Female Equestrians Needed for Study on Breast Health
A previous study revealed that 40% of female equestrians suffer from breast pain. | Photo: iStock
Ladies, are you still in search of that elusive piece of riding equipment—a bra that actually offers adequate support in the saddle—and suffering painful consequences in the meantime? You’re not alone.

As part of her master’s thesis, a UK researcher is conducting a study of female equestrian health outcomes with an emphasis on breast biomechanics. Karin Pekarchik is a staff member in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) and a graduate student in the department of Community and Leadership Development.

Pekarchik’s dissatisfaction with bras lacking sufficient support for a sitting trot led to her collaboration with researchers in the United Kingdom studying female equestrians’ breast biomechanics.

Along with Kimberly Tumlin, PhD, UK College of Public Health, Pekarchik is collaborating with Jenny Burbage, PhD, University of Portsmouth Department of Sport and Exercise Science, in the U.K., and Lorna Cameron, of the Sparsholt College Faculty of Equine and Applied Animal Science, in Winchester, U.K. Both teams are interested in how breast discomfort/pain and ill-fitting, poorly performing bras limit desire to ride

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