McPhail annual report 2008

M a r y A n n e M c P h a i l E Q U I N E P E R F O R M A N C E C E N T E R
2008 ANNUAL REPORT

---

---

Contents
2008: The Year in Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2008 Research Studies
Blanket Design and Fit over the Withers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Changes in Trunk Size and Shape During Locomotion . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Balance in Foals and Adult Horses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Gait Development in Foals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Eff ects of Dynamic Mobility Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
The Independence Saddle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Tracking the Rider’s Center of Pressure Beneath the Saddle . . . . . .16
Benefits of Using a Martingale or Elasticated Rein Inserts
for Novice Riders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Abstracts of 2008 Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Donors
Donors to the Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center. . 20
Equine Practitioner Lobby Plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Other Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Etched Granite Pavers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Research Program Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Wish List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
To Make a Donation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2009 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back cover
2008 Annual Report | 1

---

2008: The Year in Review
Equine Locomotion (Normandy, France);
International Conference on Equine
Physical Th
erapy and Rehabilitation
(Minneapolis, Minn.); Dressage at Devon
(Devon, Penn.); -D Motion Analysis
Conference (Haarlem, Th
e Netherlands);
Global Dressage Forum (Hooge Mierde,
Th
e Netherlands); Th
e Naked Horse Sym-
posium with Mary Wanless and Heather
Blitz (Houston, Tex.); and the USDF
Convention (Denver, Colo.).
In recognition of her significant
and lasting contributions to the sport of
dressage in the United States, Dr. Clayton
was inducted into the Midwest Dressage
Association’s Hall of Fame in January
2008. She has recently been appointed to
Dr. Clayton was inducted into the Midwest Dressage Association Hall of Fame.
the US Equestrian Federation’s Dressage
Committee where she hopes to apply
The year 2008 was the busiest yet the information has been published in her unique expertise to the benefit of the
for researchers in the McPhail
the scientific literature, Dr. Clayton works
sport. In her spare time, she competes in
Center. Th
anks to the recent ad-
with editors and freelance writers to make
dressage competitions on horses bred at
dition of three research associates, things
sure the practical implications are widely
the MSU Horse Farm. Her competition
are really humming in the lab. We have
distributed via the equestrian press and
successes in 2008 include being Mid-
established new programs in neuromotor
the Internet. During the past year, articles
west Dressage Association Grand Prix
control of balance and locomotion and in
featuring the research in the McPhail
Champion and USDF Grand Prix Reserve
equine physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Center have appeared in many countries
Champion in the adult amateur division.
As director of the research program
and languages. Another important
Dr. Sandra Nauwelaerts joined the
in the McPhail Center, Dr. Hilary
avenue for dissemination of our findings
McPhail Center’s research team in the
Clayton is responsible for overseeing
is through presentations at national and
later part of 2007 and has wasted no time
the activities of all the researchers and
international conferences, which are a
in establishing her own niche in equine
students. She takes an active role in plan-
forum for discussion of new ideas and
locomotor research. One of her long-term
ning the research studies, analyzing the
initiation of collaborative projects.
goals is to develop a musculoskeletal
data, and making the findings available
Dr. Clayton maintains a busy sched-
model of the horse in motion by combin-
to those who will use them to benefit
ule of speaking engagements. In 2008,
ing data from anatomical dissections and
the health and welfare of sport horses.
her lecturing schedule included presenta-
CT scans with kinematic and force plate
An important stage in this process is to
tions at the USDF Trainer’s Conference
analyses (see page 11). Her other areas of
publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed
(Loxahatchee, Fla.); Equine Rehabilitation
interest include neuromotor control of
scientific journals, which makes the
Conference (São Paulo, Brazil); Chilean
balance in foals and adult horses, the de-
results available to other researchers and
Equestrian Federation Conference (San-
velopment of limb coordination patterns
equine health care professionals. Aft er
tiago, Chile); International Conference on
in foals (see pages 12–13), and the mechan-
2 | Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center

---

ics of transitions. During 2008, Dr. Nau-
hours between the McPhail Center and
nize the data files. Th
is includes arranging
welaerts presented papers and posters at
Dr. Steven Arnoczky’s Laboratory for
transportation and accommodation for
the International Conference on Equine
Comparative Orthopedic Research. Dr.
research horses, and coordinating the
Locomotion (Normandy, France), the
Lavagnino writes custom soft ware and
schedules of the students who work in
Society for Comparative and Integrative
assists with data analysis and statistical
the laboratory. She also makes the local
Biology Conference (San Antonio, Tex.)
support for the faculty and students in
arrangements for visiting students and
and the Society for Experimental Biology
the lab. Th
is is important because we
researchers. In her spare time, Ms. Kaiser
(Marseilles, France).
specialize in tackling new and innova-
organizes dressage clinics and educational
Ms. Narelle Stubbs brings expertise
tive projects that are not supported by
events held in the center. She took some
in human and animal physical therapy
proprietary hardware and soft ware. Most
time off for maternity leave in 2008 and
and rehabilitation. Her doctoral research
of Dr. Lavagnino’s work is performed
baby Amelie is now a regular attendee at
at the University of Queensland, Aus-
behind the scenes to develop and cus-
events in the center.
tralia was in the area of back pain and
tomize the soft ware for each new project.
A large number of undergraduates
pathology in Th
oroughbred racehorses
He is also working on installing six new
have gained their first taste of research in
based on clinical evaluation, radiology,
force plates into the runway adjacent to
the McPhail Center. Most of our former
ultrasonography, magnetic resonance
the arena.
students have gone on to pursue further
imaging and necropsy examinations. She
As the lab manager in the McPhail
training either in veterinary medicine or
is evaluating the eff ects of dynamic mobi-
Center, Ms. LeeAnn Kaiser is the glue
equine research. We believe these early
lizations on vertebral range of motion and
that holds everything together. Her
experiences are important for attracting
development of the back and abdominal
primary duties are to run the data collec-
bright young minds to join the ranks of
muscles (see pages 14–15). Other projects
tions, supervise data analysis and orga-
the next generation of researchers.
under her guidance include a study of
core muscle control in riders in which
she is collaborating with colleagues in the
MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.
In 2008, Ms. Stubbs was the physical
therapist for the Australian equestrian
teams at the Olympic Games in Hong
Kong. She treated horses and riders in the
dressage, jumping and eventing competi-
tions, and made a valuable contribution
toward winning the team gold medal in
eventing. She was an invited speaker at
the International Veterinary Chiropractic
Conference (Worcester, UK), the As-
sociation of Chartered Physiotherapists
in Animal Th
erapy Seminar (Leamington
Spa, UK) and the Equine Spine Confer-
ence (Utrecht, Th
e Netherlands).
Dr. Michael Lavagnino is our
resident engineer, splitting his work
Faculty, staff , and student members of the research team at the Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center.
2008 Annual Report | 3

---

Personnel
DIRECTOR
RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
Hilary Clayton
Micheal Lavagnino
Sandra Nauwelaerts
Narelle Stubbs
One of the strengths of the re- received his PhD degree in mechanical
search program in the McPhail
engineering from Michigan State Uni-
Center is the diversity in the
versity. His graduate work focused on the
areas of expertise of the faculty and staff ,
relationship between mechanics and gene
which produces a vibrant atmosphere for
expression in tendons. Since completing
the development of innovative ideas.
his doctoral research, he has worked half-
time in the McPhail Center and half-time
in Dr.Steven Arnoczky’s comparative
DIRECTOR
orthopedics laboratory. As our resident
engineer, Dr. Lavagnino is responsible
■ Hilary M. Clayton, BVMS, PhD,
for developing custom soft ware and as-
MRCVS, received her veterinary degree
sisting researchers and students with data
from Glasgow University, Scotland, in
processing and statistical analysis.
1973. Aft er two years in mixed veterinary
practice in Scotland, she returned to
■ Sandra Nauwelaerts, BS, MS, PhD,
Glasgow University and completed a
received her PhD degree in biological
PhD. She worked at veterinary colleges
sciences from the University of Antwerp,
in the UK, Canada, and the Netherlands
Belgium in 2004. Her doctoral research
before coming to MSU in 1997 as the
compared the biomechanics of swimming
first incumbent of the Mary Anne
and jumping in frogs. Before joining the
McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports
McPhail Center in August 2007, Dr. Nau-
Medicine. Her research interests are in
welaerts performed postdoctoral research
biomechanics and neuromotor control of
at the Universities of Pennsylvania, Rhode
equine locomotion, performance of dres-
Island, and Groningen. She was attracted
sage horses and riders, and the develop-
to the McPhail Center by the excellent
ment of conditioning and rehabilitation
facilities, the existing expertise in biome-
programs for equine athletes.
chanics of locomotion, and the possibility
of using the horse as a model for testing
biomechanical predictions related to load
RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
carrying, development of motor control,
and gait transitions. She has initiated
■ Micheal Lavagnino, BS, MS, PhD,
several new projects that include studies
4 | Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center

---

LAB MANAGER
RESEARCH COLLABORATORS
LeeAnn Kaiser
Peter Aerts
Patricia de Cocq
Brandon Kilbourne
of the development and control of balance
purchase and maintenance of equipment,
morphology, with particular emphasis
in foals and adult horses.
and organization of data collections in the
on combining detailed anatomical and
center. She supports the staff and students
morphometrical data with simple math-
■ Narelle Stubbs, BAppSc (PT),
in designing, implementing, analyzing,
ematics to solve functional morphological
MAnimSt (Animal Physiotherapy),
and reporting on research in equine
questions. Prof. Aerts is well known
graduated as a physical therapist from
biomechanics, which includes scheduling
for his studies of mechanical modeling,
the University of Sydney in 1993. She
of all the student workers and visiting
particularly in relation to musculoskeletal
practised in Australia and the UK before
scientists in the laboratory. In addition,
function during feeding and locomotion
returning to Australia to pursue graduate
Ms. Kaiser organizes clinics and special
in fishes, frogs, salamanders, turtles,
studies in animal physical therapy at the
events in the McPhail Center.
lizards, apes and humans. Prof. Aerts was
University of Queensland. Since 1998, she
Sandra Nauwelaerts’ former supervisor,
has been the Australian Equestrian Team
and they are now collaborating on a study
physical therapist, treating both horses
RESEARCH COLLABORATORS
of transitions in horses with data collec-
and riders at the World Equestrian Games
tions being conducted in the McPhail
(1998, 2002, 2006) and Olympics (2000,
Th
e McPhail Equine Performance Center
Center. We were delighted to welcome
2004, 2008). Ms. Stubbs was drawn to
was designed as a world-class facility
Prof. Aerts into the equine world!
the expertise and facilities in the McPhail
for equine locomotor research and is
Center which will allow her to pursue
equipped with state-of-the-art technology
■ Patricia de Cocq, MSc, DVM, is
her research interests in the function and
for analyzing how horses move and the
veterinarian and is currently a lecturer
dysfunction of the horse’s neck and back,
rider’s interaction with the horse. We
in animal husbandry and animal health
rehabilitation techniques and the biome-
are pleased to share these facilities and
at HAS Den Bosch, University of Ap-
chanics of the horse–rider unit.
equipment with researchers from around
plied Sciences in the Netherlands. She is
the world who collaborate with us on a
combining her job with a PhD project on
variety of projects. Each visitor shares
the rider–horse interaction. Dr. de Cocq
LAB MANAGER
with us his or her own unique set of skills
has visited the McPhail Center twice to
and expertise.
collect data using the Pliance electronic
■ LeeAnn Kaiser, BS, MS, earned her
saddle pressure mat and is now preparing
BS in exercise science from Grand Valley
■ Peter Aerts, PhD, is director of the
manuscripts for publication. Th
e first
State University and her MS in sports bio-
Laboratory for Functional Morphology
scientific paper arising from this collabo-
mechanics from the University of Dela-
at the University of Antwerp. He has an
ration addressed the validity of the saddle
ware. She is responsible for the day-to-day
international reputation for his studies
pad measurements and was published
supervision of the McPhail Laboratory,
in the areas of functional and ecological
recently in Th
e Veterinary Journal. Future
2008 Annual Report | 5

---

PROFESSORIAL ASSISTANTS
Whitney Allen
Tyler Carver
Emma Hill
Britt Larson
Lila Zarski
manuscripts will compare the horse’s
■ Whitney Allen: “I wanted to work
■ Emma Hill: “Working at the McPhail
response to rider position at trot (sitting
at the McPhail Center to further my
Center is allowing me to gain large-
vs. rising).
experience working with large animals,
animal experience as well as exposure
especially horses. I hope to gain a better
to a research lab environment. I hope
■ Brandon Kilbourne, MS, who is orig-
sense of confidence around large animals
to expand my knowledge of horses and
inally from Lafayette, La., is currently a
and a better understanding of their
veterinary medicine in general and
PhD candidate in evolutionary biology
anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics.
acquire the skills I will need in the future
at the University of Chicago, where he
In the future, I plan to pursue a graduate
if I choose to follow a career in research.
is studying mammalian locomotion. He
degree in veterinary medicine.” Ms. Allen
I am analyzing data from a study of
visited the McPhail Center to collect
is working with Dr. Nauwelaerts on a
dynamic mobilizations in horses, which
data for a project that examines the role
project that involves performing anatomi-
has taught me so much already about the
of pendular dynamics in the swing phase
cal dissections and making measurements
diff erent aspects of doing research. As
movements of the limbs. Mr. Kilbourne
of horse cadavers as a step toward devel-
for the future, my next goal is to pursue
used our motion analysis system to
oping a computerized musculoskeletal
a graduate degree in veterinary medicine
collect kinematic data of horses walking
model of the horse.
at Michigan State University.”
and trotting in hand. Th
e motion data
were combined with anatomical dis-
■ Tyler Carver: “I chose the McPhail
■ Britt Larson: “I came to work with
sections of the limbs of horse cadavers.
Center for my professorial assistantship so
the McPhail Center because of its world-
Horses are particularly good models for
that I could combine my interest in learn-
renowned excellence in equine sports
this type of research and have been used
ing with my love of animals. I have learned
medicine. My work here is allowing me
in many of the studies performed by
about many aspects of scientific research
to gain a better understanding of how
other investigators.
and how they can be related to the field of
horses move and how locomotion can
veterinary medicine. In the future, I plan
aff ect their health. I am also learning
to pursue a professional career related to
about the nature of equine research and
PROFESSORIAL ASSISTANTS
health care through obtaining either a
its application to both the veterinary and
DVM or a MD. I am confident that my
equestrian worlds. I am currently inves-
Th
e professorial assistantship program
experiences at the McPhail Center will be a
tigating rein tension and its relationship
in the MSU Honors College provides
huge benefit to me in the future, whatever
to the intrinsic oscillations of the head
research experiences for talented under-
career path I follow.” Ms. Carver was
and neck at the trot. I plan to graduate
graduate students. In 2008, five profes-
involved in tracking and analyzing data
with a BS in zoology and continue on to
sorial assistants were assigned to work in
from a study designed to assess the eff ects
veterinary school, where I hope to apply
the McPhail Center.
of physical therapy in horses.
knowledge gained in the McPhail Center
6 | Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center

---

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Jasmine Lane
Katherine O’Connor
Kelly Smith
Nicole Smith
Erin Tans
Allison Zaleski
to becoming a great veterinarian.”
hope to gain more laboratory and profes-
a keen interest in horse health and equine
sional skills that will be useful to me in my
sports medicine. Th
rough working in the
■ Lila Zarski: “I wanted to work at the
future career.” Ms. Lane is working with
McPhail Center, I have learned about the
McPhail Center in order to learn more
Dr. Nauwelaerts. During foaling season,
value of technology for addressing equine
about equine sports medicine and to
she spent a considerable amount of time
health and performance issues. I hope to
gain experience of research in this area.
at the MSU Horse Teaching and Research
graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Span-
During my time working at the McPhail
Farm recording video footage of foals on
ish next May and then pursue a career in
Center, I hope to learn how performance
pasture, then analyzing videos to deter-
veterinary medicine.” Ms. Smith is working
impacts the wellness of the horse, the
mine which gaits are preferred by foals at
with Narelle Stubbs to evaluate the eff ects of
eff ects of diff erent soundness issues,
diff erent ages.
range of motion exercises used in physical
and to get a better understanding of any
therapy.
veterinary or equine topics that may arise.
■ Katherine O’Connor: “I participated
In the future, I plan on pursuing a degree
in a research study at the McPhail Center
■ Nicole Smith: “I came to the McPhail
in veterinary medicine. One day I hope
with my own horses, and was so intrigued
Center to learn about equine biomechan-
to be a veterinarian who specializes in
with the technology and impressed with
ics research. Working full-time at the
equine medicine and perhaps work at a
the researchers that when I had an oppor-
center gave me the experience I needed
university hospital.” Ms. Zarski worked
tunity to work at the center, I was thrilled
to understand and appreciate the steps
on a project designed to evaluate pressure
to accept it. I believe the research being
involved in planning and conducting a
on the horse’s withers with diff erent styles
done at the McPhail Center really makes
research project. Each project takes a lot
of blankets.
a diff erence in how horses are understood
of time and attention to detail to make
from the most basic levels of care to the
sure the data are collected and analysed
most advanced forms of training. I am
accurately. I have enjoyed a great research
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
currently an animal science major and
experience in the McPhail Center and will
plan to apply to the MSU College of
continue to appreciate the eff ort needed
Each year we employ several under-
Veterinary Medicine for my postgraduate
to produce an educational publication
graduate students to assist with research
studies.”
that the equine world may learn from.”
projects and dressage clinics.
■ Kelly Smith: “I’ve been an avid horse en-
■ Erin Tans: “I began my adventure at
■ Jasmine Lane: “I wanted to work at the
thusiast from an early age, particularly when
the McPhail Center in 2005 with hopes of
McPhail Equine Performance Center to
it comes to three-day eventing and dressage.
furthering my knowledge of all aspects of
learn how to conduct research with horses
While I was growing up, I developed a great
equine research, especially regarding sport
and the technical skills that are required. I
appreciation for horses as athletes, including
horses. In 2007, I received a research schol-
2008 Annual Report | 7

---

SUMMER VETERINARY SCHOLARS
RESEARCH STAFF
VISITING SCHOLARS
Rachel Buchholz
Kyle McAleenan
Emily Compton
Sara Malone
Tristan Barichard
Patricia Miyashiro
arship from the College of Agriculture
biomedical research and to learn about
namic mobilization exercises on range of
and Natural Resources to study transitions
career opportunities in research. In
motion in the horse’s neck and back and
in dressage horses. Aft er completing my
summer 2008, we were fortunate to host
on activation and development of the
undergraduate studies in Lyman Briggs
two Merck Merial scholars. Th
e Merck
back muscles and abdominal muscles.
College, I hope to attend the MSU College
Merial Symposium was held at MSU in
Ms. McAleenan made presentations at
of Veterinary Medicine and to specialize
August and was attended by students
the Merck Merial Symposium and at
in physical therapy and rehabilitation of
from veterinary colleges throughout
Phi Zeta Research Day, where she won
sport horses.” Ms. Tans is the founding
the U.S. and Canada. Delegates visited
an award for the best poster by a DVM
president of the MSU Dressage Club and is
the McPhail Center where Drs. Clayton
Student. Aft er graduation, she plans to
a member of the MSU Preveterinary Medi-
and Nauwelaerts gave a demonstration
practice equine medicine with emphasis
cal Association.
of techniques used in biomechanical
on rehabilitation of thoroughbred race-
research.
horses.
■ Allison Zaleski: “I applied to the
McPhail Center with a strong interest
■ Rachel Buchholz has extensive
in equine research. I hoped to be able to
experience riding and training her
McPHAIL CENTER RESEARCH STAFF
observe data collections and understand
own horses. She has a strong interest
the role of research in the veterinary field.
in equine medicine and wanted to
■ Emily Compton, BS, has a BS in
Th
e process of doing research continues to
learn more about sports medicine and
elementary education and middle school
intrigue me, and I am learning a lot about
biomechanics. Ms. Buchholz’ research
science from Michigan State University.
the biomechanics of the horse. I plan to
investigated the mechanisms of balance
Prior to working in the McPhail Center,
pursue a career in the health care field and
in normal horses and balance deficits in
she taught eighth grade in North
feel that my experience at the McPhail
horses with neurological disease. Her
Carolina. As a science teacher, she was in-
Center will be very helpful in preparing for
results were presented at the Merck Me-
terested in broadening her knowledge of
my professional career.”
rial Symposium and at Phi Zeta Research
science in action by spending some time
Day. Ms. Buchholz believes her experi-
working in a busy research laboratory.
ences have helped to prepare her for the
Ms. Compton assisted in recording and
THE MERCKMERIAL VETERINARY
challenges of clinical work in equine
analyzing data for many research projects
SCHOLARS PROGRAM
veterinary medicine.
and created a database of research litera-
ture pertaining to equine biomechanics.
Th
e Merck-Merial Veterinary Scholars
■ Kyle McAleenan’s summer project
Th
e time spent in the McPhail Center
Program provides veterinary students
in the McPhail Center was focused on
has given her an entirely new perspective
with an opportunity to participate in
the eff ects of regular performance of dy-
on the scientific method that will have a
8 | Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center

---