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Search Results (21)

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Keywords = rider skill

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36 pages, 1644 KiB  
Article
Influences of Double Versus Snaffle Bridles on Equine Behaviour at Dressage Competitions and Factors That Interact with Their Effect
by Rifka Faithfull, Kate Lewis, Emily Drury and Sebastian McBride
Animals 2025, 15(12), 1782; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15121782 - 17 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1157
Abstract
Despite welfare concerns, conflict behaviours (indicative of momentary states of acute stress) are common in horses during dressage competitions. Identifying factors that affect conflict behaviours during competition therefore has the potential to improve equine welfare. The aim of this exploratory study was to [...] Read more.
Despite welfare concerns, conflict behaviours (indicative of momentary states of acute stress) are common in horses during dressage competitions. Identifying factors that affect conflict behaviours during competition therefore has the potential to improve equine welfare. The aim of this exploratory study was to assess the effect of bridle type (double versus snaffle) in relation to other potential affecting factors (e.g., average head angle, competition level and type, tack variation) on conflict behaviours during dressage competition. An ethogram was created to analyse the conflict behaviour of horses (n = 135) at dressage competitions. Behaviours were reduced into nine components using principal component analysis. The effects of bridle type and its interaction with other additional factors (competition level, competition type, average head angle) on component scores were analysed using multilevel Bayesian regression models. The results demonstrated a multifaceted interaction between bridle type, inferred rider skill level, and ridden head angle. The results also demonstrated that during dressage tests, 100% of horses performed the conflict behaviours of mouth opening and 86.7% of horses performed tail swishing. The ethological and welfare implications of these findings are discussed. Full article
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29 pages, 20009 KiB  
Article
The Role of Horses as Instructional and Diagnostic Partners in Riding Lessons
by Beatrice Szczepek Reed and Susanne Lundesjö Kvart
Animals 2025, 15(10), 1418; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15101418 - 14 May 2025
Viewed by 1028
Abstract
In many types of embodied skills instruction, the learnables—that is, the local and jointly negotiated foci of instruction—emerge from a combination between a pre-existing lesson plan and the spontaneous interaction between teacher and student. Through the analytical lens of Conversation Analysis, this paper [...] Read more.
In many types of embodied skills instruction, the learnables—that is, the local and jointly negotiated foci of instruction—emerge from a combination between a pre-existing lesson plan and the spontaneous interaction between teacher and student. Through the analytical lens of Conversation Analysis, this paper investigates the interspecies instruction setting of horse-riding lessons and shows how here, it is not only the human teachers and learners that determine the emergence of new learnables but also the horses. Horses’ actions can initiate new courses of action in a lesson, and horses can thus become interactional partners in the instructional project. Horse-led learnables can be initiated in at least three ways: through horses’ displays of mental or physical states that pre-date the instruction sequence; through actions that respond to local contingencies of the instruction sequence; and through actions that respond specifically to the rider’s actions. In the last case, their responses become diagnostic of the rider’s mistakes. In all three cases, the human participants take their cue from the horse and base new learnables on horses’ actions. Human-led learnables can be adjusted, changed, replaced, or abandoned completely in response to horses. The study broadens the emerging field of interspecies pragmatics to include instructional interactions involving the triad of human–human–horse triad. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structures of Human–Animal Interaction)
15 pages, 800 KiB  
Review
Health Service Impacts and Risk Factors for Severe Trauma in Mountain Biking: A Narrative Review
by Gillian Course, James E. Sharman and Viet Tran
Healthcare 2023, 11(24), 3196; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11243196 - 18 Dec 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2554
Abstract
Mountain biking is growing in participation but carries risk for severe injury and burden on health systems. Little is known about the impact of these injuries on emergency medical services, definitive healthcare, and factors contributing to accidents. This review aimed to determine the [...] Read more.
Mountain biking is growing in participation but carries risk for severe injury and burden on health systems. Little is known about the impact of these injuries on emergency medical services, definitive healthcare, and factors contributing to accidents. This review aimed to determine the health service impacts of severe mountain bike trauma and risk factors, with a view to understanding critical gaps and needs. A systematic online search was conducted using the databases PubMed and MEDLINE complete and grey literature relating to mountain bike injury since the databases’ inception to July 2023. The results show that although mountain biking has relatively high injury rates that are increasing, the impacts on health services were rarely documented, with some evidence indicating that even small increases in injuries from race events can overwhelm local health services. Severe injuries were more common in downhill disciplines. However, the definitions of what constitutes severe injury were variable. Severe injuries were more common in downhill disciplines, influenced by the rider skill level, demographics, participation in competitive events, trail design, environmental factors, and healthcare availability. Further research in these areas is needed, along with the more consistent reporting of injury severity. Full article
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15 pages, 1034 KiB  
Review
Riders’ Effects on Horses—Biomechanical Principles with Examples from the Literature
by Hilary Mary Clayton, Russell MacKechnie-Guire and Sarah Jane Hobbs
Animals 2023, 13(24), 3854; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13243854 - 15 Dec 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 11503
Abstract
Movements of the horse and rider in equestrian sports are governed by the laws of physics. An understanding of these physical principles is a prerequisite to designing and interpreting biomechanical studies of equestrian sports. This article explains and explores the biomechanical effects between [...] Read more.
Movements of the horse and rider in equestrian sports are governed by the laws of physics. An understanding of these physical principles is a prerequisite to designing and interpreting biomechanical studies of equestrian sports. This article explains and explores the biomechanical effects between riders and horses, including gravitational and inertial forces, turning effects, and characteristics of rider technique that foster synchronous movement with the horse. Rider symmetry, posture, and balance are discussed in the context of their relationship to rider skill level and their effects on the horse. Evidence is presented to support the feasibility of improving equestrian performance by off-horse testing followed by unmounted therapy and exercises to target the identified deficiencies. The elusive quality of harmony, which is key to a true partnership between riders and horses, is explored and described in biomechanical terms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Horse–Rider Interaction)
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18 pages, 3001 KiB  
Article
Exploring Adaptive Cycling Interventions for Young People with Disability: An Online Survey of Providers in Australia
by John J. Carey, Rachel Toovey, Alicia J. Spittle, Christine Imms and Nora Shields
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(17), 5523; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12175523 - 25 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4507
Abstract
Adapted cycles offer young people with disability a fun way to participate in over-ground cycling, but little is known about current practices to train and sustain cycling in this group. This study aimed to describe interventions used to introduce adaptive cycling to young [...] Read more.
Adapted cycles offer young people with disability a fun way to participate in over-ground cycling, but little is known about current practices to train and sustain cycling in this group. This study aimed to describe interventions used to introduce adaptive cycling to young people with disability and explore barriers and facilitators to adapted cycle use. A cross-sectional online survey was distributed among Australian allied health, education and recreation providers through targeted advertizing and snowball methods. Data were analysed using mixed methods and reporting was guided by the CHERRIES and CROSS checklists. There were 107 respondents with n = 90 (84.1%) who fully completed the survey. Respondents worked with riders who had cerebral palsy, neurodevelopmental disabilities and movement impairments. Adaptive cycling interventions were customized according to a rider’s goals, needs and resourcing. The training of cycling skills included “an eclectic mix” of experiential learning, individual goals, task-specific training and holistic practice models. Diverse factors impacted cycling participation, with opportunities reliant on access to a supportive environment, including a suitable adapted cycle. This study found that providers viewed adaptive cycling as a therapeutic or active leisure experience within protected traffic-free environments. Strategies to extend adaptive cycling opportunities into the community are required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Rehabilitation)
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10 pages, 868 KiB  
Article
One-Leg Stance Postural Sway Is Not Benefited by Bicycle Motocross Practice in Elite Riders
by Carlos Albaladejo-García, Francisco J. Moreno, Fernando García-Aguilar and Carla Caballero
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2023, 8(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8010025 - 16 Feb 2023
Viewed by 2166
Abstract
Balance has been positioned as an important performance skill in sport. Differences in postural control have been found between levels of expertise. However, this statement remains unanswered in some cyclic sports. This work aimed to describe the one-leg balance performance of a sample [...] Read more.
Balance has been positioned as an important performance skill in sport. Differences in postural control have been found between levels of expertise. However, this statement remains unanswered in some cyclic sports. This work aimed to describe the one-leg balance performance of a sample of elite BMX riders—racing and freestyle—compared to a control group formed by recreational athletes. The center of pressure (COP) of nineteen international BMX riders (freestyle, n = 7; racing, n = 12) and twenty physically active adults was analyzed in a 30-s one-leg stance test on both legs. COP dispersion and velocity variables were analyzed. Non-linear dynamics of postural sway were evaluated through Fuzzy Entropy and Detrended Fluctuation Analysis. BMX athletes did not show differences between legs in any of the variables. The control group did show differences between the dominant and non-dominant leg in the magnitude of variability of the COP in the mediolateral axis. Group comparison revealed non-significant differences. International BMX athletes did not show better balance parameters than the control group in a one-leg stance balance task. The adaptations derived from BMX practice do not have a significant impact in one-leg stance balance performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement and Balance)
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17 pages, 5069 KiB  
Article
An Advanced Rider-Cornering-Assistance System for PTW Vehicles Developed Using ML KNN Method
by Fakhreddine Jalti, Bekkay Hajji, Alberto Acri and Michele Calì
Sensors 2023, 23(3), 1540; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23031540 - 31 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2790
Abstract
The dynamic behavior of a Powered Two-Wheeler (PTW) is much more complicated than that of a car, which is due to the strong coupling between the longitudinal and lateral dynamics produced by the large roll angles. This makes the analysis of the dynamics, [...] Read more.
The dynamic behavior of a Powered Two-Wheeler (PTW) is much more complicated than that of a car, which is due to the strong coupling between the longitudinal and lateral dynamics produced by the large roll angles. This makes the analysis of the dynamics, and therefore the design and synthesis of the controller, particularly complex and difficult. In relation to assistance in dangerous situations, several recent manuscripts have suggested devices with limitations of cornering velocity by proposing restrictive models. However, these models can lead to repulsion by the users of PTW vehicles, significantly limiting vehicle performance. In the present work, the authors developed an Advanced Rider-cornering Assistance System (ARAS) based on the skills learned by riders running across curvilinear trajectories using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Neural Network (NN) techniques. New algorithms that allow the value of velocity to be estimated by prediction accuracy of up to 99.06% were developed using the K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) Machine Learning (ML) technique. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pattern Recognition Using Neural Networks)
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26 pages, 8761 KiB  
Article
Design and Characterization of a Single Lever Bicycle Brake with Hydraulic Pressure Proportioning
by Michael D. Machado and Vimal K. Viswanathan
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 1767; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031767 - 30 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 6663
Abstract
In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 329,000 Americans were injured in cycling-related incidents. Since the first bicycle brake in 1817, there has been an individual brake lever for decelerating each wheel, while on cars, there has been a [...] Read more.
In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 329,000 Americans were injured in cycling-related incidents. Since the first bicycle brake in 1817, there has been an individual brake lever for decelerating each wheel, while on cars, there has been a single control lever for decelerating multiple wheels since 1921. To perform an emergency stop on a bicycle, the rider must proportion hand pressure on each brake lever and simultaneously vary hand pressure throughout the duration of the maneuver to match the variations of normal force on each tire. Only highly skilled riders, with years of training and practice, can correctly proportion brake pressure to maximize available traction and thus minimize stopping distances. The objective of this study is to simulate and prototype a hydraulic, single-lever bicycle brake system, integrating front and rear brake proportioning, which minimizes stopping distance compared to dual-lever simulations. A design is developed to address the brake proportioning issue. Based on the simulations and physical model, the prototype proportioning valve decreased simulated stopping distances up to 18%. Exploring a range of bike types and scenarios, stopping distances were decreased between 13% and 26%. Simulating an ideal proportioning valve, stopping distances were further decreased between 4% and 40%. These results show that there can be an advantage to brake proportioning technologies in bicycles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mechanical Engineering)
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26 pages, 861 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Organizational Support, Environmental Health Literacy on Farmers’ Willingness to Participate in Rural Living Environment Improvement in China: Exploratory Analysis Based on a PLS-SEM Model
by Jing Wang, Xiang Ding, Dongjian Li and Shiping Li
Agriculture 2022, 12(11), 1798; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12111798 - 29 Oct 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3466
Abstract
The active participation of farmers is not only a real demand to alleviate the dilemma of “free-rider” in improving the rural living environment but also a requirement of the Times to realize ecological sustainability and rural revitalization. The planning behavior theory tells us [...] Read more.
The active participation of farmers is not only a real demand to alleviate the dilemma of “free-rider” in improving the rural living environment but also a requirement of the Times to realize ecological sustainability and rural revitalization. The planning behavior theory tells us that improving farmers’ willingness is an important prerequisite for farmers’ activities. This paper constructs the analysis framework of “organizational support (government and village committee) → environmental health literacy → farmers’ willingness” from the actual practice of government-led rural living environment improvement. Using data from a sample of 1225 farmers in Gansu Province and Jiangsu Province, China, we empirically tested the mechanisms of organizational support on farmers’ willingness to participate in living environment improvement and the mediating effect of environmental health literacy using formative structural equation modeling. The study showed that organizational support positively affected farmers’ willingness to participate, the effect of emotional support was more potent than that of instrumental support, and there were regional differences in the relative effects of government support and village committee support on farmers’ willingness to participate. All four types of organizational support positively affected environmental health literacy, but the degree of the effect differed and showed regional heterogeneity. Among the direct effects of farmers’ environmental health literacy on their willingness to participate, basic skills made the highest contribution, followed by basic ideas and the lowest basic knowledge. Among the indirect effects, basic skills made the most significant contribution in the pathway of organizational support to increase farmers’ willingness to participate through fostering farmers’ environmental health literacy. The results can provide a theoretical basis for government and village committees to policy optimization and improve the system, improve the resource utilization of the government and village committees, improve farmers’ environmental health literacy, and change farmers’ participation attitude. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management)
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21 pages, 1621 KiB  
Article
Can Complete-Novice E-Bike Riders Be Trained to Detect Unmaterialized Traffic Hazards in the Urban Environment? An Exploratory Study
by Anat Meir
Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10869; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710869 - 31 Aug 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2148
Abstract
Although hazard perception is an important skill found to be crucial for negotiating traffic among various types of road users, few studies have systematically investigated e-bike riders’ ability to perceive potential unmaterialized hazardous situations or aimed to enhance these abilities through training. The [...] Read more.
Although hazard perception is an important skill found to be crucial for negotiating traffic among various types of road users, few studies have systematically investigated e-bike riders’ ability to perceive potential unmaterialized hazardous situations or aimed to enhance these abilities through training. The present study explored the formation of two hazard perception training interventions based upon exposing young complete-novice e-bike riders to a vast array of materialized traffic hazards, with the aim of evaluating their effectiveness in enriching the ability to anticipate unmaterialized hazards. Young complete-novice e-bike riders were allocated into one of two intervention modes (‘Act and Anticipate Training’ or ‘Predictive and Commentary Training’) or a control group (ten in each group). AAT members underwent a theoretical tutorial, then observed clips depicting real-time hazardous situations footage taken from an e-bike rider’s perspective and were asked to perform a hazard detection task. PCT members underwent a theoretical tutorial, then a ‘what might happen next?’ task, followed by observation of video footage with expert commentary. A week later, participants were requested to complete a hazard perception test, during which they viewed ten videos and pressed a response button whenever they identified a hazardous situation. Overall, participants in both interventions were more aware of potential unmaterialized hazards compared to the control in both their response sensitivity and verbal descriptions. Trainees were responsive to the developed training interventions. Thus, actively detecting materialized hazards may produce effective training that enriches these road users’ hazard perception skills and allows them to safely negotiate traffic. Advantages of each of the training methodologies along with implications for intervention strategies, licensing, and policy development are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Design, Urban Planning and Traffic Safety)
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21 pages, 4581 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Climatic Potential of Somo’s Surf Spot for Tourist Destination Management
by Anna Boqué Ciurana, Melisa Ménendez, María Suárez Bilbao and Enric Aguilar
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8496; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148496 - 11 Jul 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2978
Abstract
Surfing is one of the most popular activities in coastal tourism resorts. However, the sport depends strongly on the met-ocean weather conditions, particularly on the surface wind-generated waves that reach the coast. This study provides examples of how users’ needs and user perspectives [...] Read more.
Surfing is one of the most popular activities in coastal tourism resorts. However, the sport depends strongly on the met-ocean weather conditions, particularly on the surface wind-generated waves that reach the coast. This study provides examples of how users’ needs and user perspectives are considered by climate data specialists to develop needed, highly useful information addressing human and social needs. In this vein, the climate analysis of such data can provide input on the expected length of a surfing season, according to the surfer’s level of expertise. In addition, other water sports, such as SUP Wave and windsurfing, among others, might be indicated when surfing conditions are not optimal. Finally, the safety of surfers and other tourists who venture into the sea is also dependent on those conditions. We collaborated with the surfing community to define a series of indices for quantifying surfing days (SD), surfing days stratified by surfers’ skills (SDS), alternate offers (AOs), and surfers’ and swimmers’ safety (SuS and SwS). These are of general applications but require wind and wave data at a very fine scale as the input. To illustrate the potential of our indices, we applied them to the Somo beach (Cantabria, Spain). We downscaled a global wave hindcast dataset covering a 30-year period to a spatial resolution of 100 m to obtain wave-surfing information at Somo’s surf spot. The results confirmed Somo’s status as a year-round surf spot, with SD values of 229.5 days/year and monthly values between 22 days/month and 16 days/month. SDS showed different seasonal peaks according to the surfers’ skills. Beginners’ conditions occurred more often in the summer (18.1 days/month in July), intermediate surfers’ conditions appeared in the transitional seasons (14.1 days/month in April), and advanced and big-wave riders in the winter (15.1 days/month in January and 0.7 days/month, respectively). The AO index identified the SUP wave values of 216 days/year. Wind water sports presented values of 141.6 days/year; conversely, SUP sports were possible on only 7.4 days/year. SuS and SwS identified different seasonal hazard values, decreasing from the winter, autumn, and spring to minimum values in the summer. Full article
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14 pages, 1340 KiB  
Article
Relationships between the Rider’s Pelvic Mobility and Balance on a Gymnastic Ball with Equestrian Skills and Effects on Horse Welfare
by Mette Uldahl, Janne W. Christensen and Hilary M. Clayton
Animals 2021, 11(2), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020453 - 9 Feb 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 14151
Abstract
Riders need core stability to follow and guide the horse’s movements and avoid giving unintended or conflicting signals. This study evaluated the rider’s performance of exercises on a gymnastic ball with on-horse performance and indicators of stress in the horse. Twenty experienced riders [...] Read more.
Riders need core stability to follow and guide the horse’s movements and avoid giving unintended or conflicting signals. This study evaluated the rider’s performance of exercises on a gymnastic ball with on-horse performance and indicators of stress in the horse. Twenty experienced riders were scored performing three exercises on a gymnastic ball and for quality and harmony when riding based on evaluation of video recordings in which conflict behaviours were evident. The horse’s heart rate and number of conflict behaviors during the riding test and cortisol levels after completion of the test were measured. The rider’s ability to roll the pelvis from side-to-side on a gymnastic ball was highly correlated with ability to circle the pelvis on the ball and with quality and harmony during riding. However, pelvic roll and riding quality and harmony showed a trend toward a negative correlation with balancing skills on the ball. It appears that the ability to actively move the pelvis is more relevant to equestrian performance than static balancing skill. Horses ridden by riders with better pelvic mobility and control showed significantly fewer conflict behaviors. On the contrary, high scores for balancing on the gymnastic ball were negatively correlated with the horses’ working heart rates, suggesting a less energetic performance. Pelvic control and mobility may be predictive for equestrian skills and riding harmony. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horse-Human Interactions and Their Implication for Equine Welfare)
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16 pages, 451 KiB  
Article
Equine Responses to Acceleration and Deceleration Cues May Reflect Their Exposure to Multiple Riders
by Jessica McKenzie, Kate Fenner, Michelle Hyde, Ashley Anzulewicz, Bibiana Burattini, Nicole Romness, Bethany Wilson and Paul McGreevy
Animals 2021, 11(1), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010066 - 31 Dec 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5384
Abstract
It is logical to assume that horses with multiple riders encounter variation in application of training cues. When training cues are inconsistent, we expect to see a decrease in trained responses or an increase in conflict behaviours. This study investigated the relationship between [...] Read more.
It is logical to assume that horses with multiple riders encounter variation in application of training cues. When training cues are inconsistent, we expect to see a decrease in trained responses or an increase in conflict behaviours. This study investigated the relationship between the number of people that regularly ride or handle a horse and the horse’s response to operant cues. Data on 1819 equids were obtained from the Equine Behavior Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ), an online global survey of horse owners and caregivers. Three mutually independent indices (acceleration, deceleration, and responsiveness) were derived from a parallel analysis of E-BARQ items related to acceleration and deceleration cues. These indices were then subjected to multivariable modelling against a range of dependent variables including horse and human demographics, horse management, and the number of riders or handlers. The number of riders or handlers was a significant predictor for two out of three indices. As the number of riders or handlers increased, horses were more difficult to accelerate (regression coefficient = 0.0148 ± 0.0071; p = 0.0366) and less difficult to decelerate (regression coefficient = −0.017 ± 0.008; p = 0.030) than those with fewer riders or handlers. These findings suggest that horses’ responses to rein tension cues are more persistent than their responses to leg pressure or whip cues. Alternatively, horses with these responses may be actively selected for multiple rider roles. Longitudinal studies of this sort should reveal how the number of riders or handlers affects horse behaviour and could lead to safer and more humane equestrian practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horse-Human Interactions and Their Implication for Equine Welfare)
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16 pages, 1089 KiB  
Article
Application of a Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram and Its Relationship with Gait in a Convenience Sample of 60 Riding Horses
by Sue Dyson and Danica Pollard
Animals 2020, 10(6), 1044; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10061044 - 17 Jun 2020
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 23690
Abstract
A Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) comprising 24 behaviours has been developed to facilitate the identification of musculoskeletal pain. The aim was to further test the RHpE by its application to a convenience sample (n = 60) of sports horses and riding [...] Read more.
A Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) comprising 24 behaviours has been developed to facilitate the identification of musculoskeletal pain. The aim was to further test the RHpE by its application to a convenience sample (n = 60) of sports horses and riding school horses in regular work and assumed by their owners to be working comfortably. All horses performed a purpose-designed dressage-type test of 8.5 min duration in walk, trot and canter, with their normal rider. The RHpE was applied retrospectively to video recordings acquired in a standardised fashion. Seventy-three percent of horses were lame (≤ grade 2/8) on one or more limbs; 47% had gait abnormalities in canter. Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram scores ranged from 3 to 16/24 (median 9); rider skill score ranged from 2.5 to 8/10 (median 4.75). The effect of horse age, breed, sex, work-discipline, epaxial muscle hypertonicity or pain, an ill-fitting saddle, rider skill score, the presence of lameness or gait abnormalities in canter on the RHpE score was assessed using Poisson regression. Two variables were retained in the final multivariable analysis, rider skill score as a continuous variable (p < 0.001), and lameness (p = 0.008). A RHpE score ≥8 was a good indicator of the presence of musculoskeletal pain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards a better assessment of acute pain in equines)
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6 pages, 662 KiB  
Proceeding Paper
Drafting Effect in Cycling: On-Site Aerodynamic Investigation by the ‘Ring of Fire’
by Alexander Spoelstra, Nikhil Mahalingesh and Andrea Sciacchitano
Proceedings 2020, 49(1), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2020049113 - 15 Jun 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2952
Abstract
An on-site Ring of Fire (RoF) experiment is performed at the Tom Dumoulin bike park in Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands. The current work investigates the aerodynamic drag of a cyclist following a lead cyclist at different lateral and longitudinal separations; additionally, the athletes’ skills [...] Read more.
An on-site Ring of Fire (RoF) experiment is performed at the Tom Dumoulin bike park in Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands. The current work investigates the aerodynamic drag of a cyclist following a lead cyclist at different lateral and longitudinal separations; additionally, the athletes’ skills to maintain their position and distance with respect to the preceding riders are evaluated. The effect of the relative size of the lead cyclist on the drag area of the drafting cyclist is also investigated. The results show drag reductions of the trailing cyclist in the range from 27% to 66% depending on the longitudinal and lateral separation from the leading rider. The aerodynamic advantage of the drafting rider decreases with increasing lateral and longitudinal separation between riders, with the lateral separation found to be more relevant. Besides this, the drag reduction of the drafting cyclist benefits from an increase in drag area of the leading cyclist. Full article
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