The Effect of Girth Design and Girth Tension on Saddle-Horse Pressures and Forelimb Stride Kinematics in Rising Trot
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of girth design and girth tension, six horses regularly ridden were used. Each horses underwent 4 experimental sessions in an unbalanced latin-square design with two girth tensions (8kg or 16kg) and two girth designs (straight girth (S) or anatomical girth(A)). Pressure between the saddle and the horse was measured at 100Hz with a pressure mat (0.5 sensels per cm2). 2D limb kinematics were determined from anatomical markers placed on the fore and hindlimbs. Video was collected at 240fps. There was no significant effect of girth type, girth tension or girth type*tension interaction for any of the measured variables, with the exception of carpal flexion, which was significantly greater for A8 (median: 103°, 25th-75th percentile: 100°-112°) than S8 (101°, 96°-106°; P=0.043). There was no effect of girth type (A or S) on mean saddle pressure for either cranial or caudal regions (p>0.05), but caudal average pressure was significantly lower than cranial average pressure both at 8 and 16kg tensions (p<0.05). For both mean and peak pressure, the ratio cranial:caudal was significantly higher with 16 kg tension (p<0.05), indicating that as the girth tension increases the pressures shift towards the cranial aspect. In conclusion, neither girth tension nor girth type significantly influenced 2D limb kinematics, but higher tension have shifted the load towards the cranial area significantly, which could contribute towards cranial thoracic back pain or injuries.
Source: Animals
DOI: 10.3390/ani15172540
Authors: David Marlin, Olivia Randell, Emma Mayhew, Roberta Blake
Institution: Anglia Ruskin University
Language: English
Subfield: Equine
Field: Veterinary
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
OpenAlex ID: W4413828428