Saddle Fit

"Ces Actes des Journées d’étude internationales (Strasbourg, 6-7 novembre 2009) sont l’aboutissement d’un programme de recherche (2007-2009), mené au sein de l’UMR 7044 (Étude des civilisations de l’Antiquité : de la Préhistoire à Byzance), sur la place du cheval dans l’empire byzantin. Les 14 contributions qu’ils réunissent sont consacrées au cheval de guerre et de loisir dans l’Antiquité et au Moyen Âge.

L’ouvrage est divisé en trois sections. Dans la première, les contributeurs analysent la naissance du corps de cavalerie dans l’armée romaine et ses emplois. Sont également étudiés les différences régionales du pourtour méditerranéen dans l’élevage du cheval, les prix pratiqués ou encore les connaissances hippologiques des Anciens. Les travaux qui composent la deuxième partie proposent des synthèses sur le cheval médiéval, byzantin et occidental. Ils abordent le sujet à travers les textes, les sources archéologiques, les représentations et les us et coutumes des civilisations étudiées. Enfin, la dernière partie s’intéresse aux instruments hippiques, aux armes et à l’hippiatrie. Y sont ainsi réexaminées les innovations, adoptions et adaptations, dans l’Antiquité tardive, des pièces de l’équipement équin essentielles pour le combat, telles que l’étrier et le mors. Les armes des cavaliers sont réévaluées, ainsi que les changements dans leurs techniques de combat suite à la diffusion de l’étrier. On trouvera aussi l’analyse du vocabulaire employé pour l’anatomie du cheval dans la littérature hippiatrique grecque, qui connaît à cette période un essor sans précédent, lié au développement de la cavalerie romaine et protobyzantine."

Understanding of relations binding humans and animals during prehistory is undergoing a radical transformation in archaeology from broadly economic to social models. Reconsideration of the role of material culture in the production of social worlds is integral to these new approaches. The following article argues, however, that it is unhelpful to begin with separate human and animal domains that are mediated by symbols and material signifiers. Instead, and drawing in particular from the work of Donna Haraway, a plea is outlined for an integrated approach to species cohabitation and co-evolution that focuses upon situated assemblies of material bodies and the intra-action of all participants within these spaces. We suggest that scales of rhythm serve to regulate these intra-actions, and using examples from the Danish Mesolithic and the British Bronze Age, particularly of swan hunting and horse riding, we show how archaeology may be ideally equipped to articulate these phenomena, and for defining the varied and dynamic means by which species get on together as significant Others in local contexts of cohabitation.

Pazyryk culture, pad-saddle of the Scythian type, reconstruction of a Scythian saddle

The article is devoted to the reconstruction of a saddle of the so-cold Scythian type, made in 2013, on the basis of the study of archaeological saddles from the Pazyryk collection of the State Hermitage. The scientific reconstruction of the Scythian time saddle has been performed for the first time. It was preceded by a long preparatory work, including measurements of all preserved saddles and their fragments of the Pazyryk collection (Bashadar, Tuekta and Pazyryk barrows). We studied the seams, peculiarities of gaskets and the padding of the saddle cushions, as well as characteristics of the fixing of the saddle belts, surcingle buckles and decorative elements.
Making a comparison of the saddles from early and late kurgans of the Pazyryk culture made it clear that the saddles differ mainly by the decor and accessories which have been changed, but kept continuity. Design of the saddle pillows themselves, sets (composition, integration) and the fixing of the truck straps, the shape of the coverings and saddle-cloths remained unchanged during the whole period of the Pazyryk culture.
One of the saddles from the 3rd Pazyryk barrow was chosen as a model for the reconstruction. The executed  saddle has been tested on riding horses to identify its performances.
Replicas of the saddle and the bridle from the 3rd Pazyryk barrow have been exhibited at the exposition "The World of nomads" made by the State Hermitage Museum, in Vyborg (November 2013 - April 2014) as visual materials.
The reconstructed saddle provides additional opportunities for interpretation of a number of artistic sourses of the Scythian and Hun-Sarmatian time.

October 3, 2010, on page AR12 of the New York Time edition, John Anderson discoursed upon man's obsession for horses celebrated by cave paintings 17,000 years ago in Lascaux, France: " there are 364 equine portraits, indicating that Paleolithic humans were already fixating on the animal when they were not busy inventing stone tools....".

Everyone know that man's fascination for horses has never waned. To day, the new Disney film "Secretariat," concerns the racing world, the apex of equine evolution. There was never a horse setting records like Secretariat who had to be the subject of a movie.

Along human history, the human-horse bond evolved and redefined itself. The anatomically modern humans, called Cro-Magnon and Grimaldi, settled at the foot of cliffs-Balzi Rossi from 37 000 years (Grimaldi, Ventimiglia, Italy). They have held several rock shelters and caves, overlooking the sea, where engravings set the horse in their symbolic system (as they will be underground at Lascaux). This fact suggests that domestication, which will upon later, was rushed unconscious by selective pressures comparable to that observed for natural selection.
Then, human and horse have evolved together and produced good horse stories. Unfortunately « A horse is a horse, of course, of course ; And no one can talk to a horse, of course… » tells the song of Jay Livingston and Ray Evans after the Mister Ed American television situation comedystory
This horse story is the subject of " Le Cheval et l'Histoire" http://www.larousse.fr/encyclopedie/article/LE_CHEVAL_ET_LHISTOIRE_HUMAINE/11025249

Special features of Scythian saddles and consequences of riding for horse and horseman in the Scythian time

The article deals with the influence of riding using pad-saddles on the health of both riders and horses in the Scythian time. There is a conclusion proved in the article concerning the fact, that this type saddles was quite adequate for solving a task of prevention mutual traumas of a man and a horse as well as for stable seat of a horseman.

Along human history, the human-horse bond evolved and redefined itself. John Anderson discoursed, in the New York Time, upon man's obsession for horses celebrated by cave paintings 17,000 years ago in Lascaux, France: " there are 364 equine portraits, indicating that Paleolithic humans were already fixating on the animal when they were not busy inventing stone tools...." Everyone knows that man's fascination for horses has never waned.

Abstract:  A palpable breast mass is a common reason for surgical consultation. Our goal was to determine whether ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted core biopsy (US-VACB) is safe and effective in completely removing presumed benign palpable breast masses. We conducted a cohort study of 201 consecutive patients with presumed benign palpable masses who underwent removal with US-VACB. The main outcome measured was the successful removal of palpable masses. Palpable masses were successfully removed with US-VACB in 99% of cases; 2% were cancer and 7.5% were atypical ductal hyperplasia or phyllodes tumor. Two clinical recurrences representing a seroma were seen on follow-up. US-VACB is safe and effective in the initial diagnosis and management of presumed benign palpable breast masses. It provides the benefits of percutaneous biopsy and the palpable abnormality no longer remains. 

The sample of this study comprised 9,991 adults who participated in the Azorean Physical Activity and Health Study, Portugal. Body mass index was calculated from self-reported weight and height and used as a depended variable. Physical activity was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—short version, participants were classified in three categories according to their METs min/week values: low physical activity level, moderate physical activity level, and health-enhancing physical activity. Smoking status, alcohol consumption, and socio-economic status were also collected. Results showed that the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 33.5 and 18.8% in women, and 45.8 and 16% in men, respectively. The prevalence of health-enhancing physical activity individuals was 23.6% for women and 43.8% for men. Logistic regression analysis showed that age was a predictor of overweight and obesity, in both genders. Smoking status was negatively associated with overweight and obesity, in both genders. Men with low physical activity level and higher sitting time (≥3 h/day) were more likely to be obese. Low socio-economic status and alcohol consumption were found to be predictors for overweight and obesity for women. In summary, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Azorean adults is high. Targeted programs aimed to lower the prevalence of overweight and obesity, among the Azoreans, should focus on elderly, on women with low socio-economic status, and on men aged 26–40 years, due to the higher prevalence of overweight and obesity and low levels of physical activity observed in these groups. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Abstract:  A palpable breast mass is a common reason for surgical consultation. Our goal was to determine whether ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted core biopsy (US-VACB) is safe and effective in completely removing presumed benign palpable breast masses. We conducted a cohort study of 201 consecutive patients with presumed benign palpable masses who underwent removal with US-VACB. The main outcome measured was the successful removal of palpable masses. Palpable masses were successfully removed with US-VACB in 99% of cases; 2% were cancer and 7.5% were atypical ductal hyperplasia or phyllodes tumor. Two clinical recurrences representing a seroma were seen on follow-up. US-VACB is safe and effective in the initial diagnosis and management of presumed benign palpable breast masses. It provides the benefits of percutaneous biopsy and the palpable abnormality no longer remains. 

The sample of this study comprised 9,991 adults who participated in the Azorean Physical Activity and Health Study, Portugal. Body mass index was calculated from self-reported weight and height and used as a depended variable. Physical activity was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—short version, participants were classified in three categories according to their METs min/week values: low physical activity level, moderate physical activity level, and health-enhancing physical activity. Smoking status, alcohol consumption, and socio-economic status were also collected. Results showed that the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 33.5 and 18.8% in women, and 45.8 and 16% in men, respectively. The prevalence of health-enhancing physical activity individuals was 23.6% for women and 43.8% for men. Logistic regression analysis showed that age was a predictor of overweight and obesity, in both genders. Smoking status was negatively associated with overweight and obesity, in both genders. Men with low physical activity level and higher sitting time (≥3 h/day) were more likely to be obese. Low socio-economic status and alcohol consumption were found to be predictors for overweight and obesity for women. In summary, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Azorean adults is high. Targeted programs aimed to lower the prevalence of overweight and obesity, among the Azoreans, should focus on elderly, on women with low socio-economic status, and on men aged 26–40 years, due to the higher prevalence of overweight and obesity and low levels of physical activity observed in these groups. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The sample of this study comprised 9,991 adults who participated in the Azorean Physical Activity and Health Study, Portugal. Body mass index was calculated from self-reported weight and height and used as a depended variable. Physical activity was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—short version, participants were classified in three categories according to their METs min/week values: low physical activity level, moderate physical activity level, and health-enhancing physical activity. Smoking status, alcohol consumption, and socio-economic status were also collected. Results showed that the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 33.5 and 18.8% in women, and 45.8 and 16% in men, respectively. The prevalence of health-enhancing physical activity individuals was 23.6% for women and 43.8% for men. Logistic regression analysis showed that age was a predictor of overweight and obesity, in both genders. Smoking status was negatively associated with overweight and obesity, in both genders. Men with low physical activity level and higher sitting time (≥3 h/day) were more likely to be obese. Low socio-economic status and alcohol consumption were found to be predictors for overweight and obesity for women. In summary, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Azorean adults is high. Targeted programs aimed to lower the prevalence of overweight and obesity, among the Azoreans, should focus on elderly, on women with low socio-economic status, and on men aged 26–40 years, due to the higher prevalence of overweight and obesity and low levels of physical activity observed in these groups. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Abstract:  A palpable breast mass is a common reason for surgical consultation. Our goal was to determine whether ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted core biopsy (US-VACB) is safe and effective in completely removing presumed benign palpable breast masses. We conducted a cohort study of 201 consecutive patients with presumed benign palpable masses who underwent removal with US-VACB. The main outcome measured was the successful removal of palpable masses. Palpable masses were successfully removed with US-VACB in 99% of cases; 2% were cancer and 7.5% were atypical ductal hyperplasia or phyllodes tumor. Two clinical recurrences representing a seroma were seen on follow-up. US-VACB is safe and effective in the initial diagnosis and management of presumed benign palpable breast masses. It provides the benefits of percutaneous biopsy and the palpable abnormality no longer remains. 

Abstract:  A palpable breast mass is a common reason for surgical consultation. Our goal was to determine whether ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted core biopsy (US-VACB) is safe and effective in completely removing presumed benign palpable breast masses. We conducted a cohort study of 201 consecutive patients with presumed benign palpable masses who underwent removal with US-VACB. The main outcome measured was the successful removal of palpable masses. Palpable masses were successfully removed with US-VACB in 99% of cases; 2% were cancer and 7.5% were atypical ductal hyperplasia or phyllodes tumor. Two clinical recurrences representing a seroma were seen on follow-up. US-VACB is safe and effective in the initial diagnosis and management of presumed benign palpable breast masses. It provides the benefits of percutaneous biopsy and the palpable abnormality no longer remains. 

Abstract:  A palpable breast mass is a common reason for surgical consultation. Our goal was to determine whether ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted core biopsy (US-VACB) is safe and effective in completely removing presumed benign palpable breast masses. We conducted a cohort study of 201 consecutive patients with presumed benign palpable masses who underwent removal with US-VACB. The main outcome measured was the successful removal of palpable masses. Palpable masses were successfully removed with US-VACB in 99% of cases; 2% were cancer and 7.5% were atypical ductal hyperplasia or phyllodes tumor. Two clinical recurrences representing a seroma were seen on follow-up. US-VACB is safe and effective in the initial diagnosis and management of presumed benign palpable breast masses. It provides the benefits of percutaneous biopsy and the palpable abnormality no longer remains. 

Abstract:  A palpable breast mass is a common reason for surgical consultation. Our goal was to determine whether ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted core biopsy (US-VACB) is safe and effective in completely removing presumed benign palpable breast masses. We conducted a cohort study of 201 consecutive patients with presumed benign palpable masses who underwent removal with US-VACB. The main outcome measured was the successful removal of palpable masses. Palpable masses were successfully removed with US-VACB in 99% of cases; 2% were cancer and 7.5% were atypical ductal hyperplasia or phyllodes tumor. Two clinical recurrences representing a seroma were seen on follow-up. US-VACB is safe and effective in the initial diagnosis and management of presumed benign palpable breast masses. It provides the benefits of percutaneous biopsy and the palpable abnormality no longer remains.