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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2024; 14(2); doi: 10.3390/ani14020189

Biomechanical Characterization of Preparation for Airs above the Ground: A Mixed Approach.

Abstract: Equitation in the French tradition is a school of riding that emphasizes harmonious relations between humans and horses. The best-known community is the Cadre Noir of Saumur, whose specialty is the air above the ground (AAG). No study has yet looked at the horse-rider interaction in this specific context. The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify indicators of AAGs based on the empirical perception of the écuyers expressed by a method of self-confrontation interviews. Fourteen training sessions were the subject of phenomenological and biomechanical approaches. Contact, balance, and hoof-beat, decisive for performance quality, were characterized for 49 AAGs, performed by five horses trained by two expert écuyers, with rein tension meters integrated in their double bridle (curb and snaffle reins) and six inertial measurement units fixed on the limbs, sternum, and croup. Their action was characterized by a peak of 65 ± 39 N on the inside curb rein. They considered that their horse was in balance (forehand inclined 13 ± 7° and -12 ± 9° for the hind hand). After the peak, during the 3.3 ± 2 s the horse's trunk was stable and the écuyers released the contact until the AAG was perceived as satisfactory by the écuyer. The mixed approach allowed a pattern of action to be envisaged for the écuyer based on contact, balance, and hoof-beat in the execution of AAGs. The quantification of rein tension, trunk movements, and acceleration of the four limbs objectified the expert écuyers' feeling of developing aptitudes for their actions in the human-horse interactions for improved transmission to young écuyers. The mixed approach used in this study has given rise to new training methods that are transferable to other equestrian activities.
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Publication Date: 2024-01-06 PubMed ID: 38254358PubMed Central: PMC10812530DOI: 10.3390/ani14020189Google 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 study aims to identify and quantify the aspects that determine ‘airs above the ground’ (AAGs) in French traditional horse riding, by exploring the perceptions of experienced trainers during training sessions. The indicators examined include the balance and movements of the horse and rider, as well as the tension on the reins. Observations from this study are used to develop new training methods that can be applied to other equestrian activities.

Context and Purpose

  • The study focuses on ‘airs above the ground’ (AAGs), a specialty of the Cadre Noir of Saumur, a community known for French tradition equitation.
  • No prior research had been conducted on the horse-rider interaction in this specific context. Thus, the researchers aimed to identify and quantify indicators of AAGs as perceived by professional trainers, using a method known as self-confrontation interviews.
  • The study places particular emphasis on three factors considered decisive for performance quality: contact, balance, and hoof-beat.

Methodology

  • Phenomenological and biomechanical approaches were used in the study, which covered fourteen training sessions.
  • A total of 49 AAGs performed by five horses trained by two expert trainers were examined.
  • Data was collected via rein tension meters integrated in the double bridle and six inertial measurement units fixed on the horse’s limbs, sternum, and croup.

Findings

  • The findings showed that the trainers’ action was marked by a peak of 65 ± 39 N on the inside curb rein.
  • The trainers believed their horse was in balance when the forehand was inclined 13 ± 7° and -12 ± 9° for the hind hand.
  • After the peak force on the rein, the horse’s trunk remained stable for 3.3 ± 2 s, and the trainer released the contact until they perceived the AAG as satisfactory.

Implications

  • This mixed approach provided a pattern of action for the trainers based on contact, balance, and hoof-beat for executing AAGs.
  • The research quantified rein tension, trunk movements, and the acceleration of the four limbs, which helped to give a more empirical understanding of the trainers’ feelings and their interactions with the horse.
  • The study’s findings have informed new training methods that can be applied to other equestrian activities, demonstrating the broader applicability of the research.

Cite This Article

APA
Biau S, Leblanc M, Pycik E, Pasquiet B, Huet B. (2024). Biomechanical Characterization of Preparation for Airs above the Ground: A Mixed Approach. Animals (Basel), 14(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020189

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 2

Researcher Affiliations

Biau, Sophie
  • French Horse and Riding Institute, Saumur Technical Platform, F-49400 Saumur, France.
Leblanc, Marine
  • Movement-Interactions-Performance, MIP, UR 4334, Nantes Université, F-44000 Nantes, France.
Pycik, Eléna
  • French Horse and Riding Institute, Saumur Technical Platform, F-49400 Saumur, France.
Pasquiet, Benoît
  • French Horse and Riding Institute, Saumur Technical Platform, F-49400 Saumur, France.
Huet, Benoit
  • Movement-Interactions-Performance, MIP, UR 4334, Nantes Université, F-44000 Nantes, France.

Grant Funding

  • TraM-InnoForm project, 2019-2022 / Conseil scientifique de la filière équine, France

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

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