Maximum permissible load for Kiso horses trotting over a short, straight course

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the load-bearing capacity of trotting Kiso horses using gait analysis. Ten Kiso horses with a height at withers of 128 cm were included. Their riders were fitted with a marker (70 mm in diameter placed on their chest) recorded by two digital DVD cameras while trotting along a short, straight course. In total, eight tests were performed for each horse: the first with a 70 kg load; six with randomly loaded weights ranging 80-130 kg; and then a final test again with a 70 kg load. Three-dimensional movement of the marker was analyzed using a motion capture system. The time series of vertical displacement of the marker underwent spectrum analysis by the maximum entropy method, and the autocorrelation coefficient was calculated. The first two peaks of the autocorrelation were defined as symmetry and regularity, and their sum was defined as stability. Regularity in the 120 kg test (0.54) was lower than that in the first 70 kg test (0.61), and stability in the 120 kg test (1.31) was lower than that in the first 70 kg test (1.42). We concluded that the maximum permissible load for a trotting Kiso horse is < 120 kg, which represents 31% of its bodyweight.

Increased Rider Weight Did Not Induce Changes in Behavior and Physiological Parameters in Horses

“…In addition, the weight increment decreased stride length whereas parameters such as beat, symmetry and height of front leg lift appeared unaffected [3]. Gait analysis was also used in a series of studies on native Japanese horses and ponies by Matsuura et al [6][7][8][9]. The horses/ponies trotted a short (40 m) straight distance with weights up to 130 kg, and symmetry, regularity and stability of the locomotion rhythm were recorded.…”