This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Localizing Lameness in the Horse »
  Discussion on Influence of rider on lameness in trotting horses
Author Message
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Feb 4, 2005 - 10:44 am:

This was an interesting study recently published. The two things I find most interesting is that:
1. Often hind limb lameness is exacerbated when being ridden by a experienced dressage rider.
2. In individual cases you can not predict what the effects of riding will be on lameness.

Eq. Vet. J. 2004 Dec;36(8):734-6.
Influence of rider on lameness in trotting horses

Licka T, Kapaun M, Peham C.
Movement Science Group, Department V, Clinic of Orthopaedics in Ungulates, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Equine lameness is commonly evaluated when the horse is being ridden, but the influence of the rider on the lameness has not been documented. OBJECTIVE: To document the effect of 2 riders of different training levels on the vertical movement of the head and croup. METHODS: Twenty mature horses were ridden at trot by an experienced dressage rider and a novice rider, as well as trotted in hand. Kinematic measurements of markers placed on the horse's head and sacral bone were carried out. The asymmetries of the vertical head and sacral bone motion were calculated as lameness parameters and compared with paired t tests. RESULTS: Trotting in hand, 17 horses showed forelimb lameness (1-4/10) and 13 hindlimb lameness (1-2/10). Intra-individually, 11 horses showed significant differences in forelimb lameness and 4 horses showed significant differences in hindlimb lameness when ridden. Over all horses, hindlimb lameness increased significantly under the dressage rider compared to unridden horses. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a rider can alter the degree of lameness; however, its influence cannot be predicted for an individual horse. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: In order to evaluate mild lameness, horses should be evaluated at trot both under saddle and in hand. If lameness is exacerbated, a second rider may be helpful; the level of training of the rider should be taken into consideration.

DrO
Member:
Imogen

Posted on Friday, Feb 4, 2005 - 11:59 am:

The summary does not mention whether or not the horses had experience of being schooled for dressage. Common sense would say that if the horses were ridden "dressage style" without the exercise programmes needed to build up the muscles for working in an outline, or were being ridden in a style they were unused to, that this might cause various odd movements to be observed.

And of course another interpretation would be that dressage forces horses into unnatural positions which accentuate any problems...

I have certainly seen horses which were "bridle lame" under their owner but not with an experienced rider. In one particular case the novice owner rider had a distinct crookedness herself at the rising trot when observed from behind which the horse had adapted to.

What do others think? Very interesting!

Imogen
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Feb 4, 2005 - 6:43 pm:

My "reasoning" for the increase lameness behind with a experienced dressage rider is that the rider collects the horse, moving weight and work to the back of the horse. But the only problem with this is that there should also have been a commensurate decrease in lameness in the front that was not reported.

I personally think I see a decrease in signs of mild front end lameness (head bob) in horses when trotted in a collected frame. Like you suggest however this is not something that happens immediately and I see a fair number of dressage horses.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC