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Home / Equine Research Bank / Science / Modern riding style improves horse racing times.
Science (New York, N.Y.)2009; 325(5938); 289; doi: 10.1126/science.1174605

Modern riding style improves horse racing times.

Abstract: When animals carry loads, there is a proportionate increase in metabolic cost, and in humans this increase in cost is reduced when the load is elastically coupled to the load bearer. Major horse race times and records improved by 5 to 7% around 1900 when jockeys adopted a crouched posture. We show that jockeys move to isolate themselves from the movement of their mount. This would be difficult or impossible with a seated or upright, straight-legged posture. This isolation means that the horse supports the jockey's body weight but does not have to move the jockey through each cyclical stride path. This posture requires substantial work by jockeys, who have near-maximum heart rates during racing.
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Publication Date: 2009-07-18 PubMed ID: 19608909DOI: 10.1126/science.1174605Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 article investigates how modern riding styles adopted by jockeys have improved horse racing times.

Objective and Methodology

This study explores the impact of a change in jockey riding style to a more crouched position on horse racing performance. The researchers argue that this change reduced the metabolic cost for the horse, and was the reason for the observed improvements in horse racing times and records at the turn of the 20th century. They provide evidence to support the notion that jockeys adopting a crouched posture enables isolation from the horse’s movements during racing.

Findings

  • The research reveals that a crouched riding style adopted by jockeys around 1900 improved major horse race times and records by 5 to 7%.
  • The crouched position enables jockeys to move in a manner that isolates themselves from their horse’s movement. Such isolation would be difficult or downright impossible with a seated or upright, straight-legged posture.
  • The isolation resulting from the crouched posture allows the horse to support the jockey’s weight only, without having to carry the jockey through each cyclical stride path, thus reducing the horse’s overall metabolic cost.

Role of the Jockey

  • While advantageous for the horse, the crouched posture necessitates the jockey to perform substantial work. This increased physical effort is reflected by the near-maximum heart rates jockeys experience during races.
  • This finding highlights the significant role jockeys play in horse race performance not only in terms of strategy and direction but also the physiological contribution they make in adopting certain postures to minimize the horse’s effort.

Implications and Future Research

  • This research offers a unique insight into the evolution of horse racing and the contributing factors to racing performance.
  • It provides a fascinating example of how an adaptation not in the animal, but in the rider, can have a considerable impact on performance.
  • Future research could further explore this interaction and the physiological demands on jockeys, and potentially devise strategies for further refinement of riding styles and training regimens.

Cite This Article

APA
Pfau T, Spence A, Starke S, Ferrari M, Wilson A. (2009). Modern riding style improves horse racing times. Science, 325(5938), 289. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1174605

Publication

Science (New York, N.Y.)
ISSN: 1095-9203
NlmUniqueID: 0404511
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 325
Issue: 5938
Pages: 289

Researcher Affiliations

Pfau, Thilo
  • Structure and Motion Laboratory, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, AL9 7TA UK.
Spence, Andrew
    Starke, Sandra
      Ferrari, Marta
        Wilson, Alan

          MeSH Terms

          • Acceleration
          • Animals
          • Biomechanical Phenomena
          • Body Weight
          • Energy Metabolism
          • Horses / physiology
          • Humans
          • Locomotion
          • Movement
          • Physical Conditioning, Animal
          • Posture
          • Sports / physiology
          • Weight-Bearing

          Grant Funding

          • S20242 / Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

          Citations

          This article has been cited 23 times.
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