Effect of music on response to sudden and unexpected stimuli

Photo of audio cap attached
 to head collar. (c) Eyraud et al

The living conditions imposed on horses inevitably expose them to stress-inducing situations. 

Music appears to be a promising tool for managing such stress, although its benefits may diminish with repeated exposure. 

 

A study by Camille Eyraud and colleagues aimed to determine whether music could mitigate horses' reactions to unexpected stimuli and whether playing the same music daily reduces its effectiveness.

 

The research in, published in the International Journal of Equine Science, involved three groups of 12 horses, each led along a route with potentially stressful stimuli for 10 consecutive days. Each group wore headphones and was subjected to one of three conditions: a "music" condition with the same music track played, a "noise" condition with pink noise.

 

The authors explain: “Pink noise is a random signal with constant energy in the octave bands and is therefore weighted according to the properties of the human audiogram (and, by extension, also those of horses.)”

 

“The music was played directly into the horse's outer ear using an "audio cap" (see Figure 1).  This is a traditional earcap equipped with a pair of earphones in front of the pinnae and a pocket to hold a small MP3 player between the two ears.”

 

The findings indicated that music had a calming effect on both horse behaviour and heart rate in response to visual stimuli. Interestingly, the parameters for the pink noise condition were intermediate between those of the music and no-music conditions. 

 

Regarding the potential loss of music's effectiveness with repeated exposure, the study showed that music continued to mitigate stress-related behaviours effectively for up to seven consecutive exposures, although this effect was not consistent every day.

 

In conclusion, music can enhance human-horse interactions by reducing horses' stress in unexpected situations. The study also showed that the use of music did not interfere with the horses' awareness of and response to environmental noise, which is crucial in case of real danger.

 

However, the researchers suggest that to maintain music's efficiency, it should be used sparingly to target specific, time-limited events. They question whether playing music continuously throughout the day, as is often done in stables, might be counterproductive.

 

However, the researchers suggest that to maintain music's efficiency, it should be used sparingly to target specific, time-limited events. They question whether playing music continuously throughout the day, as is often done in stables, might be counterproductive.

 

They recommend further research to understand the mechanisms behind this effect and to ensure its safe and consistent application in practical settings.

For more details, see:

 

Eyraud, C., Valenchon, M., Cairo, M., Adam, O. and Petit, O. 2024. 

Can Repeated Exposure to Music Mitigate Horses’ Reactions to Sudden and Unexpected Stimuli?. 

International Journal of Equine Science. 3, 1 (Apr. 2024), 58–65.

https://rasayely-journals.com/index.php/ijes/article/view/102

Optimising Youngstock Growth and Development

 An international panel focused on "Optimising Youngstock Growth and Development" at the Gerald Leigh Lectures on June 12, 2024. 

Organized by the Beaufort Cottage Educational Trust on behalf of the Gerald Leigh Charitable Trust, the event honours Mr. Leigh’s accomplishments as a racehorse owner and breeder and his dedication to scientific knowledge and horse welfare. The speakers included experts from the UK, USA, and Europe.

 

Key topics included:

·      Influence of prenatal maternal and environmental factors on foal athletic potential (Pascale Chavatte-Palmer, France)

·      Seasonal effects on mare and foal nutrition (Joe Pagan, USA)

·      Overview of foal purchase at public auctions (Jamie Railton)

·      Parasite resistance on UK stud farms and parasite control strategies (Professor Jacqui Matthews and Paul Overton)

·      Sustainable equine helminth control (Professor Jacqui Matthews)

·      Surgical solutions for limb deformities (Abigail Kent)

·      Raising foals for optimal performance (Dr. Rebecca Mouncey)

·      A stud manager's approach to soundness (Julian Dollar)

·      Balancing youngstock growth and development (Joe Pagan).

 

To watch recordings of the lectures (and those from previous years) go to:

 

https://www.beaufortcottage.com/news-events/category/gerald-leigh-memorial-lectures/

Movement sensors help identify horses at risk of injury

A sensor worn in the saddle cloth may help reduce the risk of catastrophic injury in racehorses. 
 

Researchers, led by Warwick Bailey at Washington State University, have been working with the biometric sensor, developed by the company Stride Safe, to monitor Thoroughbred racehorses during racing and training.

 

By analysing the collected data, the team identified subtle stride changes linked to a increased risk of injury, enabling interventions before catastrophic breakdowns occurred. The researchers highlighted three horses flagged in 2023 at Churchill Downs in a report published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Association.

 

The sensor tracks changes in the rate and direction of a horse's leg and body movements, generating graphs of its stride pattern. An algorithm processes this data and compares it to an "ideal stride" derived from high-performing, sound racehorses. Using data from over 6,500 starts, the algorithm also identifies similarities with strides from horses that suffered catastrophic injuries. The horse is then assigned an injury risk factor from 1 to 5, based on how much its stride deviates from the ideal and how similar it is to an injury-associated stride.

 

Risk status was categorized from 1 to 5. Horses with a risk factor of 1 had a stride pattern within 2 standard deviations (SDs) of the ideal stride, while those with a risk factor of 5 had a stride pattern more than 5 SDs from the ideal stride. Horses with a risk factor of 5 were 950 times more likely to suffer a catastrophic injury than those with a risk factor of 1. 

 

In a database of 6,618 starts, 70% were categorized as risk factor 1, 16.5% as risk factor 2, 7% as risk factor 3, 3% as risk factor 4, and 3.5% as risk factor 5.

 

“These racehorses get extensive examinations before races, but catastrophic injuries still happen, and not because they stepped in a hole or took a bad step. A large percentage have a pre-existing pathology not readily apparent on clinical examination,” said Dr. Denise Mc Sweeney, an equine surgery resident at WSU who was the first author on the study. “From our sensor data, we know most catastrophic injuries have a distinct stride pattern. Now we can see when there's something wrong with their strides and step in before a major injury occurs.”

 

“We know there are about 1.25 catastrophic injuries per 1,000 starts, but identifying those horses before such an event occurs is like finding a needle in a haystack, as they are often subjectively sound during a pre-race examination, and many don’t show any decrease in performance,” Mc Sweeney said. “But if you can narrow it down, like the 3.5% we had out of that group, it is a lot easier to intervene and hopefully prevent injuries.”

 

To test and refine the algorithm, a sensor was placed on horses starting at Churchill Downs and Ellis Park in Kentucky from April 29 to July 2, 2023. Mc Sweeney was responsible for collecting clinical data on the high-risk horses.

In their report, the team focused on a pair of 3-year-old colts and a 4-year-old stallion flagged as category 5. 

 

In each instance, the sensors alerted veterinarians and trainers to potential injury risks.  The abnormal stride pattern was detected either during racing (cases 1 and 2) or while breezing (case 3) (a training run where the horse is allowed to run at a swift pace, often close to its maximum speed)

 

Subsequent veterinary examinations and 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) positron emission tomography were conducted in each case. The research team discovered significant 18F-NaF uptake in the condyles of the third metacarpal bone in cases 1 and 2, identifying these horses as being at increased risk for condylar fractures. In the third case, the 18F-NaF uptake pattern indicated that the third carpal bone was likely causing the horse’s lameness. Radiography confirmed an impending slab fracture.

 

The researchers report that “following periods of convalescence, cases 1 and 2 returned to racing and were identified by the sensor system as no longer being at high risk of catastrophic musculoskeletal injury. Case 3 returned to training but has yet to return to racing.”

 

“These are prime examples of how this technology can prevent horses from breaking,” Mc Sweeney said. “With this information, the trainers and their vets were able to put the brakes on, and now these horses are going on to have longer careers and, hopefully, avoid a catastrophic injury.”

 

Mc Sweeney is hopeful the sensors will become standard for all thoroughbred racing and training. “I believe this is going to make a huge impact,” she said. “The sensors can save the lives of horses and jockeys – they already have.”

 

 

For more details, see: 

 

Using accelerometers to identify a high risk of catastrophic musculoskeletal injury in three racing Thoroughbreds

Denise Mc Sweeney DVM, MS,  Mikael Holmström DVM, PhD, Kevin D. Donohue PhD , David H. Lambert BVSc, and Warwick M. Bayly BVSc, PhD, DACVIM  

 

https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.02.0114

 

See also: https://www.stridesafeusa.com

Fascinating Fascia

Horses Inside Out has released details of a series of courses coming up in September,
presented by Gillian Higgins.

 

Discover More About Fascinating Fascia! (1st September – Online)

 

Healthy fascia is vital for a healthy horse. Understanding the fascial system is crucial for riders, trainers, and equine therapists. Fascia impacts posture, movement, force transmission, proprioception, reflexes, energy, sensation, and potentially the horse’s emotions. Proper hydration of fascia is essential for its function and the overall musculoskeletal health of the horse.

 

This seminar is open to anyone interested in learning more about fascia for the benefit of their horse.

 

Developing Palpation (5th & 6th September)

 

A practical 2-day course designed to improve palpation skills and techniques. Participants will revise anatomy knowledge, learn new techniques, and practice on various horses to refine their skills.

 

Fascia Release Techniques (9th & 10th September)

 

This course delves into the anatomy of different types of fascia, their connections, functions, dysfunctions, and maintenance. Participants will learn and practice various palpation and fascia release techniques over two days.

 

Joint Mobilisations (12th & 13th September)

 

Learn to assess subtle changes and recognize abnormalities in soft tissues and joints. The course covers musculoskeletal testing and appropriate mobilisation techniques.

 

For all the details, see: 

 

https://www.horsesinsideout.com/whats-on-list

Ontario riding schools sought for research study

 Do you run a riding school within three hours of Guelph, Ontario? If so, you may be able to play
a part in a forthcoming study at the University of Guelph aimed at identifying strategies to help riding school horses thrive.

The researchers, led by Dr Katrina Merkies in the. Department of Animal Biosciences, are seeking 23 hunter/jumper lesson establishments, each with a minimum of four horses, to volunteer their facilities for data collection in the study. 

They assure that the study will have no impact on the day-to-day running of the school. Participants will receive a $100 honorarium.

 

If interested, please contact the research team for more details on how to participate.

 

Contact kmerkies@uoguelph.ca or ccopelin@uoguelph.ca for more information or 

register online