The Effect of Girth Design and Girth Tension on Saddle-Horse Pressures and Forelimb Stride Kinematics in Rising Trot
Authors: Marlin David, Randell Olivia, Mayhew Emma, Blake Roberta
Journal: Animals
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Girth Design and Tension Effects on Saddle Pressure and Forelimb Kinematics Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College investigated whether girth design (straight versus anatomical) and fastening tension (8 kg versus 16 kg) influenced saddle pressure distribution and forelimb movement during rising trot, using six regularly ridden horses in a controlled crossover study. High-frequency pressure mapping (100 Hz) combined with high-speed video analysis (240 fps) at anatomical markers allowed precise measurement of both load distribution across the saddle and kinematic variables including carpal flexion and stride length. Whilst girth type produced minimal effects across most parameters, increased tension significantly shifted pressure cranially, with the cranial-to-caudal pressure ratio markedly elevated at 16 kg; notably, carpal flexion showed modest but statistically significant increases with anatomical girths at lower tension (103° versus 101°). These findings carry important implications for practitioners: over-tightening girths may concentrate loading on the cranial thoracic region, potentially predisposing horses to back pain and soft tissue injuries regardless of girth design, suggesting that girth selection should prioritise tension management over anatomical shape alone. The lack of kinematic differences across conditions indicates that girth choice has limited influence on movement efficiency, supporting a focus on pressure distribution and comfort as primary selection criteria.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Girth tension matters more than girth design for pressure distribution—excessively tight girths (16kg) shift load forward where it risks back injuries; keep tension moderate
- •Both straight and anatomical girths distribute pressure similarly in rising trot, so anatomical girths are not inherently superior for pressure relief in this context
- •Monitor for cranial back pain and soreness when tightening girths, as increased tension concentrates pressure over the front of the saddle area regardless of girth type
Key Findings
- •Girth type (straight vs anatomical) had no significant effect on saddle pressure distribution or limb kinematics except for carpal flexion (103° anatomical vs 101° straight at 8kg, p=0.043)
- •Higher girth tension (16kg vs 8kg) significantly shifted pressure load cranially, increasing the cranial:caudal pressure ratio (p<0.05)
- •Caudal saddle pressure was significantly lower than cranial pressure at both tension levels (p<0.05)
- •Girth tension changes may increase risk of cranial thoracic back pain through anterior pressure redistribution despite no kinematic changes