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Discussion on Age To Begin Training

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Nancy E. Hodges
Member
Username: kg6hdp

Post Number: 17
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 - 12:29 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Has there been some new research presented recently from UC Davis regarding the skeletal development of young horses, especially as it relates to the beginning of training? Someone on another list claims there is, but the information she gave isn't new as Dr. Deb Bennett has been giving the same for years.

I have also heard of another study which said riding younger horses actually improved their leg bones. Does anyone know about this study?

Actually, I'd like scholarly references on the age of maturity in equines and on the age to begin training. I've been trying searches, but I haven't found the right keywords. Any help would be appreciated.

Nancy
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Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro

Post Number: 17885
Registered: 1-1997
Posted on Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 - 7:35 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Nancy we have published a lot of research in the past 2 years on the effects of exercise on young tissues. In general we think it goes like this: poorly vascularized soft tissues of the muscoskeletal system like articular cartilage, tendons, and ligaments have the ability to model and adapt in response to exercise while the horse is growing that is lost in the long yearling to adult. On the other hand bones themselves are quite adaptable to work, if given time and proper training regimen. For studies on these concepts see Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses » Muscoskeletal Conditioning » Exercise Physiology and Conditioning. You will find summaries and discussions on them in both the article and the discussion sections on these topics.
DrO
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Nancy E. Hodges
Member
Username: kg6hdp

Post Number: 18
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 - 10:49 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks. This is what I was looking for.

Nancy
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