Precis brenda smith

Study of the biomechanics of the horse at Michigan State University, USA

Brenda Smith BSc(hons). BHSII. PGCE. I currently lecture on the BSc Equine Sports performance and FdSc Equine Studies at Plumpton College, University of Brighton and teach, among other subjects the biomechanical analysis of the equine athlete to the second and third year students.

Biomechanics is a modern discipline within sport and exercise science and has branched out from mechanics, engineering, physics and mathematics.

Biomechanical analysis is the maths behind the movement and is the examination of how the horse moves and the forces that act on the horse during movement. Kinematic analysis examines the movement without the forces and kinetics involves the forces that act on the horse in movement.

Unbeknown to many people associated with equine sport the biomechanical principles are used in most situations but the terms used to describe these principles are unknown.

Scientific biomechanical analysis is produced with the use of various pieces of equipment, measuring anything from the stride length, making comparisons within the horse for lameness evaluation to the measurement of the weight of the rider’s hand on the reins with the use of strain gauges. This type of analysis within the equine world is still in its infancy with much research being ground breaking for the horse and rider combination. With the collection of data within all aspects of equestrianism the sport can move forward with knowledge that has grown as a result of the research.

As a result of the generosity of the Farmer’s Club Charitable Trust I had the opportunity to travel to the USA to further my studies of the biomechanics of the horse and rider under the guidance of Dr Hilary Clayton head of the McPhail Equine Performance Centre at Michigan State University (MSU). I received an invitation to travel to Michigan as a visiting scholar, to work at the McPhail Centre for the duration of my six-week stay to work with the staff to examine the kinetics and kinematics of the horse and the effects of the rider on the performance of the horse. This specialist centre is world renowned for the work done in this field.

On arrival at MSU I was given a project that involved making a 3D animation model of the horse in various gaits and movements for an educational DVD. This was the first part of a much larger study in progress with the Department of Veterinary Studies and the Information Technology Department at MSU. This study is designed to look at the preferred learning styles of university

students. The students participating on the study will be registered on the Animal Science degree but not necessarily specialising in Equine Science.

The study is designed to see if the use of the 3D motion analysis DVD enhances the learning of the students compared to the normally used teaching methods. This will take place during the academic year 2007-2008.

Half of the students will be given the DVD with voice-over as their learning material and the other half will use the tried and tested methods of books and handouts. The results will follow during the next academic year.

In order to produce the DVD eight digital cameras were used along with motion analysis software. The horse was marked with eighty-four reflective markers at strategic points all over the horse and then filmed in a controlled area in various gaits and movements.

The horse was ridden during the data collection, however, there were no reflective markers on the rider and consequently does not appear on any of the data sets as the cameras only collect data from the reflective markers.

The data collected was then tracked frame-by-frame to build the digitised image of the horse. This process is very time consuming but once completed the dots on the screen (the data collected from the reflective markers) become a moving image of a horse although only a ‘stick horse’ as seen below. At this stage it is recognisable as a horse and is the first step in the animation process.

Figure 1 digitised image of the horse and marker set

From this point the model horse is then transformed to make a horse with segments, making the horse look more life-like with the use of more computer software. This can then go to the animation department at the university who can put a ‘skin’ on the horse, making it a computerised horse of the 21 st Century! Below the horse in its segmented for can be seen. This is the image

that will be used for the DVD, as it is easy to discern the various movements at this stage. The colours were discussed and elected to help see the horse’s two sides clearly. Four views of this horse will be used for the study.

Figure 2 segmented horse model used for the DVD

I recorded the voice-over to be used for the final 3D DVD and the video footage of the horse in all gaits and from all views. The notation from the DVD was then formulated into reading material for the second half of the students. I also wrote the test paper for the students that will be used with the 2D video footage. This test will be set after the set learning period for all students. The results of this test will hopefully produce a clear answer of the most effective methods of teaching and learning.

During my visit I also used the other equipment at the centre. This included the digital saddle pressure pads that were used to evaluate the pressure of the rider on the horse’s back. The pad was place under the saddle and any other padding normally used to establish where and how much pressure is exerted onto the horses back while static and during motion. Some primary research has been conducted with the use of this equipment examining the pressure on the saddle while mounting the horse from the ground. I collected data examining the distribution of weight of the rider with and with various saddle pads generally used for riding. This data will be kept for comparison when further research is done within this field.

The use of strain gauges located between the rein and the bit is very new and while at MSU I had the opportunity to be involved with the collection of data.

This data will form part of a big study looking at the pressure that the horse has on the reins during motion with no rider, and the reins fixed directly from the bit to the saddle The data collected was cleaned and examined using ‘mat lab’, a specialised software programme.

This trip has enhanced my knowledge of biomechanics and biomechanical principals and has also created the opportunity for collaborative research between MSU and Plumpton College, University of Brighton. The aim of this project is to measure the weight of the reins and the rein tension in the rider’s hands of approximately 100 randomly selected students 18-25 years. Each student will ride the simulator horse in halt, walk, trot (2 speeds) and canter (2 speeds). The simulator has been selected for use in this as a constant throughout all riders. Strain gauges (rein sensors) will be attached to the reins and the bit of the simulator horse. The aim of this project is to produce data that can be used as a base line of information of the rider’s hand movements and weight in all gaits.

There is only limited research available utilising this equipment and no studies involving the use of the simulator horse. All previous research has been conducted with small numbers of riders. This research will take place at Plumpton College during February 2008 and the data will be examined at MSU. Having this opportunity has enhanced my knowledge and will definitely benefit the students that I teach and enable them to take part in a current research project.