A PILOT STUDY TO DEVELOP A GLOBAL POSITIONING SATELLITE DEVICE SUITABLE TO MEASURE THE AMOUNT AND TYPE OF EXERCISE NATURALLY ACCOMPLISHED BY FOALS
Dr Chris Rogers
Massey University
A previous study supported by the NZ Equine Research Foundation showed that medium to high intensity exercise superimposed on the normal activity of foals at pasture increases their musculolskeletal development. What we now need to know is (a) how much of this type of exercise foals are achieving at pasture and (b) precisely how much more is needed for maximum development. This project sets out to develop a system for the accurate measurement of foal activity by using Global Positioning Satellite technology and confirm its accuracy. A further aim is to accurately measure the amount and type of exercise foals perform under different New Zealand management systems. These are the initial steps to eventually work out how much extra exercise is required for maximum musculoskeletal development of our foals.
INVESTIGATING A NOVEL, NON-INVASIVE ALTERNATIVE TO BLOOD SAMPLING
Dr Chris Rogers
Massey University
Taking samples of body fluids, such as blood, for analysis has traditionally involved the use of needles injected into a horse’s blood vessels. When this is done repeatedly some resistence from the horses is understandably, often encountered. A new method of sampling body fluids from horses has been devised by a New Zealand scientist. This method does not require the use of needles. Rather it utilizes a combination of ultrasound and a small electric current applied to the skin to draw fluids from the body through the skin to a collecting vessel. The technique has already been used successfully in humans and a pilot trial has also been successfully undertaken in horses. The NZ Equine Research Foundation has supported Dr Chris Rogers of Massey University to investigate the usefulness of this technique in horses. The non-invasive nature of this collection method minimizes any stress associated with the injection of a needle. The technique should be ideal for determining the levels of some chemicals in body fluids. If this is the case, injecting needles into horse's veins to collect samples for chemical analysis may become much less common in the future.
A STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF THE USE OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTHROPHIN (hCG) IN MARES
Dr. Margaret Evans
Christchurch Hospital
When the hormone human chorionic gonadtrophin (CG) is used in mares during heat ovulation occurs at a predictable time after its injection without any known detrimental affect on fertility. Thus this hormone is very widely used on studs. However, there is a potential problem with repeated use of hCG as antibodies against it may be generated and these could eventually affect its action. This study aims to investigate whether antibodies are generated and whether repeated hCG administration to mares affects their reproductive hormones. The study is a collaborative one with a world-renowned equine reproductive expert in Brazil. Data from 125 cycles which includes 2500 ultrasonic examinations and 2500 blood samples has already been collected and the NZ Equine Research Foundation funding is to provide the opportunity to perform laboratory analysis on the blood samples.
A STUDY TO DETERMINE IF MUSCLE STIMULATION INCREASES MUSCLE, BONE AND TENDON STRENGTH IN HORSES
Dr Elwyn Firth
Massey University
Musculoskeletal development of the limbs of horses is determined partly by genetic factors and partly by the forces placed on them during growth. The purpose of this study is to determine if muscle stimulation alters muscle, bone and tendon strength in foals. If it does then muscle stimulation may result in stronger bones, muscles and tendons in competitive horses and allow these horses to better withstand the strains of competition and compete for longer periods thus reducing the costs to owners.
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE INTENSITY OF EXERCISE AND THE HORSE'S RESPONSE TO TRAINING
Dr Janene Kingston
Massey University
There is very little accurate information available on exactly how much exercise Thoroughbreds do on a day-to-day basis while in training. Most trainers have an exercise programme for their horses that increases in distance and speed from the time horses enter the stable until they race. The amount of work for each horse is reliant on the judgment of the trainer and rider. Jockeys of horses in training are frequently asked to make a horse go "half pace" or "three-quarter pace" and "once around" or "twice around". Exactly how much work these horses are doing can now be accurately measured using modern technology. Dr Janene Kingston, an equine exercise physiologist at Massey University, is examining 20 young thoroughbreds in training using a Global Positioning System Device attached to the gear of a horse to record their speed and distance traveled. She is also using a heart rate monitor to assess the workload and blood lactate monitoring to assess how their fitness changes with exercise. As a result of this study we will know, not only what the horses are actually doing, but also be able to assess how their fitness changes in response to training and racing. The study will also provide valuable information on a horse's readiness for racing and provide some guidelines for the future training of our thoroughbreds.
EVALUATION OF AN INJECTION ANAESTHETIC TECHNIQUE FOR USE IN HORSES
Dr Vicki Walsh
Massey University
Horses have a higher mortality rate when anaesthetized (1%) than most other species. This is related to their size, unique cardiovascular system, and their propensity to struggle during anaesthetic recovery. Two different methods are used to anaesthetise horses. In one, the anaesthetic drugs are administered by inhalation and, in the other, they are given by injection. For longer anaesthetic procedures the inhalation method is most commonly used. However, this technique results in depression of the heart and circulatory system and may be associated with a higher mortality rate than the injection technique. In the injection technique several drugs may be given in combination and, whilst this technique results in less depression of the heart and circulation, it can prolong the horses' anaesthetic recovery time. The problem we have at present is that there is little known about the effects of the injection anaesthetic drugs for prolonged (more than one hour) anaesthesia in horses. This research project aims to supply the horse industry with better recommendations about the use of injection anaesthetic drugs in prolonged anaesthesic procedures and assess a technique that may have a lower mortality rate than presently experienced.