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. 2025 Jul 30;25(15):4712.
doi: 10.3390/s25154712.

Quantification of the Effect of Saddle Fitting on Rider-Horse Biomechanics Using Inertial Measurement Units

Blandine Becard  1   2 , Marie Sapone  1 , Pauline Martin  1 , Sandrine Hanne-Poujade  1 , Alexa Babu  1 , Camille Hébert  1 , Philippe Joly  2 , William Bertucci  2 , Nicolas Houel  2
Affiliations

Quantification of the Effect of Saddle Fitting on Rider-Horse Biomechanics Using Inertial Measurement Units

Blandine Becard et al. Sensors (Basel). .

Abstract

The saddle's adaptability to the rider-horse pair's biomechanics is essential for equestrian comfort and performance. However, approaches to dynamic evaluation of saddle fitting are still limited in equestrian conditions. The purpose of this study is to propose a method of quantifying saddle adaptation to the rider-horse pair in motion. Eight rider-horse pairs were tested using four similar saddles with small modifications (seat depth, flap width, and front panel thickness). Seven inertial sensors were attached to the riders and horses to measure the active range of motion of the horses' forelimbs and hindlimbs, stride duration, active range of motion of the rider's pelvis, and rider-horse interaction. The results reveal that even small saddle changes affect the pair's biomechanics. Some saddle configurations limit the limbs' active range of motion, lengthen strides, or modify the rider's pelvic motion. The temporal offset between the movements of the horse and the rider changes depending on the saddle modifications. These findings support the effect of fine saddle changes on the locomotion and synchronization of the rider-horse pair. The use of inertial sensors can be a potential way for quantifying the influence of dynamic saddle fitting and optimizing saddle adaptability in stable conditions with saddle fitter constraints.

Keywords: biomechanics; horse locomotion; pelvis; rider–horse synchronization; saddle fitting.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors Blandine Becard, Marie Sapone, Pauline Martin, Sandrine Hanne-Poujade, Alexa Babu, and Camille Hébertwas were employed by the company LIM France. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Illustration of the 4 tested saddles.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Illustration of the 7 inertial measurement units’ (IMUs’) placement.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Illustration of the angles of protraction/retraction of the forelimbs and hindlimbs.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Amplitude of pitch movement of the rider’s pelvis.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Boxplots illustrating stride time with saddles A (purple), B (green) C (red), and D (blue).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Boxplots illustrating Time Lag with saddles A (purple), B (green) C (red), and D (blue).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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