Effects of the rider on the kinematics of the equine spine under the saddle during the trot using inertial measurement units: Methodological study and preliminary results.
Authors: Martin P, Cheze L, Pourcelot P, Desquilbet L, Duray L, Chateau H
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary Quantifying how riders influence spinal movement has long challenged equine professionals, yet understanding these interactions is crucial for addressing performance issues and potential sources of back pain. Martin and colleagues employed inertial measurement units (accelerometers and gyroscopes) positioned at five spinal sites—T6, T12, T16, L2 and L5—to measure thoracic and lumbar vertebral kinematics in three horses during trotting, comparing unridden movement with ridden movement at the rising trot. When riders were seated on the diagonals, range of motion decreased significantly in the caudal thoracic spine (1.3°) and thoracolumbar region (0.6°), whilst the forelimbs and hind limbs compensated with increased protraction-retraction angles. This methodological study validates inertial measurement units as a reliable tool for non-invasive assessment of spinal kinematics under saddle—an advance that could help farriers, physiotherapists and veterinarians understand individual variations in how horses respond to different riders, saddle pressures and riding styles, ultimately informing management decisions aimed at preventing lameness and improving performance longevity.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Rider position during trotting measurably alters spinal kinematics; the seated phase of rising trot restricts thoracic and thoracolumbar movement, which may have implications for saddle fit and back comfort
- •This methodology using IMUs provides a non-invasive tool to objectively assess horse-saddle-rider interactions and could help identify problematic combinations affecting performance
- •Understanding that rider position affects spinal kinematics suggests that rider training and saddle selection warrant careful consideration to minimise unwanted movement restriction
Key Findings
- •Range of motion in caudal thoracic region decreased by 1.3° during seated phase compared to unridden trotting
- •Range of motion in thoracolumbar region decreased by 0.6° during seated phase compared to unridden condition
- •Protraction and retraction angles of forelimbs and hind limbs increased in ridden conditions
- •Inertial measurement units successfully measured equine vertebral movements under saddle during trot