The influence of head and neck position on kinematics of the back in riding horses at the walk and trot.

This study reveals that the positioning of a horse’s head and neck can significantly impact its back and stride length, particularly during walking. The research involved testing the three-dimensional movements of the thoracolumbar spine on eight Warmblood horses while their head and neck positions were altered using side reins.

Methodology

• The research studied eight Warmblood riding horses that were in regular work.
• The horses were tested on a treadmill while walking and trotting.
• The position of the horses’ head and neck was adjusted between three different levels – high, medium, and low – using side reins that were attached to the bit and an anti-cast roller.
• Infrared videocameras were used to record the movement of skin-fixed markers placed on the horses to measure the three-dimensional movement of the thoracolumbar spine.

Results

• The head and neck position of the horses was found to significantly influence the movements of their back, particularly at the walk.
• When the head was fixed in a high position, the movements of flexion-extension and lateral bending in the lumbar back were significantly reduced, as compared to when the head was free or in a low position.
• Similarly, at a walk, stride length also varied depending on the head and neck position, with the shortest stride length observed when the head was held high.
• Conversely, at a trot, stride length was found to be independent of the head’s position.

Conclusions

• Restrictions and restraints placed on the position and movement of a horse’s head and neck can determinately alter the movements of its back and its stride characteristics.
• Notably, both stride length and the flexion and extension of the caudal back were significantly reduced when the head and neck were kept high.
• The study, hence, concludes that caution should be applied when using side reins in training and rehabilitation programmes as not taking the possible effects on the horse’s back into consideration can be counterproductive.