
Kirsty LesniakHartpury University · HE Equine
Kirsty Lesniak
MSc Equine Science
About
39
Publications
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Introduction
Kirsty Lesniak currently works at Hartpury University as a Senior Lecturer in Equine Science. Kirsty’s research interests focus on equine anatomy, specifically in relation to skeletal and hoof asymmetry and conformation.
Additional affiliations
Education
September 2008 - July 2009
September 2005 - July 2007
September 2000 - July 2002
Publications
Publications (39)
Directionality of limb and facial asymmetries in non-elite equine populations has been previously reported with results indicating strong similarities to those reported in racehorses. This investigation aimed to consider the relationship between the magnitude of the asymmetries presented within the general equine population, and their previously re...
Kirsty Leśniak SFHEA, PGCE, MSc, BSc (Hons) Senior Lecturer Equine Science, Hartpury University discusses a smart response to a sizeable challenge
Identification of influential conformational traits is an important aspect in choosing the most appropriate horse for a specific discipline with regards to both performance potential and career longevity. Symmetry of bilateral traits, both functional and non-functional, demonstrates the ability of an individual to display their genotypic quality th...
Despite the likelihood that a horse's mass influences hoof morphology, empirical evidence is lacking. A clearer understanding of factors influencing hoof shape could enable prevention, or better treatment, of foot-based disorders; common causes of equine lameness. The study's aim was to investigate the relationship between horse body size, in terms...
Variation in equine hoof conformation between farriery interventions lacks research, despite associations with distal limb injuries. This study aimed to determine linear and angular hoof variations pre- and post-farriery within a four to six week shoeing/trimming interval. Seventeen hoof and distal limb measurements were drawn from lateral and ante...
The Kennel Club (KC) and United Kingdom Agility (UKA) govern major dog agility competitions in the UK. Dogs are categorised into different jump heights depending on their height at the withers, with fence heights ranging from 300 to 650 mm for both organisations. Dogs fall into one of three height categories when competing under KC rules and one of...
Introduction: The research currently in place shows that BSc (Hons) Equine Science graduates go into employment both within and outside of the equine industry, displaying the wide range of transferable skills taught on the programme (UWE, 2011; Hartpury College, 2012). The Council for Industry and High Education (CIHE) Graduate Employability resear...
Calculated laterality indices were used to split 54 horses were in to left lateralised (22), right lateralised (24) (8 ambidextrous) groups. Widths of the top and base of the hoof were recorded and hoof spread calculated. Height of the elbow and carpometacarpal (CMC) joint from the ground and width of the third metacarpal were measured. Traits were...
Dogs are categorised into different jump heights depending on their height at the withers, with fence
heights ranging from 300 to 650 mm for both organisations. Dogs fall into one of three height categories
when competing under KC rules and one of four height categories under UKA rules. The aim of this study
was to investigate the influence of an a...
Hoof conformation is influential in the aetiology of many limb disorders. Height, weight and hoof dimensions of 64 horses were used to assess hoof conformation and any relationship with physical size. Weight positively correlated with width of the coronet band (CBW) and the base of the hoof (HBW) (P<0.001) in both limbs indicating hoof dimensions i...
of this study was to identify whether horses and ponies exhibit directionality of trait asymmetries. Eleven
functional (limb) and four non-functional (facial) bilateral traits were measured on left and right sides in
a cohort of 100 horses and ponies using callipers. The population was investigated as pooled data and as
horse (withers height >148 c...
The vital first few hours of life by Kirsty Leśniak BSc Senior Lecturer, Hartpury College
Reasons for performing the study: Fibre is considered important in the feeding ration of the domesticated horse yet little information exists on the effects of different fibre types on equine dental health. This research aimed at investigating the incidence of dental caries in horses fed hay and haylage to determine whether fibre type, and therefor...
Rider asymmetry is considered a potential performance limiting factor within the equestrian field, however the prevalence and manifestation has yet to be researched to a sufficient level to apply the findings more practically. The purpose of this study was to evaluate rider asymmetry during sitting trot by identifying discrepancies between bilatera...
In the UK, many equestrian instructors are self-employed and receive no formal support for further self-development after completion of their lead body coaching qualification. However, continuing professional development (CPD) is essential to enable equestrian coaches to retain professional currency to promote both rider and equine welfare. Mentori...
Introduction: Symmetry of biological bilateral traits is the optimal aim during growth and development of an organism (Manning and Pickup 1998) and has been suggested to act as an indicator of phenotypic quality within a number of species (Manning et al., 1996). The symmetry of bilateral morphological traits has been linked to superior athletic fun...
Rider asymmetry is considered as a potential performance limiting factor within the equestrian field, however the prevalence and manifestation of asymmetry has yet to be researched sufficiently. The purpose of this study was to evaluate asymmetry of the rider during sitting trot by calculating discrepancies between bilateral joint angles. Eight ang...
Introduction Superficial digital flexor tendonitis is common amongst race and sports horses; accounting for 89-93% of all tendon injuries (Ely et al 2009) and potentially career ending. Diagnosis is achieved through on-incidence, transverse and longitudinal ultrasonography; shown to accurately represent tendon pathology (Marr et al 1993). Off-incid...
Introduction Asymmetry in horse riders has been acknowledged practically for many years however little quantification of this asymmetry has been achieved to date. However asymmetry of riders has been linked to compensatory injury (Pugh and Bolin 2004) of the rider which is detrimental to performance (Symes and Ellis 2009) and correlations have prev...
Superficial digital flexor tendonitis is a very common injury amongst racehorses and sports horses and can potentially be career-ending. Diagnosis of tendon injury occurs through the use of on-incidence, transverse and longitudinal ultrasonography which have shown to accurately represent tendon pathology. The off-incidence, transverse ultrasound te...
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of the horse's laterality on the symmetry of rein tension in right-handed riders. Eleven right-handed riders rode both a right-lateralized (RL) and a left-lateralized (LL) horse. Rein tension was measured during three circles of walk, trot and canter and four walk–halt transitions in ea...
Research has highlighted a high frequency of skeletal asymmetries in horses. In addition, research into hoof asymmetries has shown that within a bilateral pair, the hoof with the smaller angle is often subjected to greater loading. There has been limited attention paid to understanding compensatory mechanisms for skeletal asymmetries in the horse;...
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Symmetry of biological bilateral traits is the optimal aim during growth and development of an organism (Thornhill and Gangestad 1994; Manning and Pickup 1998) and has been suggested to act as an indicator of phenotypic quality within a number of species (Manning et al., 1996). The symmetry of bilateral morphological t...
Introduction
The man-made captive environment is very different from the free living environment in which wild horse herds form their cohesive society. Wild herds consist of a harem group each with an alpha male and female and a number of mares with foals. A bachelor band of single stallions may also be found either making-up part of the herd or a...