Comparison of the head and neck position of elite dressage horses during top-level competitions in 1992 versus 2008.

This study investigates the changes in the head angulation of elite dressage horses during top-level competitions over a period of 25 years, specifically, the trend of horses carrying their heads behind the vertical (BHV). The research found that head position has changed significantly over this period and that there is a correlation between higher scores and head positions that are further BHV.

Objective of the Study

• The study aimed to examine if there has been any significant change in the head angulation of elite dressage horses during top-level competitions from 1992 to 2008.
• The researchers also wanted to examine if there’s a correlation between the competition score and the horse’s head angulation.

Methodology

• The researchers used videos recorded during the Grand Prix test at the 1992 Olympic Games and the 2008 World Cup Final to measure the head angle.
• They focused on the head positions during four horse movements: collected canter (CC), collected trot (CT), passage (Pa), and piaffe (Pi).

Key Findings

• The study deduced that the head angulations were BHV in CC and CT in both 1992 and 2008. However, the likelihood of being BHV during Pa or Pi was significantly greater in 2008 than in 1992.
• It was also found that higher scores during the competition were significantly correlated with head positions that were further BHV during Pi in 2008.
• In 2008, head angulations were orientated BHV in all paces, while in 1992, this was only the case for CT and CC.

Implications of Findings

• These findings corroborate the hypothesis that in recent years, FEI dressage judges have not penalised horses for a head position BHV.
• These revelations demand further exploration into the effects of these head and neck positions on the health of the horses.