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Influence of rider on lameness in trotting horses.
Abstract: Equine lameness is commonly evaluated when the horse is being ridden, but the influence of the rider on the lameness has not been documented. Objective: To document the effect of 2 riders of different training levels on the vertical movement of the head and croup. Methods: Twenty mature horses were ridden at trot by an experienced dressage rider and a novice rider, as well as trotted in hand. Kinematic measurements of markers placed on the horse's head and sacral bone were carried out. The asymmetries of the vertical head and sacral bone motion were calculated as lameness parameters and compared with paired t tests. Results: Trotting in hand, 17 horses showed forelimb lameness (1-4/10) and 13 hindlimb lameness (1-2/10). Intra-individually, 11 horses showed significant differences in forelimb lameness and 4 horses showed significant differences in hindlimb lameness when ridden. Over all horses, hindlimb lameness increased significantly under the dressage rider compared to unridden horses. Conclusions: The presence of a rider can alter the degree of lameness; however, its influence cannot be predicted for an individual horse. Conclusions: In order to evaluate mild lameness, horses should be evaluated at trot both under saddle and in hand. If lameness is exacerbated, a second rider may be helpful; the level of training of the rider should be taken into consideration.
Publication Date: 2005-01-20 PubMed ID: 15656506DOI: 10.2746/0425164044848028Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper investigates how the presence and skill level of a rider can influence lameness in trotting horses.
Objective and Methodology
The study aims to document the impact of two riders with different training levels on a horse’s vertical movement. The researchers used a total of twenty mature horses, which were each ridden at a trotting pace by both an experienced dressage rider and a novice one. The horses were also made to trot without a rider. Using markers placed on the horse’s head and sacral bone, kinematic measurements were taken. The researchers determined asymmetry in the vertical head and sacral bone motions as parameters for lameness. These lameness parameters were then compared using paired t-tests.
Results
- Out of the 20 horses trotted in hand (i.e., without a rider), 17 showed signs of forelimb lameness, while 13 had signs of hindlimb lameness.
- When considered on a horse-by-horse basis, 11 of the horses showed significant differences in forelimb lameness while four showed major differences in hindlimb lameness when ridden.
- On an overall basis, hindlimb lameness increased significantly when horses were ridden by the dressage rider, compared to when they weren’t ridden at all.
Conclusion
The study concludes that the presence of a rider can influence the degree of lameness in a horse, but that it is impossible to predict precisely how it might impact a specific individual. The researchers recommend that to evaluate mild lameness, horses should be observed trotting both with and without a saddle. If lameness appears to be exacerbated, a second rider may be helpful. The research stresses the significance of considering the rider’s training level when evaluating horse lameness.
Cite This Article
APA
Licka T, Kapaun M, Peham C.
(2005).
Influence of rider on lameness in trotting horses.
Equine Vet J, 36(8), 734-736.
https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044848028 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Movement Science Group, Department V, Clinic of Orthopaedics in Ungulates, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Body Weight
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Forelimb / physiopathology
- Gait / physiology
- Head Movements / physiology
- Hindlimb / physiopathology
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Humans
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
- Male
- Stress, Mechanical
- Weight-Bearing / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 17 times.- Reisbig NA, Pifko J, Lanovaz JL, Weishaupt MA, Carmalt JL. The effect of acute equine temporomandibular joint inflammation on response to rein-tension and kinematics. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1213423.
- Leclercq A, Byström A, Söderlind M, Persson E, Rhodin M, Engell MT, Hernlund E. Evaluation of feedback methods for improved detection of hindlimb lameness in horses among riding instructors and trainers. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:992954.
- Pfau T, Scott WM, Sternberg Allen T. Upper Body Movement Symmetry in Reining Quarter Horses during Trot In-Hand, on the Lunge and during Ridden Exercise. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 27;12(5).
- Horan K, Kourdache K, Coburn J, Day P, Carnall H, Harborne D, Brinkley L, Hammond L, Millard S, Lancaster B, Pfau T. The effect of horseshoes and surfaces on horse and jockey centre of mass displacements at gallop. PLoS One 2021;16(11):e0257820.
- MacKechnie-Guire R, Pfau T. Differential Rotational Movement of the Thoracolumbosacral Spine in High-Level Dressage Horses Ridden in a Straight Line, in Sitting Trot and Seated Canter Compared to In-Hand Trot. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 20;11(3).
- Dyson S, Pollard D. Application of a Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram and Its Relationship with Gait in a Convenience Sample of 60 Riding Horses. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 17;10(6).
- Hobbs SJ, Clayton HM. Collisional mechanics of the diagonal gaits of horses over a range of speeds. PeerJ 2019;7:e7689.
- Persson-Sjodin E, Hernlund E, Pfau T, Haubro Andersen P, Rhodin M. Influence of seating styles on head and pelvic vertical movement symmetry in horses ridden at trot. PLoS One 2018;13(4):e0195341.
- Rhodin M, Egenvall A, Haubro Andersen P, Pfau T. Head and pelvic movement asymmetries at trot in riding horses in training and perceived as free from lameness by the owner. PLoS One 2017;12(4):e0176253.
- Rhodin M, Roepstorff L, French A, Keegan KG, Pfau T, Egenvall A. Head and pelvic movement asymmetry during lungeing in horses with symmetrical movement on the straight. Equine Vet J 2016 May;48(3):315-20.
- Hobbs SJ, Baxter J, Broom L, Rossell LA, Sinclair J, Clayton HM. Posture, flexibility and grip strength in horse riders. J Hum Kinet 2014 Sep 29;42:113-25.
- Balog O, Havanecz K, Csányi T, Ökrös C, Tóth L, Berki T. A narrative review of factors influencing rider performance and horse welfare in equestrian activities. Front Sports Act Living 2025;7:1744918.
- Boado A, Pollard D, Dyson S. A Retrospective Study of the Evolution of Orthopaedic Injuries in 70 Dressage Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 12;15(12).
- Clayton HM, Hobbs SJ, Rhodin M, Hernlund E, Peterson M, Bos R, Bragança FS. Vertical Movement of Head, Withers, and Pelvis of High-Level Dressage Horses Trotting in Hand vs. Being Ridden. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 16;15(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).
- Dyson S, Pollard D. Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to 150 Horses with Musculoskeletal Pain before and after Diagnostic Anaesthesia. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 9;13(12).
- 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.
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