Tryckmätningsvojlock som ett pedagogiskt hjälpmedel

Sammanfattning: SUMMARYThe first and most basic skill a rider needs to learn is how to sit correctly in the saddle. This decides whether or not the rider will be able to follow the horse’s movements and use her riding aids in an efficient way. This correct seat is based on a straight line between the axis of the hip and heel. The seat must rest against the saddle with equal weight on both buttocks and the inside of the thighs. The rider should sit with a straight upper body, from this position the rider can fall into an incorrect position. This leads to an incorrect impact on the horse. The research has yet established exactly how the rider's seat affects the horse or how problems in the position affect the pressure on the horse's back compared to the correct position. If more were known about the relationship it would be easier for both trainers, riders and ultimately for the horse. Today there are some ways to visualize riding to help the rider to improve her seat, for example mirrors and videotaping. It is difficult as a coach to correct an incorrect seat, because it assumes that the rider must change how he or she is accustomed to sit in the saddle. We need an objective tool that can help both riders and instructors to work with the seat. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pressure mat as a pedagogic tool, and examine if the pressure mat increase the motivation of the rider to work with seat correction. There are two issues in the study. Does the pressure mat facilitate the rider’s understanding for its seat? Can you use a pressure mat as a pedagogical tool for seat adjustment? In the present study a pressure mat has been used to study rider’s seat. The study included twelve different riders who all attended the first year of Strömsholms equestrian school. They all rode a standardized program, while pressure measurements under the saddle were recorded. After that, the rider got to sit on a pressure mat placed on an artificial horseback where she was instructed to adjust her riding posture. Simultaneously, she could follow her pressure pattern on a computer screen. The rider answered a pre-test enquiry concerning seat problems, effort of seat correction and motivation. This was followed by a post-test enquiry on their view of the pressure mat as a pedagogic tool.The questionnaires were analyzed and compiled using Microsoft Excel 2007, t-tests and calculations of averages was carried out. The result shows that the pressure mat can be a pedagogic tool, because the motivation of the riders to work with the seat was higher after the experiment. The differences were not significant, which may be because these riders were already highly motivated to work on their position. They also felt that it was easier to adjust to the correction instructions after they had sat on the pressure mat. Most riders also felt that they could bring the feeling they had on the AH up on the horseback and apply it there.The results of the study are summarized in the following conclusions. The rider can increase their awareness of the pressure that the weights make on the horses back by using the pressure mat. Pressure mats can be used as a good pedagogic tool for both rider and instructor.