Hartpury University Repository

Lee, Sarah

Ghaye, Tony

Dixon, Martin

Learning from London - Reflecting for Rio: Creating a legacy for coaching and achieving high performance

Williams, Jane

Parrot, Rachel

Mata, Fernando

Effect of manual and motorized dental rasping instruments on Thoroughbred's heart rate and behavior

Gundry, Polly

Protheroe, Laurence

A preliminary investigation to evaluate the potential of surface electromyography as a tool to analyse muscle activity in National Hunt racehorses

Lesniak, Kirsty

RESULTS: 
Significant differences were found between the observed and expected values for the 
directionality of asymmetry within the pooled group data (2 = 39.8, df = 14, P≤0.05) and the 
pony sub-group ( 2 = 31.3, df = 14, P≤ 0.05) but not for the horse sub-group ( 2 = 18.5, 
degrees of freedom = 14, P ≥ 0.05).  Length and width of bilateral facial traits showed 
prevalence for PDA (Table 1).  Mean trait values tended to be greater for the side with greater DA 
prevalence except for pinna length in the pony sub-group where the mean value for the right side 
was greater despite PDA, indicating that although fewer individuals exhibited PDA of this trait, the 
asymmetry magnitude was greater (Figure 1).   
PDA was demonstrated for FPP length and width for all groups. MCIII length exhibited NDA in all 
groups however NDA of MCIII was only exhibited within the horse sub-group. Width and depth of 
the carpal both presented with NDA. Mean trait values tended to be greater for the side with 
greater DA prevalence except for MCIII length or carpal depth where the mean value was within 
the side showing less DA prevalence. Hind limb traits displayed a strong prevalence for DA. Tarsal 
width and HPP length demonstrated greater NDA for all three groups whereas HPP width 
expressed PDA. NDA was exhibited for MCIII length whilst width of this trait presented PDA. 
Contact author:  Kirsty.Lesniak@hartpury.ac.uk 
Centre for Performance in Equestrian Sports 
CONCLUSIONS: 
The current findings suggest Equus caballus is naturally subject to a 
degree of DA. Further stress related asymmetry may occur in addition 
to, but not instead of, this naturally occurring asymmetry.  The bilateral 
traits within this study demonstrated persuasive evidence that right 
side traits are generally longer while left side traits are wider.  
Regardless of cause, the current findings suggest that for Equus 
caballus, DA may be the optimum for certain traits; rather than the 
presumed optimum of symmetry.  The naturally occurring DA in this 
study may help to explain why many horses are reported by riders to 
be stiffer to the left and softer to the right yet harder to train to the 
right.   
REFERENCES: 
Manning, J.T. and Ockenden, L. , 1994 Fluctuating Asymmetry in Racehorses. Nature. 370 (21): 
185-186 
Manning, J.T. and Pickup, L.J. 1998. Symmetry and Performance in Middle Distance Runners. 
International Journal of Sports Medicine. 19: 205-209 
Markow, T.A. and Clarke, G.M. , 1997. Meta-analysis of the heritability of developmental stability: 
a giant step backwards. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 10: 31 – 37 
Møller, A.P., 1993 Developmental stability, sexual selection and speciation. Journal of Evolutionary 
Biology. 6: 493 - 509 
Thompson, K. N., 1995. Skeletal growth rates of weanling and yearling Thoroughbred horses. 
Journal of Animal Science. 73:2513-2517. 
Watson, K. M., Stitson, D.J. and Davies, H.M.S., 2003, Third Metacarpal bone length and skeletal 
asymmetry in the Thoroughbred Racehorse. Equine Veterinary Journal.  35 (7): 712-714 
Directional asymmetry of facial & limb traits in Equus Caballus 
including a comparison of horse & pony bilateral traits 
            Leśniak, K.  
            University of the West of England, Hartpury College, Gloucester, UK 
METHOD: 
One-hundred horses over the age of five, and without a competitive record were chosen using convenience sampling from two equestrian centres and two livery yards within 
Gloucestershire, UK. The sample was investigated both as pooled data and following separation in to horses (>148cm) (n = 57) and ponies (≤148cm) (n = 43). Eleven 
functional and four non-functional bilateral traits were measured using Invicta metric callipers (1mm accuracy), comparable with previous studies (Manning and Ockenden, 
1994; Manning and Pickup, 1998).  Three repeated measures were taken by one assessor  and absolute asymmetries (A) were calculated by subtracting the mean of the left 
trait (L) from the mean of the right trait (R) (A = L-R) (Manning. and Pickup, 1998). Directional asymmetries were determined as positive where L>R and negative where R>L.  
The directionality of the data were examined using two-way classification chi-squared analysis at the P<0.05 significance level to test the assumption that if no directional bias 
exists the distribution frequency of left and right for each trait should be equal. Expected values were set as an equal split of the population demonstrating positive directional 
asymmetry (PDA) and negative directional asymmetry (NDA).   
INTRODUCTION: 
Symmetry of bilateral traits within the athletic physical form is suggested to influence performance capabilities, especially in relation to the Thoroughbred racehorse on which 
most of the current research has been undertaken. Traits of lesser functional importance are often shown to display greater asymmetry than functional traits (Markow and 
Clarke, 1997; Moller, 1993).  Greater symmetry of functional traits such as the legs was suggested to be due to the mechanical demands placed on these traits (Manning and 
Ockenden 1994). Watson et al. (2003) reported longer left third metacarpal (MCIII) lengths than right, in 76% of racing Thoroughbreds investigated.  This was theorised to be 
a consequence of human selection rather than imbalances induced by training stresses as the MCIII ceases to grow in length by seven months of age (Thompson, 1995) and 
should therefore not be affected by subsequent training.  Runners on the more common anticlockwise track are presumed to have a mechanical advantage if their outside 
forelimb is longer. Currently the only data that exists regarding directional asymmetry of horses are based on populations of racing Thoroughbreds.  For greater understanding 
of the existing results, data from a more diverse and representative, general population of Equus caballus are needed. The aims of this research were therefore to compare, 
within a more general equine population, the magnitude and direction of asymmetry within functional and non-functional traits to that previously observed in racing 
populations.   
  
  
Table 1: Directional asymmetry (%) of the pooled, pony and horse groups  
Ponies (%) Horses (%) Pooled (%) 
PDA NDA Zero DA PDA NDA Zero DA PDA NDA Zero DA 
Pinna length 53 33 15 45 49 6 48 42 10 
Pinna width 65 28 8 51 37 12 57 33 10 
Nostril length 45 48 8 55 36 9 51 41 8 
Nostril width 51 39 10 50 38 13 51 38 11 
FPP length 26 16 1 70 23 7 66 29 5 
FPP width 22 14 7 53 33 14 52 33 15 
MCIII length 10 30 3 25 68 7 24 69 7 
MCIII width 15 12 16 40 42 18 38 36 26 
Carpal length 7 27 9 39 47 14 29 54 17 
Carpal depth 17 21 5 46 49 6 43 49 8 
HPP length 18 23 2 48 50 2 45 52 3 
HPP width 23 14 6 47 40 13 50 37 13 
MTIII length 12 31 0 41 57 2 35 64 1 
MTIII width 20 10 13 49 33 18 48 29 23 
Tarsal width 8 30 5 42 46 13 31 55 12 
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
Pooled Hoses Ponies Pooled Hoses Ponies
Positive Directional Asymmetry Negative Directional Asymmetry
Pinna Length Pinna width Nostril Length Nostril Width FPP Length FPP width HPP length HPP width
MCIII length MCIII width MTIII length MTIII width Carpal width Carpal depth Tarsal width
Figure 1: Asymmetry means including SD for the functional  & non-functional traits of the pooled, horse & pony groupings for both the positive & negative directional asymmetry categories 
 


English

Directional asymmetry of facial and limb traits in Equus Caballus and a comparison of horse and pony bilateral traits

Clarke, Lucy

Wallington, C.

Does the presence of livestock affect the foraging behaviour of UK Bats?

Greening, Linda

Coping mechanisms

Douglas, Jenni

Effect of canter velocity on hind-limb pro- and retraction kinematics.

Tweddle, Beth

Realising the Olympic dream – bring on the alchemists

Boddy, Lynne

Thomas, Non E.

Fairclough, Stuart

Tolfrey, Keith

Brophy, Sinead

Rees, Anwen

Knox, Gareth

Baker, Julien

Stratton, Gareth

ROC Generated Thresholds for Field-Assessed Aerobic Fitness Related to Body Size and Cardiometabolic Risk in Schoolchildren

Gait analysis: an introduction to its use for clinical evaluation and performance assessment of the equine athlete

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