Effects of girth, saddle and weight on movements of the horse.
Abstract: Although the saddle is seen as one of the biggest causes of back pain, and weightbearing is seen as an important aetiological factor in 'kissing spine' syndrome (KSS), the effects of a saddle and weight on the back movements of the horse have never been studied. Objective: To determine the effects of pressure on the back, exerted by tack and weight, on movements of the horse. Objective: Weight has an extending effect on the horse's back and, as a compensatory mechanism to this extension, an alteration in pro- and retraction angles was expected. A similar but smaller effect was expected from a saddle only and a lungeing girth. Methods: Data were captured during treadmill locomotion at walk, trot and canter under 4 conditions: unloaded; with lungeing girth; saddle only; and saddle with 75 kg of weight. Data were expressed as maximal extension, maximal flexion angles, range of motion of L3 and L5 and maximal pro- and retraction angles of the limbs. Results: At walk and trot, there was a significant influence on back kinematics in the 'saddle with weight' situation, but not in the other conditions. Overall extension of the back increased, but the range of movement remained the same. Limb kinematics changed in the sense that forelimb retraction increased. At canter, both the 'saddle with weight' and 'saddle only' conditions had a significant extending effect on the back, but there was no effect on limb kinematics. Conclusions: Weight and a saddle induce an overall extension of the back. This may contribute to soft tissue injuries and the KSS. The data from this study may help in understanding the reaction of the equine back to the challenges imposed by man when using the animal for riding.
Publication Date: 2005-01-20 PubMed ID: 15656511DOI: 10.2746/0425164044848000Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates the impact of a saddle, girth and rider weight on the movement of a horse. It finds that these factors, especially the combination of a saddle with significant weight, can lead to extensions in the horse’s back which may result in strain or injury.
Introduction and Aims
- The aim of this study is to measure the effects of various pressures on a horse’s back. These pressures are caused by a saddle, a lunging girth (a piece of training equipment), and rider weight.
- The researchers hypothesize that these pressures have an extending effect on a horse’s back and may trigger physical adjustments such as changes in limb movement, known as pro- and retraction angles.
- There is a specific interest in the conditions that contribute to ‘kissing spine’ syndrome (KSS), a painful condition in horses where the spinous processes of the vertebrae touch or rub together.
Methods
- The research was conducted using horses on a treadmill under four separate conditions: without any load, with a lunging girth, with only a saddle, and with a saddle carrying a 75 kg weight.
- Different gaits were studied including walk, trot, and canter.
- Data including maximum extension and flexion angles, range of motion at specific vertebrae (L3 and L5), and maximum pro- and retraction angles of the limbs were collected and analysed.
Results
- At a walk and trot, the movement of the horse’s back (kinematics) was significantly influenced in the ‘saddle with weight’ situation but not with other conditions.
- An overall extension of the back was observed, though the range of back movement remained consistent. The limb kinematics changed with increased retraction of the forelimb.
- During a canter, both the ‘saddle with weight’ and ‘saddle only’ situations resulted in a significantly extended back, however, there were no observed changes to limb kinematics.
Conclusions
- The study concludes that a saddle and rider’s weight can cause an overall extension in a horse’s back. This extension can contribute to soft tissue injuries and potentially cause Kussing Spine Syndrome.
- These findings provide valuable insight into how the horse’s back reacts to pressures induced by riding, and could thus inform more effective and safe riding practices.
Cite This Article
APA
de Cocq P, van Weeren PR, Back W.
(2005).
Effects of girth, saddle and weight on movements of the horse.
Equine Vet J, 36(8), 758-763.
https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044848000 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 12, NL 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Adaptation, Physiological
- Animals
- Back / physiology
- Back Pain / etiology
- Back Pain / veterinary
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Gait / physiology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Locomotion / physiology
- Male
- Movement / physiology
- Weight-Bearing / physiology
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