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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Evaluation of pressure distribution under an English saddle ...
Equine veterinary journal2005; 36(8); 754-757; doi: 10.2746/0425164044848235

Evaluation of pressure distribution under an English saddle at walk, trot and canter.

Abstract: Basic information about the influence of a rider on the equine back is currently lacking. Objective: That pressure distribution under a saddle is different between the walk, trot and canter. Methods: Twelve horses without clinical signs of back pain were ridden. At least 6 motion cycles at walk, trot and canter were measured kinematically. Using a saddle pad, the pressure distribution was recorded. The maximum overall force (MOF) and centre of pressure (COP) were calculated. The range of back movement was determined from a marker placed on the withers. Results: MOF and COP showed a consistent time pattern in each gait. MOF was 12.1 +/- 1.2 and 243 +/- 4.6 N/kg at walk and trot, respectively, in the ridden horse. In the unridden horse MOF was 172.7 +/- 11.8 N (walk) and 302.4 +/- 33.9 N (trot). At ridden canter, MOF was 27.2 +/- 4.4 N/kg. The range of motion of the back of the ridden horse was significantly lower compared to the unridden, saddled horse. Conclusions: Analyses may help quantitative and objective evaluation of the interaction between rider and horse as mediated through the saddle. The information presented is therefore of importance to riders, saddlers and equine clinicians. With the technique used in this study, style, skill and training level of different riders can be quantified, which would give the opportunity to detect potentially harmful influences and create opportunities for improvement.
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Publication Date: 2005-01-20 PubMed ID: 15656510DOI: 10.2746/0425164044848235Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Evaluation Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 study focuses on understanding the effect of horse riding on the pressure distribution under the saddle. The research shows that the pressure varies across different horse gaits (walk, trot, and canter), and that the horse’s back movement reduces when ridden.

Research Objective

  • The objective of this research was to assess if the pressure distribution on a horse’s back under a saddle differs across various horse movements, such as walking, trotting, and cantering. The research also aimed to understand how riding impacts the horse’s back movements when compared to an unperturbed, saddled horse.

Methods

  • The research involved 12 horses showing no clinical signs of back pain. Several motion cycles at a walk, trot, and canter were measured for each horse using advanced kinematic techniques.
  • A saddle pad was used to record the pressure distribution across the horse’s back. Based on this, the Maximum Overall Force (MOF) and Centre of Pressure (COP) were predetermined.
  • The range of back movement was also determined, using a marking system on the withers (the ridge between the shoulder blades of the horse).

Results

  • The research identified that MOF and COP demonstrated a consistent time pattern for each horse gait. The MOF observed at walk and trot were 12.1 +/- 1.2 and 243 +/- 4.6 N/kg, respectively, in the ridden horse.
  • The study also found that the MOF for an unridden horse was higher at both walk (172.7 +/- 11.8 N) and trot (302.4 +/- 33.9 N) compared to when the horse was ridden.
  • At a ridden canter, MOF was 27.2 +/- 4.4 N/kg. Interestingly, the range of motion of the back of the ridden horse was significantly lower as compared to the unridden, saddled horse.

Conclusion

  • The research indicates that understanding the pressure distribution under a saddle and the impact on the horse’s back could provide valuable insights for riders, saddlers, and equine clinicians.
  • Through the techniques used in this study, the impact of different riding styles, skills, and training levels can be quantified. This could potentially help to identify harmful influences and opportunities for improvement, contributing to the overall welfare and performance of the horse.

Cite This Article

APA
Fruehwirth B, Peham C, Scheidl M, Schobesberger H. (2005). Evaluation of pressure distribution under an English saddle at walk, trot and canter. Equine Vet J, 36(8), 754-757. https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044848235

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 8
Pages: 754-757

Researcher Affiliations

Fruehwirth, B
  • Movement Science Group, Department V, Clinic of Orthopaedics in Ungulates, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
Peham, C
    Scheidl, M
      Schobesberger, H

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Back / physiology
        • Biomechanical Phenomena
        • Body Weight / physiology
        • Exercise Test / veterinary
        • Gait / physiology
        • Horses / physiology
        • Humans
        • Locomotion / physiology
        • Pressure

        Citations

        This article has been cited 11 times.
        1. Haussler KK, le Jeune SS, MacKechnie-Guire R, Latif SN, Clayton HM. The Challenge of Defining Laterality in Horses: Is It Laterality or Just Asymmetry?. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 21;15(3).
          doi: 10.3390/ani15030288pubmed: 39943060google scholar: lookup
        2. Clayton HM, MacKechnie-Guire R, Hobbs SJ. Riders' Effects on Horses-Biomechanical Principles with Examples from the Literature. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 15;13(24).
          doi: 10.3390/ani13243854pubmed: 38136891google scholar: lookup
        3. Hobbs SJ, Serra Braganca FM, Rhodin M, Hernlund E, Peterson M, Clayton HM. Evaluating Overall Performance in High-Level Dressage Horse-Rider Combinations by Comparing Measurements from Inertial Sensors with General Impression Scores Awarded by Judges. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 2;13(15).
          doi: 10.3390/ani13152496pubmed: 37570304google scholar: lookup
        4. Sätter JK, McGawley K, Connysson M, Staunton CA. Biomechanical variables in Icelandic horse riders and the effect on tölt performance: A pilot study. PLoS One 2023;18(6):e0287748.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287748pubmed: 37368899google scholar: lookup
        5. Legg K, Cochrane D, Gee E, Macdermid P, Rogers C. Physiological Demands and Muscle Activity of Jockeys in Trial and Race Riding. Animals (Basel) 2022 Sep 8;12(18).
          doi: 10.3390/ani12182351pubmed: 36139208google scholar: lookup
        6. MacKechnie-Guire R, Fisher M, Mathie H, Kuczynska K, Fairfax V, Fisher D, Pfau T. A Systematic Approach to Comparing Thermal Activity of the Thoracic Region and Saddle Pressure Distribution beneath the Saddle in a Group of Non-Lame Sports Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Apr 13;11(4).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11041105pubmed: 33924326google scholar: lookup
        7. MacKechnie-Guire R, MacKechnie-Guire E, Fairfax V, Fisher D, Fisher M, Pfau T. The Effect of Tree Width on Thoracolumbar and Limb Kinematics, Saddle Pressure Distribution, and Thoracolumbar Dimensions in Sports Horses in Trot and Canter. Animals (Basel) 2019 Oct 21;9(10).
          doi: 10.3390/ani9100842pubmed: 31640213google scholar: lookup
        8. Soroko M, Zaborski D, Dudek K, Yarnell K, Górniak W, Vardasca R. Evaluation of thermal pattern distributions in racehorse saddles using infrared thermography. PLoS One 2019;14(8):e0221622.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221622pubmed: 31449556google scholar: lookup
        9. Sénèque E, Morisset S, Lesimple C, Hausberger M. Testing optimal methods to compare horse postures using geometric morphometrics. PLoS One 2018;13(10):e0204208.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204208pubmed: 30379841google scholar: lookup
        10. Clayton HM, Hampson A, Fraser P, White A, Egenvall A. Comparison of rider stability in a flapless saddle versus a conventional saddle. PLoS One 2018;13(6):e0196960.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196960pubmed: 29874238google scholar: lookup
        11. Flores FM, Dagnese F, Mota CB, Copetti F. Parameters of the center of pressure displacement on the saddle during hippotherapy on different surfaces. Braz J Phys Ther 2015 May-Jun;19(3):211-7.
          doi: 10.1590/bjpt-rbf.2014.0090pubmed: 26083600google scholar: lookup
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