M. Weishaupt | University of Zurich, Switzerland (original) (raw)

Papers by M. Weishaupt

Research paper thumbnail of Photogrammetric measurement of deformations of horse hoof horn capsules

Research paper thumbnail of Compensatory load redistribution of horses with induced weight-bearing forelimb lameness trotting on a treadmill

The Veterinary …, 2006

Four compensatory mechanisms could be identified that served to reduce structural stress, ie peak... more Four compensatory mechanisms could be identified that served to reduce structural stress, ie peak vertical force on the affected limb: (1) with increasing lameness, horses reduced the total vertical impulse per stride; (2) the diagonal impulse decreased selectively in the lame ...

Research paper thumbnail of Adaptation strategies of horses with lameness

Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, 2008

Research paper thumbnail of Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration in warmblood horses with heart valve regurgitations

Journal of veterinary …, 2007

This study measured plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentration in horses with heart va... more This study measured plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentration in horses with heart valve regurgitations (HVR) with and without atrial and ventricular dilatation. In humans and small animals, plasma ANP concentration is increased in heart disease and correlates with the severity of clinical signs and heart enlargement. Ten healthy horses (control) and 36 horses with HVR were evaluated by auscultation, electrocardiography, echocardiography, and determination of plasma ANP. Control horses demonstrated mean plasma ANP concentration of 21+/-5.4 pg/mL. Of the 36 horses with HVR, 17 horses possessed normal echocardiographic heart size (group 1), 10 horses had a left atrial dilatation (group 2) and 9 horses had both left atrial and ventricular dilatation (group 3). Mean plasma ANP concentration of groups 1, 2 and 3 was 20.1+/-5.6 pg/mL, 22.9+/-11.0 pg/mL and 27.6+/-17.4 pg/mL, respectively. The plasma ANP concentrations of HVR and control horses were not significantly different. The highest ANP concentrations were observed in horses with atrial and ventricular dilatation. No correlation between left atrial or ventricular size, weight, or sex and the plasma ANP concentration was found. No significant differences in plasma ANP concentration was observed between groups. Further study, especially in horses with clinical signs of heart failure is needed.

Research paper thumbnail of 16 Years of Saddle Pressure Measurement - State of the Art and Benefit for the Horse

Pferdeheilkunde Equine Medicine, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Compensatory mechanisms of weightbearing lameness in horses: a novel approach by measuring vertical ground reaction forces on an instrumented treadmill

Research paper thumbnail of Should We Agree to Disagree? An Evaluation of the Inter-Rater Reliability of Gait Quality Traits in Franches-Montagnes Stallions

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Postural changes and their effects in elite riders when actively influencing the horse versus sitting passively at trot

Comparative Exercise Physiology, 2016

The objectives were to compare sagittal plane posture of the pelvis, trunk and head of elite dres... more The objectives were to compare sagittal plane posture of the pelvis, trunk and head of elite dressage riders when they ride actively to train the horse versus sitting passively and following the horses’ movements at trot, and to evaluate the effects of these changes in rider posture on load distribution on the horse’s back. Synchronised motion capture and saddle mat data of seven elite dressage riders were used to measure minimal and maximal angles and range of motion (ROM) for the pelvic, trunk and head segments, the angle between pelvis and trunk segments, phase-shift between pitching motions of pelvis and trunk, and pelvic translation relative to the saddle. Non-parametric statistical tests compared variables between the two rider postures. In the passive rider posture the pelvis, trunk and head showed two pitching cycles per stride. Maximal posterior and anterior pelvic rotation occurred, respectively, early and late in the horse’s diagonal stance phase. Compared with pelvic mov...

Research paper thumbnail of An investigation into the association of the physical fitness of equestrians and their riding performance: a cross-sectional study

Comparative Exercise Physiology, 2020

Poor riding performance may be due to medical issues with the horse or a variety of other factors... more Poor riding performance may be due to medical issues with the horse or a variety of other factors, such as inadequate equipment or deficiencies in training. The physical fitness of the equestrian is one of the most unexplained factors of current research. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between the physical fitness of the equestrian and riding performance. 115 equestrians were assessed for physical fitness and riding performance. Seven components of physical fitness (balance, endurance, flexibility, reaction, speed, strength, symmetry) were measured by a physiotherapist using equestrian-specific tests. Based on a video-recorded riding test, individual riding performance was rated by two equestrian judges. The riding test included the horse and rider performing a walk, sitting trot, rising trot and canter in both directions. A linear model for riding performance, including the domains of physical fitness and potential confounders (body-mass-index, riding exper...

Research paper thumbnail of “Feel the Force”—Prevalence of Subjectively Assessed Saddle Fit Problems in Swiss Riding Horses and Their Association With Saddle Pressure Measurements and Back Pain

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

Research paper thumbnail of Husbandry, Use, and Orthopedic Health of Horses Owned by Competitive and Leisure Riders in Switzerland

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of „Riding Soundness“ – die orthopädische Gesundheit von Reitpferden auf dem Prüfstand

pferde spiegel, 2021

Es ist unumstritten, dass lahmende Pferde nicht geritten werden sollten. Doch die Kompetenz von P... more Es ist unumstritten, dass lahmende Pferde nicht geritten werden sollten. Doch die Kompetenz von Pferdebesitzern, eine Lahmheit bei ihrem Pferd zuverlässig zu erkennen, wird zunehmend hinterfragt. Dieses Thema wurde jetzt in einer Studie genauer untersucht

Research paper thumbnail of Applied load on the horse’s back under racing conditions

The Veterinary Journal, 2013

With the intention of limiting the weight on horses' backs and guaranteeing maximal freed... more With the intention of limiting the weight on horses' backs and guaranteeing maximal freedom of movement, commonly used racing saddles are small and have minimal cushioning. Poor saddle cushioning may limit performance or even affect soundness of the back. The aim of this study was to measure the pressure under an average racing saddle ridden by a jockey at racing speed. Saddle pressure using a medium-sized racing saddle (length 37 cm, weight 450 g) was measured in five actively racing Thoroughbred horses. All horses were trained at the same facility and ridden by their usual professional jockey, weighing 60 kg. The horses were ridden on a race track at canter (mean velocity, V1 ± standard deviation, SD: 7.7 ± 0.4m/s) and gallop (V2 ± SD: 14.0 ± 0.7 m/s). Maximal pressure was 134 kPa at V1 and 116 kPa at V2. Mean peak pressure was 73.6 kPa at V1 and 54.8 kPa at V2. The maximal total force did not differ between the two velocities and was approximately twice the jockey's bodyweight. The centre of pressure lateral range of motion differed significantly, with excursions of 23 mm at V1 and 37 mm at V2; longitudinal excursion was 13 mm for V1 and 14 mm for V2. The highest pressure (>35 kPa) was always localised along the spinous processes over an average length of 12.5 cm. It was concluded that racing saddles exert high peak pressures over bony prominences known to be sensitive to pressure.

Research paper thumbnail of Changes of Ground Reaction Force and Timing Variables in the Course of Habituation of Horses to the Treadmill

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Adaptation Strategies of Horses with Lameness

Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, 2008

Research paper thumbnail of Reliable and clinically applicable gait event classification using upper body motion in walking and trotting horses

Journal of Biomechanics, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Withers vertical movement asymmetry in dressage horses walking in different head-neck positions with and without riders

Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Why are horses high-performance athletes?

It is pure fascination to watch the field of steaming Thoroughbreds thundering in full racing spe... more It is pure fascination to watch the field of steaming Thoroughbreds thundering in full racing speed past the tightly packed stands of spectators in the marvelous mountain arena on the snow-covered lake of St. Moritz! A horse is able to accelerate from 0 to 60 km/h in only a few seconds, the heart rate speeding up to 200 bpm. Per minute, over 300 liters of blood are pumped through the body and about 2000 liters of air are pulled into the lungs. The horse does not need any EPOdoping or high-altitude training to increase its haematocrit (Hct, or the packed cell volume (PCV)), which is the decisive factor defining oxygen transport capacity: The PCV may easily be double depending upon the intensity of work. Everything in a horse is geared towards speed and endurance—starting shortly after its birth.

Research paper thumbnail of Biomechanical findings in horses showing asymmetrical vertical excursions of the withers at walk

Research paper thumbnail of 10th International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology

Comparative Exercise Physiology, 2018

s of the 10th International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology. Lorne, Australia, 12 - 16 N... more s of the 10th International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology. Lorne, Australia, 12 - 16 November 2018.

Research paper thumbnail of Photogrammetric measurement of deformations of horse hoof horn capsules

Research paper thumbnail of Compensatory load redistribution of horses with induced weight-bearing forelimb lameness trotting on a treadmill

The Veterinary …, 2006

Four compensatory mechanisms could be identified that served to reduce structural stress, ie peak... more Four compensatory mechanisms could be identified that served to reduce structural stress, ie peak vertical force on the affected limb: (1) with increasing lameness, horses reduced the total vertical impulse per stride; (2) the diagonal impulse decreased selectively in the lame ...

Research paper thumbnail of Adaptation strategies of horses with lameness

Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, 2008

Research paper thumbnail of Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration in warmblood horses with heart valve regurgitations

Journal of veterinary …, 2007

This study measured plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentration in horses with heart va... more This study measured plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentration in horses with heart valve regurgitations (HVR) with and without atrial and ventricular dilatation. In humans and small animals, plasma ANP concentration is increased in heart disease and correlates with the severity of clinical signs and heart enlargement. Ten healthy horses (control) and 36 horses with HVR were evaluated by auscultation, electrocardiography, echocardiography, and determination of plasma ANP. Control horses demonstrated mean plasma ANP concentration of 21+/-5.4 pg/mL. Of the 36 horses with HVR, 17 horses possessed normal echocardiographic heart size (group 1), 10 horses had a left atrial dilatation (group 2) and 9 horses had both left atrial and ventricular dilatation (group 3). Mean plasma ANP concentration of groups 1, 2 and 3 was 20.1+/-5.6 pg/mL, 22.9+/-11.0 pg/mL and 27.6+/-17.4 pg/mL, respectively. The plasma ANP concentrations of HVR and control horses were not significantly different. The highest ANP concentrations were observed in horses with atrial and ventricular dilatation. No correlation between left atrial or ventricular size, weight, or sex and the plasma ANP concentration was found. No significant differences in plasma ANP concentration was observed between groups. Further study, especially in horses with clinical signs of heart failure is needed.

Research paper thumbnail of 16 Years of Saddle Pressure Measurement - State of the Art and Benefit for the Horse

Pferdeheilkunde Equine Medicine, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Compensatory mechanisms of weightbearing lameness in horses: a novel approach by measuring vertical ground reaction forces on an instrumented treadmill

Research paper thumbnail of Should We Agree to Disagree? An Evaluation of the Inter-Rater Reliability of Gait Quality Traits in Franches-Montagnes Stallions

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Postural changes and their effects in elite riders when actively influencing the horse versus sitting passively at trot

Comparative Exercise Physiology, 2016

The objectives were to compare sagittal plane posture of the pelvis, trunk and head of elite dres... more The objectives were to compare sagittal plane posture of the pelvis, trunk and head of elite dressage riders when they ride actively to train the horse versus sitting passively and following the horses’ movements at trot, and to evaluate the effects of these changes in rider posture on load distribution on the horse’s back. Synchronised motion capture and saddle mat data of seven elite dressage riders were used to measure minimal and maximal angles and range of motion (ROM) for the pelvic, trunk and head segments, the angle between pelvis and trunk segments, phase-shift between pitching motions of pelvis and trunk, and pelvic translation relative to the saddle. Non-parametric statistical tests compared variables between the two rider postures. In the passive rider posture the pelvis, trunk and head showed two pitching cycles per stride. Maximal posterior and anterior pelvic rotation occurred, respectively, early and late in the horse’s diagonal stance phase. Compared with pelvic mov...

Research paper thumbnail of An investigation into the association of the physical fitness of equestrians and their riding performance: a cross-sectional study

Comparative Exercise Physiology, 2020

Poor riding performance may be due to medical issues with the horse or a variety of other factors... more Poor riding performance may be due to medical issues with the horse or a variety of other factors, such as inadequate equipment or deficiencies in training. The physical fitness of the equestrian is one of the most unexplained factors of current research. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between the physical fitness of the equestrian and riding performance. 115 equestrians were assessed for physical fitness and riding performance. Seven components of physical fitness (balance, endurance, flexibility, reaction, speed, strength, symmetry) were measured by a physiotherapist using equestrian-specific tests. Based on a video-recorded riding test, individual riding performance was rated by two equestrian judges. The riding test included the horse and rider performing a walk, sitting trot, rising trot and canter in both directions. A linear model for riding performance, including the domains of physical fitness and potential confounders (body-mass-index, riding exper...

Research paper thumbnail of “Feel the Force”—Prevalence of Subjectively Assessed Saddle Fit Problems in Swiss Riding Horses and Their Association With Saddle Pressure Measurements and Back Pain

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

Research paper thumbnail of Husbandry, Use, and Orthopedic Health of Horses Owned by Competitive and Leisure Riders in Switzerland

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of „Riding Soundness“ – die orthopädische Gesundheit von Reitpferden auf dem Prüfstand

pferde spiegel, 2021

Es ist unumstritten, dass lahmende Pferde nicht geritten werden sollten. Doch die Kompetenz von P... more Es ist unumstritten, dass lahmende Pferde nicht geritten werden sollten. Doch die Kompetenz von Pferdebesitzern, eine Lahmheit bei ihrem Pferd zuverlässig zu erkennen, wird zunehmend hinterfragt. Dieses Thema wurde jetzt in einer Studie genauer untersucht

Research paper thumbnail of Applied load on the horse’s back under racing conditions

The Veterinary Journal, 2013

With the intention of limiting the weight on horses' backs and guaranteeing maximal freed... more With the intention of limiting the weight on horses' backs and guaranteeing maximal freedom of movement, commonly used racing saddles are small and have minimal cushioning. Poor saddle cushioning may limit performance or even affect soundness of the back. The aim of this study was to measure the pressure under an average racing saddle ridden by a jockey at racing speed. Saddle pressure using a medium-sized racing saddle (length 37 cm, weight 450 g) was measured in five actively racing Thoroughbred horses. All horses were trained at the same facility and ridden by their usual professional jockey, weighing 60 kg. The horses were ridden on a race track at canter (mean velocity, V1 ± standard deviation, SD: 7.7 ± 0.4m/s) and gallop (V2 ± SD: 14.0 ± 0.7 m/s). Maximal pressure was 134 kPa at V1 and 116 kPa at V2. Mean peak pressure was 73.6 kPa at V1 and 54.8 kPa at V2. The maximal total force did not differ between the two velocities and was approximately twice the jockey's bodyweight. The centre of pressure lateral range of motion differed significantly, with excursions of 23 mm at V1 and 37 mm at V2; longitudinal excursion was 13 mm for V1 and 14 mm for V2. The highest pressure (>35 kPa) was always localised along the spinous processes over an average length of 12.5 cm. It was concluded that racing saddles exert high peak pressures over bony prominences known to be sensitive to pressure.

Research paper thumbnail of Changes of Ground Reaction Force and Timing Variables in the Course of Habituation of Horses to the Treadmill

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Adaptation Strategies of Horses with Lameness

Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, 2008

Research paper thumbnail of Reliable and clinically applicable gait event classification using upper body motion in walking and trotting horses

Journal of Biomechanics, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Withers vertical movement asymmetry in dressage horses walking in different head-neck positions with and without riders

Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Why are horses high-performance athletes?

It is pure fascination to watch the field of steaming Thoroughbreds thundering in full racing spe... more It is pure fascination to watch the field of steaming Thoroughbreds thundering in full racing speed past the tightly packed stands of spectators in the marvelous mountain arena on the snow-covered lake of St. Moritz! A horse is able to accelerate from 0 to 60 km/h in only a few seconds, the heart rate speeding up to 200 bpm. Per minute, over 300 liters of blood are pumped through the body and about 2000 liters of air are pulled into the lungs. The horse does not need any EPOdoping or high-altitude training to increase its haematocrit (Hct, or the packed cell volume (PCV)), which is the decisive factor defining oxygen transport capacity: The PCV may easily be double depending upon the intensity of work. Everything in a horse is geared towards speed and endurance—starting shortly after its birth.

Research paper thumbnail of Biomechanical findings in horses showing asymmetrical vertical excursions of the withers at walk

Research paper thumbnail of 10th International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology

Comparative Exercise Physiology, 2018

s of the 10th International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology. Lorne, Australia, 12 - 16 N... more s of the 10th International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology. Lorne, Australia, 12 - 16 November 2018.