Kinematics of saddle and rider in high‐level dressage horses performing collected walk on a treadmill

Abstract

The literature suggests that the rider's influence on the movement pattern of the horse is the strongest at walk. For assessment of the horse-rider interaction in dressage horses presented for unsatisfactory performance, evaluations at walk may therefore be the most rewarding. Basic knowledge about rider and saddle movements in well-performing horses is likely to be supportive to this task.

The role of biomechanical analysis of horse and rider in equitation science

“…As the croup rises during hind limb stance the rider sinks into the saddle and this coincides with the maximal total force. The range of pitching motion for the saddle is 6.1±0.9 degrees (Byström et al, 2010).…”

“…The rider's movements are clearly driven by the movements of the horse, but the rider can, conversely, influence the horse's movement pattern at walk. An interrelationship between horse and rider roll rotations is evident, as the roll rotation of the saddle is markedly slowed or temporarily reversed at the time when the horse's back and rider's pelvic rotation reverse in direction (Byström et al, 2010).…”

Subjective analysis of exercise-induced changes in back dimensions of the horse: The influence of saddle-fit, rider skill and work quality

“…It has been suggested that mean pressure values >11 kPa are likely to be detrimental (Mönkemöller et al, 2005;Nyikos et al, 2005;Meschan et al, 2007;Bystrom et al, 2010aBystrom et al, , 2010b. However, this threshold value is based on a small study (26 horses with or without back pain), and case definitions were limited (Nyikos et al, 2005).…”

Differences in rider movement pattern between different degrees of collection at the trot in high-level dressage horses ridden on a treadmill

“…The rider's position and movements in different gaits have been documented in several previous studies, by use of either camera recordings with optical markers (Byström, Rhodin, von Peinen, Weishaupt, & Roepstorff, 2009, 2010Lovett, Hodson-Tole, & Nankervis, 2004;Schils, Greer, Stoner, & Kobluk, 1993;Symes & Ellis, 2009) or inertial sensor units fixed to the rider's body (Münz, Eckardt, Heipertz-Hengst, Peham, & Witte, 2013;Münz, Eckardt, & Witte, 2014). Additionally, camera recordings and accelerometers have been used to study the coordination pattern between horse and rider during basic dressage (Lagarde, Kelso, Peham, & Licka, 2005;Peham, Licka, Kapaun, & Scheidl, 2001;Witte, Schobesberger, & Peham, 2009;Wolframm, Bosga, & Meulenbroek, 2013) and in endurance riding (Viry et al, 2013).…”