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

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 d...