Collected, Medium, and Extended Trot Biomechanics Studied

Researchers focused on the effect of collected and lengthened paces in young and mature dressage horses.
Share
Favorite
Close

No account yet? Register

ADVERTISEMENT

Mustangs
The findings of the study helped researchers understand more about what is happening to the horse’s limbs during collected, medium, and extended trot in a field-based scenario. | Photo: iStock

Researchers in the United Kingdom recently examined kinematic differences—essentially, differences in how horses move—between collected and medium/extended trot in dressage horses to better understand the effect of collected versus lengthened paces, footing surfaces, and differences between young and mature dressage horses.

The team evaluated 20 clinically sound horses in active dressage training on two composite (sand/felt fiber/grain rubber) surfaces typical of dressage arenas. The researchers separated the horses into two groups: horses six years and under working at elementary and medium dressage levels, assessed at collected and medium trot; and horses nine years and over working at Prix St. Georges and above, assessed at collected and extended trot.

The team used 2-D high-speed motion capture to measure forelimb and hind-limb angles at midstance (the moment the horse has two feet on the ground), where peak load occurs. This phase of the gait is characterized by shoulder/elbow flexion and knee/fetlock extension in the forelimbs and hip/stifle/hock flexion with fetlock extension in the hind limbs

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.

TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.

Start your free account today!

Already have an account?
and continue reading.

Share

Written by:

Freelance journalist Natalie DeFee Mendik is a multiple American Horse Publications editorial and graphics awards winner specializing in equestrian media. She holds an MA in English from Colorado State University and an International Federation of Journalists’ International press card, and is a member of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists. With over three decades of horse experience, Natalie’s main equine interests are dressage and vaulting. Having lived and ridden in England, Switzerland, and various parts of the United States, Natalie currently resides in Colorado with her husband and two girls.

Related Articles

Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with

FREE weekly newsletters from TheHorse.com

Sponsored Content

Weekly Poll

sponsored by:

How much time do you usually spend grooming your horse?
440 votes · 440 answers

Readers’ Most Popular

Sign In

Don’t have an account? Register for a FREE account here.

Need to update your account?

You need to be logged in to fill out this form

Create a free account with TheHorse.com!