Jane Williams

Analysis of Temporalis and Masseter adaptation after routine dental treatment in the horse via surface electromyography

Limited knowledge of how routine dental treatment (rasping) alters the mastication cycle exists. To our knowledge, Masseter and Temporalis muscle activity after rasping has not been previously evaluated. A descriptive, experimental study compared muscle activity pre- and post-routine dental treatment using surface electromyography (sEMG) to investigate the hypothesis that Masseter activity would increase and Temporalis activity decrease, over a 6 week time period after routine dentistry. Motor unit action potential amplitude (MUAP) and peak amplitude contraction (PAC), for 5 chewing cycles, were measured using sEMG in the right and left Masseter and Temporalis muscles of 10 horses, selected opportunistically due to their dental pathology that required routine rasping (week 0). Routine dental treatment was undertaken and sEMG measurements repeated at 1, 3 and 6 weeks post treatment. Mean MUAP and PAC were calculated for each week and compared both across the cohort and for each horse. For the cohort: Tempo...

The role of personality in equestrian sports: an investigation

Personality has been shown to affect the way individuals think, feel and act, and could impact on the way people behave and perform in a wide variety of activities. Anecdotal evidence suggests that differences in personality exist between equestrians participating in different disciplines and at different levels, but empirical evidence is limited. This study aimed to investigate dispositional tendencies of rider cohorts, in relation to age, nationality, discipline, competitive level, breadth of involvement in different disciplines, and level of risk-seeking behaviour. An online survey was developed, collecting rider demographics relating to nationality, sex, age, competitive level and discipline. A risk scores was assigned to each discipline and an average risk rating was calculated per participant. Personality traits of extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and intellect were measured using the Mini-International Personality Item Pool. Kruskal-Wallis analyses determined differences ...

Performance analysis in equestrian sport.

The use of performance analysis is commonplace throughout competitive sports, however, uptake is limited within equestrianism. This review considers the potential for wider implementation of performance analysis techniques within equine sports via contextualisation to showjumping: the horse, rider and the horse and rider dyad. There appears to be limited research available to underpin evaluation of the multiple facets that comprise competitive success in showjumping, with biomechanical evaluation of the jumping phases most established. This presents opportunities for collaboration between the equine industry, researchers and performance analysts to expand knowledge of what contributes to success for horse and rider partnerships in all equine disciplines.

Is the expression of stereotypic behavior a performance-limiting factor in animals?

ABSTRACT Stereotypical behavior (STB) has been observed in a wide range of species regardless of its classification. Despite extensive research into factors that contribute to the etiology of STB and/or influence the expression of STB, few studies have explicitly evaluated if relationships exist between STB and performance variables in livestock or equine athletes. This review explores the effect of STBs on animal performance, using the horse and production animals as examples, to establish whether their expression should be viewed as a positive or negative attribute by the animal industry. Emergent themes within livestock and equine research suggest that individuals that exhibit STBs also demonstrate impaired performance attributes that support the proposal that STB is a negative characteristic. Much of the available empirical evidence suggests that negative environmental stressors represent a greater risk to the economic value of animals compared with STB. Within equestrianism, stereotypic performing horses appear to react and learn in a different way to nonstereotypic horses, which, in professional hands, could enhance their performance potential and value, but with amateur riders could reinforce the negative associations that exist. However, performance is a complex phenomenon with any species, and multiple endogenous and exogenous factors will contribute to success at any one time. Further research is required that explicitly explores how different STBs influence performance variables alongside consideration of the effect of management systems and environmental stressors and their role in STB expression in both livestock and horses.

Electromyography in the Horse: A Useful Technology?

Abstract Equine performance research to date has focussed on cardiorespiratory and biomechanical assessment of the horse neglecting the role of muscles. This review considers electromyography (EMG) in the horse, with a specific focus on the role of surface EMG (sEMG) as a tool to analyze muscle activity in the sports horse. Three themes have been evaluated in the horse using EMG: muscle recruitment, muscle activity during exercise, and fatigue. Results support kinematic research and add to the knowledge base on how the horse moves. Surface EMG is a relatively noninvasive technology requiring clipping which can be used effectively in the ridden horse. Understanding equine locomotion and how muscles respond during different exercises could inform and evaluate training practices used in the sports horse. However, issues exist for example individual variation, accuracy of sensor placement, and preventing noise within the EMG signal. Therefore, key concepts in research design, data acquisition, and processing are explored to inform future studies and to enable reasoned judgments on the validity and reliability of sEMG as a tool to investigate muscle recruitment and activity and subsequently assess performance in the horse. The high level of intersubject variance observed in between‐subjects’ designs combined with differences seen between individuals may preclude reliable comparison of muscle performance between groups of horses. Therefore, within‐subject designs are advised for future sEMG studies. A standardized approach to data collection and analysis conforming to guidance from the human Surface EMG for Non‐Invasive Assessment of Muscle database is recommended including consideration of the inherent challenges that present in EMG research. HighlightsSurface, fine‐wire, and needle electromyography (EMG) have been used in equine research.Surface EMG is less invasive but only records superficial muscle activity.Electromyography can be applied in the horse to determine muscle recruitment and fatigue.An equine‐adapted version of the Surface EMG for Non‐Invasive Assessment of Muscle guidelines would improve equine EMG research.Grounded and strong within‐subjects research designs should be used in equine EMG research.

Investigation of factors associated with the probability of racehorses being pulled up in steeplechase races at Cheltenham racetrack

Limited research has been conducted to investigate the risk factors associated with horses being pulled up in steeplechase races. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with pulled up horses in steeplechase races at Cheltenham racecourse and utilise these to propose preventative strategies to reduce prospective risks of racehorses being pulled up in steeplechase races. Horse and racetrack factors that could be associated with an increased chance of horses being pulled up, extrapolated from previous research into racehorse falls and clinical injury, were identified and collated via the Racingpost website for all steeplechases (n=1,032) at Cheltenham for a 21 year period (January 1990 - December 2010). A logistic regression was used to model the probability of existence of pulled up horses in a given race. A negative binomial regression was used to model the number of pulled up horses in a given race. Increasing numbers of runners (P<0.001) starting a race and races of longer distance...

Equine endurance race pacing strategy differs between finishers and non-finishers in 120 km single-day races

Race pace strategy has been extensively studied in human sports, such as running, cycling and swimming. In contrast, pacing strategy appears to have been virtually ignored in equestrian sport despite the potential for contributing to performance optimisation. The aim of the present study was to analyse data available in the public domain for electronically-timed FEI 120 km (single day) CEI** endurance races that took place in Europe and the Middle East in 2016 and 2017. Competition records for 389 horses in 24 races, each consisting of 4 phases (loops/laps), were evaluated; 56% (n=219) of horses successfully completed the races analysed, with the remaining 44% (n=170) not finishing. The majority of horses that did not finish were withdrawn for gait related reasons (n=125; 74%). Across the duration of the races, horses that successfully finished recorded 7% slower average speeds (P=0.0001) compared to those that did not finish. Loop (lap) speed decreased sequentially throughout races from loop 1 > loop 2 >...

The Grand National: a review of factors associated with non-completion and horse-falls, 1990 to 2012

The Grand National (GN) attracts high profile press and subsequent public attention. This study aimed to establish if factors influential to non-completion, horse-falls and specific fence risk in the GN supported the measures implemented by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to improve equine welfare in the GN. Horse, jockey, trainer and race related factors associated with non-completion, horse-falls and horse-falls at specific fences of the GN were collated over a 22 year period from 1990 to 2012. Descriptive analysis calculated non-completion rates per year, according to age and reason for non-completion. The distribution of fallers during the race in relation to fence number, design and key feature fences were also determined. Univariable analysis informed multivariable model building to identify factors associated with non-completion (n=840) and horse-falls (n=514) in the GN. Two final logistic regression models were refined through a backward stepwise process with variables retained if likeliho...

Kinematic analysis of the thoracic limb of healthy dogs during descending stair and ramp exercises

OBJECTIVE To compare the kinematics of the thoracic limb of healthy dogs during descent of stairs and a ramp with those during a trot across a flat surface (control). ANIMALS 8 privately owned dogs. PROCEDURES For each dog, the left thoracic limb was instrumented with 5 anatomic markers to facilitate collection of 2-D kinematic data during each of 3 exercises (descending stairs, descending a ramp, and trotting over a flat surface). The stair exercise consisted of 4 steps with a 35° slope. For the ramp exercise, a solid plank was placed over the steps to create a ramp with a 35° slope. For the flat exercise, dogs were trotted across a flat surface for 2 m. Mean peak extension, peak flexion, and range of movement (ROM) of the shoulder, elbow, and carpal joints were compared among the 3 exercises. RESULTS Mean ROM for the shoulder and elbow joints during the stair exercise were significantly greater than during the flat exercise. Mean peak extension of the elbow joint during the flat exercise was significantly greater than that during both the stair and ramp exercises. Mean peak flexion of the elbow joint during the stair exercise was significantly greater than that during the flat exercise. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that descending stairs may be beneficial for increasing the ROM of the shoulder and elbow joints of dogs. Descending stair exercises may increase elbow joint flexion, whereas flat exercises may be better for targeting elbow joint extension.

What makes an elite equestrian rider

Eight international riders from Olympic equestrian disciplines, participated in semi-structured interviews investigating developmental factors which they felt had helped them achieve and retain elite status. Key factors were present across the variable rider journeys to elite status. Riders demonstrated a natural aptitude for horse sports, a desire to learn combined with exposure to environments which fostered confidence and skill development: access to elite and developmental horses, observing elite riders, access to coaches and parental support. Riders consistently questioned the status quo of their practice: through partnerships with multiple horses, self-development and horse-development, and were motivated and driven, with a clear belief that they would achieve success; attributes that remain once elite status was achieved. Success appears initially motivated by participation in equine sports for fun and as rider investment was rewarded by winning, with associated financial benefits. When elite statu...