Scientific contributions demonstrate a commitment to translational research that bridges the gap between theory and practice.

A woman and a horse with retroreflective markers and sensors attached to the horses back and pelvis ready to collect 3D equine biomechanics / kinematic data

Peer Reviewed Articles:

Korac, L., St George, L., MacNicol, J., McCrae, P., Jung, L., Golestani, N., Karrow, N., Cánovas, A. and Pearson, W., 2025. Functional and Biochemical Inflammatory Responses to Low-Dose Intra-Articular Recombinant Equine IL-1β: A Pilot Study. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 12, p.1746738.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1746738

St. George, L., Nankervis, K., Walker, V., Maddock, C., Robinson, A., Sinclair, J. and Hobbs, S.J., 2025. A Feasibility Study to Determine Whether Neuromuscular Adaptations to Equine Water Treadmill Exercise Can Be Detected Using Synchronous Surface Electromyography and Kinematic Data. Animals, 15(21), p.3189.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15213189

Eldridge, F., St. George, L., Chapman, M., Harrison, L., Tabor, G., Uttley, C., Clayton, H. (2025) A comparison of equine hind limb muscle activation and joint motion between forward and backward walking. Journal of Equine Rehabilitation. 3, 100036.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eqre.2025.100036

St. George, L., Spoormakers, T.J.P., Hobbs, S.J., Clayton, H.M., Roy, S.H., Richards, J. and Serra Bragança, F.M. (2024). Classification performance of sEMG and kinematic parameters for distinguishing between non-lame and induced lameness conditions in horses. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 11:1358986.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1358986

Hobbs, S.J., Alexander, J., Wilkins, C., St. George, L., Nankervis, K., Sinclair, J., Penhorwood, G., Williams, J. and Clayton, H.M., (2023). Towards an evidence-based classification system for Para dressage: associations between impairment and performance measures. Animals, 13(17), p.2785.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13172785

St. George, L, Spoormakers, T.J.P., Roy, S.H., Hobbs, S.J., Clayton, H.M., Richards, J., Serra Braganca, F. M. (2023) Reliability of surface electromyographic (sEMG) measures of equine axial and appendicular muscles during overground trot. PLoS ONE 18(7): e0288664.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288664

St. George, L., Clayton, H.M., Sinclair, J.K., Richards, J., Roy, S.H. and Hobbs, S.J., 2023. Electromyographic and kinematic comparison of the leading and trailing fore-and hindlimbs of horses during canter. Animals, 13(11), p.1755.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13111755

St. George, L., Spoormakers, T. J. P., Smit, I., H., Hobbs, S. J., Clayton, H. M., Roy, S. H., van Weeren, P. R., Richards, J. and Serra Braganca, F. M. (2022). Adaptations in equine appendicular muscle activity and movement occur during induced fore- and hindlimb lameness: an electromyographic and kinematic evaluation. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 9 (989522).
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.989522

Spoormakers, T. J. P., St. George, L., Smit, I., H., Hobbs, S. J., Clayton, H. M., Roy, S. H., van Weeren, P. R., Richards, J. and Serra Braganca, F. M. (2022). Adaptations in equine axial movement and muscle activity and movement occur during induced fore- and hindlimb lameness: a kinematic and electromyographic evaluation during in-hand trot. Equine Veterinary Journal. 55(6), p.1112-1127
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13906

Stockley, R., St. George, L., Alexander, J., Spencer, J. and Hobbs, S. J. (2022). A synthesis of potential impairment assessment tools for Para dressage classification. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity. 15 (11), p. 1-34.
https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2022.011.

Baxter, J., Hobbs, S.J., Alexander, J., St George, L., Sinclair, J., Chohan, A. and Clayton, H.M. (2022). Rider Skill Affects Time and Frequency Domain Postural Variables When Performing Shoulder-in. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 109, p.103805.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103805

St. George, L., Thetford, C, Clayton, H.M., Hobbs, S.J. (2022). An exploration of stakeholder perceptions to inform the development of an evidence-based classification system in para dressage. Journal of Sports Sciences, 40(4), pp.459-469.
doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2021.1997012

Clayton, H.M., St. George, L., Sinclair, J. and Hobbs, S.J., 2021. Characteristics of the Flight Arc in Horses Jumping Three Different Types of Fences in Olympic Competition. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 104, p.103698.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103698

St. George, L., Clayton, H.M., Sinclair, J., Richards, J., Roy, S.H. and Hobbs, S.J., 2021. Muscle Function and Kinematics during Submaximal Equine Jumping: What Can Objective Outcomes Tell Us about Athletic Performance Indicators? Animals, 11(2), p.414.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020414

St. George, L., Pugliese, L., Hobbs, S. J., Brisbois, A., Sinclair, J., Kirker-Head, C. Novel equine legwear for variably limiting metacarpophalangeal joint extension: kinematic and kinetic analysis. American Journal of Veterinary Research. 82(1), pp.48-54
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.82.1.48

Pugliese, B., Brisbois, A., Size, K., St. George, L., Hobbs, S. J., Kirker-Head, C. Novel equine legwear for variably limiting metacarpophalangeal joint extension: biomechanical testing and wearability. American Journal of Veterinary Research. 82(1), pp.39-47
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.82.1.39 *2022 recipient of the Outstanding AJVR Intern Manuscript award.

Hobbs, S. J., St. George, L., Reed, J., Stockley, R., Thetford, C., Sinclair, J., Williams, J., Nankervis, K., Clayton, H. A systematic review of determinants of performance in dressage. PeerJ. 8, e9022
https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9022

St. George, L., Roy, S., Richards, J., Sinclair, J., Hobbs, S. J. (2019). Surface EMG signal normalisation and filtering improves sensitivity of equine gait analysis. Comparative Exercise Physiology. 15 (3), pp. 173 – 186.
https://doi.org/10.3920/CEP190028

St. George, L., Hobbs, S.J., Sinclair, J., Richards, J., Roddam, H. (2019) Does equestrian knowledge and experience influence selection and training practices for showjumping horses? Comparative Exercise Physiology. 15 (2), pp. 123 – 135.
https://doi.org/10.3920/CEP180049

St. George, L., Hobbs, S. J., Richards, J., Sinclair, J., Holt, D., Roy, S. (2018) The effect of cut-off frequency when high-pass filtering equine sEMG signals during locomotion. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 43, pp. 28 – 40.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2018.09.001

Budini, K., Richards, J., Cole, T., Levine, D., Trede, R., St. George, L., Selfe, J. (2018) An exploration of the use of Inertial Measurement Units in the assessment of dynamic postural control of the knee and the effect of bracing and taping. Physiotherapy Practice and Research. 39 (2), pp.91-98.
https://doi.org/10.3233/PPR-180111

Holt, D., St. George, L., Clayton, H., Hobbs, S. J. (2017). A simple method for equine kinematic gait event detection. Equine Veterinary Journal. 49(5), pp.688-691.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12669

St. George, L. and Williams, J.M. (2013). Electromyographic evaluation of approach stride, jump stride and intermediate stride in selected superficial muscles of the jumping horse: a preliminary study. Comparative Exercise Physiology. 9 (1), pp. 23- 32.
https://doi.org/10.3920/CEP12024

An outdoor riding arena with a person riding a horse, several jumps set up, and a laptop and Delsys Trigno surface electromyography system and sensors on a table in the foreground.

A person sitting on a horse with two women applying retroreflective markers and sensors over anatomical landmarks for collecting 3D equine biomechanics / kinematic data.

An indoor equestrian arena with an optical motion capture system (qualisys) set up with cameras on tripods. There is a person on horseback and a person at a laptop collecting 3D equine biomehanics / kinematic data from the horse trotting.

A woman riding a brown horse in an outdoor riding arena, with a large optical motion capture (qualisys) camera on a tripod in the foreground and cloudy sky above. The woman and horse have retroreflective markers attached over anatomical landmarks.

A woman answers equine biomechanics questions to two members of the audience at an educational workshop. One of the listeners is taking notes.

Published Conference Abstracts:

Korac, L., St. George, L., Golestani, N., Souccar-Young, J., Topfer, S., Witherspoon, S., McCrae, P., Wildish, A., MacNicol, J. and Pearson, W., 2025. Integrating biochemical and functional assessments in equine joint research: A study of gait asymmetry and synovial fluid biomarkers. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 148, pp.105486.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105486

St. George, L., Spoormakers, T.J.P., Hobbs, S. J., Clayton, H. M., Roy, S.H., Serra Bragança F. M. 2023. Which sEMG variable best distinguishes between non-lame and induced lameness conditions in horses? Comparative Exercise Physiology. 19(S1), pp. S16. https://doi.org/10.3920/cep2023.s1

St. George, L., Spoormakers, T.J.P., Hobbs, S. J., Roy, S.H., Clayton, H. M., Serra Bragança F. M. 2023. Is sEMG a repeatable measure of muscle activity in horses? Between-day repeatability at in-hand trot. Comparative Exercise Physiology. 19(S1), pp. S18. https://doi.org/10.3 920/cep2023.s1

Jung, L., St. George, L., McCrae, P., Korac, L., Fraser, A. and Pearson, W., 2023. 19 Effects of recombinant equine intra-articular IL-1 on synovial fluid PGE2 and movement asymmetry: A pilot study. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 124, pp.104321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104321

St. George, L., Spoormakers, T., Roy, S., Hobbs, S. J., Sinclair, J., Richards, J., Van Weeren, P. R., Serra Bragança F. M. (2022). Adaptive changes in equine muscle activity profiles occur during induced fore and hindlimb lameness. Comparative Exercise Physiology. 18(S1), pp. S47 https://doi.org/10.3920/cep2022.s1

Spoormakers, T.J.P., St. George, L., Smit, I.H., Brommer, H., Hobbs, S.J., Serra Braganca, F.M. (2021). Back movement and muscle activity changes in horses with induced fore- and hindlimb lameness at trot. 30th Annual Scientific Meeting of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS). Available online:
https://www.ecvs.org/members/downloads/2021_LA_Proceedings.pdf.

St. George, L., Spoormakers, T., Serra Braganca, F., van Weeren, P. R., Sinclair, J., Hobbs, S. J. (2019) The use of surface electromyography for quantification of changes in Biceps Femoris and Triceps Brachii muscle activity during induced forelimb and hindlimb lameness. Equine Veterinary Journal. 51 (S53), pp. 28. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.48_13152

St. George, L., Spoormakers, T., Serra Braganca, F., van Weeren, P. R., Sinclair, J., Hobbs, S. J. (2019) Electromyographic and kinematic evaluation of movement and muscle activity in horses with temporary forelimb lameness induction: a preliminary report. Advances in Animal Biosciences. 10 (S1), pp. 161. doi.org/10.1017/S2040470020000011

St. George, L., Sinclair, J., Richards, J., Roy, S., Hobbs, S. J. (2019) Towards standardised use of equine surface EMG: effect of normalisation and filtering on outcome measures. Comparative Exercise Physiology. 14(5), p. S36.
https://doi.org/10.3920/cep2018.s1

St. George, L., Richards, J., Holt, D., Sinclair, J., Hobbs, S. (2016). Electromyographic evaluation of hindlimb muscle activity patterns in elite and non-elite jumping athletes: a preliminary report on surface electromyography data. Equine Veterinary Journal. 48 (S49), pp. 20. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.34_12595

Holt, D., Martin, J., St. George, L., Northrop, A., Peterson, M., Hobbs, S. J. (2016). Horses modify their gait in response to a camouflaged abrupt change in functional surface properties. Equine Veterinary Journal. 48 (S49), p. 19. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.32_12595

A speaker presenting in a lecture hall with a projection screen displaying a scientific presentation. The slide is titled "Introduction" and includes surface electromyography images. There is a horse figure on stage and a podium and seated audience.

Books:

Clayton, H. and St. George L. (eds.) (2025). Equine Gait Analysis Translating Science into Practice. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI Books. https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-7258-4132-5 ISBN 978-3-7258-4131-8, ISBN 978-3-7258-4132-5

Book Chapters:

Lesniak, K., Williams, J., Moore, G., St. George, L. (2015). Performance Analysis in Equestrian Sport. In: Williams, J., Evans, D. eds. Training for Equestrian Performance. Wageningen: Wageningen Academic Publishers, pp. 388 – 407. https://doi.org/10.3920/9789086868568_022