The world’s leading veterinary and scientific experts examined, discussed and debated the latest research on saddle-related equine welfare and performance issues at the International Conference
The 2nd Saddle Research Trust International Conference, held at the end of last month at Anglia Ruskin University, was declared a resounding success. Presenting to around 400 delegates, the world’s leading veterinary and scientific experts examined, discussed and debated the latest research on saddle-related equine welfare and performance issues.
The conference saw leading vets, saddlers and equine therapists joining professional riders and trainers as well as leisure owners and riders to hear international experts share their vast experience and debate their cutting edge research.
SRT Director, Anne Bondi, began with an entertaining and thought provoking look at horse, rider and saddle interactions which highlighted some current and very relevant findings of health issues experienced by cyclists who spend hours in their saddles.
Dr Sue Dyson from the Animal Health Trust discussed the causes of saddle slip and the implications of hind limb lameness as well as equine back and rider asymmetry. She went on to present the findings from studies undertaken with her PhD student, Line Greve, investigating changing back dimensions in ridden sports horses after exercise. Evidence suggests that thick pads and numnahs can constrict and interfere with the fit of the saddle and can prevent the changes in back shape that should naturally occur in the horse during exercise. Such under-saddle materials should be seen as an integral part of the rider/saddle equation when calculating fit and considering comfort.
Professor Hilary Clayton gave an overview of the potential to use new technology in the riding arena to help improve rider position and technique. She explained the potential role of easy to use gadgets for basic kinematic analysis, sensors to buzz reminders at every crooked, out of balance move and an electronic belt to help improve core strength and control by detecting rider pelvic tilt on the horse.
A perceptive introduction to the afternoon sessions from British Equine Federation Director of Equine Sports Science and Medicine, John McEwen, was followed by an insight into the state-of-the-art in knowledge of animal movement science, given by Professor Christian Peham. He demonstrated how a biomechanical simulation method, based on real data, could assist vets as a clinical tool and delegates learned much more about the movement of the equine back and neck, through his 3D model.
Professor Lars Roepstorff and Maria Terese Engell explored the influence of the rider, emphasising that the horse is a partner in sport and, as such, needs a rider who prepares himself or herself with thorough appropriate fitness and core strength exercise. Dr Katja Geser-von Peinen then presented the effects of saddle design and function on rider and horse. She shared her fascinating work of pressure mapping and reiterated how the expert interpretation of results is key to success with this technology.
The final session saw Professor Renee van Weeren summarise the evolution of the human-horse relationship, drawing comparisons with other sports and emphasising that there is a huge amount of scope for more science to be used to improve standards on all levels. Olympic dressage rider, Richard Davison, ended by pinpointing which areas he specifically believed to have the most practical relevance for him as a rider as well as discussing the benefits of the research on a wider scale, urging equestrian organisations to take note.
