Assessment of forces and pressure distribution of two kinds of cutiano saddles on the horses' back

• Grant number: 16/15733-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2016
• End date: November 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Ecology of Domestic Animals and Ethology
• Principal Investigator: Mateus José Rodrigues Paranhos da Costa
• Grantee: Thais Sgarbiero
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Despite the long history of the use of ranch horses for cattle handling, there is little investment in these animals, being necessary to increase the attention and care on handling procedures and the acquisition of appropriate equipment to improve the welfare of these animals. The objectives of this study are: 1) to evaluate the distribution of pressure forces of two kinds of saddles (with and without tree) on the horse's back, 2) evaluate the possibility of using infrared thermography as a method for evaluating the pressure distribution the saddles on the horse's back, and 3) to identify, between 2 kinds of saddles, which one has a higher risk of harming the equine welfare. Two types of cutiano saddles (with and without tree) will be tested in 6 healthy horses. Previously will be evaluated body condition and symmetry of the thoracic region of the animals. The distribution of forces in the horse's back under the saddle will be assessed using a saddle pad and infrared thermography. The following indicators will be used to assess horses' welfare: health (score of pain sensitivity, occurrence of injuries on the horse's back, presence of dry spots on the horse's back), physiological (heart rate) and behavioral (reluctance to move, rigid locomotion, lameness, tail and head movements). The experiment will be conducted with a crossover design with 2 balanced Latin square with 3 treatments: 1) horses without a saddled (in this case will not be evaluated distribution of forces with the pressure mat), 2) horses with a cutiano saddle with tree and 3) horses with a cutiano saddle treeless. Post-hoc tests performed using the Student paired t test or Wilcoxon test. (AU)