Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T00:21:39.440Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Girth tensions and their variability while standing and during exercise

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2011

Sue Wright
Sue Wright*
Affiliation:
Equestrian Subject Area, Moulton College, West Street, Moulton, NN3 7RR, UK
*
*Corresponding author: [email protected]; [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

The tension applied to the girth is usually based on an individual's experience rather than by scientific measurement or procedure. The equine thorax is a dynamic structure, and therefore the actual readings of girth tensions at rest and during exercise (actual tension) are likely to vary from the tension to which the girth was intended to be tightened at rest while standing (intended tension). This study was undertaken to determine the variability of girth tensions at rest and during exercise. A total of 19 Hanoverian horses were lunged on a 20 m circle in walk, trot and canter on both reins. In a randomized design, each horse was exposed to intended tensions 6, 10, 14 and 18 kg (saddle and girth at appropriate intended tensions). Girth tension was measured and recorded continuously using an in-line load cell. Intended girth tensions were not significantly different with mean actual girth tensions while standing. Actual girth tensions increased significantly (P < 0.001) between walk, trot and canter at all tensions except rest to trot at tension 6 kg, where the significance level was P < 0.01. Actual girth tension was significantly higher (P < 0.001) on the left rein at tension 14 kg in walk and trot, and at tensions 6, 10 and 14 kg during canter, and there was an overall trend for higher actual girth tensions on the left rein for the other tensions. As the thorax is a dynamic structure, girth tension variation could be due to multiple factors such as respiration, breath holding, muscular contraction, back flexion and extension, speed, gait and vertical acceleration of the saddle. Girth tension is a relatively new area of research, and as there are many opportunities for further research, a better understanding of the impact the girth has on the horse could help to improve performance and welfare.

Keywords

girthtensionthoraxexerciselungeingequestrian
Type
Research Paper
Information
Comparative Exercise Physiology , Volume 7 , Issue 3 , August 2010 , pp. 141 - 148
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Bowers, J and Slocombe, R (2000). Tensions used on girths on Thoroughbred racehorses. Australian Veterinary Journal 78: 567–569.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Wyche, S (2003). The Horse's Muscles in Motion. Marlborough: The Crowood Press Ltd.Google Scholar
3Pilliner, S, Elmhurst, S and Davies, Z (2002). The Horse In Motion. Oxford: Blackwell Science Ltd.Google Scholar
4Sutor, C (2000). Misbehaving while saddling. [Online]http://www.equusite.com/articles/ground/groundGirthy.shtml.Google Scholar
5Spier, SJ, Berger, PJ, Villarroel, A and Pusterla, N (2004). Outcome of tactile conditioning of neonates, or “imprint training” on selected handling measures in foals. The Veterinary Journal 168: 252–258.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6Waran, N, McGreevy, P and Casey, RA (2002). Training methods and horse welfare. In: Waran, N (ed.) The Welfare of Horses. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 151–180.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7Cook, WR (2003). Bit-induced pain: a cause of fear, flight, fight and facial neuralgia in the horse. Pferdeheikunde 19: 1–8.Google Scholar
8McGreevy, PD and McLean, AN (2007). Roles of learning theory and ethology in equitation. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 2: 108–118.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9Bowers, J and Slocombe, R (1999). Influence of girth strap tensions on athletic performance of racehorses. Equine Exercise Physiology Supplement 30: 52–56.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10Bowers, J and Slocombe, R (2005). Comparison of girth materials, girth tensions and their effects on performance in racehorses. Australian Veterinary Journal 83: 68–74.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11Bowers, J, Slocombe, R, Sides, RH, Bayly, WM and Kingston, JK (2005). Interaction of saddle girth construction and tension on respiratory mechanics and gas exchange during supramaximal treadmill exercise in horses. Australian Veterinary Journal 83: 62–67.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12Hoffman, AM, Swanson, LS, Bruns, SJ, Kuehn, H and Bedenice, D (2005). Effects of tension of the girth strap on respiratory system mechanics in horses at rest and during hyperpnea induced by administration of lobeline hydrochloride. American Journal of Veterinary Research 66: 1167–1174.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13Marlin, DJ, Schroter, RC, Cashman, PMM, Deaton, CM, Poole, DC, Kindig, CA, et al. (2002). Movements of thoracic and abdominal compartments during ventilation at rest and during exercise. Equine Veterinary Journal, Supplement 34: 384–390.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14Colborne, GR, Allen, RJ, Wilson, RJR, Marlin, DJ and Franklin, SH (2006). Thoracic geometry changes during equine locomotion. Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology 3: 53–59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15White, C (2008). A novel technique for investigating girth tension during walk, trot, canter. MSc. Thesis, Hartpury College, UK.Google Scholar
16Fruehwirth, B, Peham, C, Scheidl, M and Schobesberger, H (2004). Evaluation of pressure distribution under an English saddle at walk, trot and canter. Equine Veterinary Journal 36: 754–757.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17Bramble, DM (1989). Axial–appendicular dynamics and the integration of breathing and gait in mammals. American Zoologist 29: 171–186.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18Thorpe, CT, Marlin, DJ, Franklin, SH and Colborne, GR (2009). Transverse and dorso-ventral changes in thoracic dimension during equine locomotion. The Veterinary Journal 179: 370–377.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19Attenburrow, DP (1982). Time relationship between the respiratory cycle and limb cycle in the horse. Equine Veterinary Journal 14: 69–72.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20Attenburrow, DP (1983). Respiration and locomotion. In: Snow, DH, Persson, SGB and Rose, RJ (eds) Equine Exercise Physiology. Cambridge: Granta Editions, pp. 17–22.Google Scholar
21Murphy, J, Sutherland, A and Arking, S (2005). Idosyncratic motor laterality in the horse. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 91: 297–310.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
22Deuel, NR and Lawrence, LM (1987). Laterality in the gallop gait of horses. Journal of Biomechanics 20: 645–649.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23Drevemo, S, Fredricson, I, Hjerten, G and McMiken, D (1987). Early development of gait asymmetries in trotting Standardbred colts. Equine Veterinary Journal 19: 189–191.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24Crawford, WH and Leach, DH (1984). The effect of racetrack design on gait symmetry of the pacer. Canadian Journal of Comparative Medicine 48: 374–380.Google ScholarPubMed
25Witelson, SF (1991). Neural sexual mosaicism: sexual differentiation of the human temporo-parietal region for functional asymmetry. Psychoneuroendocrinology 16: 131–153.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26Klimke, R (2003). Basic Training of the Young Horse. London: J. A. Allen.Google Scholar