Relationship between the forces acting on the horse's back and the movements of rider and horse while walking on a treadmill

Abstract

Relationship between the forces acting on the horse's back and the movements of rider and horse while walking on a treadmill von Peinen, K von Peinen, K. Relationship between the forces acting on the horse's back and the movements of rider and horse while walking on a treadmill. 2009 Relationship between the forces acting on the horse's back and the movements of rider and horse while walking on a treadmill Abstract Reasons for performing the study: The exact relationship between the saddle pressure pattern during one stride cycle and the movements of horse and rider at the walk are poorly understood and have never been investigated in detail. Hypothesis: The movements of rider and horse account for the force distribution pattern under the saddle. Method: Vertical ground reaction forces (GRF), kinematics of horse and rider as well as saddle forces (FS) were measured synchronously in 7 high level dressage horses while being ridden on an instrumented treadmill at walk. Discrete values of the total saddle forces (FStot) were determined for each stride and related to kinematics and GRF. The pressure sensitive mat was divided into halves and sixths to assess the force distribution over the horses back in more detail. Differences were tested using a one sample t-test (p<0.05). Results: FStot of all the horses showed 3 peaks (P1-P3) and 3 minima (M1-M3) in each half-cycle, which were systematically related to the footfall sequence of the walk. Looking at the halves of the mat, force curves were 50% phase-shifted. The analysis of the FS of the 6 sections showed a clear association to the rider's and horse's movements. Conclusion: The saddle force distribution during an entire stride cycle has a distinct pattern although the force fluctuations of the FStot are small. The forces in the front thirds were clearly related to the movement of the front limbs, those in the mid part to the lateral flexion of the horse's spine and the loading of the hind part was mainly influenced by the axial rotation and lateral bending of the back. Potential relevance: This data can be used as a reference for comparing different types of saddle fit.

Influence of velocity on horse and rider movement and resulting saddle forces at walk and trot

“…Saddle pressure distribution and saddle force curve pattern are reported to be characteristic for each gait: at walk the force curve showed four (Fruehwirth et al, 2004;Winkelmayr et al, 2006), in more recent investigations six minimum and maximum values per stride (Von Peinen et al, 2009), whereas in the sitting trot a typically m-shaped curve with two maxima and minima was observed (Fruehwirth et al, 2004;Peham et al, 2008;Winkelmayr et al, 2006). It is also known that riding style substantially influences the saddle force pattern within the same gait.…”

“…Kinematic, kinetic and saddle pressure data of seven high level dressage horses (mean ± standard deviation: age 14±4.3 years, height at the withers 1.70±0.07 m, body mass 609±62 kg) which were part of another study (Von Peinen et al, 2009;Weishaupt et al, 2006) were analysed retrospectively with regards to velocity dependency of saddle pressure variables. The horses were carefully adapted to treadmill locomotion and were ridden by their own professional riders using their usual tack.…”

“…Saddle pressure was measured with a Pliance-X system (Novel GmbH, Munich, Germany) using a sensor mat (2 mat parts, 16×8 (longitudinal × transverse) sensors each, sensor size 4.7×3.1 cm) calibrated prior to the experiment (Von Peinen et al, 2009). The two mat parts were placed symmetrically on each side of the horses back, leaving a gap along the spine.…”

“…Synchronised recordings of 10 s were made with the three measuring systems. Depending on the actual viewing condition, a cameras frame rate of 140 Hz or 240 Hz was chosen; accordingly, integer rates of sampling frequencies for the Pliance-X system (70 Hz or 60 Hz) and the TiF system (420 Hz or 480 Hz) were used (Von Peinen et al, 2009).…”

Evolving protocols for research in equitation science

“…Several authors have garnered valid information for horse equipment design and fit Byström et al, 2010;Fruehwirth et al, 2004;Hofmann et al, 2006;Kotschwar et al, 2010;Latif et al, 2010;Meschan et al, 2007;Monkemoller et al, 2005;Nyikos et al, 2005;von Peinen et al, 2010;Werner et al, 2002;Winkelmayr et al, 2006). More recently, attempts have been made to use this technology to measure changes in pressure on the horse's back from the rider's seat and legs (Belock et al, 2012;Byström et al, 2009;Byström et al, 2010;Clayton et al, 2013;de Cocq et al, 2008;de Cocq et al, 2009;de Cocq et al, 2010a, de Cocq et al, 2010b, Geutjens et al, 2008Nevison et al, 2011;Nevison and Timmis, 2013;Peham, 2008;Peham et al, 2004;von Peinen et al, 2009).…”