Kinetics and kinematics of the passage.
Authors: Weishaupt M A, Byström A, von Peinen K, Wiestner T, Meyers H, Waldern N, Johnston C, van Weeren R, Roepstorff L
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Kinetics and Kinematics of the Passage Objective assessment of limb loading during dressage exercises has remained elusive, yet understanding how collection redistributes forces across the locomotor system is essential for preventing injury and optimising training. Weishaupt and colleagues measured ground reaction forces, kinematics and timing parameters in six Grand Prix horses performing passage on an instrumented treadmill, ridden by their regular professionals, to establish how this advanced movement alters load distribution compared to ordinary trotting. Passage involved a 43% reduction in speed and 24% decrease in stride frequency, resulting in substantially higher impulses per stride (31% increase overall, with hindlimb impulses rising 40% and forehand impulses 25%); critically, the forehand's contribution to total stride impulse decreased by 4.8%, demonstrating significant load-shifting towards the hindquarters. Peak vertical forces, however, remained similar to trotting speeds because the prolonged stance duration in both fore- and hindlimbs (28–32% longer) distributed these higher impulses over extended contact periods. For practitioners, these findings clarify that whilst passage demands greater effort from the hindquarters and imposes cumulative stress through increased stride impulses, the biomechanical strategy of extended stance phases actually protects against peak force injuries—meaning appropriate conditioning and farriery should prioritise supporting sustained muscular effort rather than mitigating impact spikes.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Understanding load distribution during collection is essential for managing wear-and-tear on the locomotor apparatus—passage shifts load to hindquarters, which may reduce foreleg loading but increases hindlimb impulse demands
- •Peak forces remain similar between trot and passage despite higher impulses, suggesting the prolonged contact phase distributes forces more evenly and may be protective if training is appropriate
- •Riding technique and degree of collection directly influence biomechanical loading patterns; farriers and veterinarians should consider a horse's training level and movement style when assessing limb stress and wear patterns
Key Findings
- •At passage, horses move 43.2% slower with 23.6% lower stride frequency but 31.0% higher stride impulses compared to trot
- •Hindlimbs always impact first at passage (unlike simultaneous diagonal impact at trot), with load shifted from forehand to hindquarters by 4.8% of stride impulse
- •Fore- and hindlimb impulses increase by 24.8% and 39.9% respectively at passage despite unchanged peak vertical forces due to prolonged stance durations (+28.1% and +32.2%)
- •Higher collection at passage results in pronounced shift of impulse towards hindquarters without increased peak forces on limbs