The kinematics and kinetics of riding a racehorse: A quantitative comparison of a training simulator and real horses.

This study investigates the differences in movement and force applied by jockeys when riding a horse and a racehorse simulator. The key findings of the study show that, although the simulator can replicate the basic movements of a horse, some aspects of the jockey’s motion and force application are significantly different between the two.

Comparison of kinematics and kinetics on a simulator and real horses

• The study used inertial measurement units attached to the jockeys and horses or simulator to record and compare the movements (kinematics) and forces applied (kinetics) by the jockeys during galloping on a synthetic gallop or a racehorse simulator.
• Despite the simulator’s ability to replicate some basic horse movements, the study found that the kinematic variation was greater when the jockeys were riding real horses.

Force applied on stirrups

• The measurement of force applied on the stirrups found that jockeys applied more than double the peak force on stirrups when riding real horses compared to the simulator.
• When riding the simulator, the force applied on the stirrups were identical on both sides. However, when riding a real horse, the study found that the peak forces were higher on the side opposite to the horse’s leading limb.
• The study suggests this asymmetrical measure of force could be due to the ‘roll’ of the horse’s trunk or body during motion.

Trunk and pelvis movement in jockeys

• The study also found that jockeys maintained a more upright position of their trunk when riding real horses than when on the simulator, with no change in pitch.
• Despite both the feet and pelvis moving in phase with the horse and simulator, the motions of the jockey’s pelvis showed a phase shift in the cranio-caudal or front to back axis, indicating a pendulum-like motion.
• This inverted pendulum action was only observed in jockeys when riding real horses, and not on the simulator.

This research provides valuable insights into the differences of riding a racehorse simulator vs real horses, which has implications for jockey training and the design of more accurate horse simulators.