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PeerJ2017; 5; e3866; doi: 10.7717/peerj.3866

An exploration of strategies used by dressage horses to control moments around the center of mass when performing passage.

Abstract: Locomotion results from the generation of ground reaction forces (GRF) that cause translations of the center of mass (COM) and generate moments that rotate the body around the COM. The trot is a diagonally-synchronized gait performed by horses at intermediate locomotor speeds. Passage is a variant of the trot performed by highly-trained dressage horses. It is distinguished from trot by having a slow speed of progression combined with great animation of the limbs in the swing phase. The slow speed of passage challenges the horse's ability to control the sagittal-plane moments around the COM. Footfall patterns and peak GRF are known to differ between passage and trot, but their effects on balance management, which we define here as the ability to control nose-up/nose-down pitching moments around the horse's COM to maintain a state of equilibrium, are not known. The objective was to investigate which biomechanical variables influence pitching moments around the COM in passage. Methods: Three highly-trained dressage horses were captured by a 10-camera motion analysis system (120 Hz) as they were ridden in passage over four force platforms (960 Hz). A full-body marker set was used to track the horse's COM and measure balance variables including total body center of pressure (COP), pitching moments, diagonal dissociation timing, peak force production, limb protraction-retraction, and trunk posture. A total of twenty passage steps were extracted and partial correlation (accounting for horse) was used to investigate significant ( < 0.05) relationships between variables. Results: Hindlimb mean protraction-retraction correlated significantly with peak hindlimb propulsive forces ( = 0.821;  < 0.01), mean pitching moments ( = 0.546,  = 0.016), trunk range of motion, COM craniocaudal location and diagonal dissociation time ( < 0.05). Conclusions: Pitching moments around the COM were controlled by a combination of kinematic and kinetic adjustments that involve coordinated changes in GRF magnitudes, GRF distribution between the diagonal limb pairs, and the moment arms of the vertical GRFs. The moment arms depend on hoof placements relative to the COM, which were adjusted by changing limb protraction-retraction angles. Nose-up pitching moments could also be increased by providing a larger hindlimb propulsive GRF.
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Publication Date: 2017-09-28 PubMed ID: 28970972PubMed Central: PMC5623309DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3866Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article focuses on the biomechanical techniques dressage horses use to maintain balance during the passage, a specific type of trot. The study investigates the variables that influence the control of the horse’s balance, with particular attention to rotational movements around the center of mass (COM).

Study Methodology

  • The study involved three highly-trained dressage horses which were observed as they performed the passage trot over four force platforms while under 10-camera motion analysis.
  • The researchers utilized a full-body marker set to track the COM of the horse, and measure balance variables including total body center of pressure (COP), rotational movements (pitching moments), the timing of movement between legs (diagonal dissociation timing), peak force production, limb movement trajectories (limb protraction-retraction), and trunk posture.
  • Twenty passage steps were extracted per horse, and statistical techniques (partial correlation and significance testing) were utilized to find meaningful relationships between these various balance variables.

Results of the Study

  • The study found significant correlations between the positioning of the hind limb (mean protraction-retraction) and several variables: the peak force generated by the hindlimb, mean rotational moments around the COM, the trunk’s range of motion, the location of the COM along the horse’s length (COM craniocaudal location), and the timing of movement between legs (diagonal dissociation time).
  • The researchers discovered that the complexity of controlling the rotation around the COM was managed through a combination of both kinematic (motion-related) and kinetic (force-related) adjustments. These included changes in the magnitudes of ground reaction forces (GRF), the distribution of GRF between the diagonal limbs, and the length of the moment arms of the vertical GRFs.
  • The study also found that the moment arms were determined by the position of the horse’s hooves relative to its COM. This was managed by adjusting the angles of limb protraction-retraction.
  • According to the study, nose-up rotational movements could also be increased by providing a greater hindlimb propulsive GRF.

Conclusions of the Study

  • This study provides us with an in-depth understanding of the complex biomechanical adjustments dressage horses make during passage. It unveils the intricate interplay between motion and force, and the careful calibration of different variables to maintain balance and perform highly controlled movements.
  • The findings have important implications for training dressage horses and can help in designing targeted exercises to enhance performance and minimize the risk of injury.

Cite This Article

APA
Clayton HM, Hobbs SJ. (2017). An exploration of strategies used by dressage horses to control moments around the center of mass when performing passage. PeerJ, 5, e3866. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3866

Publication

PeerJ
ISSN: 2167-8359
NlmUniqueID: 101603425
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 5
Pages: e3866
PII: e3866

Researcher Affiliations

Clayton, Hilary M
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America.
Hobbs, Sarah Jane
  • Centre for Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare there are no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 15 times.
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  4. Clayton HM, Hobbs SJ. Ground Reaction Forces of Dressage Horses Performing the Piaffe. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 8;11(2).
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  5. Hobbs SJ, St George L, Reed J, Stockley R, Thetford C, Sinclair J, Williams J, Nankervis K, Clayton HM. A scoping review of determinants of performance in dressage. PeerJ 2020;8:e9022.
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