Teaching Direction Control in Horse Riding: A Pre-Post Intervention Proof-of-Concept Study Using Multi-Modal Motor...

Many riders experience persistent communication problems with their horses, particularly in controlling speed and direction, despite extensive training. This proof-of-concept study employed a pre-test-post-test intervention design to examine the effectiveness of the Four-Step Riding Programme (FSRP) in developing clear rider-horse body language for direction control. Multi-modal motor learning techniques (MMLTs) were applied to five rider-horse dyads during four one-hour lessons to teach coordinated movement patterns necessary for directional accuracy. Rider-horse communication was evaluated before and after the intervention using video recordings of 13 riding exercises. Three independent assessors rated the performances on a 5-point Likert scale, and riders provided self-assessments on the same scale. Horse stride parameters, reflecting shoulder control, were visualised with the Alogo™ Move Pro electronic sensor. Significant improvements were observed between pre- and post-intervention scores across all assessors and participants (p < 0.05). These preliminary findings suggest that the FSRP holds promise for facilitating the acquisition of rider-horse body language necessary for precise direction control.