Trunk roll rotations of dressage horses in canter vs counter canter

Abstract

During turning, horses lean inwards to generate a centripetal force, but sport horses are trained to turn with a more vertical posture. The objective was to compare trunk roll angles in dressage horses performing true canter (TC) and counter canter (CC). Sixteen high-level dressage horses were ridden by their trainers in a 20×60 m arena with sand-fibre footing. Trunk roll angle was measured using an inertial measurement unit attached to mid-ventral girth. Data were analysed for 10 strides/horse on 20 and 10 m circles in TC and CC in each direction. Positive roll values indicated the trunk rolled down on the inside of the circle. Descriptive statistics were calculated and compared using a GLM and post hoc tests (P