Scientific Research Publications

In line with Centaur Biomechanics’ research strategy, Dr. Russell MacKechnie-Guire has an extensive research portfolio with publication of more than 50 research items. In collaboration with world-renowned researchers, using state of the art measing systems and scientifically robust protocols, Dr. MacKechnie-Guire has been involved with, and led multiple studies quantifying:

The effect that girth, bridle and saddle fit, and saddle design has on the locomotor apparatus of the horse
The effect that the rider has on equine locomotion
The effect that various pieces of equipment, when used for training and rehabilitation, have on the horse
The effect that the rider has on equine back movement

Centaur Biomechanics’ mission is to carry out research which can be applied and used to improve equine health, welfare, soundness and performance across the globe. We have multiple projects currently underway.

R71: Facial pressure beneath a cavesson noseband adjusted to different tightness levels during standing and chewing

Hilary M. Clayton, Rachel Murray, Jane M. Williams, Vicki Walker, Mark Fisher,| Diane Fisher, Jane Nixon, Russell Mackechnie-Guire

Scientific Research Publications

R71: Facial pressure beneath a cavesson noseband adjusted to different tightness levels during standing and chewing

R70: The Role of the Equestrian Professional in Bridle and Bit Fit in the United Kingdom

R69: Noseband type and tightness level affect pressure on the horse's face at trot

R68: Is there a difference in mean rein forces for high-level dressage horses when ridden in a double bridle compared to a snaffle bridle?

R67: In horses wearing a crank noseband, the mandibular rami experience higher pressures than the nasal bone

R66: Can altering saddle/rider interface modify the force applied to the equine thoracic region when jumping a 1.20 m fence?

R65: In high-level dressage horses, does bridle type influence noseband pressures and movement symmetry parameters when ridden in a sitting trot?

R64: Is thoracolumbarsacral range of motion during a croup reflex related to movement symmetry parameters when trotting in-hand?

R63: The Role of Equestrian Professionals in Saddle Fit for Horses and Riders in the United Kingdom

R62: Kinematic Responses to Water Treadmill Exercise When Used Regularly within a Sport Horse Training Programme: A Longitudinal, Observational Study

R61: Experiences of Interdisciplinary Working from the Perspective of the Society of Master Saddlers Qualified Saddle Fitters

R60: Saddle Thigh Block Design Can Influence Rider and Horse Biomechanics

R59: Timing Differences in Stride Cycle Phases in Retired Racehorses Ridden in Rising and Two-Point Seat Positions at Trot on Turf, Artificial and Tarmac Surfaces

R58: Riders’ Effects on Horses—Biomechanical Principles with Examples from the Literature

R57: Trunk Kinematics of Experienced Riders and Novice Riders During Rising Trot on a Riding Simulator

R56: The immediate effect of water treadmill walking exercise on overground in-hand walking locomotion in the horse

R55: Tack Fit and Use

R54: Do ground or raised poles affect differential rotational movement of the equine thoracolumbosacral spine during straight line locomotion when ridden in rising trot?

R53: Do training aids affect the kinematics of the equine thoracolumbosacral spine when being lunged in trot on a circle?

R52: Do ground and raised poles affect differential rotational movement of the equine thoracolumbosacral spine during straight line locomotion when walking in-hand?

R51: Do ground or raised poles affect equine movement symmetry parameters during straight line locomotion when ridden in rising trot?

R50: Effect of Water Depth on Limb and Back Kinematics in Horses Walking on a Water Treadmill

R49: Effect of Ground and Raised Poles on Kinematics of the Walk

R48: Rotational Movement of the Back, in Jumping Horses when Trotting In-Hand and Ridden on an 18 m Circle

R47: Could saddle design affect performance in the racing Thoroughbred?

R46: Lumbar Spine Kinematics of Experienced and Inexperienced Horse Riders on a Riding Simulator

R45: Could Saddle Knee-Block Design Influence Limb and Thoracolumbar Spine Kinematics in Sport Horses?

R44: Does Gluteus Medius Activation in Riders Affect Rider Pelvic Function, Saddle Movement and Gait?

R43: The Effect of a Saddle on the Kinematics of the Thoracolumbosacral Spine at Walk and Trot In-Hand

R42: Effect of Walking Over Ground and Raised Poles Versus No Poles on Equine Limb and Back Kinematics

R41: Influence of Speed and Race Girth Design on Girth Pressure and Force Distribution in Racehorses

R40: Effect of Water Depth on Limb and Back Kinematics in the Horse Whilst Walking on a Water Treadmill

R39: Guidelines for the Measurement of Rein Tension in Equestrian Sport.

R38: Movement symmetry values of the thoracolumbosacral region in high-level jumping horses, when trotted in-hand and ridden in a straight line with three different riding positions

R37: Differential rotational movement of the thoracolumbosacral region in high-level jumping horses, when trotted in-hand and ridden in a straight line with three different riding positions

R36: Movement asymmetries in 200 non-lame elite and non-elite horses during in-hand trot. (2021) R. MacKechnie-Guire and T. Pfau.

R35: Girth design in galloping racehorses influences limb kinematics, under-girth pressures and force distribution

R34: A comparison between thermal activity of the thoracic region and saddle pressure distribution beneath the saddle in a group of non-lame sports horses

R33: Could saddle knee-block design influence the kinematics of the equine thoracolumbar spine in elite sports horses?

R32: Differential rotational movement and symmetry values of the thoracolumbosacral region in high-level dressage horses when trotting

R31: A Systematic Approach to Comparing Thermal Activity of the Thoracic Region and Saddle Pressure Distribution beneath the Saddle in a Group of Non-Lame Sports Horses

R30: Differential Rotational Movement of the Thoracolumbosacral Spine in High-Level Dressage Horses Ridden in a Straight Line, in Sitting Trot and Seated Canter Compared to In-Hand Trot

R29: Effect of a Half Pad on Pressure Distribution in Sitting Trot and Canter Beneath a Saddle Fitted to Industry Guidelines

R28: Variations in epaxial musculature dimensions and horse height over a period of eight hours

R27: Effect of walking over ground poles and raised poles compared to no poles on limb and back kinematics in horses with different postures

R26: Change in muscle development of horses undergoing 20 weeks of water treadmill exercise compared with control horses

R25: The Effect That Induced Rider Asymmetry Has on Equine Locomotion and the Range of Motion of the Thoracolumbar Spine When Ridden in Rising Trot

R24: Assessing the Influence of Buried Archaeology on Equine Locomotion Comparison with Ground Penetrating Radar

R23: Tree Width on Thoracolumbar and Limb Kinematics, Saddle Pressure Distribution, and Thoracolumbar Dimensions in Sports Horses in Trot and Canter

R22: Could pressure distribution under race-exercise saddles affect limb kinematics and lumbosacral flexion in the galloping racehorse?

R21: Kinematics of the thoracolumbar spine whilst cantering in horses fitted with a saddle of three different widths

R20: Can saddle tree width affect saddle pressure distribution whilst cantering?

R19: Could breastplate design influence jumping kinematics? A pilot study,

R18: The influence of rider:horse bodyweight ratio and rider-horse-saddle fit on equine gait and behaviour: A pilot study

R17: A subjective descriptive study of the warm-up and turn to a fence, approach, take-off, suspension, landing and move-off in 10 showjumpers

R16: Reducing peak pressures under the saddle at thoracic vertebrae 10-13 is associated with alteration in jump kinematics.

R15: The effect of saddle width on thoracolumbar range of motion

R14: Induced rider asymmetry and its effects on equine limb kinematics and thoracolumbar range of motion

R13: A controlled, blinded study investigating the effect that a twenty minute Cycloidal vibration has on whole horse locomotion and thoracolumbar profiles

R12: Girth pressure measurements reveal high peak pressures that can be avoided using an alternative girth design which also results in increased limb protraction and flexion in the swing phase

R11: A bridle designed to avoid peak pressure locations under the headpiece and noseband is associated with more uniform pressure and increased carpal and tarsal flexion, compared with the horse’s usual bridle

R10: Riders’ perception of symmetrical pressure on their ischial tuberosities and rein contact tension whilst sitting on a static object

R9: Riders’ perception of symmetrical pressure on their ischial tuberosities and rein contact whilst sitting on a static object

R8: Automated detection of basic equestrian exercises based on smartphone accelerometer data

R7: Investigation Looking at the Repeatability of 20 Society of Master Saddlers Qualified Saddle Fitters’ Observations During Static Saddle Fit

R6: Reducing Peak Pressures Under the Saddle Panel at the Level of the 10th to 13th Thoracic Vertebrae May Be Associated With Improved Gait Features, Even When Saddles Are Fitted to Published Guidelines

R5: Local Back Pressure Caused by a Training Roller During Lunging With and Without a Pessoa Training Aid

R4: Relationship Between Saddle and Rider Kinematics, Horse Locomotion, and Thoracolumbar Pressures in Sound Horses

R3: Effect of tree width on kinematics of the thirteenth thoracic vertebra, thoracolumbar dimensions, saddle pressures and limb kinematics

R2: Difference Between Centrally and Laterally Positioned Saddle on Equine Head and Pelvic Range of Motion in Trot and Canter,

R1: A comparison of the position of elite and non-elite riders during competitive show jumping

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