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Is there a difference in pressures and forces under the roller with different pads when lunging horses with the
H Loosley1, L S Rehbein2, E M M Lima2
1School of Agriculture, Animal and Environmental Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Lordship Road, Writtle CM1 3RR, United Kingdom.
Background:
Elevated pressures beneath training rollers during the Pessoa training aid (PTA) use have been reported, particularly over the thoracic region, which may contribute to back discomfort.
Objectives:
To investigate the effect of different pads on pressures and forces beneath a training roller during lunging with a PTA.
Methods:
Six clinically sound horses (13.8 ± 5.2 years) were lunged on a 16-m circle in trot and canter using a randomised crossover design under three conditions: no padding (Pad 1), a folded cotton saddle cloth (Pad 2), and a purpose-made roller foam pad (Pad 3). Kinetic data were collected using a pressure-mapping system. Outcome variables included average pressure, box pressure, contact pressure (kPa), force and peak force (N), and peak pressures (kPa). Data were analysed using Friedman tests with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons.
Results:
Differences were identified between pad conditions for all kinetic variables. In trot, average pressure decreased from 5.15 ± 1.69 kPa (Pad 1) to 3.15 ± 0.84 kPa (Pad 2) and 1.30 ± 0.15 kPa (Pad 3) (P = 0.014 and P < 0.001). Peak box pressure decreased from 15.05 ± 3.94 kPa (Pad 1) to 9.35 ± 2.67 kPa (Pad 2) and 2.65 ± 0.62 kPa (Pad 3), respectively (P = 0.014; P < 0.001). Similar reductions were observed in canter, where average pressure decreased from 5.05 ± 1.87 kPa (Pad 1) to 3.60 ± 0.71 kPa (Pad 2) and 1.30 ± 0.18 kPa (Pad 3) (P = 0.014; P < 0.001). The purpose-made roller pad reduced several pressure variables by approximately 75-82% compared with the control condition.
Conclusions:
Padding beneath a training roller significantly reduces pressures and forces during lunging with a PTA.
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