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Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Vet Scand / Stride-related rein tension patterns in walk and trot in the...
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2015; 57; 89; doi: 10.1186/s13028-015-0182-3

Stride-related rein tension patterns in walk and trot in the ridden horse.

Abstract: The use of tack (equipment such as saddles and reins) and especially of bits because of rein tension resulting in pressure in the mouth is questioned because of welfare concerns. We hypothesised that rein tension patterns in walk and trot reflect general gait kinematics, but are also determined by individual horse and rider effects. Six professional riders rode three familiar horses in walk and trot. Horses were equipped with rein tension meters logged by inertial measurement unit technique. Left and right rein tension data were synchronized with the gait. Results: Stride split data (0-100 %) were analysed using mixed models technique to elucidate the left/right rein and stride percentage interaction, in relation to the exercises performed. In walk, rein tension was highest at hindlimb stance. Rein tension was highest in the suspension phase at trot, and lowest during the stance phase. In rising trot there was a significant difference between the two midstance phases, but not in sitting trot. When turning in trot there was a significant statistical association with the gait pattern with the tension being highest in the inside rein when the horse was on the outer fore-inner hindlimb diagonal. Conclusions: Substantial between-rider variation was demonstrated in walk and trot and between-horse variation in walk. Biphasic rein tensions patterns during the stride were found mainly in trot.
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Publication Date: 2015-12-30 PubMed ID: 26715156PubMed Central: PMC4696263DOI: 10.1186/s13028-015-0182-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 investigates the patterns of rein tension in ridden horses when they walk and trot, exploring the influence of gait kinematics, individual horse traits, and rider effects. The researchers found that rein tension varied significantly across the gait cycle and was influenced by both the rider and the horse.

Study Methodology

  • The study utilized six professional riders and three horses that the riders were familiar with. The aim was to examine how rein tension changes during different gaits: walking and trotting.
  • The horses were equipped with rein tension meters, and the data were logged using an inertial measurement unit technique.
  • The tension data from the left and right reins were synchronized with the phases of the horse’s gait.

Results

  • Stride split data, which ranged from 0 – 100%, were analyzed using a mixed models technique. This was done to understand the interaction between left and right rein tensions and stride percentage, in the context of different exercises performed by the horses.
  • In a walking gait, the highest rein tension was observed during the hindlimb stance, and in a trotting gait, the highest tension was during the suspension phase. The least tension in trot was seen during the stance phase.
  • During a rising trot, there was a noticeable difference between the two midstance phases. However, this difference was not significant in a sitting trot.
  • A significant statistical association was found when the horse was turning in trot with the rein tension being highest in the inside rein when the horse was on the outer fore-inner hindlimb diagonal.

Conclusions

  • The study demonstrated considerable variation in rein tension among the riders during both walk and trot.
  • It also revealed between-horse differences in walk, indicating that the specific traits of a horse could affect the rein tension patterns in different gaits.
  • Distinct biphasic rein tensions patterns during the stride were primarily observed in trot.

Overall, the research provides valuable insights into how rein tension patterns change during different gaits, as well as the influence of individual horse and rider effects on these patterns. This knowledge could be highly useful for designing better and more comfortable tack for horses, potentially improving their welfare.

Cite This Article

APA
Egenvall A, Roepstorff L, Eisersiö M, Rhodin M, van Weeren R. (2015). Stride-related rein tension patterns in walk and trot in the ridden horse. Acta Vet Scand, 57, 89. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-015-0182-3

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 1751-0147
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 57
Pages: 89

Researcher Affiliations

Egenvall, Agneta
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden. agneta.egenvall@slu.se.
Roepstorff, Lars
  • Unit of Equine Studies, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7046, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden. lars.roepstorff@slu.se.
Eisersiö, Marie
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden. marie.eisersio@slu.se.
Rhodin, Marie
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden. marie.rhodin@slu.se.
van Weeren, René
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands. r.vanweeren@uu.nl.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Husbandry / instrumentation
  • Animal Husbandry / standards
  • Animal Welfare
  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Gait
  • Horses / physiology
  • Models, Statistical
  • Running
  • Sweden
  • Walking

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Citations

This article has been cited 12 times.
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  2. Byström A, Egenvall A, Eisersiö M, Engell MT, Lykken S, Lundesjö Kvart S. The impact of teaching approach on horse and rider biomechanics during riding lessons. Heliyon 2025 Jan 30;11(2):e41947.
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