Effects of the rider on the kinematics of the equine spine under the saddle during the trot using inertial measurement units: Methodological study and preliminary results.

The research presents a novel method to analyze the motion of a horse’s spine under a saddle while trotting, and explores how the presence of a rider impacts the movement of the equine thoracic and lumbar spine.

Introduction to the Research

• The aim of this study is to assess how a horse’s spine moves under the saddle during trotting, and how this may alter in the presence of a rider. It’s an area of research that arises from concerns about the impact saddles and riders could have on horse health and performance.
• The researchers indicate previous studies in this field are limited, making the effects of horse-saddle-rider interaction complex to determine.

Research Methodology

• The scientists utilized inertial measurement units (IMUs), a type of sensor that measures body movement and orientation, to study the motion of the horse’s back under the saddle. Five of these units were attached to various parts of the horse’s spine at the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae locations for accurate measurements.
• The study involved comparing scenarios where the horse was trotted without a rider and with a rider practicing the rising trot, a particular gait that involves rhythmic standing and sitting phases associated with trotting.
• The movement of the horse’s limbs was also examined using reflective markers to calculate the angles of extension and retraction in two dimensions.
• Researchers then used statistical modelling to compare the outcomes from the ridden and unridden conditions.

Results

• The study found that the range of motion in the areas closest to the saddle, the caudal thoracic and thoracolumbar regions, decreased whilst the horse was ridden. However, the angles of limb protraction and retraction increased when the horse was ridden.
• The inertial measurement units were able to effectively document these changes in equine vertebral movements under the saddle.

Conclusions

• The preliminary results from the study demonstrate that the rider’s presence and the act of trotting have a measurable impact on the horse’s overall locomotion, specifically on the kinematic behavior of the vertebral column under the saddle.
• This suggests the developed method using inertial measurement units holds potential for further research into the dynamics of saddling and riding on horse performance and well-being.