Ground Reaction Forces of Dressage Horses Performing the Piaffe.

This research study explores the ground reaction forces exerted by dressage horses performing a specialized movement known as the piaffe. Using ground force plates, the study captured data from several horses and found that the forelimbs experienced significantly higher forces than the hindlimbs, while other forces displayed high variability.

Understanding the Ground Reaction Forces

• The research aims to explore the ground reaction forces (GRFs) exerted by dressage horses when they perform a highly coordinated movement known as the piaffe. This movement is considered an elite movement in professional dressage activities.
• Since no previous reports on the GRFs of horses performing the piaffe were found, the researchers justified their need to gather this information.
• The researchers used specialized equipment known as in-ground force plates to capture the GRF data. They made sure to collect this data from both the horse’s forelimbs and hindlimbs.
• Findings demonstrated a higher vertical GRF in the forelimbs as compared to the hindlimbs. This main point deducted from the collected data led to the conclusion that horses exert more force with their front legs while performing the piaffe.

Interpretation of Differences and Similarities in Forces

• The study found minimal differences in the magnitude of the braking or propulsive forces between the fore and hindlimbs. To interpret, this suggests similar effort levels when horses are both initiating and concluding the piaffe movement.
• When it comes to peak transverse forces, they were found to be of similar magnitude with longitude forces and mainly directed medially on the hindlimbs implying that these forces were mostly concentrated towards the middle of the horse’s body.

Variability and Comparison with Other Diagonal Gaits

• The research showed both intra and inter individual variability of longitudinal and transverse GRFs were high. This means that there is significant variability in the exerted forces even within the same horse performing repeated piaffes, as well as between different horses.
• The vertical GRF was observed to shift somewhat towards the hind limbs when compared to other diagonal gaits of dressage horses.
• The high step-to-step variability of the horizontal GRF components is understood to be reflecting the challenge of balancing on one diagonal pair of limbs without any forward momentum – a key element of performing the piaffe.