FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(23); 3364; doi: 10.3390/ani12233364

Rider Variables Affecting the Stirrup Directional Force Asymmetry during Simulated Riding Trot.

Abstract: Riders’ asymmetry may cause back pain in both human and equine athletes. This pilot study aimed at documenting in a simple and quick way asymmetry in riders during a simulation of three different riding positions on wooden horseback using load cells applied on the stirrup leathers and identifying possible associations between riders’ asymmetry and their gender, age, level of riding ability, years of riding experience, riding style, motivation of riding, primary discipline and handedness. After completing an interview to obtain the previously mentioned information, 147 riders performed a standardized test on a saddle fixed on a wooden horseback-shaped model. The riding simulation was split into three phases of 1 min each: (1) sit in the saddle, (2) standing in the stirrups and (3) rising trot. The directional force on the left and the right stirrup leathers was recorded every 0.2 s. A paired t-test was performed on the recorded data to test the difference (i.e., asymmetry) in each phase. In phases 1, 2 and 3, 99.3% (53.4% heavier on the right (R)), 98% (52.8% heavier on the left (L)) and 46.3% (51.5% heavier on the left (L)) of the riders were asymmetrical, respectively. Chi-square tests showed a significant association between riding ability and riding experience, but no significant association between reported handedness and calculated leg-sidedness (p > 0.05). Univariate logistic (1: asymmetry, 0: symmetry) regression analysis was performed only on the phase 3 data. One-hand riders were found twice more likely to be asymmetrical than two-hand riders (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.18, Confidence Interval (CI): 1.1−4.29; p = 0.024). This preliminary study confirmed that the majority of the riders are asymmetrical in load distribution on stirrups and suggested the riding style as a possible risk factor for asymmetry.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2022-11-30 PubMed ID: 36496885PubMed Central: PMC9737979DOI: 10.3390/ani12233364Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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 aims to explore the asymmetry in horseback riders during simulated riding and studies how different variables such as gender, age, riding ability, years of experience, style, motivation, primary discipline, and handedness may affect this asymmetry. The results showed that the majority of riders are asymmetrical in distributing weight on the stirrups, potentially due to their riding style.

Objective of the Research

  • The objective of this pilot study was to identify and document asymmetry in horseback riders during simulated riding. The riders applied varying forces on the left and right stirrup leathers in three different riding positions. Researchers also strived to ascertain how the asymmetry might be associated with variables such as gender, age, level of riding ability, number of years of riding experience, riding style, motivation for riding, primary discipline, and handedness.

Methodology

  • The researchers began by interviewing 147 riders to obtain information about their gender, age, riding ability and experience, style, motivation, primary discipline, and handedness. Following the interviews, each rider took a standardized test on a saddle affixed on a wooden horseback-shaped model. The simulation was divided into three, one-minute phases:
  • Sitting in the saddle
  • Standing in the stirrups
  • Rising trot
  • The directional force placed on the left and right stirrup leathers was logged every 0.2 seconds during each phase.

Analyzing the Results

  • The researchers relied on a paired t-test to analyze the recorded data for any disparity, i.e., asymmetry, in each phase of the riding simulation. The results revealed that in phases 1, 2, and 3, 99.3% (53.4% heavier on the right (R)), 98% (52.8% heavier on the left (L)), and 46.3% (51.5% heavier on the left (L)) of the riders were asymmetrical, respectively.
  • Through Chi-square tests, a significant correlation was found between riding ability and experience; however, no significant relationship was found between reported handedness and calculated leg-sidedness.
  • A univariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the phase 3 data, with asymmetrical forces coded as 1 and symmetrical ones as 0. Riders who use one hand were discovered to be twice as likely to be asymmetrical as those who use both hands.

Key Findings

  • The preliminary results of this study confirmed that most riders are asymmetrical when distributing load on stirrups. The study also suggested that certain riding styles could possibly increase the risk factor for asymmetry.

Cite This Article

APA
(2022). Rider Variables Affecting the Stirrup Directional Force Asymmetry during Simulated Riding Trot. Animals (Basel), 12(23), 3364. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12233364

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 23
PII: 3364

Researcher Affiliations

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 18 references
  1. Clayton HM, Hobbs SJ. The role of biomechanical analysis of horse and rider in equitation science.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2017;190:123–132.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.02.011google scholar: lookup
  2. Gunst S, Dittmann MT, Arpagaus S, Roepstorff C, Latif SN, Klaassen B, Pauli CA, Bauer CM, Weishaupt MA. Influence of Functional Rider and Horse Asymmetries on Saddle Force Distribution During Stance and in Sitting Trot.. J Equine Vet Sci 2019 Jul;78:20-28.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.03.215pubmed: 31203980google scholar: lookup
  3. Nevison CM, Timmis MA. The effect of physiotherapy intervention to the pelvic region of experienced riders on seated postural stability and the symmetry of pressure distribution to the saddle: A preliminary study.. J. Vet. Behav. 2013;8:261–264.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2013.01.005google scholar: lookup
  4. Ogi A, Fortunato D. Influence of the familiarity with the handler on the dog’s paw preference.. Dog Behav. 2017;3:13–18.
    doi: 10.4454/db.V3i1.52google scholar: lookup
  5. Maupas E, Paysant J, Datie AM, Martinet N, André JM. Functional asymmetries of the lower limbs. A comparison between clinical assessment of laterality, isokinetic evaluation and electrogoniometric monitoring of knees during walking.. Gait Posture 2002 Dec;16(3):304-12.
    doi: 10.1016/S0966-6362(02)00020-6pubmed: 12443956google scholar: lookup
  6. Symes D, Ellis R. A preliminary study into rider asymmetry within equitation.. Vet J 2009 Jul;181(1):34-7.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.03.016pubmed: 19375366google scholar: lookup
  7. van Beek FE, de Cocq P, Timmerman M, Muller M. Stirrup forces during horse riding: a comparison between sitting and rising trot.. Vet J 2012 Jul;193(1):193-8.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.10.007pubmed: 22100209google scholar: lookup
  8. Münz A, Eckardt F, Witte K. Horse-rider interaction in dressage riding.. Hum Mov Sci 2014 Feb;33:227-37.
    doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2013.09.003pubmed: 24290612google scholar: lookup
  9. de Cocq P, Clayton HM, Terada K, Muller M, van Leeuwen JL. Usability of normal force distribution measurements to evaluate asymmetrical loading of the back of the horse and different rider positions on a standing horse.. Vet J 2009 Sep;181(3):266-73.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.03.002pubmed: 18502669google scholar: lookup
  10. MacKechnie-Guire R, MacKechnie-Guire E, Fairfax V, Fisher M, Hargreaves S, Pfau T. The Effect That Induced Rider Asymmetry Has on Equine Locomotion and the Range of Motion of the Thoracolumbar Spine When Ridden in Rising Trot.. J Equine Vet Sci 2020 May;88:102946.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102946pubmed: 32303298google scholar: lookup
  11. Martin P, Cheze L, Pourcelot P, Desquilbet L, Duray L, Chateau H. Effect of the rider position during rising trot on the horse׳s biomechanics (back and trunk kinematics and pressure under the saddle).. J Biomech 2016 May 3;49(7):1027-1033.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.02.016pubmed: 26947029google scholar: lookup
  12. Hawson LA, Koprinska I, McLean AN, McGreevy PD. Deciphering the cues from riders’ legs.. J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res. 2013;2:e9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2012.12.021google scholar: lookup
  13. Bye TL, Lewis V. Saddle and stirrup forces of equestrian riders in sitting trot, rising trot, and trot without stirrups on a riding simulator.. Comp. Exerc. Physiol. 2020;16:75–85.
    doi: 10.3920/CEP190031google scholar: lookup
  14. Seeley MK, Umberger BR, Clasey JL, Shapiro R. The relation between mild leg-length inequality and able-bodied gait asymmetry.. J Sports Sci Med 2010;9(4):572-9.
    pmc: PMC3761822pubmed: 24149783
  15. Peham C, Kotschwar AB, Borkenhagen B, Kuhnke S, Molsner J, Baltacis A. A comparison of forces acting on the horse's back and the stability of the rider's seat in different positions at the trot.. Vet J 2010 Apr;184(1):56-9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.04.007pubmed: 19428275google scholar: lookup
  16. Gandy EA, Bondi A, Hogg R, Pigott TMC. A preliminary investigation of the use of inertial sensing technology for the measurement of hip rotation asymmetry in horse riders.. Sport. Technol. 2014;7:79–88.
    doi: 10.1080/19346182.2014.905949google scholar: lookup
  17. Padalino B, Raidal SL, Hall E, Knight P, Celi P, Jeffcott L, Muscatello G. A Survey on Transport Management Practices Associated with Injuries and Health Problems in Horses.. PLoS One 2016;11(9):e0162371.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162371pmc: PMC5010189pubmed: 27588689google scholar: lookup
  18. Thompson K, Clarkson L. How owners determine if the social and bejavioral needs of their horses are being met: Findings from an Australian online survey.. J. Vet. Behav. 2019;29:128–133.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2018.12.001google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. 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.
    doi: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1744918pubmed: 41660061google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,727 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.