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Home / Equine Research Bank / Transl Anim Sci / Average stride length and stride rate of Thoroughbreds and Q...
Translational animal science2021; 6(1); txab233; doi: 10.1093/tas/txab233

Average stride length and stride rate of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses during racing.

Abstract: The main factors influencing speed in athletes are stride length (SL) and stride rate (SR). However, conflict remains whether SL or SR is the key determinant of higher speeds. Quarter Horses (QH) generally reach higher speeds in their races than do Thoroughbreds (TB). However, the influence of SL and SR on this greater speed is unclear. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to compare SL and SR in QH and TB raced in short (sprint) and long (classic) distances. We hypothesized that QH have a higher SR in comparison to TB, and SR decreases as distance increases. Two race distances were analyzed for each breed: QH races of 100.6 and 402.3 m, and TB races of 1,207.0 and 2,011.7 m. Data from 20 horses were obtained, consisting of five horses from each race distance (10 QH and 10 TB). Five individuals watched recordings of each race three times counting the number of strides taken by each winning horse. The SR was calculated using the average number of strides over a given race duration, and SL was determined by calculating the total number of strides over the distance covered. Speed was calculated by dividing the distance by the time of the winning horse. The PROC Mixed Procedure was used to identify statistical differences between breeds, and between distances within the same breed. Results showed that although the SL of the TB was longer in comparison with the QH ( < 0.001), the average SR in QH was higher than in TB (2.88 vs. 2.34 + 0.03 strides/s;  < 0.001). Furthermore, QH classic distance demonstrated a faster speed than TB at either distance ( < 0.001). In conclusion, QH achieve a higher SR in comparison to TB (between 14% and 20% more than TB), confirming the importance of SR in achieving high racing speeds.
Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science 2021.
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Publication Date: 2021-12-28 PubMed ID: 35198858PubMed Central: PMC8859998DOI: 10.1093/tas/txab233Google 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.

The research investigates stride length and stride rate of two horse breeds, Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses during racing. The findings suggest that Quarter Horses have a higher stride rate which could be the reason they reach higher speeds in their races compared to Thoroughbreds.

Objective of the Study

  • The goal of the research was to determine the role of stride length (SL) and stride rate (SR) in racing speeds among Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds. It aimed to clarify whether the superior speed of Quarter Horses is due to a greater SR or SL. The report hypothesized that Quarter Horses likely possess a higher SR relative to Thoroughbreds, and also, that SR decreases as race distance increases.

Methodology

  • The study analyzed two race distances for each breed: 100.6 and 402.3 meters for Quarter Horses, and 1,207.0 and 2,011.7 meters for Thoroughbreds.
  • Data from 20 horses were obtained, with five horses from each race distance (10 Quarter Horses and 10 Thoroughbreds). The number of strides taken by each winning horse was recorded by five individuals watching recordings of each race three times.
  • Stride rate (SR) was calculated by determining the average number of strides over the duration of a given race, and stride length (SL) was calculated from the total number of strides over the distance covered. Speed was determined by dividing the race distance by the time recorded for the winning horse.
  • The PROC Mixed Procedure was used to identify statistical differences between the breeds, and between distances within the same breed.

Findings

  • The results of the study indicated that Thoroughbreds have a longer stride length relative to Quarter Horses. However, Quarter Horses had a higher stride rate than Thoroughbreds (2.88 strides/s versus 2.34 strides/s).
  • The speed of Quarter Horses racing in the classic distance was also found to be faster than that of Thoroughbreds, regardless of race distance.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that Quarter Horses achieve a higher stride rate compared to Thoroughbreds, around 14% to 20% higher. This confirms the significance of stride rate for achieving high racing speeds.

Cite This Article

APA
Vergara-Hernandez FB, Nielsen BD, Robison CI, Fabus TA, Kompare JL, LeCompte Lazić RA, Colbath AC. (2021). Average stride length and stride rate of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses during racing. Transl Anim Sci, 6(1), txab233. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txab233

Publication

Translational animal science
ISSN: 2573-2102
NlmUniqueID: 101738705
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 6
Issue: 1
Pages: txab233
PII: txab233

Researcher Affiliations

Vergara-Hernandez, Fernando B
  • Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Nielsen, Brian D
  • Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Robison, Cara I
  • Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Fabus, Taylor A
  • Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Kompare, Jasmin L
  • Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
LeCompte Lazić, Rebecca Ashley
  • Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Colbath, Aimee C
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

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