Research
PhD candidate Charles Sturt University
School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences
This video is a summary of where my research project was up to in January 2023
With qualifications in Physiotherapy and Veterinary Physiotherapy, I enjoy helping horses and riders to move well. Physiotherapists predominantly deal with cases of movement dysfunction rather than overt lameness. What constitutes 'moving well' is subjective. Through my PhD research I am developing field-based outcome measures for equine physiotherapy and rehabilitation, that focus on quality of movement and assist practitioners to monitor and improve treatment efficacy.
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My masters research project investigated girthy behaviour in horses and the presence of myofascial trigger points in their pectoral muscles.
Highlights:
- Myofascial trigger points are common in the transverse and posterior pectoral muscles.
- Horses with an owner-reported history of girth-aversion behaviour had more reactive myofascial trigger points on palpation.
- Knowledge of the presence and location of myofascial trigger points will assist in the development of prevention and management strategies.
Watch this short video summary on my Youtube channel.
Where I take you through my research project and discuss some options for reducing
girthy behaviour in your horse.
If you are interested in reading the full journal article please email me.
Citations of my research paper by:
- Esther Millares & Sarah S. Le Jeune in Girthiness: Retrospective Study of 37 Horses (2004–2016) Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 79(August 2019):100-104
DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.05.025
- Sandra Kunhne in Horse's laterality: methods of determination, genetic aspects, interaction with human handedness and the influence on horse-rider communication, horse's muscle status, sport success and risk of injury. May 2020 Thesis.
DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.19216.02564
- Maria Calatayud & Maria Resano in Myopain seminars, Equine Dry Needling Courses.
- Nadia Yuri Shimosaka Sato, Bárbara Buff Blumer Bastos, Marco Aurélio Amador Pereira, Karina D’Angelo Campos & Denise Tabacchi Fantoni in Myofascial Pain Syndrome, myofascial trigger points and trigger points in Veterinary Medicine. July 2020, Braz J Vet Res Anim Sci. DOI: 10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2020.164351
- Sue Dyson, Anne Bondi, J. Routh, D. Pollard & J. H. Kydd in An investigation of behaviour during tacking‐up and mounting in ridden sports and leisure horses Jan 2021, Equine Veterinary Education. DOI: 10.1111/eve.13432
- Sue Dyson, Anne Bondi, J. Routh & D. Pollard in An investigation into the relationship between equine behaviour when tacked‐up and mounted and epaxial muscle hypertonicity or pain, girth region hypersensitivity, saddle‐fit, rider position and balance, and lameness Feb 2021, Equine Veterinary Education. DOI: 10.1111/eve.13440
- Sue Dyson & K. Thomson in The recognition of pain and learned behaviour in horses which buck Mar 202, Equine Veterinary Education. DOI: 10.1111/eve.13466
- Sue Dyson, Anne Bondi, J. Routh, D. Pollard & J. Kydd in Do owners recognise abnormal equine behaviour when tacking‐up and mounting? A comparison between responses to a questionnaire and real‐time observations Mar 2021, Equine Veterinary Education. DOI: 10.1111/eve.13471