a study by Doherty et al. (2017). With people using bit which are often more severe or stronger than is actually needed, it could be possible they are unknowingly causing the horse distress and pain.
ReplyDeleteit has also been suggested in horse and hound (2019) that there is a link between bitting and falls during the cross country phase of eventing.
DeleteThat study showed that the three-ring gag, the elevator, curb chains and some form of reins can cause more harm than good. Authors proposed that the flat work training was lost when competing cross country in which problems occured. Roome stated that using the above bits creates problems for both the rider and the horse these problems include resistance in the jaw, raised head carriage beyond control, hollowing of the neck which causes the shoulders to be blocked, the steering becomes delayed and unresponsive , the rider stops using leg aids for fear of more speed, the horse’s hind legs are less engaged and the rider’s hands become the dominant aid in which all cause falls on the cross country course (Roome, 2019).
DeleteHockenhull, J et al 2012 Ridden behaviour problems are prevalent in the UK leisure horse population and may have implications for horse welfare and rider safety, study aimed to identify risk factors associated with ridden behaviour problems in UK leisure horses from the training approaches and equipment used with them. An Internet survey was used to collect data on 1326 horses. The survey asked owners to report the frequency their horses displayed fifteen ridden behaviour problems over the previous week. Data on the frequency of occurrence of behaviour in four components of related ridden behaviour problems were explored for association with details of the horse's working life, including the type of tack. Risk factors associated with the ridden behaviour problems emerged as three themes. One related to the design and fit of the saddle, with dressage and working hunter saddles associated with a reduced risk of ridden behaviour problems compared to general purpose saddles. They also found that taking an outcome-centred approach to training, for example through the use of artificial training aids, was associated with an increased risk of behaviour problems while spending more time with the horse outside of training situations. This suggests that a wider knowledge is needed before using training aids as they come with an increased risk, also this study agrees with he previous findings mentioned about the importance of correctly fitting tack and the link between ill fitting tack and behavioural problems.
ReplyDeleteSolheim,T et al 2017 investigated the changes in temperature seen on the equines skin surface under applied boots after exercise. Boots and bandages have been described to insulate the equine distal limbs resulting in hyperthermia in tendons which paired with tendinous muscles, play a key role in warranting methodical locomotion. This investigating of this subject is important as increasing temperatures are described to have damaging involvement in causing the mechanisms needed to cause degenerative issues regarding the tendons. Examining plantar/palmar and metatarsal/metacarpal districts of the fore and hindlimbs following exercise with different types of boots and bandages took place, followed by temperature taking of three regions on the limbs using an infrared thermometer. Concluding that the bandages caused the highest result of temperature, although, all boots caused a significant accumulation of heat, the tendon boots were the closest structural boots to accumulation the highest significant heat like the bandages. These findings suggest heat accumulation is significant when using specific boot types but that all boots will create some degree of temperature increase. This suggests boots can cause an increase in temperature which can affect the distal limbs negatively and should be considered and understood before using as an owner. More knowledge is needed to educate owners on these subject areas.
ReplyDeleteThe British Horse Society always considers the horses welfare and believes that through proper education the welfare of the horses will improve and the correct training. The rider is the main focus and training. This leads onto any abuse of the horse should be addressed and the riders shouldn't be causing the horse any distress or pain using any tack such as bits or nosebands.
ReplyDeleteBitless bridle riders think that its is nicer for the horse as theres no bit in the horses mouth, however, used incorrectly can cause pain and excessive pressure on the horses nose and poll and can restrict breathing. It is seen nit just with the BHS but other articles that using a bitless bridle is down to the horse as every horse is different and what the riders feels is best for the horse. (BHS, 2019)
In my opinion BHS are the way forward in getting information out there about this as this is where riders come for training and qualifications and this is where the standards are made.
DeleteGoing on from this and competing in affiliated dressage bitless is not permitted as the British Dressage stated that ‘A fundamental requirement in the education of the horse is the concept of submission and this includes the willing acceptance of the indications of the rider. This also means the acceptance by the horse of the bit in its mouth, just as much as the acceptance of the rider’s weight on its back.’ However, other top riders have said that they wouldn't mind competing against bitless competitors as its down to the competitor and if the horse is more comfortable and performs better then if shouldn't be seen as a issue (Grossman, 2014). However, it is other riders may argue that if ridden and used correctly bridles with bits are fine as if used right will not course the horse discomfort or pain.
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