1
redesigning the current evaluation guidelines. However, ethical implications of dening aversive behavior such as head-tossing as an indicator of e.g. poor temperament, when in fact it may also be an indication of pain or poor training techniques, should not be neglected. 38 Inuences on the pressure exerted on the back of the driving horse H. RANDLE * , L. WILLETTS, A. COUNSELL Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, UK PL17 8PB *Corresponding author: [email protected] Equipment placed on the equine back in ridden equestrian activities has been found to impact negatively on spinal pathology, soundness, performance and consequently welfare. The centre of pressure, distribution of forces, velocity and forward acceleration are inuenced by poorly tting tack. A correctly tted carriage should be equally balanced on both sides of the vehicle regardless of the weight of the driver and groom(s) and result in an even distribution of pressure under the saddle pad. Objective data on the distribution of pressure under the saddle pad are currently not available. The effect of horse/pony, carriage type (two- or four-wheeled) and the presence of a passenger on the distribution of pressure under the saddle pad was investigated. Six horses and 6 ponies of various breeds, heights, ages and sexes were examined whilst engaging in their usual warm-up regime prior to a British Driving Society class in the Wales and West region, UK, 3 of each pulling 2 wheeled vehicles and 3 of each pulling 4 wheeled vehicles. All subjects wore their usual competition equipment and were driven by their usual driver. Port Lewis Impression PadsÔ (PLIP) were rolled to a uniform depth and positioned securely under the saddle pad. Subjects were driven for 20 min then halted and the PLIP removed and placed on a at surface. The depth (mm) of the indentations at 8 pre-dened equi-distant points were measured immediately using a digital depth meter on the left and right sides. Greater pressure was observed on the pad with horses (14.05 1.63) than with ponies (11.7 3.15; F 1,125 ¼ 10.5; P < 0.01). The presence of a passenger did not have an impact on the pressure on the saddle pad. Signicantly greater pressure on the driving pad was evident with 4 wheeled (14.35 1.64) than 2 wheeled vehicles (11.39 2.87; F 1,125 ¼ 43.4; P < 0.01). The distri- bution of the pressure varied signicantly (F 1,125 ¼ 13.8; P < 0.01) with greater pressure exerted near to the withers and at the bottom of the saddle pad on both sides. Using objectively measured data this study demonstrated that although no bilateral imbalances were observed, signi- cantly greater pressure was exerted at all points on the saddle pad by 4-wheeled vehicles than 2-wheeled vehicles. The application of emerging equitation science could assist the assurance of the welfare of driven horses/ponies. The use of simple technology such as the inexpensive Port Lewis Impression PadÔ which allows a visual examination of the t of the saddle pad is helpful for assessing the t of equipment worn by driving horses and ponies. The pres- ence of pressure on the pad demonstrated that there may be difculties with the correct tting of tack to horses driven with 4-wheeled vehicles. 39 Rider perception of the severity of different types of bits and the bitless bridle using rein tensionometry H. RANDLE * , H. WRIGHT Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, PL17 9PD *Corresponding author: [email protected] While it has been well established that the bit can cause pain, and therefore behavioral problems, in the ridden horse, no studies have explored ridersperceptions of the severity of the bit in terms of the tension that they should be applied with. This study investigated ridersperceptions of the tension required to execute a standard movement namely a transition from walk to halt using bits belonging to different families. A ReinCheckÔ was attached to a static box tted with standard leather reins. 10 subjects, all experi- enced riders who were familiar with lorinary but naïve to the bitless bridle, were shown four different types of bit (jointed eggbutt snafe, french link snafe, pelham and a three ring continental gag with the rein on the bottom ring) and a Cross-Under Bitless Bridle based on the Dr. Cook design. On taking up the reins (baseline) each subject was asked to imagine that they were riding a horse in a particular bit type and then to apply tension to the reins in order to halt. There were 3 replications per bit type per subject. Rein tensions (N) were extracted for (1) the baseline tension and (2) the increase in tension to halt from walk. No signicant differences were observed in either the baseline and maximum tension applied with the right and left reins (both PP > 0.05). However, the type of bit usedsignicantly effects both the baseline tension applied (F 4,200 ¼ 61.30; <0.001) and the tension applied to halt (F 4,200 ¼ 158.51; P < 0.0001). Signicantly less tension was applied with the gag, pelham and bitless bridle (1.98 0.52; 2.04 0.64 and 1.92 0.22 N respectively) than with either of the snafes (2.29 1.11 and 2.34 1.09 N). A similar patternwas observed when exerting the perceived tension needed to achieve a halt from walk with very similar tensions being applied to the bitless bridle (2.94 1.00) as to the gag (2.76 1.18) and the Pelham (2.9 1.23). Again signicantly greater tension was applied to the snafes (3.32 1.52 & 3.45 1.44N). Through the collection of objective data this study has demonstrated that riders have clear perceptions of the severity of different bit types. Clearly the action and severity of bitless bridles is perceived as similar to that of the Pelham and the gag, despite them being marketed as a kind alternative to bits in general. Riders perceive that more tension is needed to achieve the walk to halt transition with snafe bits than with more severe bits. Furthermore the tension required to ach- ieve walk to halt with bitless bridles is similar to that of the more severe bits. 40 The effect of noseband tightness on rein tension in the ridden horse H. RANDLE 1, * , P. McGREEVY 2 1 Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, UK PL17 8PB 2 Faculty of Veterinary Science, Gunn Building, University of Sydney, NSW 2006 *Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstracts / Journal of Veterinary Behavior 8 (2013) e1ee25 e18

Rider perception of the severity of different types of bits and the bitless bridle using rein tensionometry

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Page 1: Rider perception of the severity of different types of bits and the bitless bridle using rein tensionometry

Abstracts / Journal of Veterinary Behavior 8 (2013) e1ee25e18

redesigning the current evaluation guidelines. However,ethical implications of defining aversive behavior such ashead-tossing as an indicator of e.g. poor temperament,when in fact it may also be an indication of pain or poortraining techniques, should not be neglected.

38

Influences on the pressure exerted on the back of thedriving horseH. RANDLE*, L. WILLETTS, A. COUNSELLDuchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, UKPL17 8PB*Corresponding author: [email protected]

Equipment placed on the equine back in ridden equestrianactivities has been found to impact negatively on spinalpathology, soundness, performance and consequentlywelfare. The centre of pressure, distribution of forces,velocity and forward acceleration are influenced by poorlyfitting tack. A correctly fitted carriage should be equallybalanced on both sides of the vehicle regardless of theweight of the driver and groom(s) and result in an evendistribution of pressure under the saddle pad. Objectivedata on the distribution of pressure under the saddle padare currently not available. The effect of horse/pony,carriage type (two- or four-wheeled) and the presence ofa passenger on the distribution of pressure under thesaddle pad was investigated. Six horses and 6 ponies ofvarious breeds, heights, ages and sexes were examinedwhilst engaging in their usual warm-up regime prior toa British Driving Society class in theWales andWest region,UK, 3 of each pulling 2 wheeled vehicles and 3 of eachpulling 4 wheeled vehicles. All subjects wore their usualcompetition equipment and were driven by their usualdriver. Port Lewis Impression Pads� (PLIP) were rolled toa uniform depth and positioned securely under the saddlepad. Subjects were driven for 20 min then halted and thePLIP removed and placed on a flat surface. The depth (mm)of the indentations at 8 pre-defined equi-distant pointswere measured immediately using a digital depth meter onthe left and right sides. Greater pressure was observed onthe pad with horses (14.05 � 1.63) thanwith ponies (11.7 �3.15; F1,125¼10.5; P< 0.01). The presence of a passenger didnot have an impact on the pressure on the saddle pad.Significantly greater pressure on the driving pad wasevident with 4 wheeled (14.35 � 1.64) than 2 wheeledvehicles (11.39 � 2.87; F1,125 ¼ 43.4; P < 0.01). The distri-bution of the pressure varied significantly (F1,125 ¼13.8; P<

0.01) with greater pressure exerted near to the withers andat the bottom of the saddle pad on both sides. Usingobjectively measured data this study demonstrated thatalthough no bilateral imbalances were observed, signifi-cantly greater pressure was exerted at all points on thesaddle pad by 4-wheeled vehicles than 2-wheeled vehicles.The application of emerging equitation science could assistthe assurance of the welfare of driven horses/ponies. Theuse of simple technology such as the inexpensive PortLewis Impression Pad� which allows a visual examinationof the fit of the saddle pad is helpful for assessing the fit ofequipment worn by driving horses and ponies. The pres-ence of pressure on the pad demonstrated that there maybe difficulties with the correct fitting of tack to horsesdriven with 4-wheeled vehicles.

39

Rider perception of the severity of different types of bitsand the bitless bridle using rein tensionometryH. RANDLE*, H. WRIGHTDuchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, PL179PD*Corresponding author: [email protected]

While it has been well established that the bit can causepain, and therefore behavioral problems, in the riddenhorse, no studies have explored riders’ perceptions of theseverity of the bit in terms of the tension that they should beapplied with. This study investigated riders’ perceptions ofthe tension required to execute a standard movementnamelya transition fromwalk to halt using bits belonging todifferent families. AReinCheck�was attached toa static boxfitted with standard leather reins. 10 subjects, all experi-enced riders who were familiar with lorinary but naïve tothe bitless bridle, were shown four different types of bit(jointed eggbutt snaffle, french link snaffle, pelham anda three ring continental gag with the rein on the bottomring) and a Cross-Under Bitless Bridle based on the Dr. Cookdesign. On taking up the reins (baseline) each subject wasasked to imagine that theywere ridingahorse in aparticularbit type and then to apply tension to the reins in order tohalt. There were 3 replications per bit type per subject. Reintensions (N) were extracted for (1) the baseline tension and(2) the increase in tension to halt fromwalk. No significantdifferences were observed in either the baseline andmaximumtension appliedwith the right and left reins (bothPP > 0.05). However, the type of bit ‘used’ significantlyeffects both the baseline tension applied (F4,200 ¼ 61.30;<0.001) and the tension applied to halt (F4,200¼ 158.51; P<0.0001). Significantly less tensionwas applied with the gag,pelham and bitless bridle (1.98� 0.52; 2.04� 0.64 and 1.92�0.22Nrespectively) thanwitheitherof the snaffles (2.29�1.11 and2.34�1.09N). A similar patternwas observedwhenexerting the perceived tensionneeded to achieve ahalt fromwalk with very similar tensions being applied to the bitlessbridle (2.94�1.00) as to the gag (2.76�1.18) and thePelham(2.9 � 1.23). Again significantly greater tensionwas appliedto the snaffles (3.32 � 1.52 & 3.45 � 1.44N). Through thecollectionof objectivedata this studyhas demonstrated thatriders have clear perceptions of the severity of different bittypes. Clearly the action and severity of bitless bridles isperceived as similar to that of the Pelham and the gag,despite them being marketed as a kind alternative to bits ingeneral. Riders perceive that more tension is needed toachieve thewalk tohalt transitionwith snafflebits thanwithmore severe bits. Furthermore the tension required to ach-ieve walk to halt with bitless bridles is similar to that of themore severe bits.

40

The effect of noseband tightness on rein tension in theridden horseH. RANDLE 1,*, P. McGREEVY 2

1Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, UKPL17 8PB2 Faculty of Veterinary Science, Gunn Building, University ofSydney, NSW 2006*Corresponding author: [email protected]