FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
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.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2015-12-30 PubMed ID: 26715156PubMed Central: PMC4696263DOI: 10.1186/s13028-015-0182-3Google 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
  • 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 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

References

This article includes 20 references
  1. Egenvall A, Tranquille CA, Lönnell AC, Bitschnau C, Oomen A, Hernlund E, Montavon S, Franko MA, Murray RC, Weishaupt MA, van Weeren R, Roepstorff L. Days-lost to training and competition in relation to workload in 263 elite show-jumping horses in four European countries.. Prev Vet Med 2013;112:387–400.
    doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2013.09.013pubmed: 24125697google scholar: lookup
  2. Murray RC, Walters JM, Snart H, Dyson SJ, Parkin TDH. Identification of risk factors for lameness in dressage horses.. Vet J 2010;184:27–36.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.03.020pubmed: 19369100google scholar: lookup
  3. Penell JC, Egenvall A, Bonnett BN, Olson P, Pringle J. Specific causes of morbidity among Swedish horses insured for veterinary care between 1997 and 2000.. Vet Rec 2005;57:470–477.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.157.16.470pubmed: 16227382google scholar: lookup
  4. McGreevy PD. The advent of equitation science.. Vet J 2007;174:492–500.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2006.09.008pubmed: 17157542google scholar: lookup
  5. von König Borstel U, Glissman C. Alternative to conventional evaluation of rideability in horse performance test: suitability of rein tension and behavioural parameters.. PLoS One 2014;9:1–9.
    pmc: PMC3906164pubmed: 24489890
  6. Egenvall A, Eisersiö M, Rhodin M, van Weeren R, Roepstorff L. Rein tension during canter.. Comp Exerc Physiol 2015;11:107–117.
    doi: 10.3920/CEP150005google scholar: lookup
  7. Warren-Smith AK, Curtis RA, Greetham L, McGreevy PD. Rein contact between horse and handler during specific equitation movements.. Appl Anim Beh Sci 2007;108:157–169.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2006.11.017google scholar: lookup
  8. Kuhnke S, Dumbell L, Gauly M, Johnson JL, McDonald K, von Borstel UK. A comparison of rein tension of the rider’s dominant and non-dominant hand and the influence of the horse’s laterality.. Comp Exerc Physiol 2010;7:57–63.
    doi: 10.1017/S1755254010000243google scholar: lookup
  9. Clayton HM, Larson B, Kaiser LJ, Lavagnino M. Length and elasticity of side reins affect rein tension at trot.. Vet J 2011;188:291–294.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.05.027pubmed: 20638876google scholar: lookup
  10. Eisersiö M, Roepstorff L, Weishaupt MA, Egenvall A. Movements of the horse’s mouth in relation to the horse-rider kinematic variables.. Vet J 2013;198(Suppl 1):e33–e38.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.030pubmed: 24157341google scholar: lookup
  11. Byström A, Rhodin M, von Peinen K, Weishaupt MA, Roepstorff L. Kinematics of saddle and rider in high-level dressage horses performing collected walk on a treadmill.. Equine Vet J 2010;42:340–345.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00063.xpubmed: 20525053google scholar: lookup
  12. Byström A, Rhodin M, Peinen K, Weishaupt MA, Roepstorff L. Basic kinematics of the saddle and rider in high-level dressage horses trotting on a treadmill.. Equine Vet J 2009;41:280–284.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X394454pubmed: 19469236google scholar: lookup
  13. Eisersiö M, Roepstorff L, Rhodin M, Egenvall A. A snapshot of the training schedule for 8 professional riders riding dressage.. Comp Exerc Physiol 2015;11:35–46.
    doi: 10.3920/CEP140024google scholar: lookup
  14. Eisersiö M. How to build a rein tension meter.. Degree project in Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, 2013. http://stud.epsilon.slu.se. Accessed 4 July 2015.
  15. Buchner HNF, Savelberg HHCM, Schamhardt HC, Barneveld A. Head and trunk movement adaptations in horses with experimentally induced fore- or hindlimb lameness.. Equine Vet J 1996;28:71–76.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb01592.xpubmed: 8565958google scholar: lookup
  16. Faber MJ, Johnston C, Schamhardt HC, van Weeren PR, Roepstorff L, Barneveld A. Basic three-dimensional kinematics of the vertebral column of horses trotting on a treadmill.. Am J Vet Res 2001;62:757–764.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.757pubmed: 11341399google scholar: lookup
  17. Anonymous. The principles of riding: the official instruction handbook of the German National Equestrian Federation.. Shrewsbury: Kenilworth Press; 1997.
  18. Terada K, Mullineaux DR, Lanovaz J, Kato K, Clayton HM. Electromyographic analysis of the rider’s muscles at trot.. Comp Exerc Physiol 2004;1:193–198.
    doi: 10.1079/ECP200420google scholar: lookup
  19. Hawson LA, Salvin HE, McLean AN, McGreevy PD. Riders’ application of rein tension for walk-to-halt transitions on a model horse.. J Vet Behav 2015;9:164–168.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2014.04.001google scholar: lookup
  20. Eisersiö M, Roepstorff L, Rhodin M, Egenvall A. Rein tension in eight professional riders during regular training sessions.. JVB Clin Appl Res 2015;10:419–426.

Citations

This article has been cited 12 times.
  1. MacKechnie-Guire R, Clayton H, Williams J, Marlin D, Fisher M, Fisher D, Walker V, Murray RC. Comparison of Rein Forces and Pressure Beneath the Noseband and Headpiece of a Snaffle Bridle and a Double Bridle. Animals (Basel) 2025 Apr 5;15(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15071058pubmed: 40218450google scholar: lookup
  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.
    doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41947pubmed: 39906839google scholar: lookup
  3. König von Borstel U, Kienapfel K, McLean A, Wilkins C, McGreevy P. Hyperflexing the horse's neck: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2024 Oct 2;14(1):22886.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-72766-5pubmed: 39358404google scholar: lookup
  4. Egenvall A, Byström A, Pökelmann M, Connysson M, Kienapfel-Henseleit K, Karlsteen M, McGreevy P, Hartmann E. Rein tension in harness trotters during on-track exercise. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:987852.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.987852pubmed: 36304413google scholar: lookup
  5. Clayton H, MacKechnie-Guire R, Byström A, Le Jeune S, Egenvall A. Guidelines for the Measurement of Rein Tension in Equestrian Sport. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 30;11(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11102875pubmed: 34679895google scholar: lookup
  6. Eisersiö M, Byström A, Yngvesson J, Baragli P, Lanata A, Egenvall A. Rein Tension Signals Elicit Different Behavioral Responses When Comparing Bitted Bridle and Halter. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:652015.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.652015pubmed: 34026891google scholar: lookup
  7. Mellor DJ. Mouth Pain in Horses: Physiological Foundations, Behavioural Indices, Welfare Implications, and a Suggested Solution. Animals (Basel) 2020 Mar 29;10(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10040572pubmed: 32235343google scholar: lookup
  8. Kau S, Potz IK, Pospisil K, Sellke L, Schramel JP, Peham C. Bit type exerts an influence on self-controlled rein tension in unridden horses. Sci Rep 2020 Feb 12;10(1):2420.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-59400-wpubmed: 32051498google scholar: lookup
  9. Egenvall A, Clayton HM, Eisersiö M, Roepstorff L, Byström A. Rein Tension in Transitions and Halts during Equestrian Dressage Training. Animals (Basel) 2019 Sep 23;9(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani9100712pubmed: 31547540google scholar: lookup
  10. Piccolo L, Kienapfel K. Voluntary Rein Tension in Horses When Moving Unridden in a Dressage Frame Compared with Ridden Tests of the Same Horses-A Pilot Study. Animals (Basel) 2019 Jun 6;9(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani9060321pubmed: 31174265google scholar: lookup
  11. Veen I, Killian D, Vlaminck L, Vernooij JCM, Back W. The use of a rein tension device to compare different training methods for neck flexion in base-level trained Warmblood horses at the walk. Equine Vet J 2018 Nov;50(6):825-830.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12831pubmed: 29517811google scholar: lookup
  12. Doherty O, Conway T, Conway R, Murray G, Casey V. An Objective Measure of Noseband Tightness and Its Measurement Using a Novel Digital Tightness Gauge. PLoS One 2017;12(1):e0168996.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168996pubmed: 28045955google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,780 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.