Influence of individual competition level on back kinematics of horses jumping a vertical fence.

This research investigated the differences in back movements of elite-level and lower-level showjumping horses as they jumped a 1m high vertical fence. The results indicated that the backs of better-performing horses move in a different manner compared to their less advanced counterparts, suggesting these patterns could provide useful criteria for selecting horses who have a potential for higher-level competition.

Objective and Methodology

• The study aimed to discern any variations in the back kinematics of top-tier show jumpers and their less accomplished counterparts while they navigate a 1m vertical fence. The intention was to find objective criteria connected to jumping prowess that could aid in the selection of promising showjumping horses.
• The researchers used two panning cameras to obtain three-dimensional recordings of the horses as they jumped. They analyzed the movements of different parts of the horse’s back – most notably the withers (the ridge between the shoulder blades) and the tuber sacrale (at the base of the spine), as well as the incline and range of flexion-extension of the three main upper back segments.

Results

• The study found that horses with less competitive ability had reduced vertical displacement of their withers and tuber sacrale between the end of the last approach stride and the beginning of the first departure stride. This led them to increase the flexion of their thoracolumbar (mid-back) and lumbosacral (low back) junctions during the hindlimb swing before take-off.
• The researchers also noted that although the variance in the velocities of the withers and tuber sacrale was minor in the lower level group, more accomplished horses exhibited lesser inclination of their backline forward during the forelimb stance before take-off. They also straightened their backline more post-landing – showing a potentially superior strutting action of their forelimbs.

Concluding Thoughts

• This study concluded that discernable differences in back movement were present when comparing highly performing and poorer jumping horses. This indicates that selecting talented showjumpers could involve criteria based on certain back kinematics.
• However, more research may be needed to validate and expand upon these conclusions, and to establish a reliable, kinematics-based selection process for showjumping horses.