Could Pressure Distribution Under Race-Exercise Saddles Affect Limb Kinematics and Lumbosacral Flexion in the Galloping Racehorse?
Authors: Murray Rachel, Mackechnie-Guire Russell, Fisher Mark, Fairfax Vanessa
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Saddle Design and Racehorse Biomechanics Back pain represents a significant welfare and performance issue in racehorses, yet saddle-related factors remain largely unexplored in racing contexts—a gap this study addressed by investigating whether pressure distribution directly influences spinal and limb mechanics during galloping. Four Thoroughbreds were tested at standardized speed wearing three conventional race-exercise saddles (half-tree, three-quarter-tree, and full-tree designs) plus a pressure-reducing prototype, with simultaneous measurement of peak pressures across thoracic vertebrae 10–13 and high-speed motion capture analysis of limb and lumbosacral kinematics. The custom saddle (Saddle F) significantly reduced peak pressures at the target vertebral region and produced measurably different movement patterns: horses demonstrated greater hip flexion, increased femur protraction angles, and enhanced foreleg and hindleg stride length compared to all three conventional saddles. These findings carry important practical implications—saddle design can materially alter spinal loading and, consequently, hindlimb engagement and stride mechanics, suggesting that race-exercise saddle fit warrants the same careful assessment applied to event and sport horses to optimise both performance and spinal health.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Race saddle selection should consider pressure distribution patterns over the thoracic spine, particularly at T10-13, as this directly affects how the horse moves and may influence back pain
- •Saddles designed to reduce peak pressures over the mid-back may allow improved hindlimb function and spinal mobility in racehorses during exercise
- •Back pain management in racehorses should include saddle fit assessment and pressure mapping as part of diagnostic and therapeutic protocols
Key Findings
- •Peak pressures at T10-13 vertebrae occurred at trailing forelimb vertical and varied significantly between the four saddle types tested (P ≤ 0.0001–0.02)
- •Saddle F (designed to reduce paraspinal pressure at T10-13) produced significantly lower peak pressures and greater hip flexion, femur angle to vertical, and forelimb/hindlimb protraction compared to standard race-exercise saddles H, Q, and T
- •Reduced pressure under saddles at T10-13 is associated with increased femur protraction, suggesting improved range of spinal motion and altered muscle use patterns
- •Saddle design significantly impacts racehorse back loading and hindlimb kinematics during galloping