A recently published French study suggests a horse's neck posture might indicate correlating back pain.In their two-part study, the researchers aimed to first validate the use of static electromyography (sEMG) as an alternative to manual evaluation of vertebral disorders, and then to establish a relationship between neck postures and back disorders. "The use of sEMG measures is fairly new (to veterinary practice) and concerns mostly the study of muscles and back functioning during movement," explained lead researcher Clémence Lesimple, PhD, of the University of Rennes. The team employed two groups of nine horses in the study: Group 1 consisted of pastured horses used for occasional leisure riding while Group 2 included stalled riding school horses, exercised 4-12 hours per week. For the first part of the study, both groups of horses underwent chiropractic and sEMG evaluation in order for researchers to compare findings from both methods. Second, researchers evaluated horses' neck postures. The team placed five self-adhesive markers in specific anatomical locations along the right side of each horse, beginning at withers and ending at the lower point of the facial crest (between eye and nostril). Horses were then photographed both at rest and during different phases of the walk. Researchers subsequently used the photographs to measure angles between markers. Key findings included:
"If postures are to be a useful tool ... their measure needs to be possible in the home environment of the animal and should lead to few reliable but clearly visible markers," the researchers stressed. The study, "Towards a Postural Indicator of Back Pain in Horses (Equus cabullus)," appeared in Plos One in September 2012. The entire article can be viewed online. ABOUT THE AUTHORCasie Bazay, NBCAAMCasie Bazay holds a bachelor of science degree in education from Oklahoma State University. She taught middle school for ten years, but now is a nationally certified equine acupressure practitioner and freelance writer. She has owned Quarter Horses nearly her entire life and has participated in a variety of horse events including Western and English pleasure, trail riding, and speed events. She was a competitive barrel racer for many years and hopes to pursue the sport again soon.
0 Kommentarer
Efterlad et svar. |
Forfattervigtige artikler. Arkiver
Juli 2019
Kategorier |