Saddle and leg forces during lateral movements in dressage.
Authors: P. de Cocq, M. Mooren, A. Dortmans, P. R. van Weeren, M. Timmerman, M. Muller, J. V. van Leeuwen
Journal: Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Saddle and Leg Forces During Lateral Movements in Dressage Riders have long relied on weight distribution and leg pressure as fundamental aids for directing horses, yet the actual biomechanical forces involved in these techniques had never been systematically measured until de Cocq and colleagues conducted this investigation. Using three simultaneous force measurement systems, eleven riders performed straight-line trotting, shoulder-in and travers movements, with data collected from both saddle pressure distribution and individual leg forces. Key findings revealed that total saddle force increased significantly during lateral work—rising from 671 N when riding straight to 707 N in shoulder-in and 726 N in travers—whilst inside saddle forces were notably higher in travers (468 N) compared to straight or shoulder-in work, and maximum outside leg force during travers (47.2 N) exceeded that in straight or shoulder-in movements. Critically, whilst saddle forces demonstrated consistent rhythmic patterns across the stride, leg forces proved far more irregular and less predictable, suggesting that riders utilise weight shifts as a more systematic communication tool than precise leg pressures. For practitioners, these findings validate the long-established emphasis on weight aids in lateral work whilst highlighting that effective leg use may require greater refinement and consistency than currently recognised, offering an evidence base for teaching more sophisticated ridden biomechanics.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Lateral dressage movements require increased overall seat pressure and more pronounced outside leg aids compared to straight-line work; this validates traditional riding cues with measurable biomechanical data
- •Travers requires substantially higher inside seat weight and outside leg force than shoulder-in, suggesting these movements demand distinctly different rider force application strategies
- •The irregular pattern of leg forces highlights that maintaining consistent, rhythmic leg aids requires deliberate rider training and may benefit from proprioceptive feedback
Key Findings
- •Total saddle force was significantly lower during straight riding (671 N) compared to shoulder-in (707 N) and travers (726 N)
- •Inside saddle force was highest during travers (468 N) compared to straight (425 N) and shoulder-in (413 N)
- •Maximum outside leg force was significantly higher during travers (47.2 N) than straight riding (31.6 N) or shoulder-in (34.2 N)
- •Saddle forces demonstrated rhythmic patterns while leg forces showed irregular distribution patterns