Is there a difference in pressures and forces under the roller with different pads when lunging horses with the Pessoa training aid?

• Pressures under Pessoa training rollers vary significantly with pad type • Purpose-made roller pad reduced pressures and forces the most in both trot and canter • Cotton saddle pad folded in half also significantly reduced pressures vs. no pad • Pad choice altered pressure distribution across the thoracic region under the training roller • Using appropriate roller pads may improve equine comfort and welfare during lunging Elevated pressures beneath training rollers during the Pessoa training aid (PTA) use have been reported, particularly over the thoracic region, which may contribute to back discomfort. To investigate the effect of different pads on pressures and forces beneath a training roller during lunging with a PTA. Six clinically sound horses (13.8 ± 5.2 years) were lunged on a 16-m circle in trot and canter using a randomised crossover design under three conditions: no padding (Pad 1), a folded cotton saddle cloth (Pad 2), and a purpose-made roller foam pad (Pad 3). Kinetic data were collected using a pressure-mapping system. Outcome variables included average pressure, box pressure, contact pressure (kPa), force and peak force (N), and peak pressures (kPa). Data were analysed using Friedman tests with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons. Differences were identified between pad conditions for all kinetic variables. In trot, average pressure decreased from 5.15 ± 1.69 kPa (Pad 1) to 3.15 ± 0.84 kPa (Pad 2) and 1.30 ± 0.15 kPa (Pad 3) (P = 0.014 and P < 0.001). Peak box pressure decreased from 15.05 ± 3.94 kPa (Pad 1) to 9.35 ± 2.67 kPa (Pad 2) and 2.65 ± 0.62 kPa (Pad 3), respectively (P = 0.014; P < 0.001). Similar reductions were observed in canter, where average pressure decreased from 5.05 ± 1.87 kPa (Pad 1) to 3.60 ± 0.71 kPa (Pad 2) and 1.30 ± 0.18 kPa (Pad 3) (P = 0.014; P < 0.001). The purpose-made roller pad reduced several pressure variables by approximately 75–82% compared with the control condition. Padding beneath a training roller significantly reduces pressures and forces during lunging with a PTA.