The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram

Abstract

Supplementary Item 1. A check sheet for practical day to day application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram.

Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to Horses Competing in British Eventing 90, 100 and Novice One-Day Events and Comparison with Performance

“…The observer could not be blinded to horse or rider identity, with the potential for bias, however the horse’s subsequent performance could not be predicted, and all statistical analyses were performed completely independently. The duration of the tests was approximately 5 min, the lower end of the spectrum for accurate application of the RHpE [ 82 ]. The BE 90 and 100 tests did not incorporate 10 m diameter circles in trot, which are more biomechanically demanding than 20 m diameter circles, and effective in highlighting gait abnormalities and influencing behaviour [ 82 ].…”

“…The duration of the tests was approximately 5 min, the lower end of the spectrum for accurate application of the RHpE [ 82 ]. The BE 90 and 100 tests did not incorporate 10 m diameter circles in trot, which are more biomechanically demanding than 20 m diameter circles, and effective in highlighting gait abnormalities and influencing behaviour [ 82 ]. Several judges commented that ‘they found it difficult to mark down professional riders’.…”

How Happy Are Equine Athletes? Stakeholder Perceptions of Equine Welfare Issues Associated with Equestrian Sport

“…The dressage group felt that, despite the rigorous training that judges receive, they do not protect horses from poor riding or poor welfare. This could be addressed by providing better training to allow judges to recognise and mark down behavioural signs that are indicative of conflict or underlying pain [ 46 ]. The dressage and showjumping groups recommended that stewards should observe warm-up areas to ensure horses are ridden appropriately outside of the competition arena.…”

The ongoing quest for a validated, universally accepted visual lameness grading scale

“…These procedures are most often evaluated qualitatively (mild, moderate, severe, for flexion tests; mild, substantial or complete elimination of lameness, for diagnostic anaesthesia), but a variety of other methods (like an estimated percentage of improvement after diagnostic anaesthetic procedures) are also used. Objective measurements allow for the accurate evaluation of changes after flexion tests and the detection of partial improvements after diagnostic anaesthesia but are not applicable to evaluate the behavioural changes of ridden horses with pain 21 . Therefore, gait analysis systems should be considered when evaluating the results of flexion tests and diagnostic anaesthesia to ensure an accurate interpretation of their outcome, while specific observations, for example, during ridden evaluation may only be feasible with subjective visual appraisal.…”

“…Objective measurements allow for the accurate evaluation of changes after flexion tests and the detection of partial improvements after diagnostic anaesthesia but are not applicable to evaluate the behavioural changes of ridden horses with pain. 21 Therefore, gait analysis systems should be considered when evaluating the results of flexion tests and diagnostic anaesthesia to ensure an accurate interpretation of their outcome, while specific observations, for example, during ridden evaluation may only be feasible with subjective visual appraisal.…”