Avaliação termográfica de selas usadas em cavalos de salto

Abstract

Pain induced by bad adjustment or inappropriate placement of the saddle is a frequent cause of back pain. This study evaluated 62 saddles used on 129 jump horses. Data such as age, breed, gender, body score, competition level, changes in performance, reactions at saddling or at performing certain exercises and evidence of back pain were obtained from the horses. Information regarding years of use, number of horses and riders that use the saddles and the rider s competition level were also registered. Before and after training sessions horses were subjected to thermography of the thoracic-lumbar region. Saddles were also evaluated by thermography soon after their removal from the animal after finishing the training session. Each saddle was used on an average of 4.6 ± 3.7 horses. Thermography identified asymmetry between panels in 62.8% of the saddles and contact with the thoracic-lumbar column on 37.2% of the evaluated saddles. After exercise, abnormal heat points were detected on the column and withers of 28.7% and 33.3% of the horses, respectively. The thermographic image of the thoracic-lumbar column after training showed asymmetry on 55.8% (n=72) of the animals. Contact of 76 to 100% of the saddle dashboard area with the back of the horse was observed on only 51.2% of the saddles. At rest, 39.5% of the horses showed a heat point compatible with an area of pressure from the saddle. There was no interaction between asymmetry on the saddle and the horse. Thermography proved to be a useful tool in evaluating the adjustment and position of saddles used on jumpers.