Study finds posting trot puts less stress on horses’ backs than sitting

If you’ve ever attempted to sit the trot on a bouncy equine, you already know how jarring it can be for a rider. But what about for the horse, enduring a rider jostling around on his back? A new study suggests that a sitting trot could put more stress on a horse’s back and increase the risk of equine back injury than the posting (rising) trot.

Dutch researcher Patricia de Cocq led the research, which was published earlier this month in the Journal of Experimental Biology. In her research, de Cocq observed experienced dressage riders at a Michigan State University laboratory using three-dimensional motion capture technology. The motion capture showed the center of mass of the riders moved less at the posting trot than when they sat the trot. That reduced motion indicated less force on the horses’ backs.

Posting at the trot serves to control the energy of the trot. By engaging their legs and core muscles to rise slightly above the saddle with each stride of the trot, the riders control their body weight to rise and fall in rhythm with the horse rather than allowing it to bounce on the horse in full force.

Dressage riders sit the trot at first level and above, so the study may merit further research for that sport. Western riders, who also do not typically post at the trot, will note that dressage horses have a much loftier gait than the shuffling jog of a western pleasure horse. This particular study did not examine the differences in various types of horses or equestrian sports.

While posting puts less stress on a horse’s back, it is not the least stressful style of riding. By building a simulated horse-and-rider model, de Cocq found that riding in the position used by jockeys, elevated above the saddle and interfering with the horse as little as possible, was the least stressful for the horse. Of course, the perched position wouldn’t fit with non-racing sports where riders use their seat and leg aids to cue their mounts. Furthermore, the study notes that the position used by jockeys takes a tremendous amount of strength on the part of the rider.

Further Reading
Horsemanship How-to: Post the Trot
Perfecting the Posting Trot