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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Relationships between the Rider’s Pelvic Mobility and ...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(2); 453; doi: 10.3390/ani11020453

Relationships between the Rider’s Pelvic Mobility and Balance on a Gymnastic Ball with Equestrian Skills and Effects on Horse Welfare.

Abstract: Riders need core stability to follow and guide the horse's movements and avoid giving unintended or conflicting signals. This study evaluated the rider's performance of exercises on a gymnastic ball with on-horse performance and indicators of stress in the horse. Twenty experienced riders were scored performing three exercises on a gymnastic ball and for quality and harmony when riding based on evaluation of video recordings in which conflict behaviours were evident. The horse's heart rate and number of conflict behaviors during the riding test and cortisol levels after completion of the test were measured. The rider's ability to roll the pelvis from side-to-side on a gymnastic ball was highly correlated with ability to circle the pelvis on the ball and with quality and harmony during riding. However, pelvic roll and riding quality and harmony showed a trend toward a negative correlation with balancing skills on the ball. It appears that the ability to actively move the pelvis is more relevant to equestrian performance than static balancing skill. Horses ridden by riders with better pelvic mobility and control showed significantly fewer conflict behaviors. On the contrary, high scores for balancing on the gymnastic ball were negatively correlated with the horses' working heart rates, suggesting a less energetic performance. Pelvic control and mobility may be predictive for equestrian skills and riding harmony.
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Publication Date: 2021-02-09 PubMed ID: 33572205PubMed Central: PMC7915365DOI: 10.3390/ani11020453Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The research article explores whether the pelvic mobility and balancing skills of horse riders on a gymnastic ball impacts both their own equestrian performance and the well-being of their horses.

Objective of the Study

  • The main objective of the study was to analyze the correlation between a horse rider’s pelvic mobility and balance on a gymnastic ball with their equestrian skills, and how it effects horse welfare.

Methodology

  • The study involved a sample of 20 experienced riders who were scored based on their performance on three exercises on a gymnastic ball. The goal was to analyze the relationship between the riders’ active pelvic movement and static balancing skill.
  • The researchers also evaluated the quality and harmony of the riders’ performance on the horse. This was done by reviewing video recordings where conflict behaviors between the rider and horse were clearly visible.
  • Various parameters of the horses, such as their heart rate during the riding test, number of conflict behaviors, and cortisol levels after the completion of the test, were also measured. This was to determine the impact of the rider’s skills on the horse’s stress level.

Findings

  • The research found a strong correlation between a rider’s ability to roll their pelvis side-to-side on a gymnastic ball and their quality and harmony during riding. This indicates the significance of active pelvic movement in influencing riding performance.
  • However, there was a trend toward a negative correlation between the rider’s pelvic roll and balancing skills on the ball with the quality and harmony of their riding performance. This suggests that static balancing skills may be less relevant to equestrian performance than active pelvic movement.
  • The study also found that riders with better pelvic control demonstrated less conflict behaviors with their horses. This implies that the rider’s pelvic mobility can significantly affect horse welfare.
  • Interestingly, high scores for balancing on the gymnastic ball correlated negatively with the horses’ working heart rates, implying a less energetic performance from the horse. This further emphasizes the dominant role of active pelvic movement over static balancing skills.

Conclusion

  • In conclusion, the study proposes that pelvic control and mobility may serve as predictive indicators of a rider’s equestrian skills and riding harmony. Understanding these correlations can lead towards more effective training methods targeting specific skillsets for better riding performance and improved horse welfare.

Cite This Article

APA
Uldahl M, Christensen JW, Clayton HM. (2021). Relationships between the Rider’s Pelvic Mobility and Balance on a Gymnastic Ball with Equestrian Skills and Effects on Horse Welfare. Animals (Basel), 11(2), 453. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020453

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
PII: 453

Researcher Affiliations

Uldahl, Mette
  • Vejle Hestepraksis, Fasanvej 12, 7120 Vejle, Denmark.
Christensen, Janne W
  • Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark.
Clayton, Hilary M
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, 736 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

Grant Funding

  • none / The Danish Horse Levy Foundation

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
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