{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]],"date-time":"2026-09-30T20:16:49Z","timestamp":1790799409539,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":33,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,2,9]],"date-time":"2021-02-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1612828800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"The Danish Horse Levy Foundation","award":["none"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["none"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Animals"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Riders need core stability to follow and guide the horse\u2019s movements and avoid giving unintended or conflicting signals. This study evaluated the rider\u2019s performance of exercises on a gymnastic ball with on-horse performance and indicators of stress in the horse. Twenty experienced riders were scored performing three exercises on a gymnastic ball and for quality and harmony when riding based on evaluation of video recordings in which conflict behaviours were evident. The horse\u2019s heart rate and number of conflict behaviors during the riding test and cortisol levels after completion of the test were measured. The rider\u2019s ability to roll the pelvis from side-to-side on a gymnastic ball was highly correlated with ability to circle the pelvis on the ball and with quality and harmony during riding. However, pelvic roll and riding quality and harmony showed a trend toward a negative correlation with balancing skills on the ball. It appears that the ability to actively move the pelvis is more relevant to equestrian performance than static balancing skill. Horses ridden by riders with better pelvic mobility and control showed significantly fewer conflict behaviors. On the contrary, high scores for balancing on the gymnastic ball were negatively correlated with the horses\u2019 working heart rates, suggesting a less energetic performance. Pelvic control and mobility may be predictive for equestrian skills and riding harmony.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ani11020453","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,2,9]],"date-time":"2021-02-09T23:43:16Z","timestamp":1612914196000},"page":"453","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":15,"title":["Relationships between the Rider\u2019s Pelvic Mobility and Balance on a Gymnastic Ball with Equestrian Skills and Effects on Horse Welfare"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"11","author":[{"given":"Mette","family":"Uldahl","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Vejle Hestepraksis, Fasanvej 12, 7120 Vejle, Denmark"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0227-0648","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Janne W.","family":"Christensen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Blichers All\u00e9 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8759-0925","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Hilary M.","family":"Clayton","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, 736 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,2,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"41","DOI":"10.1111\/j.2042-3306.1997.tb05051.x","article-title":"Components of the total kinetic moment in jumping horses","volume":"29","author":"Galloux","year":"2010","journal-title":"Equine Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e9022","DOI":"10.7717\/peerj.9022","article-title":"A scoping review of determinants of performance in dressage","volume":"8","author":"Hobbs","year":"2020","journal-title":"PeerJ"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"193","DOI":"10.1079\/ECP200420","article-title":"Electromyographic activity of the rider\u2019s muscles at trot","volume":"1","author":"Terada","year":"2004","journal-title":"Equine Compar. Exerc. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"123","DOI":"10.1016\/j.applanim.2017.02.011","article-title":"The role of biomechanical analysis of horse and rider in equitation science","volume":"190","author":"Clayton","year":"2017","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"227","DOI":"10.1016\/j.humov.2013.09.003","article-title":"Horse\u2013rider interaction in dressage riding","volume":"33","author":"Eckardt","year":"2014","journal-title":"Hum. Mov. Sci."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"27","DOI":"10.3920\/CEP150035","article-title":"Postural changes and their effects in elite riders when actively influencing the horse versus sitting passively at trot","volume":"12","author":"Engell","year":"2016","journal-title":"Comp. Exerc. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1145","DOI":"10.1080\/24748668.2015.11868858","article-title":"The influence of an 8-week rider core fitness program on the equine back at sitting trot","volume":"15","author":"Hampson","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int. J. Perform. Anal. Sport"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"511","DOI":"10.1016\/j.humov.2019.05.021","article-title":"Intersegmental strategies in frontal plane in moderately-skilled riders analyzed in ridden and un-mounted situations","volume":"66","author":"Engell","year":"2019","journal-title":"Hum. Mov. Sci."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Persson-Sjodin, E., Hernlund, E., Pfau, T., Andersen, P.H., and Rhodin, M. (2018). Influence of seating styles on head and pelvic vertical movement symmetry in horses ridden at trot. PLoS ONE, 13.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0195341"},{"key":"ref_10","first-page":"1","article-title":"Gait asymmetries of horses walking and trotting on a treadmill with and without a rider","volume":"52","author":"Clayton","year":"2020","journal-title":"Equine Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"72","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jveb.2019.10.010","article-title":"Withers vertical movement asymmetry in dressage horses walking in different head-neck positions with and without riders","volume":"36","author":"Egenvall","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Vet. Behav."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"7","DOI":"10.3920\/CEP160026","article-title":"Riders\u2019 perception of symmetrical pressure on their ischial tuberosities and rein contact tension whilst sitting on a static object","volume":"13","author":"Guire","year":"2017","journal-title":"Comp. Exerc. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Christensen, J.W., Bathellier, S., Rhodin, M., Palme, R., and Uldahl, M. (2020). Increased Rider Weight Did Not Induce Changes in Behavior and Physiological Parameters in Horses. Animals, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani10010095"},{"key":"ref_14","first-page":"192","article-title":"Measurement of cortisol metabolites in faeces of sheep as a parameter of cortisol concentration in blood","volume":"62","author":"Palme","year":"1997","journal-title":"Int. J. Mamm. Biol."},{"key":"ref_15","unstructured":"Schmidt, A., M\u00f6stl, E., Aurich, J., Neuhauser, S., and Aurich, C. (2009, January 12\u201314). Comparison of cortisol and cortisone levels in blood plasma and saliva and cortisol metabolite concentrations in faeces for stress analysis in horses. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference of the International Society for Equitation Science, Sydney, Australia."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"663","DOI":"10.1016\/j.humov.2004.10.006","article-title":"Influence of the rider on the variability of the equine gait","volume":"23","author":"Peham","year":"2004","journal-title":"Hum. Mov. Sci."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"418","DOI":"10.3200\/JMBR.37.6.418-424","article-title":"Coordination Dynamics of the Horse-Rider System","volume":"37","author":"Lagarde","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Mot. Behav."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"340","DOI":"10.1111\/j.2042-3306.2010.00063.x","article-title":"Kinematics of saddle and rider in high-level dressage horses performing collected walk on a treadmill","volume":"42","author":"Rhodin","year":"2010","journal-title":"Equine Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"83","DOI":"10.1294\/jes.11.83","article-title":"Comparison of Head Movement and EMG Activity of Muscles between Advanced and Novice Horseback Riders at Different Gaits","volume":"11","author":"Terada","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Equine Sci."},{"key":"ref_20","unstructured":"Pantall, A., Barton, S., and Collins, P. (2009, January 17\u201321). Surface electromyography of abdominal and spinal muscles in adult horse riders during rising trot. Proceedings of the XXVII International Conference on Biomechanics in Sport, Limerick, Ireland."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.humov.2015.01.016","article-title":"Differences in rider movement pattern between different degrees of collection at the trot in high-level dressage horses ridden on a treadmill","volume":"41","author":"Roepstroff","year":"2015","journal-title":"Hum. Mov. Sci."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"51","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jevs.2015.07.022","article-title":"Kinematic Analysis of the Rider According to Different Skill Levels in Sitting Trot and Canter","volume":"39","author":"Eckardt","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Equine Vet. Sci."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"266","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tvjl.2008.03.002","article-title":"Usability of normal force distribution measurements to evaluate asymmetrical loading of the back of the horse and different rider positions on a standing horse","volume":"181","author":"Clayton","year":"2009","journal-title":"Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"20","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jevs.2019.03.215","article-title":"Influence of Functional Rider and Horse Asymmetries on Saddle Force Distribution During Stance and in Sitting Trot","volume":"78","author":"Gunst","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Equine Vet. Sci."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"627","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbiomech.2009.10.036","article-title":"Vertical forces on the horse\u2019s back in sitting and rising trot","volume":"43","author":"Duncker","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"95","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1460-2687.2001.00077.x","article-title":"A new method to quantify harmony of the horse-rider system in dressage","volume":"4","author":"Peham","year":"2001","journal-title":"Sports Eng."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"157","DOI":"10.1016\/j.humov.2012.11.002","article-title":"Coordination dynamics in horse-rider dyads","volume":"32","author":"Wolframm","year":"2013","journal-title":"Hum. Mov. Sci."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"249","DOI":"10.3920\/CEP170036","article-title":"Head, trunk and pelvic kine-matics in the frontal plane in un-mounted horseback riders rocking a balance chair from side-to-side","volume":"14","author":"Engell","year":"2018","journal-title":"Compar. Exerc. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"221","DOI":"10.2165\/11538560-000000000-00000","article-title":"Balance Ability and Athletic Performance","volume":"41","author":"Hrysomallis","year":"2011","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"22","DOI":"10.1016\/j.humov.2015.08.012","article-title":"Task-specificity of balance training","volume":"44","author":"Giboin","year":"2015","journal-title":"Hum. Mov. Sci."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105184","DOI":"10.1016\/j.applanim.2020.105184","article-title":"Rider effects on horses\u2019 conflict behaviour, rein tension, physiological measures and rideability scores","volume":"234","author":"Christensen","year":"2021","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"82","DOI":"10.1002\/pri.362","article-title":"Weight distribution in standing and sitting positions, and weight transfer during reaching tasks, in seated stroke subjects and healthy subjects","volume":"12","author":"Tessem","year":"2007","journal-title":"Physiother. Res. Int."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"39","DOI":"10.1016\/j.physbeh.2014.01.024","article-title":"Effects of hyperflexion on acute stress responses in ridden dressage horses","volume":"128","author":"Christensen","year":"2014","journal-title":"Physiol. Behav."}],"container-title":["Animals"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/11\/2\/453\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T05:21:53Z","timestamp":1760160113000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/11\/2\/453"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2021,2,9]]},"references-count":33,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,2]]}},"alternative-id":["ani11020453"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani11020453","relation":{},"ISSN":["2076-2615"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2076-2615","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2021,2,9]]}}}