title: Clinical Research Abstracts of the British Equine Veterinary Association Congress 2015.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Training and rehabilitation techniques which improve core muscle strength are beneficial for improvement of dynamic stability of the equine vertebral column. The Equiband™ system, consisting of resistance bands attached to a customised saddle pad, is suggested to provide constant proprioceptive feedback during motion to encourage recruitment of abdominal and hindquarter musculature.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To quantify the effect of the Equiband™ system on back kinematics and movement symmetry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal intervention study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quantitative analysis of back movement and gait symmetry before/after a 4-week exercise programme. Inertial sensor data was collected from 7 horses at Weeks 0 and 4 of a fixed exercise protocol. Analysis with and without the Equiband™ system was completed at trot in hand on a hard surface, and for both reins on the lunge on a soft surface. Six back kinematic and 3 movement symmetry parameters were calculated according to published methods. Movement symmetry values were side-corrected to allow comparison between reins on the lunge. A mixed model (P<0.05) evaluated the effects of the Equiband™ system over time, and trotting direction on back kinematic and movement symmetry parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Equiband™ system significantly reduced (all P<0.02) roll, pitch and mediolateral displacement in the cranial-mid thoracic region. Across all horses, back displacement and range of motion values were significantly greater (P<0.01) on the lunge than in a straight line, movement symmetry was consistent with having corrected all horses to be left-sided.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preliminary results suggest the Equiband™ system may aid dynamic stabilisation of the vertebral column. Ethical animal research: This study was authorised by the Ethics and Welfare Committee of the Royal Veterinary College, London (URN Approval Number 1238). Written consent was obtained from the owner/keeper of each animal.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Royal Veterinary College. Competing interests: N.C. Stubbs and N. Rombach developed the Equiband™ system. The remaining authors have no competing interests.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, North Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Simons
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, North Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weller
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Stubbs
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, California, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rombach
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, North Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pfau