Hartpury University Repository

Agwu, Ezenna Michael

Draper, Stephen

De Ste Croix, Mark

Social Support, Body Image Perception and Depressive Symptoms, Among University Students in Nigeria, by Gender and Ethnicity

Parkinson, Simon

Wills, Alison

Williams, Jane

How does muscle activity change with water depth in dogs walking on an underwater treadmill?

Brown, Hieke

Williams, J. S.

O'Conner, C.

Abrahall, H.

Prevalence of obesity in UK Mountain and Moorland Showing Classes

Lewis, Victoria

Dumbell, Lucy

Conclusion: It was found that the riders at the elite level coach themselves the majority of the time therefore can be considered
as ‘self-coached’ athletes (Bradbury, 1999). However, they do use elite coaches in a mentoring and consultancy role, where they seek
guidance from the coach on specific problems, to discuss ideas or to seek reassurance that what they are doing is correct. Findings from
this research suggest that the rider-coach relationship at the elite level is a professional one based on trust and respect, but not a close
relationship as seen in other sports (Jowett, 2000). The results show the imperative need for the British Equestrian Federation to
educate coaches in the skills needed to coach the self-coached rider at the elite level, particularly in terms of mentoring skills. As well as
incorporating rider education, aimed at developing the independent riders with the skills to coach themselves.
Coaching the ‘self coached rider’ – what is the role of 
the coach in elite equestrian sport?
V. Lewis* and L. Dumbell
University Centre Hartpury, Gloucestershire, UK
INTRODUCTION: Theoretic knowledge suggests that the role of the sports coach is to
develop the physical, tactical, technical and psychological attributes of the athlete and is
responsible for the planning, organisation and delivery of the training plan and
competition schedule (Armour, 2010; Lyle, 2010; Becker, 2009; Werthner and Trudel,
2006). However, there is no empirical evidence to suggest that is the role required in
equestrian sport as the rider takes responsibility for many of these tasks. Research in
other sports also suggests that the coach-athlete relationship is one of closeness,
commitment, complementarity and co-orientation (3 + 1 C’s) and that this relationship is
key to the success and development of the athlete.
AIM: This research aimed to address the void in current knowledge by gaining an
understanding of coaching in equestrian sport in order to improve coaching education
system through awareness of the role of the coach. Objectives were to examine the
relationship between coach and rider at elite level in equestrian sport investigating
whether the rider is, in part, ‘self –coached’ and to identify the elite equestrian coaches’
role in coaching these ‘self-coached riders.
METHOD: A sample of elite British team coaches (N=3) and elite senior British team riders (N=3) were interviewed. Analysis of the
transcripts revealed a total of 534 meaning units, that were further grouped into sub-themes and general themes from the coaches’
perspective and the riders’ perspective. This led to the development of a final thematic structure revealing major dimensions that
characterized coaching in elite equestrian sport in Britain.
1st order themes 2nd order themes General theme Categories
Rider Experience (2)
Rider plans training and competition 
programmes
Riders makes key training and 
competition decisions
Rider is a Self-Coached athlete
Rider’s feel for the horse (2)
Technical Knowledge (1)
Analysis own performance (4)
Training and performance based on trial and error (2)
Selection of horse and Individual horse’s experience (3)
Sets goals (1)
Knowledge of individual horse psychology (2)
Rider is responsible for horse care and 
well-being
Managers horse care (4)
Liaise with support staff (3)
Plans and organises transport (1)
Formal session with a coach less than once per week (5) Limited contact with coach
Visual ‘eyes on the ground (4) Analyst
Role of the coach
Analysis performance (7)
Challenge riders (6) Develop independent decision makers
Facilitator
Freedom to experiment and allow riders to make mistakes (2)
Problem solving (6)
Selects drills and exercises (7)
Develop body awareness, feel, balance and rhythm  (12)
Advisor (5)
Mentor
Problem solver  (6)
Sound board for ideas (3)
Provides a different prospective (3)
Give confidence (7)
Psychologist
Gives encouragement  and reassurance (2)
Helps maintain focus on goals (1)
Knowledge and understanding of the psychology of the equine (2)
Not close (2)
Professional
Professional relationship Coach-Rider relationship
Training less than once a week (8)
Professional (5)
Ridden at a high level (5) Trust and respect
Experience of coaching at elite level (2)
Performance record (2)
Good communicator (6) Communicator
Can explain what they feel/should be feeling (1)
Contact author:  *Victoria.lewis@hartpury.ac.uk
Performance in Equestrian Sports Research Group


English

The role of the coach in elite equestrian sport

Sharp, Emily

Atkins, Lizzie

INTRODUCTION
The domestic cat is one of the most popular pets in the United Kingdom; however, there are still many owners with differing views on how best to keep them. The decision on 
whether to allow a cat outdoor access to roam or to keep them confined indoors appears to be largely based upon personal preference. Some owners believe that allowing their 
cats outside exposes them to potentially avoidable risks, where others believe it is unnatural to confine a cat to a life indoors.
Veterinary Nursing Research Group, Hartpury University Centre, Gloucester, UK, GL19 3BE.
Contact author:  emilyesharp@yahoo.co.uk
METHODS
An online questionnaire, via Typeform®, was
distributed widely across the United Kingdom through
social media websites such as Facebook and online
forums, for example “CatChat”, with participation
entirely voluntary.
The survey was aimed at cat owners within the
United Kingdom. It was designed to gain an
understanding into owner opinions and reasons for
their chosen method of lifestyle for their cat.
The questionnaire was made up of open and closed
questions and took a multimodal research approach.
An initial pilot study was carried out to highlight any
potential problems prior to commencement and
ethical guidelines regarding anonymity and
respondent age were adhered to.
Descriptive statistics were formulated from responses
and content analysis was carried out by the
researcher to identify key themes within the data.
A Comparative Study on the Nature of Visits to the Veterinary Practice by 
Indoor-Only Cats Versus Free Roaming Pet Cats
Emily Sharp and Lizzie Atkins
RESULTS
A total of 91 respondents completed the survey, and
of those, 58% (n=52) of owners allowed their cats
free access outside, 30% (n=32) kept their cats
indoors, and the remaining 12% (n=13) allowed
outdoor access only with supervision. Only 1% (n=1)
of these owners stated that they discussed their
decision with members of a veterinary team.
Results found that almost 50% of the cats allowed
outside had visited a veterinary practice for treatment
of an injury obtained whilst outdoors, the most
common injury being a cat bite abscess (50%),
followed by road traffic accidents (17%).
Responses for indoor-only cats highlighted several
medical conditions commonly associated with
inactivity or obesity, such as diabetes. Interestingly,
there was very little difference between the
categories of cat lifestyle and the overall medical
conditions diagnosed, 15% for outdoor, 19% for
indoor and 18% for those supervised outside.
CONCLUSIONS
The study may suggest that those cats with outdoor access are not necessarily medically healthier than indoor-only cats; 
however, they are more likely to experience veterinary intervention for injury.
Veterinary practices could be doing more to educate owners on the advantages and disadvantages of both indoor-only and outdoor access of cats. Owner education on these 
benefits and drawbacks could help owners to identify potential issues before they become more serious, contributing to the overall health and welfare of owned cats.
Research objective: to provide the veterinary industry with evidence-based knowledge to support their important role
in educating owners of considerations towards the chosen lifestyle for their pet cat. 
53
27
11
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Yes No Yes, but only with supervision
5
8
2
22
45
9
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Indoor-only cats Cats allowed outside Cats allowed outside with
supervision
Yes No
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Bladder crystals
Overweight
Ankylosis
Allergies
Diabetes
Dental plaque
CKD and FLUTD
Heart murmur
PKD
Chronic constipation
Cats allowed outside with supervision Cats allowed outside Indoor-only cats
Figure 1.0: ‘Do you allow your cat outside?’
Figure 2.0: ‘Does your cat have a medical 
condition?’
Figure 3.0 Medical conditions affecting cats
4
24
1
23
29
10
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Indoor-only cats Cats allowed outside Cats allowed outside with
supervision
Yes No
1
2
1
6
1
4
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Cat bite abcess
Cat bite abcess resulting in
amputation
Suspected RTA
Allergic reaction to
something outside
Injury from cat fight
Laryngitis
Attacked by animal (fox or
dog)
Cat bite abcess and sprained
limb
Multiple cat bite abcesses
Multiple RTAs and dog
attack
Multiple cat bite abcesses
and fight injuries
Mutliple cat bite abcesses
and climbing injury
Cat fight injury and grass
stuck in throat
Poisoning
Cats allowed outside with supervision Cats allowed outside Indoor-only cats
Figure 4.0: ‘Has your cat ever sustained an 
injury requiring veterinary treatment as a 
direct result of being outside?’
Figure 5.0: Injuries from outside requiring 
treatment


A Comparative Study on the Nature of Visits to the Veterinary Practice by Indoor-Only Cats Versus Free Roaming Pet Cats

El Ansari, Walid

Suominen, Sakari

Draper, Steve

Correlates of Achieving the Guidelines of Four Forms of Physical Activity, and the Relationship between Guidelines Achievement and Academic Performance: Undergraduate Students in Finland.

Perlo, Merlin

Davies, Emma

The psychological impact of injury on amateur horse riders

Ranchordas, Mayur K.

Tiller, Nicholas B.

Ramchandani, Girish

Jutley, Raj

Blow, Andrew

Tye, Jonny

Drury, Ben

Normative data on regional sweat-sodium concentrations of professional male team-sport athletes

Dobson, Andrew

A structured nutritional strategy and monitoring programme given to a GB heavyweight female junior rower as they transitioned to compete as a lightweight

Lennon, Paul

Grant, Rachel

Montrose, V. Tamara

Stylized and photographic eye images do not increase charitable donations in a field experiment

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