Evaluation of the force acting on the back of the horse with an English saddle and a side saddle at walk, trot and canter.
Abstract: Force transmission under an English saddle (ES) at walk, trot and canter is commonly evaluated, but the influence of a side saddle (SS) on the equine back has not been documented. Objective: Force transmission under a SS, with its asymmetric construction, is different from an ES in walk, trot and canter, expressed in maximum overall force (MOF), force in the quarters of the saddle mat, and centre of pressure (COP). The biomechanics of the equine back are different under a SS compared to ES. Methods: Thirteen horses without clinical signs of back pain ridden in an indoor riding school with both saddles were measured using an electronic saddle sensor pad. Synchronous kinematic measurements were carried out with tracing markers placed along the back in front of (withers, W) and behind the saddle (4th lumbar vertebra, L4). At least 6 motion cycles at walk, trot and canter with both saddles (ES, SS) were measured. Out of the pressure distribution the maximum overall force (MOF) and the location of the centre of pressure (COP) were calculated. Results: Under the SS the centre of pressure was located to the right of the median and slightly caudal compared to the COP under the ES in all gaits. The MOF was significantly different (P<0.01) between saddles. At walk, L4 showed significantly larger (P<0.01) vertical excursions under the ES. Under the SS relative horizontal movement of W was significantly reduced (P<0.01) at trot, and at canter the transversal movement was significantly reduced (P<0.01) . In both trot and canter, no significant differences in the movement of L4 were documented. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that the load under a SS creates asymmetric force transmission under the saddle, and also influences back movement. To change the load distribution on the back of horses with potential back pain and as a training variation, a combination of both riding styles is suitable.
Publication Date: 2007-04-04 PubMed ID: 17402456DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05577.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates how an English saddle and a side saddle impact the force exerted on a horse’s back during different gaits. The study also explores how these saddles influence the biomechanics of the horse’s back.
Methods
- The study used a group of thirteen horses without any signs of back pain and made them walk, trot, and canter in both an English saddle (ES) and a side saddle (SS).
- Measurements were made with an electronic saddle sensor pad while the horses were being ridden in an indoor riding facility.
- To understand the motion of the horse’s back, tracking markers were placed at specific points – the withers (W) and behind the saddle (4th lumbar vertebra, L4).
- A minimum of 6 motion cycles for each gait and saddle type were measured.
- Based on the pressure distribution, the researchers calculated the maximum overall force (MOF) and the location of the Centre of Pressure (COP).
Results
- The COP was found to be slightly towards the right of the middle and a little more towards the rear in side saddle, compared to the English saddle across all gaits.
- The MOF was found to be different between the two types of saddles.
- It was observed that in the walk, the vertical excursions at L4 were larger under the English saddle.
- The relative horizontal movement of the withers was significantly lesser at trot under the side saddle.
- Under side saddle, the sideways movement at canter was noticeably reduced.
- There was no remarkable difference in the movement of L4 between the two saddles in both trot and canter.
Conclusion
- The research findings revealed that side saddle results in uneven force transmission underneath the saddle and also impacts the movement of the horse’s back.
- For changing the load distribution on horses’ backs who might have potential back pain, or for training variation purposes, the study recommends using a combination of both riding styles – English and side saddle.
Cite This Article
APA
Winkelmayr B, Peham C, Frühwirth B, Licka T, Scheidl M.
(2007).
Evaluation of the force acting on the back of the horse with an English saddle and a side saddle at walk, trot and canter.
Equine Vet J Suppl(36), 406-410.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05577.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department V, Clinic of Orthopaedics in Ungulates, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Back / physiology
- Back Pain / etiology
- Back Pain / veterinary
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Gait / physiology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses / physiology
- Humans
- Locomotion / physiology
- Male
- Movement / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / instrumentation
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / methods
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Pressure
- Weight-Bearing / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Laffi L, Bigand F, Peham C, Novembre G, Gamba M, Ravignani A. Rhythmic categories in horse gait kinematics. J Anat 2025 Mar;246(3):456-465.
- 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.
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