Catalogue Search | MBRL
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
{{itemTitle}}
1,034
result(s) for
"Dressage."
Sort by:
Let Them Be the Judge of That: Bias Cascade in Elite Dressage Judging
Sport performances judged subjectively often suffer from systematic errors due to biases, with the sport of equestrian dressage being no exception. This study examines whether international dressage judges display systematic errors while evaluating elite horse-rider combinations. Data from seven 5* Grand Prix dressage events between May 2022 and April 2023 were analyzed (510 judges’ scores) using Multivariable Linear Regression Analysis. Five predictor variables—Home, Same Nationality, Compatriot, FEI Ranking and Starting Order—were studied in relation to Total Dressage Score (TS). The model accounted for 44.1% of TS variance; FEI Ranking, Starting Order, Compatriot, Same Nationality, and Home were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Judges exhibited nationalistic and patriotism-by-proxy biases, awarding significantly higher scores to riders from their countries (p < 0.001). FEI Ranking and Starting Order also influenced scores significantly (p < 0.001). These biases, combined, created a cascade effect benefiting a specific group of riders. To address this, measures should be taken to develop a more objective judging system that is based on unequivocal, transparent and evidence-based criteria and supports the continuous development of a fair, sustainable, equine welfare orientated sport that fosters societal acceptance,
Journal Article
Dressage
An introduction to the basics of the dressage competition, often referred to as \"horse ballet.\"
BOOK
Selection signatures in four German warmblood horse breeds: Tracing breeding history in the modern sport horse
The study of selection signatures helps to find genomic regions that have been under selective pressure and might host genes or variants that modulate important phenotypes. Such knowledge improves our understanding of how breeding programmes have shaped the genomes of livestock. In this study, 942 stallions were included from four, exemplarily chosen, German warmblood breeds with divergent historical and recent selection focus and different crossbreeding policies: Trakehner (N = 44), Holsteiner (N = 358), Hanoverian (N = 319) and Oldenburger (N = 221). Those breeds are nowadays bred for athletic performance and aptitude for show-jumping, dressage or eventing, with a particular focus of Holsteiner on the first discipline. Blood samples were collected during the health exams of the stallion preselections before licensing and were genotyped with the Illumina EquineSNP50 BeadChip. Autosomal markers were used for a multi-method search for signals of positive selection. Analyses within and across breeds were conducted by using the integrated Haplotype Score (iHS), cross-population Extended Haplotype Homozygosity (xpEHH) and Runs of Homozygosity (ROH). Oldenburger and Hanoverian showed very similar iHS signatures, but breed specificities were detected on multiple chromosomes with the xpEHH. The Trakehner clustered as a distinct group in a principal component analysis and also showed the highest number of ROHs, which reflects their historical bottleneck. Beside breed specific differences, we found shared selection signals in an across breed iHS analysis on chromosomes 1, 4 and 7. After investigation of these iHS signals and shared ROH for potential functional candidate genes and affected pathways including enrichment analyses, we suggest that genes affecting muscle functionality (TPM1, TMOD2-3, MYO5A, MYO5C), energy metabolism and growth (AEBP1, RALGAPA2, IGFBP1, IGFBP3-4), embryonic development (HOXB-complex) and fertility (THEGL, ZPBP1-2, TEX14, ZP1, SUN3 and CFAP61) have been targeted by selection in all breeds. Our findings also indicate selection pressure on KITLG, which is well-documented for influencing pigmentation.
Journal Article
The girl on the dancing horse
Charlotte Dujardin and her charismatic horse Valegro burst onto the international sports scene with their record-breaking performance at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. This is their story. --Back cover.
Book
Applied Equine Psychology
Traditionally equine behaviour guidance has come from an understanding of the outward behaviour of the horse and modifying that behaviour. Applied Equine Psychology goes much deeper into the inner workings of the horse, drawing parallels from human psychology and looking at what is going on in the horse's brain leading to that behaviour.This understanding is then applied to addressing outward behaviour issues, so that horse and owner can work together in a more horse-centric way to resolve issues. The book's approach is innovative and challenges traditional thinking.The book is highly illustrated and combines research and the latest concepts with practical, readable advice.
eBook
Stress Responses in Dressage Horses: Insights from FEI Noseband Measurements Across National Competition Levels
This pilot study investigated stress-related behaviors in 238 dressage horse–rider combinations competing at national levels from Elementary (A) to Grand Prix (GP). Noseband tightness was assessed on-site using the FEI noseband measuring device (FNMD), and all but two horses complied with FEI regulations. Video-based analysis quantified conflict behaviors including mouth opening, tail swishing, and changes in head–neck position. Because noseband tightness showed minimal variation, no meaningful association with behavioral expression could be determined. In contrast, competition level had a clear influence on both the frequency and type of stress-related behaviors. Horses in lower-level classes displayed a wide range of behaviors at relatively low frequency, while horses in higher-level tests showed fewer behavior types but exhibited them more often, with mouth opening becoming the predominant indicator. Horses ridden in a double bridle generally demonstrated higher proportions of conflict behavior than those ridden in a snaffle. A strong negative correlation between conflict behavior and performance scores was observed only at the lowest levels (A, L). From Medium level upward, judging scores no longer reflected the amount of stress behavior displayed. Overall, the findings indicate that increasing test difficulty is associated with a rise in stress-related behaviors and a narrowing of behavioral expression. These results highlight the importance of considering equipment choice and competition demands when evaluating stress in dressage horses.
Journal Article
Biomechanical assessment of dressage Spanish horses through accelerometry and the immediate effects of a single capacitive resistive electrical transfer session
Background
Capacitive resistive electrical transfer (CRET) is a non-invasive electromagnetic diathermic technique. The effect of its application 24 h prior to exercise, compared to a sham application performed with the device off, was evaluated in 8 Spanish Purebred dressage stallions. CRET was applied bilaterally on the neck, back, and croup. The horses wore an accelerometer fixed on the sternal area during a dressage test, and spatiotemporal stride parameters, total and dorsoventral (DVAA), longitudinal (LAA), and mediolateral accelerometric activities, as well as dorsoventral displacement, were recorded.
Results
Walking was the gait least affected by CRET application, and only a longer stride length (SL) compared to sham was found in the medium walk. Velocity was greater in the working, medium, and extended trot after CRET application compared to sham, this change being attributed to a longer SL without significant changes in stride frequency (SF). However, in collected trot, CRET induced a reduction in SL and LAA, together with an increase in DVAA. After CRET application, a decrease in SL and LAA and an increase in DVAA were found both in passage and piaffe. Additionally, velocity was reduced in passage. Minor changes were observed with CRET application in the working canter, whereas greater velocity, SF, SL, and LAA were detected in the extended canter.
Conclusions
The application of CRET 24 h before a dressage test improves accelerometric characteristics, reflecting better collection in collected gaits and better extension in extended gaits.
Journal Article