The effect on rein tension of different training methods for gymnastic neck flexion in base-level trained sportshorses at the walk Iris Veen Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University
The effect on rein tension of different training
methods for gymnastic neck flexion in base-level
trained sportshorses at the walk
Iris Veen
Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Utrecht University
Introduction
“The object of dressage is the
development of the horse into a happy
athlete through harmonious education”
Aims of the study
• What makes a “happy athlete”?
• Objectively quantify rein tension
• Evaluate 2 training methods for obtaining
a desired head-and-neck position
Material & Methods
Draw Reins
• Surcingle Bit Surcingle
• Static method
Material & Methods
• Concord Leader
• 3 pressure points
– Withers
– Head
– Bit
• Pulley
• Dynamic method
Material & Methods
Utrecht University rein tension device
• Development and validation
• Reproducibility
• 10 Hz
• Newton
Material & Methods
• 11 Horses
• 6 straight lines of 25 meter
• <14,5 s and >15,5 s discarded
• Bridle and bit
• Concord Leader and Draw reins
• Hard and soft surface
Hard surface Soft surface
Concord Leader (CCL) CCL Hard surface CCL soft surface
Draw Reins (DR) DR Hard surface DR soft surface
Material & Methods
Head-and-neck position (HNP)
Results
0
5
10
15
20
25
New
ton
Rein tension
Left
Right
Results
CCL
DR
Results
• Statistical analysis and paired t-test
• Significant (p<0.05) lower mean rein
tension with CCL compared to DR.
• Significant (p<0.05) lower maximal rein
tension with CCL compared to DR.
• Percentages of 0 simulating “lightness”
Results
• No difference in percentage 0 ratio = 0
• The bigger the ratio the more difference in
percentage 0
• One-sample t-test
• Significant (p<0.05) higher percentage of 0
with CCL compared to DR
Conclusion
• CCL achieves a similar HNP with a lower
mean and maximal rein tension
• Greater part of lightness
• Objective data on rein tension and HNP
• UU Rein tension device is a valuable tool
in rein tension research
Veterinary relevance
• Not necessary to use a lot of rein tension
to obtain a desired HNP
• CCL useful in the rehabilitation of horses
• Rein tension awareness!
Thanks to
• Prof. Dr. Wim Back Department of Equine sciences, Faculty of Veterinary medicine, Utrecht University
• Dr. Dante Killian Manager Engineering at Scientific Instrumentation, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University
• Mieke Verdonk Professional horsetrainer and owner Verdonk Innovations
• Volunteers & Horses