Double bridles create much less strain than snaffles in elite dressage horses, analysis finds

Double bridles exert much less nasal and rein strain than snaffles, a examine involving prime competitors horses has discovered.

Research evaluating the noseband strain and rein forces exerted by the 2 kinds of bridle have been amongst these offered in a session on biomechanics on the British Equine Veterinary Affiliation Congress (12–14 September).

Researcher and biomechanics knowledgeable Russell MacKechnie-Guire offered first a abstract of a examine on noseband strain.

“You may be conscious that the noseband and bridle-horse interplay has acquired fairly widespread consideration from each moral and welfare views,” Dr MacKechnie-Guire mentioned. “Bridle-horse interplay is advanced, and that’s actually one of many issues I wish to get throughout, however sadly, they’re usually missed in coaching and administration of horses.

“There have been issues raised over the usage of double bridles however there’s little or no quantitative comparability of the double bridle with the snaffle and we needed to take a look on the facial pressures and motion symmetries.”

The group recruited 13 horses and riders competing at inter II or grand prix stage, accustomed to being ridden in snaffles and doubles, and with their common riders. All have been assessed by a vet, together with dentally, to make sure there was no discomfort, and bridle match was checked.

Strain was then measured, synchronised with video of the horses shifting.

“On this group of horses, we discovered the imply nasal pressures have been decrease for the double bridle,” Dr MacKechnie-Guire mentioned. “Most nasal strain was decrease for the double bridle versus the snaffle. So on this high-level group of horses, the double bridle didn’t enhance nasal or mandible pressures in comparison with the snaffle.”

The group did discover elevated strain over the horses’ heads within the double, which Dr MacKechnie-Guire mentioned strengthened the complexity of bridle-horse interplay; a lot consideration is given to nosebands however, he mentioned, padding headpieces appropriately would enable distribution of the drive.

Dr MacKechnie-Guire additionally offered a examine on rein strain, on fellow researcher David Marlin’s behalf, carried out on the identical time.

This discovered that in trot, there was much less rein drive within the double than within the snaffle, and it was comparable in stroll and canter. The drive on the curb bit was lower than on the bradoon, in all gaits, and the drive on the bradoon was lower than on the snaffle.

“What we may doubtlessly recommend is that with the presence of two bits, the entire drive is being distributed over a higher space,” Dr MacKechnie-Guire mentioned. “It suggests potential for higher focal forces being utilized to the oral constructions by the snaffle bit.”

Dr MacKechnie-Guire pressured that he was not suggesting all horses ought to have two bits; he reiterated that these have been high-level horses and riders, and future work is required at decrease ranges. And on the organic results of the findings.

Saddle impact

In a separate presentation in the identical session, main biomechanics vet and researcher Rachel Murray checked out altering saddle design and its impact on leaping horses.

The group on this examine recruited 14 high-level showjumpers, who have been assessed by vets and physios. Ridden by their common riders, the horses every jumped in a typical monoflap saddle, and one with a decrease cantle and totally different thigh block.

“The one factor that modified was the highest, the interface of the rider with the saddle,” Dr Murray mentioned.

Pressures have been measured because the horses jumped a 1.20m fence, and it was discovered that on the strategy and touchdown, there was considerably extra strain in the usual saddle; there was no distinction on take-off or the leaping part.

“So saddle design has the potential to assist or limit rider motion,” Dr Murray mentioned. “Significantly on touchdown, the rider comes again, hits the again of the saddle and slides down it, whereas, the place we don’t have that large cantle, there’s a a lot smoother interface between the rider and the saddle, and the rider’s pelvis is ready to transfer again additional with out hitting the saddle.

“We don’t know all of the mechanics, however we’ve undoubtedly obtained a distinction in what’s occurring with the rider on the 2 saddles. And what’s attention-grabbing is that it’s having a distinction on the affect of the drive between the saddle and the horse.”

Dr Murray once more mentioned that this concerned high-level horses and riders; taking away assist from a much less balanced rider could have a unfavourable impact, nevertheless it was concluded that “alteration in rider-saddle interplay impacts the forces on the horse”.

“Is that this a possible safety of the horse’s again?” she mentioned.

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Captivated with equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all facets of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, by which she competes her personal horses, and she or he additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits by to worldwide championships.