Large Temporal Variations of Functional Properties of Outdoor Equestrian Arena Surfaces and a New Concept of Evaluating Reactivity With Light Weight Deflectometer Settlement Curves.

Sports physiological properties of ten sand or sand-mineral outdoor arenas, five with vertical drainage systems and five with an ebb and flow like system were assessed over a period of 8 weeks. For each arena, the riding zone was spatially delineated, nine locations at medium to intensely used zones were selected by simple random sampling and used along the whole measurement period. A total of 72 values for the dynamic deflection modulus (Evd), attenuation (s/v), settlement (s) and moisture content (Vol %) were analyzed for each arena. A novel technique to analyze the settlement curves of the light weight deflectometer (LWD) to describe reactivity of the footing surface was introduced. Statistical testing was done by linear mixed models. Three of the five arenas with a vertical watering system were judged to be hard (Evd > 20 MN/m2), whereas all five arenas with an ebb and flow like watering systems were medium hard (Evd = 10-20 MN/m2) over the entire 8 weeks. Significant (P < .01) temporal differences in Evd, s/v and moisture were demonstrated for both watering systems; however, the spatial and temporal variations were much lower with the ebb-flow system. Temporal consistency in the parameters over the test weeks appeared to be a criterion for stability of the arena surface. The analysis of the settlement curves of the LWD showed that the slope symmetry has a large potential to describe the restoration of the energy of an equestrian surface than only the settlement, which requires further validation.

Use of volumetric capnography to identify pulmonary dysfunction in horses with and without clinically apparent recurrent airway obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether volumetric capnography indices could be used to differentiate between horses without recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and horses with RAO that were in clinical remission or that had clinically apparent RAO. ANIMALS: 70 adult Swiss Warmblood horses (20 used for pleasure riding and 50 used for dressage or show jumping). PROCEDURE: Horses were allocated to 4 groups on the basis of history, clinical signs, results of endoscopy, and cytologic findings (group 1, 21 healthy horses; group 2, 22 horses with RAO that were in remission; group 3, 16 horses with mild RAO; group 4, 11 horses with exacerbated RAO). Expiratory volume and CO2 curves were recorded by use of a computerized ultrasonic spirometer. Volumetric capnograms were plotted, and derived indices were calculated. RESULTS: Dead-space volume (VD) was calculated by use of the Bohr equation (VD(Bohr)) and for physiologic VD (VD(phys)). Ratios for VD(Bohr) to expiratory tidal volume (VT) and VD(phys) to V(T) as well as an index of effective CO2 elimination were significantly different among groups of horses. Age and use of the horses also significantly affected volumetric capnography indices. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ratios of VD(Bohr) to VT and VD(phys) to VT as well as an index of effective CO2 elimination were sufficiently sensitive measures to distinguish between healthy horses and horses with RAO in remission. To optimize the ability of volumetric capnography indices to differentiate among horses in heterogeneous populations, it is important to account for effects of age and specific use of the horses.

Veterinary management of horse transport.

Enormous numbers of horses are transported locally, nationally and internationally every year. National legislation and international guidelines set standards for the health and welfare of animals during transport. As a consequence, equine clinicians have major responsibilities in safeguarding the horse industry against the spread of disease and in being aware of the problems inherent in horse transport. The authors explore road, sea and air transport and their effect on horses. Various types of road transport are available and there are various sources of impact on horses. These include loading, the effect of confinement and isolation, restraint within vehicles, motion of vehicles, environmental challenges within vehicles, food and water intake, body posture during transport and orientation within the vehicle. Air transport has prominence and an account is given of the special management required for horses during air transport over long distances. Finally, the effects of transport on illness and performance are outlined. Shipping fever is discussed.