The influence of different saddle pads on force and pressure changes beneath saddles with excessively wide trees.
Abstract: This study was performed to investigate the forces and pressure distribution under different saddle pads when an excessively wide saddle is used. Eighteen sound horses were ridden on a treadmill at walk and trot. The horses were equipped with a dressage saddle with an excessively wide saddle tree and four different pads (gel, leather, foam and reindeer-fur) used sequentially. For comparison, one measurement was made without a saddle pad. A pressure mat under the pad was used for the collection of kinetic data. Kinematics from the right fore-hoof were required to synchronise the data with the stride cycles. To identify any differences between measurements with and without saddle pads, the maximum overall force (MOF) and pressure distribution in longitudinal and transversal directions were calculated. The saddle pressures and MOF showed significant intra-horse effects. At walk, the foam and gel pads significantly reduced the MOF in 44.4% of cases, whereas at the trot, the gel and reindeer-fur pads significantly reduced MOF in 61.1% of subjects. The leather pad increased MOF in the highest number of horses at walk (27.8%) and trot (33.3%), although these results did not reach significance after inter-horse effects were included. The choice of a saddle pad to improve the fit of an excessively wide saddle should therefore be based on highly individual criteria for each horse.
Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2009-04-09 PubMed ID: 19362030DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.02.018Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article explored the impact of various saddle pads on the force and pressure spread when using an overly wide saddle. The researchers discovered that different pads had varying effects, signifying that pad selection should be customized based on each horse’s unique needs.
Objective of the Study
- The objective of this study was to scrutinise the forces and pressure distribution beneath various types of saddle pads when an excessively wide saddle is used. The study aimed to provide empirical evidence that can aid in choosing the appropriate saddle pad based on highly personalized criteria for each horse.
Study Design and Methodology
- The researchers conducted the study using 18 horses that were walked and trotted on a treadmill. The horses were equipped with a dressage saddle with an excessively wide saddle tree and four different pads – gel, leather, foam and reindeer-fur – that were used sequentially.
- Kinetic data for analyzing the forces and pressure distribution was collected using a pressure mat positioned underneath the saddle pad. Additionally, kinematics from the right fore-hoof of the horses were used to synchronize the data with the stride cycles.
Measurements and Analysis
- The study focused on the maximum overall force (MOF) and pressure distribution in longitudinal and transversal directions to identify any differences in measurements with and without saddle pads.
- Saddle pressures and MOF showed significant variability between horses. At a walking pace, the foam and gel pads substantially lowered the MOF in 44.4% of subjects while at trotting pace, the gel and reindeer-fur pads significantly lowered MOF in 61.1% of the subjects.
- The leather pad, conversely, increased MOF in the highest number of horses both at walk and trot, but these results did not reach significance when variability between horses was taken into account.
Conclusion of the Study
- The findings of the study made it clear that the choice of a saddle pad to improve the fit of an excessively wide saddle should be based on highly individualized criteria for each horse, given the variations in effect of the different saddle pads.
Cite This Article
APA
Kotschwar AB, Baltacis A, Peham C.
(2009).
The influence of different saddle pads on force and pressure changes beneath saddles with excessively wide trees.
Vet J, 184(3), 322-325.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.02.018 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Movement Science Group Vienna, Clinical Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Back / physiology
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Female
- Gait / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Humans
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / instrumentation
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Pressure
- Weight-Bearing / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- MacKechnie-Guire R, Fisher M, Mathie H, Kuczynska K, Fairfax V, Fisher D, Pfau T. A Systematic Approach to Comparing Thermal Activity of the Thoracic Region and Saddle Pressure Distribution beneath the Saddle in a Group of Non-Lame Sports Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Apr 13;11(4).
- MacKechnie-Guire R, MacKechnie-Guire E, Fairfax V, Fisher D, Fisher M, Pfau T. 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) 2019 Oct 21;9(10).
- Soroko M, Zaborski D, Dudek K, Yarnell K, Górniak W, Vardasca R. Evaluation of thermal pattern distributions in racehorse saddles using infrared thermography. PLoS One 2019;14(8):e0221622.
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