Laura Healy
Member
Dear elite event riders,
My name is Laura Healy and I am currently in my final year of studying a BSc (Hons) degree in Equine Science at Hartpury University, UK.
As part of my third year of academic study we are required to research and produce an individual Dissertation project on a specific area of interest which will then contribute to our final degree.
Since commencing my studies here at Hartpury and with relevance to my involvement in Eventing I have developed a considerable interest into the occurrence of equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injuries within the forelimb of the horse, as well as the extensive therapeutic treatments that can be used to assist the healing and recovery of such structures within the equine athlete.
Nowadays with the existence of tendon injuries within event horses becoming extremely prevalent, it is a subject matter of great concern to all participants involved in eventing and is continuously undergoing scrutiny in order to diminish such cases within the evening industry.
In relation to this I have chosen to compile my dissertation on the re-occurrence of SDFT injuries within elite level event horses throughout the UK and Ireland, I will be conducting a qualitative data collection whereby I will be sending out surveys to numerous elite level event riders.
The aims and objectives within my research project will be as follows:
* I wish to find out when the initial SDFT injury occurred to the horse.
* Investigate the training and performance level which the horse was working towards.
* Discover the anatomical location on fore-limb where lesion occurred.
*The grade/severity of initial lesion.
*The type of rehabilitation program that was selected for individual athlete, including all treatments administered.
*Length of time horse remained out of work(resting).
*The time in which horse commenced restricted exercise and examine the exercise protocol implemented prior to return to mid-level training.
*Date of final veterinary examination when veterinary surgeon grants the all clear on the commencement of training and fitness regime.
*Length of time taken for horse to return to previous level of work.
*If achieved, how long the horse remained at elite level eventing wthout injury.
*Time when SDFT injury re-occurred.
From these following aims I am hoping to draw a conclusive result into the most effective type of rehabilitation and treatment methods used on SDFT injuries, resulting in the horse returning to its previous athletic potential for the most prolonged time before the re-occurrence of injury.
I feel that my dissertation will contribute greatly to the on-going research that is being carried out into the re-occurrence of tendon injuries within elite event horses and, as this is a subject that is of great interest to me I am hoping that it will compliment and commend my future studies and career into this area of scientific knowledge.
In conjuction with this I would like to take the oppertunity to invite you to participate within my dissertation, which consists of 14 essential questions taking approximat 3.5 minutes to answer.
I am fully aware of the limited time that you may have but would greatly appreciate your support and involvement in helping me to collect such valuable data.
All information obtained about subjects will be kept anonymous, with no personal details being shared or stored. Participant confidentiality has been enforced throughout my study.
I greaty appreciate the time which you have taken to read my forum and hope that you can spare 4 minutes to successfully complete my questionnaire, which I know will be extremely beneficial to the future of our horses in elite disciplines.
Please click on the link below to be taken directly to my online questionnaire.
http://app.fluidsurveys.com/surveys/laura-healy/re-occurrence-of-sdft-injuries-in-event-horses/
Many Thanks.
My name is Laura Healy and I am currently in my final year of studying a BSc (Hons) degree in Equine Science at Hartpury University, UK.
As part of my third year of academic study we are required to research and produce an individual Dissertation project on a specific area of interest which will then contribute to our final degree.
Since commencing my studies here at Hartpury and with relevance to my involvement in Eventing I have developed a considerable interest into the occurrence of equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injuries within the forelimb of the horse, as well as the extensive therapeutic treatments that can be used to assist the healing and recovery of such structures within the equine athlete.
Nowadays with the existence of tendon injuries within event horses becoming extremely prevalent, it is a subject matter of great concern to all participants involved in eventing and is continuously undergoing scrutiny in order to diminish such cases within the evening industry.
In relation to this I have chosen to compile my dissertation on the re-occurrence of SDFT injuries within elite level event horses throughout the UK and Ireland, I will be conducting a qualitative data collection whereby I will be sending out surveys to numerous elite level event riders.
The aims and objectives within my research project will be as follows:
* I wish to find out when the initial SDFT injury occurred to the horse.
* Investigate the training and performance level which the horse was working towards.
* Discover the anatomical location on fore-limb where lesion occurred.
*The grade/severity of initial lesion.
*The type of rehabilitation program that was selected for individual athlete, including all treatments administered.
*Length of time horse remained out of work(resting).
*The time in which horse commenced restricted exercise and examine the exercise protocol implemented prior to return to mid-level training.
*Date of final veterinary examination when veterinary surgeon grants the all clear on the commencement of training and fitness regime.
*Length of time taken for horse to return to previous level of work.
*If achieved, how long the horse remained at elite level eventing wthout injury.
*Time when SDFT injury re-occurred.
From these following aims I am hoping to draw a conclusive result into the most effective type of rehabilitation and treatment methods used on SDFT injuries, resulting in the horse returning to its previous athletic potential for the most prolonged time before the re-occurrence of injury.
I feel that my dissertation will contribute greatly to the on-going research that is being carried out into the re-occurrence of tendon injuries within elite event horses and, as this is a subject that is of great interest to me I am hoping that it will compliment and commend my future studies and career into this area of scientific knowledge.
In conjuction with this I would like to take the oppertunity to invite you to participate within my dissertation, which consists of 14 essential questions taking approximat 3.5 minutes to answer.
I am fully aware of the limited time that you may have but would greatly appreciate your support and involvement in helping me to collect such valuable data.
All information obtained about subjects will be kept anonymous, with no personal details being shared or stored. Participant confidentiality has been enforced throughout my study.
I greaty appreciate the time which you have taken to read my forum and hope that you can spare 4 minutes to successfully complete my questionnaire, which I know will be extremely beneficial to the future of our horses in elite disciplines.
Please click on the link below to be taken directly to my online questionnaire.
http://app.fluidsurveys.com/surveys/laura-healy/re-occurrence-of-sdft-injuries-in-event-horses/
Many Thanks.
