FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Heliyon2025; 11(2); e41947; doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41947

The impact of teaching approach on horse and rider biomechanics during riding lessons.

Abstract: Riding relies on embodied and practical knowledge and is predominantly taught during practical lessons. Effective teaching is dependent on relevant instructions and evaluation from the riding teacher or trainer. The aim was to investigate how riding instructions affect horse and rider motion and rein tension during transitions between walk and trot. Two Swedish (S1, S2) and two Norwegian (N1, N2) riding teachers, and five riders per location participated. Each rider rode two horses, 40 lessons total. Videos, horse and rider kinematics and rein tension were recorded. The teachers were interviewed, teacher-student interactions were analysed using conversation analysis. Biomechanical data were analysed in mixed models. S1 and N2 spent about a third of their lessons preparing the students while S2 and N1 began with straight-line walk-trot transitions early on. With S1 and N2, maximum rein tension before and during down-transitions was lower than with S2 or N1. S2 and N2 focused relatively more on the walk, asking the riders to count each walk stride or focus on the rhythm. With S2, the timing between up-down movements of the withers and croup in walk was closest to the ideal 25 % (16-17 % vs. 8-14 % for the others, p < 0.05). With N2, horses showed the best walk hind limb protraction consistency (stride-to-stride difference 1.2-1.3° vs. 1.5-1.7°, p < 0.05). The results show that experienced riding teachers can have a consistent influence on a group of students and indicate that lesson design impacts rein tension. Experiences from this study can be used to inform teaching of riding, for the benefit of both riders and horse welfare.
© 2025 The Authors.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2025-01-14 PubMed ID: 39906839PubMed Central: PMC11791127DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41947Google 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.

Overview

  • This study examined how different teaching approaches during riding lessons affect the biomechanics of both horse and rider, specifically focusing on motion and rein tension during walk-trot transitions.

Introduction and Purpose

  • Riding skills rely heavily on embodied, practical knowledge gained through hands-on lessons.
  • Effective riding instruction depends on how teachers communicate instructions and evaluate riders’ performance.
  • The study aimed to understand how varying teaching methods influence the physical interaction between horse and rider, particularly during transitions between walking and trotting.

Participants and Methodology

  • Four riding teachers participated: two from Sweden (referred to as S1 and S2) and two from Norway (N1 and N2).
  • Each location had five riders, with each rider working with two horses, totaling 40 lessons.
  • Data collected included:
    • Video recordings
    • Kinematics (motion data) of both horse and rider
    • Rein tension measurements
    • Interviews with the teachers
  • Teacher-student interactions were analyzed using conversation analysis to understand communication patterns.
  • Biomechanical data were analyzed statistically using mixed models to identify significant differences among conditions.

Key Findings on Teaching Approaches

  • Teaching time allocation differed:
    • S1 and N2 spent about one-third of the lesson preparing the students before starting transitions.
    • S2 and N1 introduced straight-line walk-to-trot transitions early in the lessons.
  • Rein tension findings:
    • S1 and N2’s lessons resulted in lower maximum rein tension before and during downward transitions compared to S2 and N1.
  • Focus on gait and rhythm:
    • S2 and N2 emphasized the walk more, instructing riders to count each walk stride or concentrate on rhythm.

Biomechanical Outcomes

  • With teacher S2’s students, the timing of the horse’s up-down motion at the withers and croup during walking was nearest to the ideal 25% phase difference, recording around 16-17% compared to 8-14% for others, indicating better synchronization.
  • Teacher N2’s horses demonstrated the most consistent hind limb protraction during the walk, with smaller stride-to-stride angle differences (1.2-1.3° vs. 1.5-1.7°), implying steadier, more consistent gait mechanics.

Implications and Conclusions

  • Experienced riding teachers can exert a consistent and measurable influence on the biomechanics of horse and rider groups through their teaching methods.
  • The design and content of lessons, especially the timing and focus of instructions, have a tangible impact on rein tension and gait quality during transitions.
  • Insights from this research can guide enhancements in riding instruction, leading to improved performance and increased welfare for both horses and riders.

Cite This Article

APA
Byström A, Egenvall A, Eisersiö M, Engell MT, Lykken S, Lundesjö Kvart S. (2025). The impact of teaching approach on horse and rider biomechanics during riding lessons. Heliyon, 11(2), e41947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41947

Publication

Heliyon
ISSN: 2405-8440
NlmUniqueID: 101672560
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
Pages: e41947
PII: e41947

Researcher Affiliations

Byström, Anna
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Egenvall, Agneta
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Eisersiö, Marie
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Engell, Maria Terese
  • Equine Teaching Hospital, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
Lykken, Sigrid
  • Equine Teaching Hospital, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
Lundesjö Kvart, Susanne
  • Division of Equine Studies, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

References

This article includes 53 references
  1. Lundesjö Kvart S. Konsten att undervisa ryttare. En studie om ridlärares pedagogiska praktik. Acta Univ. Upsal. digital comprehensive summaries of Uppsala dissertations from the faculty of educational sciences 18. 2020.
  2. McLean AN, Christensen JW. The application of learning theory in horse training. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2017;190:18–27.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.02.020google scholar: lookup
  3. Dashper K. Learning to communicate: the triad of (Mis)Communication in horse riding. The Meaning of Horses: Biosocial Encounters 2016; pp. 87–101.
  4. Zetterqvist Blokhuis M. Interaction between rider, Horse and equestrian trainer – a challenging puzzle. doctoral dissertation 2019.
  5. Broth M, Keevallik L. Getting ready to move as a couple: accomplishing mobile formations in a dance class. Space Cult. 2014;17(2):107–121.
    doi: 10.1177/1206331213508483google scholar: lookup
  6. Evans B. Sports coaching as action-in-context: using ethnomethodological conversation analysis to understand the coaching process. Qualitat. Res. Sport Exer. Health. 2017;9(1):111–132.
    doi: 10.1080/2159676X.2016.1246473google scholar: lookup
  7. Müller SM. Ways of relating: involvements of bodies in ballet class. In: Meyer C., Wedelstaedt U.V., editors. vol. 8. John Benjamins Publishing Company; 2017. Chapter 12; pp. 301–322. (Advances in Interaction Studies).
    doi: 10.1075/ais.8.12mulgoogle scholar: lookup
  8. Lindwall O, Lymer G, Greiffenhagen C. The sequential analysis of instruction. In: The Handbook of Classroom Discourse and Interaction. first ed. Markee N., editor. Wiley; 2015; pp. 142–157.
    doi: 10.1002/9781118531242.ch9google scholar: lookup
  9. Schegloff EA. Sequence Organization in Interaction: A Primer in Conversation Analysis. first ed. Cambridge University Press; 2007.
    doi: 10.1017/CBO9780511791208google scholar: lookup
  10. Mehan H. Learning Lessons: Social Organization in the Classroom. Harvard University Press; 1979.
  11. Lundesjö Kvart S. Instructions in horseback riding—the collaborative achievement of an instructional space. Learn. Cult. Soc. Interact. 2020;25.
    doi: 10.1016/j.lcsi.2018.10.002google scholar: lookup
  12. Argue CK, Clayton HM. A preliminary study of transitions between the walk and trot in dressage horses. Acta Anat. 1993;146(2–3):179–182.
    doi: 10.1159/000147442pubmed: 8470463google scholar: lookup
  13. Argue CK, Clayton HM. A study of transitions between the trot and canter in dressage horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 1993;13(3):171–174.
    doi: 10.1016/S0737-0806(07)80071-2pubmed: 8470463google scholar: lookup
  14. Egenvall A, Byström A, Roepstorff L, Rhodin M, Eisersiö M, Clayton HM. Modelling rein tension during riding sessions using the generalised additive modelling technique. Compar. Exer. Physiol. 2018;14(4):209–221.
    doi: 10.3920/CEP180017google scholar: lookup
  15. Clayton, Hobbs. A review of biomechanical gait classification with reference to collected trot, passage and piaffe in dressage horses. Animals 2019;9(10):763.
    doi: 10.3390/ani9100763pmc: PMC6826507pubmed: 31623360google scholar: lookup
  16. Robilliard JJ, Pfau T, Wilson AM. Gait characterisation and classification in horses.. J. Exp. Biol. 2007;210(2):187–197.
    doi: 10.1242/jeb.02611pubmed: 17210956google scholar: lookup
  17. 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(3):280–284.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X394454pubmed: 19469236google scholar: lookup
  18. 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(4):340–345.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00063.xpubmed: 20525053google scholar: lookup
  19. Wolframm IA, Bosga J, Meulenbroek RGJ. Coordination dynamics in horse-rider dyads.. Hum. Mov. Sci. 2013;32(1):157–170.
    doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2012.11.002pubmed: 23290116google scholar: lookup
  20. Egenvall A, Roepstorff L, Eisersiö M, Rhodin M, Weeren R. Stride-related rein tension patterns in walk and trot in the ridden horse.. Acta Vet. Scand. 2015;57(1).
    doi: 10.1186/s13028-015-0182-3pmc: PMC4696263pubmed: 26715156google scholar: lookup
  21. Eisersiö M, Rhodin M, Roepstorff L, Egenvall A. Rein tension in 8 professional riders during regular training sessions.. J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res. 2015;10(5).
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2015.05.004google scholar: lookup
  22. Lundesjö Kvart S, Melander Bowden H. Instructing equestrian feel: on the art of teaching embodied knowledge.. Scand. J. Educ. Res. 2022;66(2):290–305.
    doi: 10.1080/00313831.2020.1869076google scholar: lookup
  23. Lundgren C. Ridtränares kommunikation under privatlektioner i dressyr: en samtalsanalytisk studie.. Scandinavian Sport Studies Forum 2017;8:76–86.
  24. Norris S. Multimodality in Practice: Investigating Theory-In-Practice-Through-Methodology.. Routledge; 2012.
  25. McLean AN, McGreevy PD. Horse-training techniques that may defy the principles of learning theory and compromise welfare.. J. Vet. Behav. 2010;5(4):187–195.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2010.04.002google scholar: lookup
  26. Piggott B, Müller S, Chivers P, Papaluca C, Hoyne G. Is sports science answering the call for interdisciplinary research? A systematic review.. Eur. J. Sport Sci. 2019;19(3):267–286.
    doi: 10.1080/17461391.2018.1508506pubmed: 30198825google scholar: lookup
  27. Aboelela SW, Larson E, Bakken S, Carrasquillo O, Formicola A, Glied SA, Haas J, Gebbie KM. Defining interdisciplinary research: conclusions from a critical review of the literature.. Health Serv. Res. 2007;42(1p1):329–346.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2006.00621.xpmc: PMC1955232pubmed: 17355595google scholar: lookup
  28. Christensen JW, Munk R, Hawson L, Palme R, Larsen T, Egenvall A, König von Borstel UU, Rørvang MV. Rider effects on horses' conflict behaviour, rein tension, physiological measures and rideability scores.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2021;234.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105184google scholar: lookup
  29. Egenvall A, Eisersiö M, Roepstorff L. Pilot study of behavior responses in young riding horses using 2 methods of making transitions from trot to walk.. J. Vet. Behav. 2012;7(3):157–168.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2011.08.006google scholar: lookup
  30. Eisersiö M, Bystrom 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.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.652015pmc: PMC8138478pubmed: 34026891google scholar: lookup
  31. Strunk R, Vernon K, Blob R, Bridges W, Skewes P. Effects of rider experience level on horse kinematics and behavior.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2018.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.05.209pubmed: 31256892google scholar: lookup
  32. Kienapfel K, Link Y, König V Borstel U. Prevalence of different head-neck positions in horses shown at dressage competitions and their relation to conflict behaviour and performance marks.. PLoS One 2014;9(8).
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103140pmc: PMC4121138pubmed: 25090242google scholar: lookup
  33. König Von Borstel U, Glißman C. Alternatives to conventional evaluation of rideability in horse performance tests: suitability of rein tension and behavioural parameters.. PLoS One 2014;9(1).
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087285pmc: PMC3906164pubmed: 24489890google scholar: lookup
  34. van Heel MCV, Van Dierendonck MC, Kroekenstoel AM, Back W. Lateralised motor behaviour leads to increased unevenness in front feet and asymmetry in athletic performance in young mature Warmblood horses: lateralised behaviour in Warmbloods.. Equine Vet. J. 2010;42(5):444–450.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00064.xpubmed: 20636782google scholar: lookup
  35. Piggott B, Müller S, Chivers P, Cripps A, Hoyne G. Interdisciplinary sport research can better predict competition performance, identify individual differences, and quantify task representation.. Front. Sport. Active Livin. 2020;2:14.
    doi: 10.3389/fspor.2020.00014pmc: PMC7739773pubmed: 33345009google scholar: lookup
  36. . Instructor qualifications.. 2019.
  37. Bryman A. Social Research Methods.. Oxford University Press; 2022.
  38. Bosch S, Serra Bragança F, Marin-Perianu M, Marin-Perianu R, van der Zwaag BJ, Voskamp J, Back W, Van Weeren R, Havinga P. Equimoves: a wireless networked inertial measurement system for objective examination of horse gait.. Sensors 2018;18(3).
    doi: 10.3390/s18030850pmc: PMC5877382pubmed: 29534022google scholar: lookup
  39. Cohen L, Manion L, Morrison K. Research Methods in Education.. eighth ed. Routledge; 2018.
  40. O'Connor D, Wardak D, Goodyear P, Larkin P, Williams M. Conceptualising decision-making and its development: a phenomenographic analysis.. Sci. Med. Football. 2018;2(4):261–271.
    doi: 10.1080/24733938.2018.1472388google scholar: lookup
  41. Shreeve A. A phenomenographic study of the relationship between professional practice and teaching your practice to others.. Stud. High Educ. 2010;35(6):691–703.
    doi: 10.1080/03075070903254602google scholar: lookup
  42. Tijssen M, Hernlund E, Rhodin M, Bosch S, Voskamp JP, Nielen M, Serra Bragança FM. Automatic hoof-on and -off detection in horses using hoof-mounted inertial measurement unit sensors.. PLoS One 2020;15(6).
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233266pmc: PMC7269263pubmed: 32492034google scholar: lookup
  43. Roepstorff C, Dittmann MT, Arpagaus S, Serra Bragança FM, Hardeman A, Persson-Sjödin E, Roepstorff L, Gmel AI, Weishaupt MA. Reliable and clinically applicable gait event classification using upper body motion in walking and trotting horses.. J. Biomech. 2021;114.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.110146pubmed: 33290946google scholar: lookup
  44. Clayton HM. Comparison of the stride kinematics of the collected, medium, and extended walks in horses.. Am. J. Vet. Res. 1995;56(7):849–852.
    pubmed: 7574149
  45. Byström A, Egenvall A, Roepstorff L, Rhodin M, Bragança FS, Hernlund E, Van Weeren R, Weishaupt MA, Clayton HM. Biomechanical findings in horses showing asymmetrical vertical excursions of the withers at walk.. PLoS One 2018;13(9).
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204548pmc: PMC6160136pubmed: 30261019google scholar: lookup
  46. Byström A, Clayton HM, Hernlund E, Rhodin M, Egenvall A. Equestrian and biomechanical perspectives on laterality in the horse.. Compar. Exer. Physiol. 2020;16(1):35–45.
    doi: 10.3920/CEP190022google scholar: lookup
  47. Gmel AI, Haraldsdóttir EH, Serra Bragança FM, Cruz AM, Neuditschko M, Weishaupt MA. Determining objective parameters to assess gait quality in franches-montagnes horses for ground coverage and over-tracking - Part 1: at walk.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2022;115.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104024pubmed: 35649491google scholar: lookup
  48. Majlesi AR, Broth M. Emergent learnables in second language classroom interaction.. Learn. Cult. Soc. Interact. 2012;1(3–4):193–207.
    doi: 10.1016/j.lcsi.2012.08.004google scholar: lookup
  49. Elmeua González M, Šarabon N. The effects of a real-time visual kinetic feedback intervention on shock attenuation of the equestrian rider's trunk: a pilot study.. Front. Sport. Active Livin. 2022;4.
    doi: 10.3389/fspor.2022.899379pmc: PMC9256939pubmed: 35813050google scholar: lookup
  50. Petancevski EL, Inns J, Fransen J, Impellizzeri FM. The effect of augmented feedback on the performance and learning of gross motor and sport-specific skills: a systematic review.. Psychol. Sport Exerc. 2022;63.
    doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102277google scholar: lookup
  51. Lindwall O, Ekström A. Instruction-in-Interaction: the teaching and learning of a manual skill.. Hum. Stud. 2012;35(1):27–49.
    doi: 10.1007/s10746-012-9213-5google scholar: lookup
  52. Evans R, Franklin A. Equine beats: unique rhythms (and floating harmony) of horses and their riders.. In: Geographies of Rhythm: Nature, Place, Mobilities and Bodies. Edensor T., editor. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group; 2016.
  53. Egan S, Brama P, McGrath D. Research trends in equine movement analysis, future opportunities and potential barriers in the digital age: a scoping review from 1978 to 2018.. Equine Vet. J. 2019.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13076pubmed: 30659639google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Zupan Šemrov M, Přibylová L, Gobbo E. Task-specific morphological and kinematic differences in Lipizzan horses. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1569067.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1569067pubmed: 40599329google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,970 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.