Effect of consecutive jumping efforts over several days on kinetic locomotion parameters in unridden horses – a preliminary study

Abstract

There are few studies describing the training of horses used for show jumping and most only in a broad sense. Six unridden horses fitted with an accelerometric device were submitted to consecutive jumping efforts to examine the short-term effect. Horses jumped 13 obstacles away (away) from and returning (return) to their handler. On the first day, the horses jumped the obstacles once (26 jumps). The next day, the horses did the same routine twice and on the fourth day three times. The duration of the away runs was significantly longer than that of the return runs on all days. The comparison of the first exercise sessions on all exercise days showed that the stride frequency was always higher during the return runs than during the away runs and higher on days 2 and 4 than on day 1. The craniocaudal power was higher on days 2 and 4 compared to day 1 and the dorsoventral power higher on day 2 than on day 4. On exercise day 4, stride regularity decreased during the return runs, while the stride frequency increased. The dorsoventral, craniocaudal and total powers were lower during the second and third exercise sessions than during the first exercise session on this day while exercise duration did not change. These results seem to indicate an improved jumping efficiency. In conclusion, the multiple consecutive unridden jumping exercise sessions were well tolerated by the horses. The cause of the locomotion changes needs to be further examined. This exercise can be used to train horses.