Abstract details
| Abstract-ID: | 2248 |
| Title of the paper: | THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HORSE BEHAVIOURS IN IDENTIFYING FATIGUE IN ELITE EVENTING |
| Authors: | Williams, J., de Chaves, Z., Marlin, D. |
| Institution: | Hartpury University |
| Department: | Equine |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Abstract text | INTRODUCTION: Eventing is an equestrian discipline where horse and rider combinations are tested physically and mentally. The potential impact on horse welfare has placed the sport in a position to be scrutinised by the public. Research to-date has focused on risks associated with jumping during the cross-country phase of the sport to develop ways to increase safety. Fatigue is an overlooked factor that can contribute to these risks as an unfit horse will not meet the demands of the competition risking injury and serious falls. During competition officials can eliminate combinations if their safety appears compromised. This study By explored if identifying early onset fatigue could decrease risks and inform official decision-making. METHODS: Horse and rider combinations were purposively sampled from Burghley Horse Trials 5* 2023 (n=137 videos). Using ~5 second videos (viewed 0.5x speed) from flat sections at the beginning, middle, end of the course, a trained, blinded observer used an ethogram to score behaviours identified by experienced equine researchers, who also assigned a fatigue score. Data met non-parametric assumptions; therefore, behaviour frequencies were analysed using Friedmans analysis and post-hoc Wilcoxon Signed-rank tests to evaluate fatigue changes across the course. RESULTS: Nine factors reported significant (p=0.05) differences across the course. Five factors: rider balance (p=0.023), varied rider balance (p=0.046), tail carriage (p=0.024), tail swishing (p=0.004) and fatigue (p=0.001) showed no difference in post-hoc testing. Horse and rider harmony decreased from the beginning to the end of the course (p=0.011). Varied tail carriages were observed from the beginning to the end but with no distinct trends (p=0.011). Ear position also varied from the beginning to the end of the XC (p<0.001) and from the middle to the end (p=0.017); horses started out with forward and alert ears and progressively this position changed to a more loose and slightly back position. CONCLUSION: Behavioural changes can precede physical signs of fatigue and could be used to inform riders, trainer’s and stewards with evidence-based reasons to manage horse welfare during competition. Measurable markers of fatigue are more difficult to identity within elite horses; however these observations may help progress research into these behaviours to aid safeguarding of the sport. |
| Topic: | Statistics and Analyses |
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