Influence of individual competition level on back kinematics of horses jumping a vertical fence.
Authors: Cassiat G, Pourcelot P, Tavernier L, Geiger D, Denoix J M, Degueurce D
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Back Kinematics and Jumping Performance Selecting young showjumpers involves substantial financial risk, prompting researchers to investigate whether objective kinematic measures of spinal movement during jumping might predict athletic potential. Cassiat and colleagues used three-dimensional video analysis of 24 horses (12 competing at advanced level, 12 at lower level) free-jumping a 1-metre vertical to measure vertical displacement and velocity of the withers and sacrum, plus flexion-extension patterns across the thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral spine segments. Lower-level jumpers demonstrated significantly reduced vertical displacement of both the withers and tuber sacrale from the final approach stride through take-off, compensating by increasing flexion at the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral junctions during the hindlimb swing phase; in contrast, elite jumpers maintained a more extended backline during the forelimb loading phase and extended it more efficiently after landing, suggesting superior forelimb support mechanics. These kinematic differences—particularly the ability to maintain spinal extension through take-off and achieve rapid re-extension post-landing—appear sufficiently consistent to merit further development as selection criteria, though practitioners should recognise that back kinematics represent only one aspect of jumping talent and must be integrated with assessments of temperament, rideability, and genetic soundness.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Back kinematics during free jumping can objectively differentiate horses with good jumping ability from poor jumpers, providing measurable selection criteria for purchasing and training decisions
- •Poor jumpers compensate for limited back extension with excessive thoracolumbar and lumbosacral flexion during take-off, suggesting biomechanical inefficiency that limits athletic potential
- •Video kinematic analysis of withers and sacral movement patterns offers a practical assessment tool to evaluate jumping talent before significant investment in training
Key Findings
- •Lower-level competition horses showed significantly reduced withers and tuber sacrale displacement from final approach stride to first departure stride (P<0.05)
- •Poor jumpers increased flexion of thoracolumbar and lumbosacral junctions during hindlimb swing phase before take-off (P<0.05)
- •High-level jumpers pitched their backline less forward during forelimb stance and straightened it more after landing (P<0.05), indicating more efficient forelimb strutting
- •Back kinematic differences between competition levels were detectable when jumping 1 m vertical fences and could serve as selection criteria