Timing Differences in Stride Cycle Phases in Retired Racehorses Ridden in Rising and Two-Point Seat Positions at Trot on Turf, Artificial and Tarmac Surfaces.
Abstract: Injuries to racehorses and their jockeys are not limited to the racetrack and high-speed work. To optimise racehorse-jockey dyads' health, well-being, and safety, it is important to understand their kinematics under the various exercise conditions they are exposed to. This includes trot work on roads, turf and artificial surfaces when accessing gallop tracks and warming up. This study quantified the forelimb hoof kinematics of racehorses trotting over tarmac, turf and artificial surfaces as their jockey adopted rising and two-point seat positions. A convenience sample of six horses was recruited from the British Racing School, Newmarket, and the horses were all ridden by the same jockey. Inertial measurement units (HoofBeat) were secured to the forelimb hooves of the horses and enabled landing, mid-stance, breakover, swing and stride durations, plus stride length, to be quantified via an in-built algorithm. Data were collected at a frequency of 1140 Hz. Linear Mixed Models were used to test for significant differences in the timing of these stride phases and stride length amongst the different surface and jockey positions. Speed was included as a covariate. Significance was set at < 0.05. Hoof landing and mid-stance durations were negatively correlated, with approximately a 0.5 ms decrease in mid-stance duration for every 1 ms increase in landing duration (r = 0.5, < 0.001). Hoof landing duration was significantly affected by surface ( < 0.001) and an interaction between jockey position and surface ( = 0.035). Landing duration was approximately 4.4 times shorter on tarmac compared to grass and artificial surfaces. Mid-stance duration was significantly affected by jockey position ( < 0.001) and surface ( = 0.001), speed ( < 0.001) and jockey position*speed ( < 0.001). Mean values for mid-stance increased by 13 ms with the jockey in the two-point seat position, and mid-stance was 19 ms longer on the tarmac than on the artificial surface. There was no significant difference in the breakover duration amongst surfaces or jockey positions ( ≥ 0.076) for the ridden dataset. However, the mean breakover duration on tarmac in the presence of a rider decreased by 21 ms compared to the in-hand dataset. Swing was significantly affected by surface ( = 0.039) and speed ( = 0.001), with a mean swing phase 20 ms longer on turf than on the artificial surface. Total stride duration was affected by surface only ( = 0.011). Tarmac was associated with a mean stride time that was significantly reduced, by 49 ms, compared to the turf, and this effect may be related to the shorter landing times on turf. Mean stride length was 14 cm shorter on tarmac than on grass, and stride length showed a strong positive correlation with speed, with a 71 cm increase in stride length for every 1 m s increase in speed (r = 0.8, < 0.001). In summary, this study demonstrated that the durations of the different stride cycle phases and stride length can be sensitive to surface type and jockey riding position. Further work is required to establish links between altered stride time variables and the risk of musculoskeletal injury.
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This study investigates how the type of surface (tarmac, turf, or artificial) and jockey position (rising or two-point seat) influence the stride of racehorses, including landing, mid-stance, breakover, and swing timings. The findings reveal that both these factors have significant impacts on various aspects of a horse’s stride, potentially providing insights into reducing the risk of injuries to both horses and jockeys.
Research Methodology
The researchers conducted the study using six horses from the British Racing School, Newmarket, with rides performed by the same jockey for uniformity.
They attached Inertial measurement units (HoofBeat) to the forelimb hooves of the horses, providing data on different stride phases and stride lengths using a built-in algorithm.
Data was gathered at a high frequency of 1140 Hz to ensure accurate and detailed analysis.
The team used Linear Mixed Models to seek out significant differences in stride phases and stride lengths across different surfaces and jockey positions.
Key Findings
Correlation was found between hoof landing and mid-stance durations. Every 1 ms increase in landing duration, corresponded to around a 0.5 ms decrease in mid-stance duration.
Landing duration was remarkably shorter on tarmac compared to grass and artificial surfaces, making it 4.4 times faster.
Mid-stance duration was impacted by jockey position, the surface type, and speed. The two-point seat position increased mid-stance duration by 13 ms compared to the rising position.
Differences in breakover duration among various surfaces or jockey positions were not significant. However, when a rider was present, the breakover duration on tarmac shorter by 21 ms.
The swing phase duration was significantly longer on turf compared to the artificial surface.
Total stride duration was notably shorter on tarmac than on turf, possibly due to the shorter landing times on tarmac.
Stride length was also found to be correlated with speed, with an increase of 1 m/s in speed leading to a 71 cm increase in stride length.
Implications of the Study
This study demonstrates that the stride cycle phases’ durations and stride length of racehorses can be influenced by the type of surface and the jockey’s riding position.
These findings are significant as they could help optimize the health, safety, and performance of both racehorses and jockeys.
Further research is required to determine the connection between altered stride time variables and the risk of musculoskeletal injury.
Cite This Article
APA
Horan K, Price H, Day P, Mackechnie-Guire R, Pfau T.
(2023).
Timing Differences in Stride Cycle Phases in Retired Racehorses Ridden in Rising and Two-Point Seat Positions at Trot on Turf, Artificial and Tarmac Surfaces.
Animals (Basel), 13(16), 2563.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13162563
Faculties of Kinesiology and Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
Grant Funding
SPrj049 / Horserace Betting Levy Board
Conflict of Interest Statement
T.P. owns EquiGait, a provider of gait analysis products and services. H.P. is a registered farrier and owner of the farriery company Little Pastures. P.D. is a registered farrier. R. M-G. is the owner of Centaur Biomechanics, a provider of gait analysis services. This does not alter our adherence to all policies regarding sharing data and materials. The funders had no role in the study’s design; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.
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