Reduction of Elimination Rates in Endurance Horses

Si quieres información sobre este proyecto en español, por favor cantactarme: [email protected].

Pour avoir les informations en francais contactez-moi, s'il vous plaît: [email protected].

The project, approved by the FEI (International Riding Association - Fédération Equestre International), is divided into three different phases:

Phase I (already financed and finished):
Blood sample collection at the worldchampionship of endurance riding in Samorin (Slovakia) on Sept 17th, 2016.
I took samples of 96 horses before the race. Participation was free and based on the rider or owner's consent to support the project. On the race day, 45 of the sampled horses were re-sampled. Either because they were metabolically eliminated, because they were eliminated for lameness or because they were a finisher. All blood samples have been frozen and stored at the Laboklin Laboratory in Bad Kissingen/Germany.

Phase 2 (in progress):
The blood samples are supposed to be evaluated for different
parameters on oxidative stress in the laboratory. Oxidative stress means a damage to body tissue that appears in every species when it exercises. Free radicals are “waste” of this oxidation process, which the body has different systems to cope with. If the systems are overloaded, free radicals gather in the tissue and are visible in the blood and as clinical symptoms. The parameters of interest are so innovative that the tests
need to be performed in a specialised laboratory.

Depending on how much money the crowdfunding raises, I can enlarge the number of samples or parameters tested and make the study more significant. The costs for this project can range from 6,500 - 27,000 Euros. For example, for 5 Euros I can analyze up to 2 parameters more per horse.

Phase 3 (spring -fall 2017):
Statistic evaluation and publication of results. The results will be accessible for anyone interested to guarantee the greatest benefit for endurance horses.

It is directed at all horse lovers, endurance riders, coaches,
grooms, horse owners, veterinarians and officials.

The main goal of the project is to find markers that allow for a forecast of the horse's performance in the future. If the results of this study show that a horse has a low chance of finishing, it can be withdrawn before the race. Alternatively, exercise and feeding can be adjusted during training sessions.
Also, it seeks to create a better understanding of metabolically eliminated horses and can make their treatment more efficient.

This is an animal welfare project with the goal of lowering
the death rate and the amount of over-ridden and injured horses at endurance races in the future - it is a project FOR the
horses.

Because YOUR DONATION CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
(see "How the money will be used")

Blood analyses of hematology and biochemistry were able to be run right at the venue in Samorin. Based on the results, participants received medical advice either from the treating vet staff and/or their team vets for further pre-race treatment or training until the competition. 77% of the finishers participated in the sampling and advisory service before the race (elimination rate normally 50-70%).

-->This shows that the sampling and counselling already resulted in more finisher horses!

Reduction of eliminated horses in endurance rides helps the sport to receive a better public reputation and most importantly to reduce catastrophic injuries and invasive treatments.
Every dead horse is one too many!

Since endurance riding is still a marginalized sport compared to other disciplines, my home university has no financial means to support my efforts.

Therefore the whole project is entirely funded by private donations and needs the help of the endurance riding community! For 50 Euros I can analyze up to 20 parameters more!

If every endurance lover in the world donates 5 Euros, the project can easily be financed!

The project is completely privately funded and has no support from third parties.

Based on the amount of horses and number of laboratory parameters, costs can range from 6,500 Euros to 27,000 Euros.
The money raised will be used primarily to pay laboratory bills (further information at "What is the project about"). Single parameters range from 2.50 to 78 euros per horse. For 5 Euros I can analyze up to two parameters more -every euro counts!

The more money I raise, the larger the number of results becomes. This makes the study more relevant and significant from a scientific/academic perspective.

This is a once in a lifetime chance that is unlikely to repeat itself. We,as a horse lover community, should take that chance and get the most out of it!