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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / The Effect of Tree Width on Thoracolumbar and Limb Kinematic...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2019; 9(10); doi: 10.3390/ani9100842

The Effect of Tree Width on Thoracolumbar and Limb Kinematics, Saddle Pressure Distribution, and Thoracolumbar Dimensions in Sports Horses in Trot and Canter.

Abstract: This study evaluated the effect of saddle tree width on thoracolumbar and limb kinematics, saddle pressure distribution, and thoracolumbar epaxial musculature dimensions. Correctly fitted saddles were fitted by a Society of Master Saddler Qualified Saddle Fitter in fourteen sports horses (mean ± SD age 12 ± 8.77 years, height 1.65 ± 0.94 m), and were altered to one width fitting wider and narrower. Horses were equipped with skin markers, inertial measurement units, and a pressure mat beneath the saddle. Differences in saddle pressure distribution, as well as limb and thoracolumbosacral kinematics between saddle widths were investigated using a general linear model with Bonferroni adjusted alpha (p ≤ 0.05). Compared with the correct saddle width, in trot, in the wide saddle, an 8.5% increase in peak pressures was found in the cranial region of the saddle (p = 0.003), a 14% reduction in thoracolumbar dimensions at T13 (p = 0.02), and a 6% decrease in the T13 range of motion in the mediolateral direction (p = 0.02). In the narrow saddle, a 14% increase in peak pressures was found in the caudal region of the saddle (p = 0.01), an 8% decrease in the range of motion of T13 in the mediolateral direction (p = 0.004), and a 6% decrease in the vertical direction (p = 0.004) of T13. Compared with the correct saddle width, in canter, in the wide saddle, axial rotation decreased by 1% at T5 (p = 0.03) with an 5% increase at T13 (p = 0.04) and a 5% increase at L3 (p = 0.03). Peak pressures increased by 4% (p = 0.002) in the cranial region of the wide saddle. Altering the saddle fit had an effect on thoracolumbar kinematics and saddle pressure distribution; hence, correct saddle fit is essential to provide unhindered locomotion.
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Publication Date: 2019-10-21 PubMed ID: 31640213PubMed Central: PMC6827167DOI: 10.3390/ani9100842Google 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 analyses how saddle tree width affects the movement and physicality of sports horses. The researchers also studied how this saddle width impacts pressure distribution in both trot and canter gaits.

Objective and Methodology

  • The research aimed to investigate how the width of a horse’s saddle tree impacts the kinematics of the thoracolumbar region and limbs, the distribution of saddle pressure, and the dimensions of the thoracolumbar epaxial musculature.
  • 14 sports horses were first fitted with correctly sized saddles by a qualified saddle fitter. The saddles were then altered to be one size wider and narrower to observe potential changes in physical and kinematic responses.
  • Markers and sensors, including skin markers, inertial measurement units, and a pressure mat beneath the saddle, were used to monitor and record differences.

Findings

  • The study observed that with the wider saddle during a trot, peak pressures increased by 8.5% in the cranial (forward) region of the saddle, while the dimensions of the thoracolumbar at the T13 vertebrae decreased by 14% and the range of motion in the mediolateral (side to side) direction decreased by 6%.
  • In contrast, with the narrower saddle during a trot, peak pressures in the caudal (backward) region of the saddle increased by 14%, while range of motion of the T13 again decreased, showing an 8% decrease in side to side movement and a 6% decrease in vertical movement.
  • In a canter, with the wider saddle, axial rotation i.e., rotation around the spine, decreased by 1% at the T5 vertebrae, however, it increased by 5% at both the T13 and L3 vertebrae. Peak pressures in the forward region of the saddle increased by 4%.
  • These findings suggest that any alterations to the saddle fit directly impact the horse’s thoracolumbar kinematics and saddle pressure distribution.

Conclusion

  • The study underscores the necessity of a correctly fitted saddle to promote unhindered and healthy locomotion in horses, particularly those used in sports where performance and wellbeing are paramount.
  • This research could further contribute to saddle design improvements and protocols in saddle fitting for sports horses.

Cite This Article

APA
MacKechnie-Guire R, MacKechnie-Guire E, Fairfax V, Fisher D, Fisher M, Pfau T. (2019). The Effect of Tree Width on Thoracolumbar and Limb Kinematics, Saddle Pressure Distribution, and Thoracolumbar Dimensions in Sports Horses in Trot and Canter. Animals (Basel), 9(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9100842

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 10

Researcher Affiliations

MacKechnie-Guire, Russell
  • Centaur Biomechanics, 25 Oaktree Close, Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire CV35 9BB, UK. info@centaurbiomechanics.co.uk.
  • Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK. info@centaurbiomechanics.co.uk.
MacKechnie-Guire, Erik
  • Centaur Biomechanics, 25 Oaktree Close, Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire CV35 9BB, UK. Erikmac@aol.com.
Fairfax, Vanessa
  • FairfaxSaddles, The Saddlery, Fryers Road, Bloxwich, Walsall, West Midlands WS3 2XJ, UK. vanessa.fairfax@fairfaxsaddles.com.
Fisher, Diana
  • Woolcroft Saddlery, Mays Lane, Wisbech PE13 5BU, UK. dianafisher007@yahoo.co.uk.
Fisher, Mark
  • Woolcroft Saddlery, Mays Lane, Wisbech PE13 5BU, UK. woolcroft2002@yahoo.co.uk.
Pfau, Thilo
  • Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK. tpfau@rvc.ac.uk.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Vanessa Fairfax is employed by Kent and Master Saddles. None of the other authors of this paper has a financial or personal relationship with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.

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