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