Taking control of the message: A qualitative account of key stakeholder perceptions of risk in horse racing

M1) and after (M2) included kinematic assessments during vertical and oxer jumps using a triaxial accelerometer with a GPS-based inertial measurement unit (Alogo Move Pro 1 ), positioned mid-ventrally on the girth of the saddle.Data collection and processing were conducted using Alogo software.Measurements included take-off angle, strike power, vertical movement of the trunk, jump height, speed, heart rate, and duration of the suspension phase for the first three vertical jumps and for the first oxer.Data was analysed with t-tests ( p 0.05).Results: Horses on the vertical jumps had a significantly increased ( p 0.05) strike power (M1:2.530.38;M2: 3.180.38G), taking-off angle (M1:19.994.95;M2: 24.485.44 ), suspension phase (M1: 665.3179.2;M2: 765.3 41.1 ms) and velocity (M1: 17.72.9;M2: 16.12.1 km/h).While on the oxer, there was a noticeable increase in the taking-off angle (M1: 21.726.36;M2: 26.055.84 ) and a decrease in heart rate (M1: 125.735.8;M2: 114.032.1 bpm).Main limitations: Small sample size, although it was very homogeneous.Conclusions: With a slight decrease in their vertical trunk movement, the horses improved their strike power, taking off-angle and suspension phase, which were previously identified as key factors in successful jumping performance.