Quantification of warm-up patterns in elite showjumping horses over three consecutive days: a descriptive study

Abstract

There is very little reported information on warm-up practices in showjumping horses. The objective was to quantify warm-up jumping patterns/duration in a competition (field) environment in showjumping horses. Ten mixed-breed elite showjumping horses were assessed at a three-day training session. Riders warmed-up as they would normally for an elite competition and jumped at least one round of a 15-fence (135-145 cm) course on each day. Fence type/height, number of jumping efforts and lead take-off/landing limbs during warm-up were recorded. Rider global-positioning-system and inertial-motion-sensors recorded speed, time spent in each pace/rein plus stride length and stride duration during warm-up and course. Heart rate (HR) was recorded when the horse was resting in its stable and for the duration of the ridden exercise. Appropriate paired statistical tests were used to compare variables between days, and between warm-up and the round(s). Mean warm-up duration, time in each pace and on each rein did not differ within rider between days, however, there were inter-rider differences (mean warm-up duration = 18 min; range = 12-27 min). Number of jumping efforts and fence type/height did not differ between days. During warm-up, there was no preference in canter lead when approaching fences. However, on departure there was a preferred canter lead, plus jump landing and leaving lead limb asymmetry (left canter lead predominating in all cases). Horses cantered slower, with a shorter stride length and a longer stride duration during warm-up compared to when jumping the round (speed – warm-up: 4.21±0.09 m/s; round: 5.53±0.15 m/s; stride length – warm-up: 2.59±0.06 m; round: 3.16±0.08 m; stride duration – warm-up: 0.62±0.02 s; round: 0.58±0.03 s). Mean resting HR significantly decreased on consecutive study days. Mean, peak and final HR during warm-up did not significantly change between days. Results provide novel information on warm-up patterns in a competition (field) environment for elite horses, and suggest that showjumping horses may be warmed-up asymmetrically.

Locomotory Profiles in Thoroughbreds: Peak Stride Length and Frequency in Training and Association with Race Outcomes

“…During standard gallop training sessions, our results revealed clear locomotory differences: sprinters had shorter stride length of a higher frequency than stayers. It is conceivable that the effect of warm up, if different between sprinters and stayers (not to our knowledge) may have exerted some effect on these stride characteristics, as previously evidenced in showjumpers [ 27 ]. Fatigue can also cause racehorses to lose a stable stride frequency [ 28 ], triggering a decrease in stride length [ 29 ].…”

Warm-Up Strategies and Effects on Performance in Racing Horses and Sport Horses Competing in Olympic Disciplines

“…Six studies described warm-up strategies in show jumping horses and their effects on performance [ 49 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ]. The mean warm-up durations in these studies are presented in Table 4 .…”

Thermographic Analysis of the Metacarpal and Metatarsal Areas in Jumping Sport Horses and Leisure Horses in Response to Warm-Up Duration

“…Thus, probably the warm-up period in jumping sport horses can be limited to 25 min, including 10 min of trotting. The warm-up duration practiced for elite showjumping horses reported in another study amounted to 12 to 27 min including cantering [37]. However, a temperature increase in the dorsal area of the metacarpus cannot be expected until after an extended warm-up.…”

“…Therefore, cooling down in these cases seems to be necessary. Some limitations of the study include the fact that the used work-load in all warmup regimes was lower than generally used in practice in showjumping and dressage horses [37,50]. The reported warm-up practices included intervals of cantering.…”