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Home / Equine Research Bank / PeerJ / Effects of saddle tilt and stirrup length on the kinetics of...
PeerJ2022; 10; e14438; doi: 10.7717/peerj.14438

Effects of saddle tilt and stirrup length on the kinetics of horseback riders.

Abstract: How the modification of saddle fitting parameters in horse riding affects rider's kinetics is very uncertain. The aim of this study is to describe how manipulating the two main adjustments that an end-user is likely to perform (saddle tilt and stirrup length) affects the biomechanics of a horse rider on a living horse. Eleven showjumpers volunteered to take part in this study. Each participant performed a 120-strides standardization trial at trot and canter, with 0° saddle tilt and stirrup length that would position the rider's knee at 90°. Following the standardization trial, four interventions were performed, which consisted of 60 strides with 60 mm shorter stirrups, 60 mm longer stirrups, 4° forward tilted saddle and 4° backward tilted saddle. Stirrup and rein tension forces were measured with tension loadcells. A symmetry index was calculated. Acceleration was measured with inertial measuring units at the helmet and back of the rider and shock attenuation was calculated. Shortening the stirrups and adjusting saddle tilt significantly enhanced shock attenuation at canter and increased force on the stirrups at trot and canter ( < 0.05). Lowering the stirrups reduced rein tension forces ( = 0.01). At trot, adjusting saddle tilt and stirrup length enhanced symmetry index on the bit ( < 0.05). These results allowed for general guidelines to be proposed, although individualization became an evident part of any saddle setup design due to a high inter-subject variability.
©2022 Elmeua González and Šarabon.
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Publication Date: 2022-12-05 PubMed ID: 36523469PubMed Central: PMC9745947DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14438Google 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 investigated how adjusting saddle tilt and stirrup length on a horse’s saddle affects the body mechanics of a horse rider. The study found that modifying these parameters can significantly change the force applied on the stirrups and reins, and the shock absorbed by the rider.

Research Methodology

  • The study involved eleven showjumpers. Each participant was asked to perform a 120-strides standardization trial at trot and canter. This trial was performed with a saddle of 0° tilt and stirrups adjusted to place the rider’s knee at a 90° angle.
  • Following this trial, the researchers made four interventions. These were: riding with stirrups that are 60mm shorter, stirrups that are 60mm longer, saddle tilted 4° forward, and saddle tilted 4° backwards. Each intervention was done for 60 strides.
  • The tension in the stirrups and reins was measured using tension loadcells. An index of symmetry, a measure of balance, was calculated. Furthermore, acceleration of the rider was measured through units placed on their helmet and back, which helped calculate shock attenuation, or how much shock from the horse’s strides the rider absorbed.

Results and Conclusions

  • Shorter stirrups and an adjusted saddle tilt were observed to improve shock attenuation while trotting and cantering. They also increased the force applied on the stirrups while performing these gaits.
  • Reducing stirrup length led to a lowered tension in the reins.
  • At the trot gait, adjusting saddle tilt and stirrup length improved the symmetry index on the bit. This implies that the riders developed better balance while riding.
  • Despite these general findings, there was considerable variability between the participants, suggesting that individual characteristics play a significant role in how riders respond to saddle adjustments. Therefore, the researchers concluded that customization appears to be an essential part of saddle setup design.

Cite This Article

APA
Elmeua González M, Šarabon N. (2022). Effects of saddle tilt and stirrup length on the kinetics of horseback riders. PeerJ, 10, e14438. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14438

Publication

PeerJ
ISSN: 2167-8359
NlmUniqueID: 101603425
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 10
Pages: e14438
PII: e14438

Researcher Affiliations

Elmeua González, Marc
  • Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia.
Šarabon, Nejc
  • University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola, Slovenia.
  • Laboratory for Motor Control and Motor Behaviour, S2P, Science to Practice, ltd., Ljubljana, Slovenia.

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Kinetics
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Gravitation
  • Head Protective Devices
  • Knee Joint

Conflict of Interest Statement

Nejc Šarabon is affiliated with 2S2P, Science to Practice, Ltd. Laboratory for Motor Control and Motor Behaviour, Ljubljana, Slovenia

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