Physics of Equestrian Essay Example For Students

Physics of Equestrian Essay Math Exploration: The Physics Behind Equestrian Before this exploration begins, it is important to be informed of the definitions of many equestrian terms that will be used in this exploration. Equestrian: Of or relating to horseback riding or horseback riders. (Kirkland, Sarah) Walk: The walk has a distinct four beat rhythm. When the horse is walking, its movement is easily accounted for by the rider. (Kirkland, Sarah) Trot: The trot has a two beat rhythm to it. It is much harder to adjust to the trot than to walking because the rider is bounced up and down with each pace. This bouncing causes the rider to be thrown up and down, hitting the saddle pretty hard easily unseating them if they do not adjust properly to this movement. The horse exerts a force on the rider as its hooves make contact with the ground. The rider in turn is bounced upward. To account for the bouncing, the rider can do something called posting, which is where for every other step, or beat, of the horse, the rider lifts themselves (with the push of the horse) on their stirrups and misses the horses Jerk. For the second beat she sits down lightly and then is pushed up again. Posting is a controlled way of trotting. The rider synchronizes their posts with the horses, and it makes the ride much less bumpy. (Kirkland, Sarah) Canter: During the canter, which is a three beat gait, there is a point where the horse has all four hooves off the ground. This is a much smoother gait than the trot. The speed however is much greater than the other two gaits, and the important thing is to keep the riders weight distributed equally in both stirrups, and also to keep their center of balance above the horses. (Kirkland, Sarah) Gait: A particular way or manner of moving on foot. Any of the ways, such as a canter, trot, or elk, by which a horse can move by lifting the feet in different order or rhythm. Show Jumping: The competitive sport of riding horses over a course of fences and other obstacles in an arena, with penalty points for errors. (Kirkland, Sarah) Dressage: The guiding of a horse through a series of complex maneuvers by slight movements of the riders hands, legs, and weight. (Kirkland, Sarah) Strides: The number of steps taken between two Jumps. (Kirkland, Sarah) Stirrups: Each of a pair of devices support the riders foot. Wisped, 2012) Outside leg/hand: The arm or leg of the rider that is faced alongside the fence. The outside leg is used to ask the horse to transition from a walk/trot/halt to a canter. Two point: This is the position in which riders take when Jumping over a Jump. It is called two point as two points of your body (Feet and knees) are in alignment with each other. By the rider taking this position, it allows for the horse to carry the riders weight easier. The reason as to why I decided to choose this topic is due to my interest in equestrianism. For almost 4 years, I have dedicated many weekends to this very demanding sport. Being a committed rider, it is important that one understands the hicks behind the sport in order to achieve their best possible performance. I figure that by further investigating the physics behind equestrian, I will be able to apply these new found findings to my riding and become a better rider. I would also like to demonstrate that equestrian is not an easy sport and that it does involve more thinking and human involvement than many may think. I have also chosen this topic because it is very easy for me to communicate my ideas to others as I know this subject very well. With my audience and their comprehension of the topic in mind, I have chosen to pursue this interesting topic of equestrianism. The sport of equestrianism is an ancient sport and the date of in which it began is controversial but it is believed that humans domesticated and rode horses as far back as 6000 B. C. Horses have played an important role in human history as they were used in warfare, transportation, trade and for agricultural purposes. Wisped,2012) In historical times, it was crucial that one learned how to ride a horse as they were heavily used for transportation purposes (Riding and carriages) before the invention of the automobile in 1886 by Karl Benz. This exploration will cover the physics involved in woo types of equestrian disciplines, show Jumping and dressage. Both these disciplines involve physics as certain requirements must be met in or der for the task to be carried out properly. Bhavesh.Amin EssaySeptember 2011) The Jump: Over the top of he fence, the horse and rider reach maximum height and their velocity is reduced to zero; thus, they possess only potential Energy, PEE. (Erin R. March 2003) This potential energy is expressed by: Figure 5) This equation is much simpler than the equation for kinetic energy. In this equation mass represents mass of the horse, g represents the gravitational field strength (9. 8 N/keg on Earth), and height represents the height of the horse. (Henderson, T. ) The Landing: When the horse returns to the ground, horse and rider possess only kinetic energy. (Erin R. , March 2003) Example of an equation: If a rider wishes to Jump a 5 foot fence, how fast will they need to be going on approach? Also, If horse and rider do clear the fence, how fast will they be going on landing? Part One: = PEE (l for initial) 1/2 move = MGM h= 5 Ft. = 1. 52 m because 1 meter is equal to 3. 281 Ft. In calculation, one should assume that the horse may Jump up to six inches higher than the fence, depending on their perception, thus y = 1. Mm + 0. 1 mm or h=l . Mm Due to non-conservative forces, such as air resistance and heat, the potential energy reached at the top of the Jump will only be about 80% of the kinetic energy present n approach. Erin R. , March 2003) so*1. Mm) high = 6. Mm/s Part Two: 1/iv = o. 8(9. Mm/ hollow = 6. 1 m/s MGM = 1/2 move Again, due to non-conservative forces, the kinetic energy present on landing will be only approximately 80% of the potential energy present at the top of the Jump. 9. Mm2*1 . Urn = o. 8(1/IV) blow = 4. Mm/s vigil = 5. Mm/s (Erin R. , March 2003) Another import ant motion in show Jumping is to consider the horses movements in terms of projectile motion. In order to calculate projectile motion, you must have the range equation and the height equation. Range equation: R = (via*g) (sinks) (g) Height equation: H = (via sinks) * Example Question: With what initial velocity will a horse need to take off in order to assume that the horse leaves the ground at an angle of 450 at a speed of 9. 8 m/s. H -? (via stint) * (g) In this solution, vow is equal to the initial velocity that the horse needs in vow= order to take off. H is equal to the height that this horse must reach. E is equal vow= xx(9. Mm/s)) * (sinning) to the angle at which the horse took off. g is equal to the initial speed 7. Mm/s the horse was traveling prior to the Jump. The stages in which a horse approaches, Jumps, and lands over a Jump can be seen in the following diagram: Equestrianism is a difficult sport that without the laws of physics; wouldnt exist. These formulas and equations can also be applied to several other sports and the knowledge and understanding of these formulas will help one further understand other concepts in mathematics. I believe that it is easier to understand these concepts with help of a visual aid, such as a horse Jumping. This topic explores many mathematical concepts and formulas that help us to understand the logic of everyday happenings around us. It is very important that we study and investigate the mathematics involved in our daily lives as it helps us to understand why. With the knowledge I have gained by exploring all the mathematical formulas involved in this sport, I will be able to have a more precise and more thought out performance in the show ring. Bibliography Wisped. (2012). Retrieved from http://en. Wisped. Org/wick/Equestrianism Kirkland, S. (n. D. ). The physics of horseback riding. Retrieved from HTTPS://sites. Google. Com/ site/thephysicsofhorsebackriding/horseback-riding-terms-l Georgia State University. None 2012).