One Big Thing: Concussion Research Suggests a Potential Flag for Equestrians
Photo by Haley Boothe / Impulsion Media.
University of Miami researchers say the standard concussion tests could be comparing riders to the wrong baseline. In a study highlighted by US Equestrian this week, the university’s Acquired Neurosensory Disorder Research and Treatment Laboratory has so far tested 30 equestrians, and the results suggest riders’ eye-tracking and depth-perception skills are well above average for their age group. That means a concussed rider can fall significantly below their own normal and still score within the general population’s range, which is enough to be cleared to ride.
The lab, which has previously worked with the Department of Defense and the NFL, is building the first equestrian-specific normative values for concussion diagnosis. Each participant completes two symptom questionnaires (the SCAT6 and CISS), a neuro-optometry battery of 10 to 12 tests, and an eye-tracking exam using VR-style goggles. Researchers plan to test more riders at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington this winter and hope the data will eventually give US Equestrian and the FEI a better way to decide when a rider is safe to return after a fall.
What it means for eventers: Eventing may be where the gap is largest. Researchers expect baselines to vary by discipline, and co-director Dr. Erin Williams singled out upper-level cross country as the kind of riding that demands especially strong oculomotor function. Judging distances at a gallop over uneven ground takes more of it than a dressage ride does. In practice, an eventer’s “normal” may sit even further above the general population’s than other riders’ does, so a concussion is easier to miss on a standard sideline test.
The case that started the research shows the stakes: Canadian show jumper Will Martin was cleared after a fall and then crashed again when a fence in front of him appeared to move, which left him unable to ride.
U.S. Events Opening Entries Today
The Event at TerraNova (FL); Ram Tap H.T. & Classic Three-Day (CA); Full Moon Farm Fall H.T. (MD)
U.S. Events Closing Entries Today
Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event (KY); Maryland 3 Star at Fair Hill (MD); Ram Tap National H.T. (CA); Sol Events at Willow Draw (TX); Horse Park of New Jersey Fall H.T. (NJ)
In the News
- If you’re interested in getting involved with the USEA Young Event Horse program and you’re within range of Fair Hill (Maryland), save the date for October 17 and a YEH Educational Seminar led by the one and only Peter Gray. Info here.
- The British named an all-star crew on a next generation of top horses for this weekend’s FEI Eventing Nations Cup finale at Boekelo. See who made the cut. The Nations Cup underwent a format overhaul this year, making the Final — held as a Long format — much more influential. Now, this year there are no Olympic qualifications on offer (that comes in 2027), but this year provides a great opportunity for a team to earn some bragging rights and a best foot forward for the road to the 2028 Games. 10 teams have qualified, including the USA, and they’ll all start from 0 points when Boekelo kicks off on Thursday. See more Nations Cup rules and standings.
- Show jumping has expanded for this edition of the Asian Games, held in Tokyo. Read more.
- Ariat is opening a store at the Mall of America — the site of Minnesota’s largest tourist attraction.
Recommended Reading & Listening
- Racetrack Reject to American Legend: The story of Keen, who carried Hilda Gurney to her second Olympic Games who had a hot personality to match his towering 17.2 stature that actually limited him from having a full racing career. Dive on in to this walk down memory lane.
- A Better Solution? A technique using ultrasound to destroy tumours that has been effective in people with cancer has been used to treat equine sarcoids.
- Don’t miss Will and Katie Coleman on the latest episode of Sinead Maynard’s In Stride podcast.
Sponsor Corner: Four Ingredients for Healthy Joints from Kentucky Performance Products
Photo by Haley Boothe / Impulsion Media.
Galloping, jumping, and months of fitness work all put steady demands on an event horse’s joints. Knowing what keeps a joint working well makes it easier to support one.
In a healthy joint, the ends of the bones are covered with a thin layer of articular cartilage that reduces friction. Synovial fluid is the thick liquid inside the joint. It feeds that cartilage, and it also lubricates and cushions the bones where they meet. Four ingredients support that system:
- Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a key part of both synovial fluid and cartilage and keeps joint surfaces lubricated. Glucosamine and chondroitin mostly work on the cartilage, while HA does most of its work in the joint fluid.
- Glucosamine provides the building blocks for parts of the cartilage matrix.
- Chondroitin sulfate helps control the enzymes linked to inflammation and tissue breakdown. Research shows glucosamine and chondroitin work best as a pair. When studied separately, neither showed the same benefit.
- Manganese is a component of the cartilage matrix and is essential for growing healthy connective tissue.
Joint Armor™ puts all four in one scoop
Kentucky Performance Products’ Joint Armor™ is a scientifically formulated blend of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, and manganese sulfate. It helps maintain cartilage structure and healthy joint function.
Who can benefit?
Joint Armor is recommended for:
- Young horses, especially those starting training
- Performance and show horses
- Racehorses and recreational horses
- Broodmares and stallions
- Senior horses
- Horses with a history of joint injury or arthritis
Learn more about Joint Armor at kppusa.com/product/joint-armor, or download KPP’s printable joint-health infographic here.
Supplements are intended to maintain healthy systems and are not intended to treat or cure illness or injury. Always consult your veterinarian when health issues arise.
Coaching Corner
- Learn How to Fail and Get Back in the Game
- This simple but demanding groundwork exercise will boost your horse’s coordination and core stability
Go Eventing Moment of the Day
Who jumped it best?
