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Discussion on Research Summary: Modern riding style improves horse racing times
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Jul 20, 2009 - 10:16 am:
I think this piece of research has repercussions for all riding events where endurance is important. Those who ride along firmly seated in the saddle are not going to do as well as those that suspend and balance themselves over their stirrups allowing them to use their legs as shock and motion absorbers. You know you are accomplishing this to the degree that your mass avoids stops and starts (is not jarred) as the horse moves.
DrO
Science. 2009 Jul 17;325(5938):289.
Modern riding style improves horse racing times.
Pfau T, Spence A, Starke S, Ferrari M, Wilson A.
Structure and Motion Laboratory, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, AL9 7TA UK.
When animals carry loads, there is a proportionate increase in metabolic cost, and in humans this increase in cost is reduced when the load is elastically coupled to the load bearer. Major horse race times and records improved by 5 to 7% around 1900 when jockeys adopted a crouched posture. We show that jockeys move to isolate themselves from the movement of their mount. This would be difficult or impossible with a seated or upright, straight-legged posture. This isolation means that the horse supports the jockey's body weight but does not have to move the jockey through each cyclical stride path. This posture requires substantial work by jockeys, who have near-maximum heart rates during racing.
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Member:
wgillmor
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Posted on Monday, Jul 20, 2009 - 5:51 pm:
A non-technical write up with a video:
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/17/sports/17racing.html/?_r=1&scp=1&sq=horse%20se at&st=cse
Wiley
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Monday, Jul 20, 2009 - 8:37 pm:
Very interesting and this makes sense Dr. O. Thanks.
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Member:
cgby1
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 23, 2009 - 7:20 pm:
This is interesting, I knew that jockeys used to ride sitting up straight but thought that the change was to be more aerodynamic and position themselves over the horses center of gravity. It also is nice to know that when I rode my arab on a six day 100+ mile ride in the Mohave desert I was doing him a favor riding in that position. We kept up with the gaited group by riding at a trot but posting was tiring and my backside needed a break so I cover many miles that way. His walk was a great flat swinging stride but the other group of horses were too slow so I had to hold him back to keep him from passing the leader.
Cynthia
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