Relationship Between Saddle and Rider Kinematics, Horse Locomotion, and Thoracolumbar Pressures in Sound Horses

MacKechnie-Guire, Russell; Mackechnie-Guire, Erik; Fisher, Mark; Mathie, Helen; Bush, Rosie; Pfau, Thilo; Weller, R.

doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2018.06.003

Cited by 20 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…This could be explained by the riders performing the riding test first on the right rein, including a circle in canter after sitting trot. Cantering on the right rein might have induced saddle roll to the left and thereby increased the force on the inside right panel of the saddle as observed in a recently published study [6]. Therefore, cantering on the right rein might have counteracted the existing left shift of forces (possibly caused by mounting from the left) underneath the saddle that was lower in the subsequent sitting trot on the left rein.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…In a previous study, hindlimb lameness (or asymmetry) was shown to induce saddle slip: the saddle slipped visually toward the lame(r) hindlimb [28]. Saddle roll to one side appears to increase pressure in the cranial region of the opposite side of the saddle pressure mat [6]. These observations would explain the negative correlation between SFD and PD min found in the present study, as in a horse asymmetric (or lame) in the left hindlimb, the saddle would slip to the left, causing increased pressures in the cranial region on the right side of the saddle pressure mat (due to the saddle being pulled against the withers).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Another recent study investigated the effects of saddle roll on rider kinematics, horse locomotion, and saddle pressure distribution in sound horses over ground [6]. Results showed that although the saddle rolled to the outside, the rider tended to lean inside with his trunk to maintain a straight position.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of Functional Rider and Horse Asymmetries on Saddle Force Distribution During Stance and in Sitting Trot

Gunst

Dittmann

Arpagaus

et al. 2019

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

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Asymmetric forces exerted on the horse's back during riding are assumed to have a negative effect on rider-horse interaction and health of the horse. Visualized on a saddle pressure mat they are initially blamed on a non-fitting saddle. The contribution of horse and rider to an asymmetric loading pattern, however, is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of horse and rider asymmetries during stance and in sitting trot on the force distribution on the horse's back using a saddle pressure mat and motion capture analysis simultaneously. Data of 80 horse-rider pairs (HRP) were collected and analyzed using linear (mixed) models to determine the influence of rider and horse variables on asymmetric force distribution. Both, rider and horse variables revealed significant relationships to asymmetric saddle force distribution (P<0.001). During sitting trot, the collapse of the rider in one hip increased the force on the contralateral side and the tilt of the rider's upper body to one side led to more force on the same side of the pressure mat. Analyzing different subsets of data revealed that rider posture as well as horse movements and conformation can cause an asymmetric loading pattern. Since neither horse nor rider movement can be assessed independently during riding, the interpretation of an asymmetric force distribution on the saddle pressure mat remains challenging and all contributing factors (horse, rider, saddle) need to be considered.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

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Influence of Functional Rider and Horse Asymmetries on Saddle Force Distribution During Stance and in Sitting Trot

Gunst

Dittmann

Arpagaus

et al. 2019

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

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“…Prior to the study, the pressure mat was calibrated, and during testing (for each horse), the pad was zeroed without the saddle, girth, or rider [23]. It was fitted so that the pressure mat was on top of the horse’s skin and beneath the saddle cloth and saddle, as previously described [15,24,25,26,27]. Peak pressures (kPa) and maximum force (N) (sum of all sensors x area) in trot and canter for all saddle conditions were collected.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Tree Width on Thoracolumbar and Limb Kinematics, Saddle Pressure Distribution, and Thoracolumbar Dimensions in Sports Horses in Trot and Canter

MacKechnie-Guire

Mackechnie-Guire²,

Fairfax³

et al. 2019

Animals

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Simple SummaryDetermining the correct saddle fit is essential in order to optimise the interaction between the horse and rider dyad, and to reduce the risk of back-related problems or loss of performance as a result of incorrect saddle fit. Although there are industry guidelines (Society of Master Saddlers) on correct saddle fit, some saddle fitters (and others) choose to fit saddles that are wider than industry guidelines on the assumption that increased saddle width will enhance equine locomotion and allow the horses’ thoracolumbar spine to function unhindered. This study quantified the effect that a saddle that was one width fitting wider and narrower (based on the Society of Master Saddlers industry guidelines) had on the kinematics of the thoracolumbar spine, thoracolumbar epaxial musculature profiles, equine locomotion, and saddle pressure distribution. It was found that a saddle that was one width fitting wider and narrower affected the kinematics of the thoracolumbar spine, resulting in concavities in epaxial musculature at T13 when using the wide saddle and at T18 when using the narrow saddle. The wide saddle caused areas of high pressures in the cranial region of the saddle and the narrow saddle caused areas of high pressures in the caudal region of the saddle. It is essential that the correct saddle fit is achieved for each horse and rider combination in order to optimise the horse-rider system and reduce the risk of back-related problems or loss of performance that may occur as a result of incorrect saddle fit.AbstractThis study evaluated the effect of saddle tree width on thoracolumbar and limb kinematics, saddle pressure distribution, and thoracolumbar epaxial musculature dimensions. Correctly fitted saddles were fitted by a Society of Master Saddler Qualified Saddle Fitter in fourteen sports horses (mean ± SD age 12 ± 8.77 years, height 1.65 ± 0.94 m), and were altered to one width fitting wider and narrower. Horses were equipped with skin markers, inertial measurement units, and a pressure mat beneath the saddle. Differences in saddle pressure distribution, as well as limb and thoracolumbosacral kinematics between saddle widths were investigated using a general linear model with Bonferroni adjusted alpha (p ≤ 0.05). Compared with the correct saddle width, in trot, in the wide saddle, an 8.5% increase in peak pressures was found in the cranial region of the saddle (p = 0.003), a 14% reduction in thoracolumbar dimensions at T13 (p = 0.02), and a 6% decrease in the T13 range of motion in the mediolateral direction (p = 0.02). In the narrow saddle, a 14% increase in peak pressures was found in the caudal region of the saddle (p = 0.01), an 8% decrease in the range of motion of T13 in the mediolateral direction (p = 0.004), and a 6% decrease in the vertical direction (p = 0.004) of T13. Compared with the correct saddle width, in canter, in the wide saddle, axial rotation decreased by 1% at T5 (p = 0.03) with an 5% increase at T13 (p = 0.04) and a 5% increase at L3 (p = 0.03). Peak pressures increased by...

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“…Asymmetrical saddle movement associated with asymmetrical pressures was observed in seven horses that were non lame in hand, with well‐fitting saddles (Mackechnie‐Guire et al . ). This was corrected short‐term with the use of shims, with associated improved symmetry of pressures under the saddle and measurable modifications in gait.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

The effects of rider size and saddle fit for horse and rider on forces and pressure distribution under saddles: A pilot study

Roost¹,

Ellis²,

Morris³

et al. 2019

Equine Veterinary Education

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There is limited scientific evidence concerning the effect of rider weight on pressures under the saddle and equine performance. The objective of this prospective, crossover, randomised trial was to assess pressure distribution and magnitude in horses ridden by four riders of similar ability but differing in bodyweight and height. Six horses in regular work were ridden by four riders (rider bodyweight: horse body weight percentage > 10 ≤ 12and > 20 [VH = Very Heavy]), performing a purpose-designed dressage test (30 min). The test was abandoned for ≥ grade 3/8 lameness or ≥ 10 behavioural markers (assessed in real-time). A calibrated force mat (Pliance) was used to record pressures under the saddle in walk, trot and canter on left and right reins. Rider position was assessed. All 13 H and VH tests and one of 12 M rider tests were abandoned (lameness, n = 12; behaviour, n = 1). At walk, the seat of rider VH extended beyond the cantle of the saddle; rider H sat on the cantle of the saddle. At trot and canter the heels of rider VH were consistently cranial to the tubera coxae and shoulders. Pressures were significantly higher under the caudal aspect of the saddle compared with cranially for rider VH in walk (P<0.05, ANOVA, Bonferroni). At rising trot pressures were higher cranially for riders L, M and H (P<0.05, ANOVA, Bonferroni), but were similar cranially and caudally for rider VH. The highest maximum peak pressure was recorded for rider VH in canter. A limitation was that speed can alter pressure measurements, but was not controlled or recorded. We concluded that there were differences in magnitude and distribution of pressures among the four riders according to their size, which may have contributed to the development of musculoskeletal pain. This may also have been influenced by saddle fit for riders and their positions.

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Relationship Between Saddle and Rider Kinematics, Horse Locomotion, and Thoracolumbar Pressures in Sound Horses

Cited by 20 publications

References 51 publications

Influence of Functional Rider and Horse Asymmetries on Saddle Force Distribution During Stance and in Sitting Trot

Influence of Functional Rider and Horse Asymmetries on Saddle Force Distribution During Stance and in Sitting Trot

The Effect of Tree Width on Thoracolumbar and Limb Kinematics, Saddle Pressure Distribution, and Thoracolumbar Dimensions in Sports Horses in Trot and Canter

The effects of rider size and saddle fit for horse and rider on forces and pressure distribution under saddles: A pilot study

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