I was just wondering how many of you use the IVIS database?
http://www.ivis.org/
I've been on their email list for ages and get regular newletters, none of which I find very useful (mainly details of conferences I won't be going to!)
But I've just been having a quick nosey on the site itself to find out what is actually on there and found some really interesting abstracts.
What I'd like to know is - is it possible to subscribe in such a way as to set up filters and receive eg abstracts about behaviour? I'd like to make more use of it as it's a fantastic database. I just don't know how to use it efficiently and don't have time to browse regularly.
Any help gratefully received!
Thanks
Catherine
Couple of sample abstracts I found interesting, and that was just by fluke....
1: Equine Vet J. 2006 Mar;38(2):158-63. Related Articles, Links
The risk of a horse-and-rider partnership falling on the cross-country phase of eventing competitions.
Murray JK, Singer ER, Morgan KL, Proudman CJ, French NP.
Epidemiology Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, South Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Fatalities resulting from horse falls occurring during the cross-country phase of eventing competitions initiated epidemiological investigation of the risk factors associated with horse falls. OBJECTIVES: To identify variables that increased or decreased the risk of a horse fall during the cross-country phase of an eventing competition. METHODS: Data were collected from randomly selected British Eventing competitions held in Great Britain during 2001 and 2002. Data were obtained for 173 cases (jumping efforts resulting in a fall of the horse-and-rider partnership) and 503 matched controls (jumping efforts not resulting in a fall). The risk of falling was modelled using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: An increased risk of a horse fall was associated with jumping into or out of water; taking off from good-to-soft, soft or heavy ground; fences with a drop landing; nonangled fences with a spread > or =2 m; and angled fences. Other risk factors included riders who knew that they were in the lead within the competition before the cross-country phase; an inappropriate speed of approach to the fence (too fast or too slow); horse-and-rider partnerships that had not incurred refusals at earlier fences; and riders who received cross-country tuition. CONCLUSIONS: This study has identified modifiable course- and fence-level risk factors for horse falls during the cross-country phase of eventing competitions. The risk of horse and rider injury at eventing competitions should be reduced by 3 simple measures; maintaining good to firm take-off surfaces at fences, reducing the base spread of fences to <2 m and reducing the use of fences at which horses are required to jump into or out of water. Risk reduction arising from course and fence modification needs to be confirmed by intervention studies. Potential relevance: Knowledge of factors that increase or decrease the risk of a horse fall can be used by UK governing bodies of the sport to reduce the risk of horse falls on the cross-country phase of eventing competitions, and reduce the risk of horse and rider injuries and fatalities. As one in 3 horses that fall injure themselves and one in 100 horse falls results in fatality to the horse, we suggest that immediate consideration is given to these recommendations.
PMID: 16536386 [PubMed - in process]
1: Equine Vet J. 2006 Mar;38(2):170-4. Related Articles, Links
Hoof growth between two shoeing sessions leads to a substantial increase of the moment about the distal, but not the proximal, interphalangeal joint.
Moleman M, van Heel MC, van Weeren PR, Back W.
Derona Equine Performance Laboratory, Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 12, NL-3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: There is little insight into the effects of routine farriery on the internal structures of the distal limb in sound horses. OBJECTIVES: To measure the effect of change in hoof conformation during a shoeing interval on the moments about the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints (PIPJ, DIPJ) and to determine whether and how the horse compensates for this change in hoof conformation. METHODS: Both front feet of 9 sound Warmblood horses were measured while standing on a pressure-force measuring system and radiographed in a lateromedial direction shortly after shoeing and 8 weeks later. From these data, ground reaction forces (GRF) and lever arms were measured in order to calculate joint moments. RESULTS: After 8 weeks, the moment about the PIPJ did not increase significantly, but the moment about the DIPJ did so, indicating a compensatory mechanism for a change in hoof conformation in the DIPJ. CONCLUSIONS: Standing horses compensate for hoof conformation change during an 8-week shoeing interval, which leads to increased DIPJ extension and consequently an increased loading of the deep digital flexor tendon. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: This study quantifies the effect of a shoeing interval on the internal structures of the foot and helps to determine an appropriate shoeing interval for individual horses in which the hoof with the lowest hoof angle is the best indicator. The exact determination of an optimal individual shoeing interval requires further study.
PMID: 16536388 [PubMed - in process]
