When you see a horse trailer heading down the road, do you wonder where it's headed and why? How long its trip will be? Or how the horses inside are managed? Well, you're not alone. Researchers have the same questions, and they're seeking horse owner input to determine the answers.
While it's well-known that horses are transported in trailers on roads regularly, the specific reasons for travel and how horses are managed during transport aren't well-documented. To fill in some of those knowledge gaps, researchers from the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center are conducting a survey to gain a better understanding of the purposes and ways horses are transported, as well as different journey lengths and management practices involved in transporting horses on U.S. roads.
With the information gathered, they hope to conduct further research on and improve management recommendations for horses traveling in the United States.
This survey is coordinated by Erica Jacquay, graduate student and MARS Equestrian scholar at the Gluck Center, whose research focuses on equine transportation. Jacquay works under and is conducting the study with Amanda Adams, MARS Equestrian Fellow, UK associate professor and specialist in equine immunology.
“We are interested in understanding how transportation affects horses of different ages, breeds and health status so that we can ultimately find ways to better support horse health. This survey will provide valuable information and therefore we encourage all horse owners to get involved and be part of our project,” said Dan Howe, interim chair of the UK's Department of Veterinary Science and interim director of the Gluck Center.
“As someone who has regularly transported horses, I believe that the information we learn from this survey will highlight similarities and differences in why and how horses are transported across the U.S.,” Jacquay said.
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The survey is open until April 1 and can be found here. Participants must be at least 18 years old and own, lease or be in the full care of at least one horse or pony that resides in the U.S. and has been transported at least once in the past 12 months. The survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete, and participants can choose to enter a drawing to win an Ethel M Chocolates prize basket courtesy of MARS Equestrian.
“We are quite excited about this survey and need the equine industry's feedback,” Adams said. “This information is important in helping us understand more about transportation of horses, which will then help us ask relevant questions that may lead to new answers relating to how we transport horses and support their health along the way. We are thrilled about continuing our collaboration with Dr. Pat Harris from MARS Horsecare and Dr. Bridgett McIntosh from MARS Equestrian.”
The study is also being conducted in collaboration with Jill Stowe, professor of agricultural economics at UK.
I will be the first to admit that I am really glad that I am practicing on horses in modern times, as opposed to just about any other times. For example, sedatives, the drugs that make horses sleepy, are wonderful, because they make horses so much easier to work on.
Still, sometimes modern sedatives aren't quite enough, or sometimes you don't want to sedate a horse that you're working on (maybe it's at a horse show, for example). In those times, older methods of restraint may work just great. One of the more curious of those methods is the nose twitch (or just twitch).
SCHOLARLY ASIDE: I was curious why it's called a twitch, so I started looking around. Not as easy to find the origin of the word as you might think. Google was useless. My copy of the Oxford English Dictionary (yes, my innate curiosity can make me a bit nerdy at times) helped some, showing the first reference of the word in horses to come in 1623. But it was my 1933 copy of the Oxford Universal dictionary that had this obscure definition: “4. To pinch or pull at as with pincers or the like; to nip; to hurt or pain as by doing this.” So, there you go (although how much pain it causes a horse is an interesting discussion, as you'll see below).
BY THE WAY: If you haven't seen a twitch being applied, here's a link to a quick video clip on the procedure:
NOTE: The video clip above shows just one kind of twitch. I've seen twitches made with metal chain, bicycle chain, baling twine, and all kinds of rope. I've seen handles made from baseball bats, old axes, hickory sticks, and broom handles. There are metal “humane” twitches, which can be used by one person, some of which clip to the halter, and others of which secure themselves. And they all essentially do the same thing: they pinch the horse's muzzle (although I've also seen them put on a horse's ear, which I wouldn't advise unless you just want your horse to be headshy).
Now you look at this video, and you think, “OK, what's going on here? You just tighten a loop of rope around a horse's nose, and he'll just stand there?”
And, most of the time, the answer is, “Yes, he'll just stand there.” And there are several theories why.
Probably the most common explanation is that the causes a bit of dull pain. The idea is that this bit of pain will cause the horse to concentrate on the pain while an unpleasant task is being performed. That's exactly what William Youatt, and English veterinary surgeon wrote in his book, The Horse, in 1831, Youatt said, “The horse suffers great pain from the pressure – sufficiently great to render him comparatively inattentive to that which is produced by the operation; at the same time, he is afraid to struggle, for every motion increases the agony caused by the twitch, or the assistant has the power to increase it by giving an additional turn to the stick.” If you like old veterinary books like I do – and this one's a classic – you can even see the book online if you CLICK HERE. (The passage is on page 321.)
There's actually a well-known phenomenon called a diffuse noxious stimulus, whereby the perception of pain in one area can be diminished by pain in another area. So, for example, your headache might not feel so bad if someone kicks you hard in the shin. I'm not really persuaded by that explanation, however. I've been around plenty of horses who have been in pain, and they usually don't just stand there. Take a horse with colic (please). When a horse is in pain from a colic, he shows it. He rolls around, or paws, or gets up and down. When a horse is in pain from a lameness, he limps. Pain usually doesn't make a horse just stand in one place, insensitive to his surroundings, it makes them want to get away from the pain. I think there may be a more persuasive explanation.
In the 1980s, it was asserted that the twitch does its weirdness because it's applied at an acupuncture point, and because of some sort of acupuncture-like effect. You can see a link to an abstract of the article, which was published in a fairly prestigious journal, if you CLICK HERE.
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As you might guess, I'm not at all persuaded by this explanation, and for a variety of reasons, including that there's never been any such thing as an acupuncture point demonstrated, in any species.
(CLICK HERE if you want to read about why I wouldn't bother with acupuncture.)
Some folks assert that the twitch works by triggering the release of endorphins from the horse's brain. Endorphins are sort of like the body's very own morphine, and they've been credited with all sorts of effects, including calming (which is something that narcotics generally do to people, and which is one reason why they are popular in drug abuse circles). I'm not at all persuaded by that explanation either, because there are all sorts of things that cause endorphin levels to rise in the horse, such as putting them in a horse trailer and driving them around. Horses that are being hauled in a trailer do have high endorphin levels, but there certainly don't stand there as if in a daze.
None of the above three reasons makes much sense to me. Here's what I think.
I think a twitch works because of a phenomenon known as tonic immobility. Tonic immobility is a basic defense strategy in many species (including many mammals, and including humans). Tonic immobility is an adaptive response demonstrated when one individual – usually prey – does not think that it can possibly escape from, or win, a fight. Predators tend to react to the movement of their prey, but if the prey doesn't move (instead of struggling or fighting), it can increase the probability that it will ultimately escape. If the prey doesn't struggle, the predator cam become distracted, and even temporarily release the prey, sometimes giving the prey enough time to run away.
Tonic immobility is characterized by pronounced physical immobility, trembling, muscular rigidity, sensations of cold and numbness or insensitivity to intense or painful stimulation. It's caused by things such as fear and physical restriction, but the most important aspect may be the perceived incapacity to escape. That's what I think is happening when a horse gets twitched.
If you haven't used a twitch on a horse, don't just run out and try it, or think of it as some sort of a fun parlor trick. You'd like to learn about twitches with an experienced person helping you out. Putting a twitch on a horse is something that does carry the potential for some adverse consequences. For example, I've seen poorly-applied twitches come off in the middle of procedures (to explosive effect), and wooden handled twitches whirling around in the air after having been let go of by an inexperienced handler. Trust me, the things hurt when they hit you. It's a useful tool, but not one to be used unless you have some experience.
Anyway, that's what I think about twitches. What about you?
Dr. David Ramey is a vocal advocate for the application of science to medicine, and—as such—for the welfare of the horse. Thus, he has been a frequent critic of practices that lack good science, such as the diverse therapies collectively known as “alternative” medicine, needless nutritional supplementation, or conventional therapies that lack scientific support.
This article original appeared on Dr. Ramey's website, doctorramey.com and is reprinted here with permission.
Racing at Stratford Upon Avon on March 14, 2022 will mark the start of a new era over jumps in Britain as obstacles begin turning white as part of a welfare-driven project to develop new ways to help make hurdle and fence design safer. The transformation, to be gradually phased in over 10-months, will see an estimated 368 fences and 2,132 hurdle panels across 40 racecourses change markings from the traditional orange to white.
The project, which is being delivered by the Horse Welfare Board as part of the “Life Well Lived” strategy, follows intensive research carried out by Exeter University during 2017-2018 into equine vision, commissioned by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and backed by The Racing Foundation.
131 obstacles were analyzed across 11 racecourses using cutting-edge camera equipment to establish which colors would be most visible to a horse. Once identified, behavioral responses were then tested with 14 horses from Richard Phillips' training yard in Adlestrop, Gloucestershire.
Exeter University's research focused on trialing different color options in a variety of racing environments and weather conditions, including the traditional orange markings. As horses have reduced “dichromatic” color vision compared to humans, they see mainly hues we would perceive as blue and yellow, and are unable to tell apart shades of red, green, and orange. The study found that changing the wood and vinyl padding of take-off boards, guard rails and top boards to white provided increased contrast and visibility for horses, leading to improved jumping performance. Fluorescent yellow was found to have a similar positive impact, but the color faded rapidly in tests, leading Exeter University to ratify the racing industry's decision to select white as a valid choice going forward.
The “orange to white” project was progressed the following year but was put on hold due to the onset of the pandemic. Now led by Mike Etherington-Smith, Equine Safety Advisor to the Horse Welfare Board, a cross-industry working group of trainers, jockeys and racecourse representatives has driven the project forward, with key racing bodies green-lighting implementation in November 2021 and the Horserace Betting Levy Board confirming funding in January this year.
A phased roll-out of new white markings will begin from March 2022 with courses carrying out the work after the close of their season. Nine courses will make the change during the first six months (March – August) with all jumps tracks to have made the switch by December 2022. An estimated 368 fences and 2,312 hurdle panels are due to be changed across 40 courses. Point to point courses will follow for the 2022/23 season.
Barry Johnson, Chair of the Horse Welfare Board, said: “This important project is an example of how British racing uses advanced scientific and veterinary research to constantly improve racehorse welfare. Looking through the eyes of the horse to understand how they perceive their world, and making changes because of this new knowledge, shows how racing is continuously striving to increase the safety of all participants in our sport, both human and equine.”
James Given, Director of Equine Health and Welfare for the BHA and member of the Horse Welfare Board, added: “We are determined to drive constant improvement and to make reasoned, well-researched and evidence-based changes which further reduce risk in the sport on a long-term basis and which help to improve safety factors for our horses.”
Trainer Richard Phillips commented: “Having been involved in the research undertaken by Exeter University and having used white obstacles for over three years now, I am convinced that changing the color of jumps will be of immense benefits to the horses, riders and the sport as a whole.”
Professor Martin Stevens, Chair in Sensory and Evolutionary Ecology for the University of Exeter said: “The project is an example of how scientific research can lead to positive changes in human society and our interactions with animals and I'm delighted that the research we undertook has led to changes in the sport.”
Caroline Davies, Racecourse Services Director at the RCA and the racecourse representative on the Horse Welfare Board commented: “I am pleased to see the roll-out of the orange to white initiative take place across Britain's racecourses, adding a further layer of care for our horses.
“This is an important step for British Racing, underpinned by a plethora of research. The number of obstacles that racecourses will be changing is significant and is testament to the sport's commitment to making continual improvements for all our participants. I am grateful for the widespread support of racing's stakeholders and our funders to enable it to happen.”
The faller rate in British racing has reduced by one third over the last 20years as a result of ongoing investment in racecourse safety, and constant enhancements in racehorse and training standards.
Following on from their debut at Stratford on March 14, the new white obstacles will next be seen at Hexham on March 17 and Newton Abbot on March 25. They are already being introduced at racing's main schooling grounds and will be in use throughout the summer jumping season.
Saratoga Snacks, a multiple New York-bred stakes winner and popular resident of ReRun in East Greenbush, N.Y., was euthanized due to metabolic issues at the age of 13.
Campaigned for most of his career by Hall of Fame football coach Bill Parcells' August Dawn Farm and trainer Gary Sciacca, Saratoga Snacks retired to ReRun's Thoroughbred retraining and adoption organization in late 2016. He served as one of ReRun's equine ambassadors in retirement, alongside former New York stallion Frost Giant, who also died this year.
Parcells continued to support Saratoga Snacks during his retirement and Sciacca was a frequent visitor to the gelding through the years. Saratoga Snacks will be buried at ReRun alongside Frost Giant.
“It was really weird in the barn (recently) without those two on the end,” said Lisa Molloy, executive director of ReRun Inc. “I'm pretty honored that I had both of them.”
Bred by Mrs. Gerald A. Nielsen, the son of Tale of the Cat was purchased by Sciacca at the 2010 Fasig-Tipton New York-bred yearling sale for $60,000. He made his debut about a year later for August Dawn and Parcells, finishing second in a 5-furlong state-bred maiden race at Saratoga Race Course before winning a similar race stretched out to 6 1/2 furlongs the final Saturday of the meet.
Saratoga Snacks won four of five starts in 2012, including the Alex M. Robb Stakes late in the year at Aqueduct, to earn a nomination as champion New York-bred 3-year-old male. He won two more stakes at four, including the Empire Classic Handicap on Empire Showcase Day at Belmont Park. Saratoga Snacks didn't win at five but returned as a 6-year-old in 2015 and won or placed in five of his six starts, including a victory in the Saginaw Stakes at Belmont and a runner-up finish in the Evan Shipman Stakes at Saratoga.
Saratoga Snacks retired with nine wins, six seconds and four thirds for $693,500 in earnings. He was one of five winners produced by the winning Red Ransom mare Near and Dear, along with Baby Snacks, Chestnut Street, Hurricane Jackie and Speed Dating.
scholar at the Gluck Center, whose research focuses on equine transportation. Jacquay works under and is conducting the study with Amanda Adams, MARS Equestrian Fellow, UK associate professor and specialist in equine immunology.