The effect of rising and sitting trot on back movements and head-neck position of the horse.
Authors: De Cocq P, Prinsen H, Springer N C N, van Weeren P R, Schreuder M, Muller M, van Leeuwen J L
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary De Cocq and colleagues used three-dimensional kinematic analysis to compare back movements and head-neck positioning across 12 horses trotting unloaded, in rising trot, and in sitting trot, with particular attention to spinal flexion-extension and lateral bending patterns at multiple cervical vertebrae. Contrary to widespread assumption, rising trot did not reduce spinal loading; whilst horses achieved similar maximal back extension in both ridden conditions, rising trot actually produced greater lateral bending than sitting trot and resulted in lower head carriage, suggesting compensatory movement patterns rather than mechanical relief. The back movements during rising trot demonstrated hybrid characteristics—matching the unloaded situation's maximal flexion but reaching the same peak extension as sitting trot—indicating that the rider's cyclical off-loading does not fundamentally reduce the challenge imposed on the equine spine. For practitioners advising clients on riding technique, this research suggests that the traditional rationale for rising trot as a "spinal-friendly" option lacks biomechanical support; training decisions should instead focus on overall ridden posture, consistency, and the individual horse's capacity rather than relying on rising trot alone to mitigate back strain. The finding of increased lateral bending in rising trot warrants further investigation into whether this movement pattern carries implications for muscular stability or injury risk in the long term.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Rising trot does not reduce spinal loading as commonly assumed; it creates comparable maximal extension to sitting trot, so the rider's choice should not be based on back protection theory
- •Rising trot increases lateral bending of the back, which may have implications for horses with back sensitivity or asymmetrical movement patterns
- •Head-neck position differs between rising and sitting trot, which may influence rein contact, breathing, and overall posture development in training
Key Findings
- •Sitting trot produces greater extension of the horse's back compared to unloaded conditions, while rising trot shows maximal extension similar to sitting trot
- •Rising trot produces larger lateral bending of the back than both sitting trot and unloaded conditions
- •Horses maintain lower head-neck position during rising trot compared to sitting trot and unloaded conditions
- •Rising trot does not reduce back loading compared to sitting trot, as maximum back extension is similar between both techniques