Vertical Movement of Head, Withers, and Pelvis of High-Level Dressage Horses Trotting in Hand vs. Being Ridden
Prior to international competitions, dressage horses are evaluated for fitness to compete while trotting in hand on a firm surface. This study compares the kinematics of experienced dressage horses trotting under fitness-to-compete conditions vs. performing collected and extended trot when ridden on...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Hilary M. Clayton Sarah Jane Hobbs Marie Rhodin Elin Hernlund Mick Peterson Rosalie Bos Filipe Serra Bragança |
| author_facet | Hilary M. Clayton Sarah Jane Hobbs Marie Rhodin Elin Hernlund Mick Peterson Rosalie Bos Filipe Serra Bragança |
| author_sort | Hilary M. Clayton |
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| description | Prior to international competitions, dressage horses are evaluated for fitness to compete while trotting in hand on a firm surface. This study compares the kinematics of experienced dressage horses trotting under fitness-to-compete conditions vs. performing collected and extended trot when ridden on a sand-fiber arena surface. The hypotheses are that the vertical range of motion (ROM) and left–right asymmetries in minimal and maximal heights of axial body segments at ridden trot exceed those when trotting in hand. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) attached mid-dorsally to the head, withers, and pelvis of 19 actively competing dressage horses measured the vertical ROM and left–right asymmetries in minimal (MinDiff) and maximal (MaxDiff) heights of the midline sensors. The vertical ROM was greater for both types of ridden trot, reflecting greater impulsion in response to the riders’ aids. Head MinDiff/MaxDiff and withers MaxDiff were significantly higher under both ridden conditions. Pelvis MinDiff was significantly the largest for collected trot. Compared with trot in hand, left–right differences in limb protraction were larger for extended and collected trot in the forelimbs but only for extended trot in the hind limbs. The rider’s influence increases the horse’s impulsion and vertical ROM, which may exacerbate inherent asymmetries in muscular strength when lowering the haunches and elevating the withers. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
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| spelling | doaj-art-4c3151de9db44e16a7c3dad438270d3d2025-01-24T13:18:14ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-01-0115224110.3390/ani15020241Vertical Movement of Head, Withers, and Pelvis of High-Level Dressage Horses Trotting in Hand vs. Being RiddenHilary M. Clayton0Sarah Jane Hobbs1Marie Rhodin2Elin Hernlund3Mick Peterson4Rosalie Bos5Filipe Serra Bragança6Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, 736 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USAResearch Centre for Applied Sport, Physical Activity and Performance, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UKDepartment of Anatomy Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, S-750 07 Uppsala, SwedenDepartment of Anatomy Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, S-750 07 Uppsala, SwedenBiosystems and Agricultural Engineering and UK Ag Equine Programs, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USASporthorse Medical Diagnostic Centre, SMDC, Hooge Wijststraat 7, NL-5384 RC Heesch, The NetherlandsDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112-114, NL-3584 CM Utrecht, The NetherlandsPrior to international competitions, dressage horses are evaluated for fitness to compete while trotting in hand on a firm surface. This study compares the kinematics of experienced dressage horses trotting under fitness-to-compete conditions vs. performing collected and extended trot when ridden on a sand-fiber arena surface. The hypotheses are that the vertical range of motion (ROM) and left–right asymmetries in minimal and maximal heights of axial body segments at ridden trot exceed those when trotting in hand. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) attached mid-dorsally to the head, withers, and pelvis of 19 actively competing dressage horses measured the vertical ROM and left–right asymmetries in minimal (MinDiff) and maximal (MaxDiff) heights of the midline sensors. The vertical ROM was greater for both types of ridden trot, reflecting greater impulsion in response to the riders’ aids. Head MinDiff/MaxDiff and withers MaxDiff were significantly higher under both ridden conditions. Pelvis MinDiff was significantly the largest for collected trot. Compared with trot in hand, left–right differences in limb protraction were larger for extended and collected trot in the forelimbs but only for extended trot in the hind limbs. The rider’s influence increases the horse’s impulsion and vertical ROM, which may exacerbate inherent asymmetries in muscular strength when lowering the haunches and elevating the withers.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/241head asymmetrywithers asymmetrypelvic asymmetrylimb pro-/retractioncollected trotextended trot |
| spellingShingle | Hilary M. Clayton Sarah Jane Hobbs Marie Rhodin Elin Hernlund Mick Peterson Rosalie Bos Filipe Serra Bragança Vertical Movement of Head, Withers, and Pelvis of High-Level Dressage Horses Trotting in Hand vs. Being Ridden Animals head asymmetry withers asymmetry pelvic asymmetry limb pro-/retraction collected trot extended trot |
| title | Vertical Movement of Head, Withers, and Pelvis of High-Level Dressage Horses Trotting in Hand vs. Being Ridden |
| title_full | Vertical Movement of Head, Withers, and Pelvis of High-Level Dressage Horses Trotting in Hand vs. Being Ridden |
| title_fullStr | Vertical Movement of Head, Withers, and Pelvis of High-Level Dressage Horses Trotting in Hand vs. Being Ridden |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vertical Movement of Head, Withers, and Pelvis of High-Level Dressage Horses Trotting in Hand vs. Being Ridden |
| title_short | Vertical Movement of Head, Withers, and Pelvis of High-Level Dressage Horses Trotting in Hand vs. Being Ridden |
| title_sort | vertical movement of head withers and pelvis of high level dressage horses trotting in hand vs being ridden |
| topic | head asymmetry withers asymmetry pelvic asymmetry limb pro-/retraction collected trot extended trot |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/241 |
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