Stirrup forces during horse riding: a comparison between sitting and rising trot.

The study focuses on evaluating the force exerted on horse stirrups by riders during sitting and rising trot, aiming to shed light on potential causes of equine injuries.

Research Context

• This research comes in the pretext of exploring possible contributing factors to injuries in horses related to the force exerted by riders, specifically on the stirrups. The force on the stirrups is transferred to the horse, warranting investigation.
• To measure the force exerted by riders on the stirrups, a sensor technology was leveraged, assisting in getting precise measurements.
• The study involved five horses and 23 riders, providing a reasonable sample size for analysis.

Method and Data Collection

• Data was collected from the forces applied to the stirrups during both sitting and rising trot.
• The collected data of stirrup forces was made dimensionless by dividing it by the bodyweight (BW) of the rider. This step is important to standardized measurements, allowing for an unbiased comparison between different riders.
• Rider movements were recorded through digital films, synchronized with the stirrup force measurements further facilitating data interpretation.

Findings and Analysis

• The Fourier transform of the stirrup force data exhibits signals containing frequencies of 2.4 and 4.8 Hz in both sitting and rising trot. Additionally, rising trot showed more frequencies of 1.1 and 3.7 Hz.
• Every trot stride cycle has two stirrup force peaks. The heights of these peaks varied significantly between sitting and rising trot, and within the single stride for both riding styles. This indicates the variable force exertion in different trots and stride phases.
• The force peaks were seen to occur during different phases of the stride cycle, with the higher peak occurring during the standing phase of the rising trot.
• The results suggest that riders exert more force on the stirrups during a rising trot compared to a sitting one.

Research Implications

• The findings provide pertinent information about the total loading of a horse by a rider by understanding stirrup and saddle force data. This could potentially help develop strategies to prevent equine injuries caused by riding.
• The measurement method utilizing sensor technology could provide a framework for future studies, which aim to quantify force exertions in other equestrian activities.
• Furthermore, the noticeable differences in force peaks between and within riding styles necessitate tailored training and riding techniques to mitigate injury risks.