Gait Analysis Study of the StrideFree® Tree

The UK agent, KM Elite, enlisted Lucyanna Westaway from EquiLaterals to run a biomechanic case study on the horses gait and stride length when ridden in a StrideFree® saddle.

A summary of the results of the study are detailed below:

Executive Summary

The trial has shown that the change of saddle has demonstrated a significantly greater stride length in both walk and trot. The analysis indicates that the increase in stride length has come from opening up the movement of the shoulder and hips/stifle. There is also an indication of improved symmetry of movement although results for this were not as consistent as for the stride length.

EquiLateral Biomechanic Gait Assessment - Walk

Stride Characteristics

  • Overall the horse showed a 20% increase in stride length at walk when ridden in a StrideFree® Saddle compared to when ridden in Other Saddle.

  • The average degree of elevation stayed similar in both saddles during the first assessment.

  • By the second assessment the horse had developed an average of 10% greater elevation in the StrideFree® Saddle compared to the first assessment in the StrideFree® Saddle.

  • The speeds were consistent across all assessments.

Limb Angles

  • In the Other Saddle the horse showed slightly reduced protraction and retraction along the right side in both the foreleg and hindleg in comparison to the left side. In the StrideFree® saddle the horse’s symmetry between the left and right side was more closely aligned. (1st Assessment)

  • During the second assessment the horse was reluctant to walk and had a tendency to jog. The graphs show this inconsistency in the walk movement and so are not considered reliable for the purpose of comparison.

  • The horse shows a more open angle (~4°) throughout the movement in both the left and right shoulder in the StrideFree® Saddle compared to the Other Saddle. (1st Assessment)

  • The foreleg fetlock and coronet angles show a closer symmetry between the left side and the right side in the Stride Free saddle compared to in the Other Saddle. (1st Assessment)

  • The hindleg angles are very similar in both saddles during the 1st Assessment.

EquiLateral Biomechanic Gait Assessment – Trot

Stride Characteristics

  • Overall the horse showed a 24% increase in stride length at trot when ridden in a StrideFree® Saddle compared to when ridden in Other Saddle.

  • The horse showed a reduction of elevation (approx. 8%) when ridden in the StrideFree® saddle compared to the Other Saddle during the first assessment.

  • By the second assessment the horse had developed an average of 6% greater elevation in the StrideFree® Saddle compared to the StrideFree® Saddle during the first assessment.

  • The speeds were consistent across all assessments.

Limb Angles

  • The horse shows ~3°greater foreleg retraction in both the left and the right side when ridden in the StrideFree® Saddle compared to in the Other Saddle. (1st Assessment)

  • The protraction of the left side foreleg stayed about the same with the right side showing an increase of around 3° to show closer symmetry of movement. (1st Assessment)

  • The left hindleg protraction increase by ~3° in the StrideFree® Saddle compared to the Other Saddle. (1st Assessment)

  • The shoulders show a much smoother movement pattern in the StrideFree® saddle particularly the right shoulder which was a little inconsistent in its movement in the Other Saddle. The average left shoulder angle opened by ~4° throughout the movement pattern. (1st Assessment)

  • By the second assessment the protraction of the foreleg had reduced very slightly but with very good symmetry between the left and right side.

  • The hindlegs showed much improved symmetry in the StrideFree® Saddle during the second assessment.

  • The right shoulder has opened up slightly by the second assessment in the StrideFree® Saddle showing a greater average angle throughout the movement compared to when ridden in the other saddle and to both saddles in the First Assessment.

  • The elbow shows a greater range of movement during the Second Assessment compared to the First Assessment in both saddles. This occurs again with the knee.

  • The foreleg fetlock and coronet angles are more symmetrical in the StrideFree® Saddle during both Assessment compared when ridden in the Other Saddle.

  • The hips and stifle show a greater degree of movement in the Second Assessment in both saddles.

  • Again the hocks show a greater range of movement (~5°) during the Second Assessment in both saddles.

  • The hindleg fetlock and coronet angles show more aligned symmetry in the First Assessment.