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Anatomical Positions

Anatomical Positions

In anatomy, several standard anatomical positions are used as references for describing the position and orientation of different body parts. These positions help provide a common frame of reference when discussing anatomical structures. The anatomical position is the standard reference point for describing the body's position and orientation. In this position:
The body is upright, facing forward, and standing erect.
The feet are parallel and flat on the floor.
The arms are hanging by the...

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International Survey Exploring Rider-Perceived Sidedness of the Horse.

Russell MacKechnie-Guire¹, Hilary Clayton², Anna Byström³

¹Equine Department, Hartpury University, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.

Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI

|July 12, 2025

Summary

Horse laterality, or sidedness, impacts training. This study surveyed 2304 owners, revealing perceived asymmetries in hooves and shoulders, and difficulties in rightward movements, suggesting consistent patterns in equine laterality.

Keywords:

asymmetry crookedness handedness lameness laterality straightness

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Area of Science:

Equine science
Animal biomechanics
Veterinary behavior

Background:

Laterality, or sidedness, is a recognized aspect of animal behavior and training.
Understanding equine laterality is crucial for optimizing performance and welfare.
Previous research has explored asymmetry in horses, but owner perceptions remain a key area.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate horse and rider sidedness and asymmetry through an international online survey.
To identify common perceptions of laterality in horses among owners.
To explore potential patterns and associations in reported equine asymmetries.

Main Methods:

An international online survey was distributed to horse and rider owners.
2304 usable responses were collected and analyzed.
Confidence intervals (95%) were used to assess the significance of response options, with correspondence analysis employed to identify patterns.

Main Results:

A significant proportion of respondents perceived differences in hoof uprightness (right > left) and shoulder prominence (left > right).
More difficulties were reported during rightward lunging and bending exercises compared to leftward.
Horses were observed to fall inward more on right circles during lunging and riding, and commonly tracked hindquarters leftward in various gaits.

Conclusions:

Horse owner perceptions indicate prevalent laterality and asymmetry in horses, particularly concerning forelimb and shoulder presentation and performance during rightward movements.
Consistent patterns emerged, linking specific side biases and symmetry perceptions across different questions.
While the underlying mechanisms require further investigation, these findings offer valuable insights into owner-perceived equine laterality and its implications for training and management.