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Research Update: The Effect Of Different Riding Crops On Force Exertion

Riding crops and whips are often used as a training or communication aid between horse and rider. In the racing industry, the employment of riding crops and whips is regulated to prevent overuse or misuse. A recent study by the New York Institute of Technology evaluated differences in force between crops with flat leather poppers and soft, padded poppers.

Two flat nylon thread leather poppers and one circular, foam-padded popper were evaluated with crop rods that varied in flexibility. Each crop was secured above a flat target plate, bent upward reaching its limit, and released. Force upon impact to the plate was measured and recorded by a digital scale. The face and side of the flat leather poppers were tested. This procedure was then repeated 30 times per crop.

Researchers found that the force exerted by the individual popper depended on the flexibility of the crop's rod. Therefore, the circular, foam-padded crop could exert more or less force than the flat leather popper depending on the material of the rod. As a result, selecting a crop based on the type of popper is not sufficient when attempting to minimize potential force to the horse. While this study is not a complete representation of crop use during riding, these findings provide useful insight to factors that can influence force from riding crops.

For more information read the abstract in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Sciences.

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Lead Affects Duration Of Hoof-To-Ground Contact On Turns

Research has show that sharp turns increase the risk of ligament-related limb injuries in racehorses and that catastrophic injuries are more likely to occur on a turn than on a track straightaway.

In natural settings, how an animal negotiates curves while moving is important to survival, especially during interactions with a predator where speed alone may not ensure escape. Horses routinely travel in curves and bends while at liberty, racing and in other disciplines. The increased force on front limbs while galloping on a turn is suspected to be associated with increased injury risk.

Drs. Rebecca Parkes, Thilo Pfau, Renate Weller and Thomas Witte created an experiment using seven Thoroughbreds galloping on large radius curves. Each horse was equipped with an inertial measurement unit with GPS on their sacrum, as well as with two hoof-mounted accelerometers and retro-reflective markers on their front legs.

Each horse galloped counterclockwise around the track two to four times; they were filmed at 120 frames per second by 10 cameras. The scientists determined speed and curve from the GPS information and estimated the centripetal acceleration. The accelerometers provided information on stride, swing durations, stance and the percent of the total stride that the hoof is on the ground. The front-leg markers tracked limb angles.

For horses that galloped on the correct lead, the left front leg was on the ground longer on both the straightaway and the curve; for horses that galloped on the right lead, there was no difference in length of time the hoof was on the ground on the straightaway or the curve.

The researchers conclude that the forces at play on a horse's leg when it runs on a curve are complex and that more research is needed. They note that the study doesn't take into account the hind limbs of galloping horses, which mainly propel the horse forward, while the forelimbs apply vertical impulse to the horse's body. They suggest that additional work be done regarding the role of the hind legs, horizontal body bend and the effects of torque on limbs when a horse is running on a curve.

Read the study here.

Update: Impact Of Stirrup Style On Horse And Rider

The stirrup iron has the potential to modify the forces experienced by a horse and rider during ridden exercise. A range of stirrup designs are available, but previous research has not investigated if these modifications influence a rider's position and interactions with the horse. A research team from Michigan State University recently set out to determine if novel flexible, flexible and rotatable, or traditional stirrups irons positively impacts the welfare and performance of the horse and rider.

Four riders rode using the three stirrup types. Hip, knee, and ankle angles, toe position, and force were measured at the highest and lowest point of the posting trot and canter.

No significant differences were seen between joint angles, toe position, or forces between the types of stirrups. At the highest point, average hip, knee, and ankle angles were 169°, 151°, and 94°, while the same joints averaged 139°, 124°, and 93° at the lowest point. Interestingly, right toes rotated more laterally regardless of stirrup type. The average forces applied were greatest at the highest point of the posting trot and lowest during the canter.

The researchers concluded that stirrup style minimally impacted rider position or the forces experienced; however, forces differed by gait. Future studies regarding how a rider's experience and joint pains may contribute to asymmetries are warranted. For more information on this research, read the abstract in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.

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