Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 March 2007
This study examined the effects of a rider on the angular momentum and angular velocity of the jumping horse, particularly during the flight phase. Sagittal plane video recordings were digitized of eight horses jumping a vertical fence (1 m high) under two conditions: Loose and Ridden. An experienced rider rode the horses during the Ridden condition. Using appropriate segmental inertial data for the horse and rider, angular momentum and angular velocity were calculated for the Loose and Ridden conditions. Estimates of the various rider effects on angular momentum and angular velocity were obtained by comparison of Loose and Ridden conditions and examination of the contributions of the horse and rider segments to the total angular momentum. The results showed that the rider's effect on angular momentum was significant but that the rider's segmental contribution to the angular momentum of the horse–rider system was minimal. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed that the rider had a significant effect on the angular momentum and angular velocity of the horse during the flight phase (P<0.01). However, the rider did not have a significant effect on the transfer of angular momentum during the flight. We concluded that the rider's instruction has a greater influence on the horse's motion than the mechanical transfer between rider and horse.