Usability of normal force distribution measurements to evaluate asymmetrical loading of the back of the horse and different rider positions on a standing horse

Pressure measurement devices in equine sports have primarily focused on tack (saddle pads and saddle fitting methods). However, saddle pressure devices may also be useful in evaluating the interaction and distribution of normal forces between the horse and rider, including rider position and riding technique. This study examined the validity, reliability, repeatability and possibilities of using a saddle pressure device to evaluate rider position. All measurements were performed using a standing horse. Validity was tested by calculating the correlation coefficient between measured normal force and the weight of the rider. Repeatability was tested by calculating intra-class correlation coefficients. The use of normal force measurements to evaluate horse–rider interaction was tested by adding a known weight to saddle or rider and collecting measurements with the rider sitting in four different positions.The device was found to be valid and reliable for force measurements when the measurement device was not replaced. The system could be used to determine the expected differences with added weight and in different rider positions. The normal force distribution measurement device proved to be a valid and reliable tool for studying the interaction between a rider and a static horse provided it is positioned carefully and consistently relative to both the horse and the saddle.     

Force and pressure distribution beneath a conventional dressage saddle and a treeless dressage saddle with panels

The objective of this study was to compare forces and pressure profiles beneath a conventional dressage saddle with a beechwood spring tree and a treeless dressage saddle without a rigid internal support and incorporating large panels and a gullet. The null hypothesis was that there is no difference in the force and pressure variables for the two saddles. Six horses were ridden by the same rider using the conventional dressage saddle and the treeless dressage saddle in random order and pressure data were recorded using an electronic pressure mat as the horses trotted in a straight line. The data strings were divided into strides with ten strides analyzed per horse–saddle combination. Variables describing the loaded area, total force, force distribution and pressure distribution were calculated and compared between saddles using a three-factor ANOVA (P < 0.05).Contact area and force variables did not differ between saddles but maximal pressure, mean pressure and area with pressure >11 kPa were higher for the treeless dressage saddle. The panels of the treeless dressage saddle provided contact area and force distribution comparable to a conventional treed saddle but high pressure areas were a consequence of a narrow gullet and highly-sloped panels. It was concluded that, even with a treeless saddle, the size, shape, angulation, and position of the panels must fit the individual horse.     

Forces and pressures beneath the saddle during mounting from the ground and from a raised mounting platform

The objective was to use an electronic pressure mat to measure and compare forces and pressures of the saddle on a horse's back when riders mounted from the ground and with the aid of a mounting platform. Ten riders mounted a horse three times each from the ground and from a 35 cm high mounting platform in random order. Total force (summation of forces over all 256 sensors) was measured and compared at specific points on the force-time curve. Total force was usually highest as the rider's right leg was swinging upwards and was correlated with rider mass. When normalized to rider mass, total force and peak pressure were significantly higher when mounting from the ground than from a raised platform (P<0.05). The area of highest pressure was on the right side of the withers in 97% of mounting efforts, confirming the importance of the withers in stabilizing the saddle during mounting.     

Vaccination Statistics and Reality： How Many Horses Are Really Vaccinated against Equine Influenza？

Standard schedules for equine influenza vaccinations have been published in Finland. However, no knowledge about the actual number of vaccinations has been available. Based on previous preliminary studies in slaughterhouses and among horse owners, it was suspected that vaccination recommendations are not always followed. The aims were to investigate vaccination status against equine influenza among Finnish racehorses in regional competitions. Vaccination status was investigated： （1） by utilizing database vaccination information of show jumping and dressage horses and （2） by carrying out a survey among horse industry experts. A total of 400 horses were selected at the beginning of the Finnish competition season in 2012 and five experts （key persons） were invited to a repeated survey implemented by Delphi techniques. Overall, 50%-100% of horses were properly vaccinated depending on the source available. Thirty-four percent （34%） of the horses had the competition license but no vaccination markings in the database. Differences between types of competition （show jumping and dressage） and between Southern and Northern parts of Finland were found. Vaccinations of show jumping horses were registered more often than vaccinations of dressage horses. Ninety percent （90%） of unvaccinated horses in the database were eight years or older. It can be concluded that equine influenza vaccination registry coverage among racehorses in Finland is incomplete. This poses a risk of misunderstanding, and the growing responsibility of competition organizers.     

Husbandry,Use, and Orthopedic Health of Horses Owned by Competitive and Leisure Riders in Switzerland

The use of horses in competitive sports receives increasing criticism from the public, mainly due to the potential for injury. However, it is unclear if orthopedic and other health issues are more common in competition horses than those in leisure horses. The aim of this study was to assess husbandry, use, and orthopedic health in Swiss riding horses and to compare these aspects between horses owned by self-identified competitive riders (CR) and leisure riders (LR) in Switzerland. A total of 237 owners completed an online survey providing information on their athletic ambitions, their horse’s husbandry, health, training, and tack. Two experienced veterinarians assessed gait irregularities, muscular development, and back pain in the horses and evaluated saddle fit. Compared with horses owned by competitive riders (CH), a higher proportion of horses kept by leisure riders (LH) were kept unshod, under more natural conditions, and turned out with other horses. LH were exercised less frequently, and LR trained less frequently with instructors. CR reported less time since the last saddle check and the use of more training aids during riding. No differences between the two groups could be found in orthopedic health, muscular development, or back pain, but LH had higher body condition scores and a slightly higher proportion of saddles with at least one fit problem. Our data revealed no increased prevalence of the assessed health problems in competition horses compared with leisure horses in Switzerland. However, suboptimal saddle fit and muscular development, back pain, and gait irregularity are frequent in both groups and deserve more attention.     

The Biomechanics of Movement of Horses Engaged in Jumping Over Different Obstacles in Competition and Training

There exist numerous scientific studies, which are evaluating the biomechanics of the jumping movement of horse and rider over different types of obstacles. The most important results of the kinematic and kinetic investigations are the takeoff position, the acceleration of the hind limbs at takeoff as well as the load of the fore limbs at landing. The starting position directly before takeoff is described by the angle of the trunk, the associated height of the center of gravity (CG), and by the distances of the hind limbs to the obstacle. The acceleration of the hind limbs at takeoff, which is expressed by the vertical and horizontal velocity of takeoff at CG, is a further important indicator for a successful overcoming of a given obstacle. Based on the landing, the load bearing of the fore limbs is an important factor with regard to a long-term health maintenance of horses tendons. From methodological point of view, the majority of investigations use a variety of visual methods in two dimensions. Occasionally, accelerometers and force plates were used to get further information. A combination of visual methods and accelerometer seems to be promising.