Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
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 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
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
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
- Greve L, Dyson SJ. An investigation of the relationship between hindlimb lameness and saddle slip.. Equine Vet J 2013 Sep;45(5):570-7.
- Greve L, Dyson SJ. The interrelationship of lameness, saddle slip and back shape in the general sports horse population.. Equine Vet J 2014 Nov;46(6):687-94.
- Greve L, Dyson S. Saddle fit and management: An investigation of the association with equine thoracolumbar asymmetries, horse and rider health.. Equine Vet J 2015 Jul;47(4):415-21.
- Byström A, Rhodin M, von Peinen K, Weishaupt MA, Roepstorff L. Basic kinematics of the saddle and rider in high-level dressage horses trotting on a treadmill.. Equine Vet J 2009 Mar;41(3):280-4.
- Byström A, Stalfelt A, Egenvall A, Von Peinen K, Morgan K, Roepstorff L. Influence of girth strap placement and panel flocking material on the saddle pressure pattern during riding of horses.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2010 Nov;(38):502-9.
- Galloux P, Richard N, Dronka T, Leard M, Perrot A, Jouffroy JL. Analysis of equine gait using three-dimensional accelerometers fixed on the saddle. Equine Veterinary Journal 1994;26(Suppl 17):44–7.
- von Peinen K, Wiestner T, Bogisch S, Roepstorff L, van Weeren PR, Weishaupt MA. Relationship between the forces acting on the horse's back and the movements of rider and horse while walking on a treadmill.. Equine Vet J 2009 Mar;41(3):285-91.
- Weishaupt MA, Wiestner T, von Peinen K, Waldern N, Roepstorff L, van Weeren R, Meyer H, Johnston C. Effect of head and neck position on vertical ground reaction forces and interlimb coordination in the dressage horse ridden at walk and trot on a treadmill.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2006 Aug;(36):387-92.
- Rhodin M, Gómez Alvarez CB, Byström A, Johnston C, van Weeren PR, Roepstorff L, Weishaupt MA. The effect of different head and neck positions on the caudal back and hindlimb kinematics in the elite dressage horse at trot.. Equine Vet J 2009 Mar;41(3):274-9.
- Roepstorff L, Egenvall A, Rhodin M, Byström A, Johnston C, van Weeren PR, Weishaupt M. Kinetics and kinematics of the horse comparing left and right rising trot.. Equine Vet J 2009 Mar;41(3):292-6.
- de Cocq P, Duncker AM, Clayton HM, Bobbert MF, Muller M, van Leeuwen JL. Vertical forces on the horse's back in sitting and rising trot.. J Biomech 2010 Mar 3;43(4):627-31.
- Weishaupt MA, Hogg HP, Wiestner T, Denoth J, Stüssi E, Auer JA. Instrumented treadmill for measuring vertical ground reaction forces in horses.. Am J Vet Res 2002 Apr;63(4):520-7.
- Söderkvist I, Wedin PA. Determining the movements of the skeleton using well-configured markers.. J Biomech 1993 Dec;26(12):1473-7.
- Bell RP, Reed SK, Schoonover MJ, Whitfield CT, Yonezawa Y, Maki H, Pai PF, Keegan KG. Associations of force plate and body-mounted inertial sensor measurements for identification of hind limb lameness in horses.. Am J Vet Res 2016 Apr;77(4):337-45.
- Kramer J, Keegan KG, Kelmer G, Wilson DA. Objective determination of pelvic movement during hind limb lameness by use of a signal decomposition method and pelvic height differences.. Am J Vet Res 2004 Jun;65(6):741-7.
- Licka T, Peham C, Zohmann E. Range of back movement at trot in horses without back pain.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2001 Apr;(33):150-3.
- Greve L, Pfau T, Dyson S. Thoracolumbar movement in sound horses trotting in straight lines in hand and on the lunge and the relationship with hind limb symmetry or asymmetry.. Vet J 2017 Feb;220:95-104.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 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).
- MacKechnie-Guire R, Clayton H, Byström A, Marlin D, Haussler K, Latif S, Blum N, le Jeune SS, Wanless M, Egenvall A. International Survey Exploring Rider-Perceived Sidedness of the Horse. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 2;15(13).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
