Abstract
Work on curved tracks, e.g. on circles, is commonplace within all forms of horse training. Horse movements in circles are naturally asymmetric, including the load distribution between inner and outer limbs. Within equestrian dressage the horse is expected to bend the back laterally to follow the circle, but this has never been studied scientifically. In the current study 12 horses were measured (optical motion capture, 100 Hz) trotting on left and right circles and on the straight without rider (soft surface). Data from markers placed along the spine indicated increased lateral bending to the inside (e.g. left bending on the left circle) of the thoracolumbar back (difference left circle vs. straight − 3.75°; right circle + 3.61°) and the neck (left − 5.23°; right + 4.80° vs. straight). Lateral bending ROM increased on the circle (+ 0.87° and + 0.62°). Individual variation in straight-circle differences was evident, but each horse was generally consistent over multiple trials. Differences in back movements between circle and straight were generally small and may or may not be visible, but accompanying changes in muscle activity and limb movements may add to the visual impression.
Highlights
Work on curved tracks, e.g. on circles, is commonplace within all forms of horse training
Compared to a straight track, moving on a circle influences the horse’s vertical body movement symmetry, mimicking inside hind limb supporting lameness and inside forelimb lameness[7,8,9]: the croup is relatively less lowered during stance of the inside hind limb, and the withers are lowered relatively less during inside forelimb stance
Studies have shown additive effects between the asymmetry induced by the circular movement, and asymmetries related to lameness[8,9,14] or to the rider performing rising t rot[15,16,17]
Summary
E.g. on circles, is commonplace within all forms of horse training. The head is most often lowered relatively less during the inside forelimb—outside hind limb diagonal stance but head movement asymmetry indicative of outside forelimb lameness is not u ncommon[11] At group level, these asymmetries are reversed between left and right circles, but perfect mirroring is seldom the case in individual horses[11]. To further understand and correctly interpret the effects resulting from the interaction between moving in circles and all of the above-mentioned factors, it is important to understand more about how sound horses without a rider move in circles For back movements, this includes normal stride ranges and movement characteristics, the degree of individual variation, and the normal range of asymmetries between left and right directions
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