Rein Tension Analysis for Objective Equestrian Motion Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The evaluation of the quality of motion in animal-human dyads, such as horse-rider pairs, is subjective and may involve inhumane physical restraint methods, and lacks objective measurement, particularly in competitive equestrian sports where visual assessments can miss inappropriate communication and physical stress, and the presence of lameness in animals is difficult to detect.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a rein tension measuring device with a processing unit to analyze rein tension data into a frequency spectrum, identifying prominent frequency components, determining power spectral density, and comparing it to reference values to evaluate the loss of regularity in motion, providing an objective score of the dyad's quality of motion, including the degree of mutual acceptance and coherence between the horse and rider.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If visual assessment by judges is used to evaluate the quality of motion, then the evaluation can be performed without additional equipment, but the assessment becomes subjective and may miss inhumane physical restraint methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual assessment system with an electronic sensing system. Force sensors embedded in the reins electronically measure tension forces, substituting the human judge's visual and mechanical assessment with precise electronic measurement, thereby eliminating subjectivity while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces force sensors as an intermediary between the rider's reins and the horse. These sensors mediate the measurement process by capturing tension data that would otherwise be invisible to visual assessment, providing objective information about the nature and intensity of physical restraint applied
2Measurement precision
If force sensors are embedded in the reins to measure tension, then objective measurement of physical restraint is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensors in the reins serve multiple functions: they measure tension magnitude, detect the nature of forces applied, and provide data for both performance evaluation and welfare assessment. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering comprehensive measurement capabilities from a single integrated system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the measurement function directly into the existing rein structure by embedding force sensors within the reins themselves. This integration combines the restraint function and measurement function into a single unified system, reducing overall complexity compared to having separate measurement devices
3Measurement precision
If multiple judges are used to average scores, then subjectivity is reduced through pooling opinions, but the evaluation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is self-logging and automatically processes data without requiring multiple human judges. The force sensors continuously record tension data and the system automatically analyzes it, making the evaluation process self-sufficient and eliminating the need for multiple assessors, thereby maintaining objectivity while improving speed
4Device complexity
If visual observation is used to detect lameness, then no additional equipment is needed, but lameness and unevenness are difficult to detect accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual detection of lameness with electronic force sensing. The sensors in the reins detect subtle variations in tension patterns that indicate uneven weight distribution or lameness, substituting insensitive visual observation with highly sensitive electronic measurement capable of detecting minute anomalies
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to method for evaluating the quality of characteristics of motion of an animal-human-dyad comprising an animal and a human and using at least one rein for riding the animal, the method comprising obtaining rein tension data indicating the tension in the rein; processing the rein tension data into a frequency spectrum; identifying a prominent frequency component in the frequency spectrum; analysing the frequency spectrum by determining a power spectral density of the frequency spectrum over a frequency range which contains the prominent frequency component; and evaluating the quality of characteristics of motion by comparing the determined power spectral density with a reference value. Further, the invention relates to an apparatus for evaluating the quality of characteristics of motion of an animal-human-dyad, wherein the apparatus comprises a rein tension measuring device, a transmitter unit, a receiving unit, a processing unit and a notification unit.