Lateral movement of the saddle relative to the equine spine in rising and sitting trot on a treadmill.
Abstract: Saddle slip, defined as a progressive lateral displacement of the saddle during ridden exercise, has recently been given attention in the scientific press as a potential sign of lameness. The aim of this study was to objectively quantify the normal lateral movement (oscillations) of the saddle relative to the horse in non-lame horses, and associate this movement to the movements of the horse and rider. Data from seven Warmblood dressage horses competing at Grand Prix (n = 6) or FEI Intermediate (n = 1) level, ridden by their usual riders, were used. Simultaneous kinetic, kinematic and saddle pressure measurements were conducted during sitting and rising trot on a force-measuring treadmill. The maximum lateral movement of the caudal part of the saddle relative to the horse's spine (MAX) was determined for each diagonal step. A mixed model was applied, with MAX as outcome, and T6 and S3 vertical position, rigid body rotation angles (roll, pitch, yaw) of the horse's and rider's pelvis, vertical ground reaction forces, saddle force, and rider position (rising in rising trot, sitting in rising trot or sitting in sitting trot) as explanatory variables. The least square means for MAX were 14.3 (SE 4.7) mm and 23.9 (SE 4.7) mm for rising and sitting in rising trot, and 20.3 (SE 4.7) mm for sitting trot. A 10 mm increase in maximum pelvic height at push off increased MAX by 1.4 mm (p<0.0001). One degree increase in rider pelvis roll decreased MAX 1.1 mm, and one degree increase in rider pelvis yaw increased MAX 0.7 mm (both p<0.0001). The linear relationships found between MAX and movements of both horse and rider implies that both horse and rider movement asymmetries are reflected in the lateral movements or oscillations of the saddle in non-lame horses.
Publication Date: 2018-07-18 PubMed ID: 30020982PubMed Central: PMC6051618DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200534Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research paper investigates the lateral movement of saddles in relation to the spine of non-lame horses during trotting, with a focus on identifying any connection between this movement and the motions of the horse and rider. The study utilizes data from seven top-level dressage Warmblood horses and their regular riders, with the core objective to establish objective measurements of saddle oscillation during riding.
Research Methodology
- The team used seven Warmblood dressage horses that compete at either Grand Prix or FEI Intermediate levels, with their regular riders for consistency.
- Simultaneous kinetic, kinematic and saddle pressure measurements were conducted during different trots on a force-measuring treadmill. This allowed the researchers to assess different details like vertical ground reaction forces and the rotation angles of both the horse’s and rider’s pelvis.
- The study focused on the maximum lateral movement of the saddle’s caudal part relative to the horse’s spine for each diagonal step.
Findings
- The findings showed a variance in the maximum lateral movement depending on the form of trot. A smaller movement is noticed during rising in rising trot (14.3mm). Meanwhile, a greater movement is noticed sitting in rising trot (23.9mm) and during sitting trot (20.3mm).
- The research also found out a correlational relationship between the horse’s upward pelvic thrust and the saddle’s lateral movement. Every 10mm increase in maximum pelvic height at thrust increased the maximum lateral saddle movement by 1.4mm.
- Additionally, rider pelvis roll and yaw played significant roles in the saddle’s lateral motion. One-degree increase in rider pelvis roll decreased saddle lateral motion by 1.1mm while a similar increase in rider pelvis yaw increased the saddle SL by 0.7mm.
Implications
- The linear relationships found between horse and rider movements and the saddle’s lateral oscillations highlight their influence on the saddle’s displacement. This means that asymmetries in both horse and rider movements could lead to changes in the saddle’s lateral movements in non-lame horses.
- The study could pave the way for further research into saddle slip as an indicator of lameness or other equine health issues, leading to improvements in horse health and training.
Cite This Article
APA
Byström A, Roepstorff L, Rhodin M, Serra Bragança F, Engell MT, Hernlund E, Persson-Sjödin E, van Weeren R, Weishaupt MA, Egenvall A.
(2018).
Lateral movement of the saddle relative to the equine spine in rising and sitting trot on a treadmill.
PLoS One, 13(7), e0200534.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200534 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Models, Biological
- Spine / anatomy & histology
- Spine / physiology
- Walking
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
References
This article includes 17 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- 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).
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