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Topic:Kinematics
Kinematics in horses refers to the study of motion without considering the forces that cause it. This field involves analyzing the movement patterns of horses, including gait, stride length, joint angles, and limb trajectories. Kinematic analysis is performed using technologies such as high-speed cameras and motion capture systems to collect data on equine locomotion. This information is valuable for understanding normal and abnormal movement, assessing performance, and identifying potential lameness or injury. The study of kinematics provides insights into the biomechanics of horse movement and contributes to advancements in training, rehabilitation, and veterinary care. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the methodologies, findings, and applications of kinematic analysis in equine science.
Distal limb wraps produce gait- and material-dependent post-exercise changes in stride timing and limb kinematics in horses. Distal limb wraps are widely used during equine exercise, but their effects on post-exercise kinematics and movement symmetry remain poorly defined. Objective: To determine whether elastic and fleece distal limb wraps alter temporal stride variables, distal limb kinematics, and axial movement symmetry after standardised round-pen exercise. Methods: Six adult horses completed a prospective crossover study with three conditions: no wraps, elastic wraps, and fleece wraps. Wraps were applied bilaterally to all distal limbs at an initial pressure of 20 mmHg. After 20 minutes of free round-pen exerc...
An exploratory comparative analysis of kinematic characteristics in two elite Chinese show jumping riders. Three-dimensional rider kinematics across jumping phases and obstacle heights remain sparsely documented in elite Chinese show jumping. This exploratory case study examined angle-related kinematic characteristics in two elite Chinese riders under field-based jumping conditions. Unassigned: Three-dimensional video-based kinematic analysis was performed using the Simi Motion 3D system with direct linear transformation (DLT)-based camera calibration and three-dimensional reconstruction of selected anatomical landmarks. Two elite male riders rode the same experienced horse over the second vertical...
Validation of a handheld smartphone markerless method for quantifying thoracolumbar flexion-extension range of motion in horses at trot. Back pain and poor performance in horses are difficult to assess objectively and thoracolumbar flexion-extension range of motion (FE) is not reliably evaluated by subjective observation alone. A handheld, smartphone-based markerless computer vision system (RealHorse®; RH) may enable objective clinical and field-based FE assessment but requires validation against an established optical motion capture reference system (Qualisys®; QS). Objective: To compare the accuracy and precision of RH relative to QS for measuring FE in horses trotting on a straight line and on a circle. Methods: Cross-sect...
Equine upper limb kinematics: Comparison between biplanar high-speed fluoroscopic kinematography and optoelectronic motion capture in one Mini Shetland Pony. There are no studies describing the kinematics of the proximal limb skeleton in living equids. In horses like in all other therian mammals studied so far, the scapula rotates around an instantaneous center of rotation rather than a fixed pivot point, which increases the susceptibility of skin marker-based methods to inaccuracies. Objective: The aim of the study was to describe the skeletal movement of the proximal equine limb and to overcome limitations traditionally associated with skin marker displacement errors. Methods: Optoelectronic motion capture (OMC) and biplanar high-speed fluoroscop...
Sensory-driven neck-limb coordination mechanisms for walk-trot-gallop gait transitions. Quadruped animals exhibit various gait patterns and switch from one to another depending on their speed. These gait patterns involve complex whole-body coordination and are mainly controlled by a distributed neural network consisting of central pattern generators (CPGs) and peripheral sensory feedback. However, how these neural networks generate various types of whole-body coordination remains unclear. Here, we focus on horse locomotion and present a neural network model that reproduces walk-trot-gallop transitions by changing only a single parameter related to speed. This model uses ground re...
Surface electromyography and joint angle kinematics of horses at walk and trot on a treadmill. This study aimed to evaluate electromyographic and kinematic parameters of the thoracic and pelvic limbs of horses at a walk and trot on a treadmill. Eleven Brazilian Sport Horses trained for Eventing were assessed in a completely randomized design under two conditions: walk (1.8 m/s) and trot (3.6 m/s). Horses were evaluated on a high-speed treadmill using surface electromyography (sEMG) and kinematic analysis. sEMG was performed bilaterally on the mm. extensor carpi radialis and mm. flexor carpi ulnaris; bilateral muscles of the pelvic limb: mm. tensor fascia latae and mm. biceps femoris u...
Inertial measurement units are comparable to motion capture for measuring intersegmental spinal angular velocities in horses. To compare inertial measurement unit (IMU)-derived intersegmental spinal motion data with measurements obtained from a marker-based motion-capture system. Unassigned: 4 horses were instrumented with custom marker clusters incorporating a 3-D-printed base designed to secure the IMU, ensuring both systems recorded data from the same anatomical location and orientation. A total of 3,737 paired time points across 37 gait cycles were analyzed. Agreement in intersegmental angular velocities across 3 planes of motion was evaluated using Bland-Altman analysis and intraclass correlation coefficients. U...
Does the Distance Between Ground Poles Affect Limb, Spinal and Pelvic Kinematics in Horses When Walking In-Hand? Polework exercise is commonly used in equine training and rehabilitation; however, the influence of pole spacing on locomotor kinematics remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of pole spacing on limb, thoracolumbar and pelvic kinematics in horses walking in-hand. Eleven warmblood horses were assessed during overground walking and over five ground poles set at 85%, 100% and 105% of forelimb step length. Pole spacing did not significantly alter maximum fore- or hindlimb retraction; however, protraction-retraction range of motion (ROM) was reduced at 85% spacing. Forelimb ROM was re...
Effect of Spirulina platensis extract (C-phycocyanin) supplementation to the semen extender on kinematic and oxidative parameters of Marwari stallions during freezing. The current research aimed at examining the impact of different quantities of Spirulina platensis extract (C-phycocyanin) supplemented to the semen extender on the post-thaw quality of Marwari stallion spermatozoa. Semen samples were obtained via an artificial vagina from six fertile stallions and diluted with an extender containing Spirulina platensis extract (C-phycocyanin) at concentrations of 10, 20, and 50 µg/mL, or without Spirulina as a control. Aliquots of diluted semen were subjected to cooling (4 °C, 120 min) and then frozen (-196 °C, 1 day), after which the kinematic paramet...
Aqua training promotes changes of skeletal muscle mass in show jumping horses. The correct prescription of aquatic treadmill training for equine athletes depends on understanding the muscular changes generated by working in the water. Objective: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the inclusion of a water treadmill in a routine training protocol would alter muscle mass of show jumping horses. Methods: Six fit-to-compete horses were trained for 10 weeks with a water treadmill (twice a week, 20 minutes, water level at the carpus), in addition to regular physical exercise. Body composition, infrared thermography (IRT) of propulsive muscles (m. brachiocepha...
Synchronization dynamics between rider and saddle motion across gaits revealed by IMU analysis. Effective rider-horse coordination is essential for performance and welfare, yet objective, field-based quantification of rider-saddle synchronization across gaits remains limited. Objective: To quantify dynamic synchronization between rider motion and saddle motion (as a proxy for horse trunk oscillations) across walk, trot, and canter using a minimal inertial measurement unit (IMU) setup, and to determine whether synchronization differs between rider body segments. Methods: Two experienced riders (8-20 years riding experience) rode their own or familiar warmblood horses (n = 2; age 6-14 year...
From Concept to Perception: Equestrian Definitions of Harmony and Visual Attention in Horse-Rider Evaluation. In equestrian circles, horse-rider harmony is understood intuitively, yet clear criteria are lacking. This study examined how different equestrians conceptualized and visually assessed harmony and how this influenced scoring. Qualitative interviews were combined with eye tracking technology. Thirty equestrians assessed five videos of horse-rider combinations performing in dressage, showjumping, eventing, working equitation and Icelandic riding, with eye movements being recorded using a mounted eye tracker. Verbal definitions were analyzed using thematic analysis, revealing three overarching th...
Nano-Encapsulated Vitamin E Enhances Cryo-Resistance of Stallion Spermatozoa: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Sperm Quality, Kinematic Parameters, Antioxidant Capacity, Microbiota and Ultrastructure. This experiment explores the comparative ability of vitamin E (VE) and its nano-emulsion (VEN) in enhancing cryo-resistance of stallion spermatozoa by examining semen quality, kinematic variables, acrosome integrity, apoptosis, antioxidant capacity, ultra-structural alterations and microbiota of cryopreserved stallion sperm. Semen from five stallions (8-10 years) was cryopreserved with 0.1 or 1 mM of VE or VEN; and a non-additive group served as the control. The VEN particles ranged in size from 72 to 172 nm, with a mean diameter of 287 nm. Supplementation with VE (1 mM) or VEN (0.1 ...
Comparison Between Inertial Sensor and Video-Based Detection of Spatiotemporal Limb Movement Parameters During Equine Swimming. Equine swimming is increasingly used for injury prevention and rehabilitation, but objective analysis of movement during swimming remains limited compared to land-based locomotion. Spatiotemporal parameters are essential for evaluating therapeutic outcomes, yet capturing these parameters is technically challenging due to difficulties in observing limb motion in water. Inertial sensors, already widely applied in equine science, offer a promising solution for measuring swimming kinematics objectively. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of inertial sensors placed on equin...
Extraction of Kinematic Parameters and Comparative Study of Endurance Levels in Mongolian Horses. Mongolian horses are an indigenous Chinese breed known for their endurance capacity, yet quantitative descriptions of their gait-related kinematic characteristics remain limited. This pilot exploratory study aimed to describe the kinematics of Mongolian horses during walk, slow trot, and fast trot, and to examine whether selected variables differed between race-result groups in a 12 km endurance race. Forty-six horses were classified into an excellent group and an ordinary group based on the result of a single race. Kinematic data were collected using optical motion capture and three-dimension...
Multi-Modal Feature Fusion and Hierarchical Classification for Automated Equine-Human Interaction Behavior Recognition. Automated recognition of equine-human interaction behaviors from video represents a significant challenge in computational ethology, with critical applications spanning animal welfare assessment, equine-assisted services evaluation, and safety monitoring in equestrian environments. Existing approaches to animal behavior recognition typically focus on single species in isolation, rely solely on facial expression analysis while ignoring full-body posture, or employ flat classification architectures that fail under the severe class imbalances characteristic of naturalistic behavioral datasets. Fu...
Effects of Head-Neck Position and Ground Surface on Gait Kinematics in Ridden Brazilian Criollo Horses. The Criollo horse is prized for its endurance, yet its specific biomechanical signatures remain under-researched. This study investigated diagonal dissociation and support patterns in eleven clinically sound Criollo horses to understand the influence of head and neck position (HNP), surface compliance, and morphometry. Using high-speed video (120 fps) and kinematic analysis, we found that diagonal dissociation occurred in 85.24% of hoof contacts, while HNP1 showed a higher frequency of positive (hindlimb-first) dissociation and HNP2 had a higher incidence of negative (forelimb-first) dissociat...
Targeted metabolomics reveals the impact of glucose and pyruvate on energy metabolism and storage potential of stallion spermatozoa. Oxidative phosphorylation is the main source of ATP for the stallion spermatozoa. Consequently, metabolites that favor mitochondrial function are receiving increased interest. However, glycolysis itself may be the major source of pyruvate and acetyl-CoA. Objective: To determine the contribution of glycolysis to feed the tricarboxylic acid cycle to generate the reducing equivalents for the electron transport chain. Methods: We stored stallion spermatozoa in the presence of different concentrations of glucose and pyruvate (1mM glucose /1mM pyruvate, 1mM glucose /10 mM pyruvate, 40 mM glucose / 1...
Is there a difference in pressures and forces under the roller with different pads when lunging horses with the Pessoa training aid? 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. Objective: To investigate the effect of different pads on pressures and forces beneath a training roller during lunging with a PTA. Methods: 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 wer...
Temporal characterization of conditions that promote functional capacitation of stallion sperm. Equine in vitro fertilization (IVF) has historically been challenged due to lack of conditions that promote functional capacitation of stallion sperm. Capacitation success is often attributed to prolonged sperm incubation requirements. Advances to equine IVF are hindered by incomplete characterization of conditions that promote the functional capacitation of stallion sperm over time. Herein, we describe conditions that promote the functional capacitation of fresh, cooled, and frozen-thawed stallion sperm isolated by Percoll, Swim-Up, or Microfluidics (VetMotl). Fresh (diluted sperm) and previo...
Biomechanics of the Head and Neck. The horse's head and neck account for about 10% of body weight, and this, combined with the fact that they are cantilevered in front of the trunk, produces considerable leverage around the joints at the base of the neck. During locomotion, the neck is moved primarily by gravitational and inertial forces controlled by eccentric-concentric cycles of contraction in the topline muscles assisted by energy-saving, stretch-recoil cycles in the nuchal ligament. The functional part of the nuchal ligament is the caudal funicular region and the lamellae to the second cervical vertebra that acts as the po...
Equine water treadmill. To describe the application of water treadmill exercise for equine fitness and/or rehabilitation in a scientific and clinically reasonable manner. Unassigned: Horses owned by Spy Coast Farm were used for video content. Unassigned: A literature review was performed and compiled in this brief video to provide veterinarians with a comprehensive, evidence-based guide for implementing water treadmill exercise within fitness and rehabilitation programs. Unassigned: Equine water treadmill exercise is an aerobic modality that increases distal limb flexion and range of motion, with no reported adverse ...
Validation of a handheld smartphone markerless gait-analysis tool using an estimated groundline in horses. A handheld smartphone-based computer vision algorithm (RealHorse® [RH]) offers accessible alternatives for equine gait analysis but requires validation against a gold-standard three-dimensional multicamera optical motion capture system (Qualisys® [QS]). Objective: To evaluate the accuracy and precision of RH in measuring vertical displacement signals (VDS) at the eye, withers, back and croup in horses trotting on a straight line and on a circle. Methods: Cross-sectional comparative validation study of a markerless computer vision algorithm. Methods: Fifty-nine horses were recorded while trot...
Cryoprotective Efficacy of Omega-3 Nano-Emulsion on Kinematic Parameters, Acrosome Status, Subcellular Ultrastructure, and Oxidative/Antioxidant Markers in Cryopreserved Stallion Semen. This study aims to investigate the cryoprotective effect of Omega-3 nano-emulsion (Omega-3 NE) on stallion sperm quality, kinematic parameters, acrosome status, subcellular ultrastructure, oxidative/antioxidant markers, and semen microbiota. Forty ejaculates were collected, extended, and cryopreserved from 5 fertile Pure Egyptian stallions (Equus caballus). The ejaculates were divided into five groups: a control group (without additive) and four groups supplemented with 25, 50, 100, and 200 μg of Omega-3 NE/mL. The Omega-3 NE exhibited an average particle size of 51-146 nm, a PDI of 0.58,...
Evaluating the Accuracy of a Vision-Based Algorithm for Groundline Estimation in Trotting Horses Using Multiple Camera Angles. Equine lameness diagnosis largely relies on subjective visual assessments, which can be biased. Although marker-based methods, force plates and inertial measurement units (IMUs) provide objective measurements, they require specialized setups. Vision-based algorithms offer a portable, markerless alternative, but their accuracy needs thorough testing. Objective: To evaluate a custom vision-based algorithm for estimating the groundline across multiple camera angles, including handheld use in horses trotting on a treadmill. Methods: Experimental comparative study. Methods: Eight Standardbred trott...
High glucose in the extender impacts the metabolic phosphoproteome and modifies the phosphorylation of AKAP4 in stallion spermatozoa. Commercial extenders for equine semen typically contain high glucose concentrations; however, recent research indicates that these supraphysiological concentrations of glucose may be detrimental. Spermatozoa lack translational activity and depend on post-translational protein modifications for their regulation. Supraphysiological glucose concentrations are known to modify cell regulation, and we hypothesize that post-translational modification deregulation associated with supraphysiological glucose concentrations occurs in spermatozoa extended in high glucose media; and increasing the concentr...
The effect of full-limb flexion tests on static and dynamic muscle activity and locomotion asymmetry in owner-sound horses. Flexion tests are commonly used in equine locomotion examinations to identify underlying locomotor issues, yet their neuromuscular effects remain poorly understood. Response variability raises concerns about their clinical value in lameness assessments and pre-purchase evaluations. Objective: Primarily, to investigate the effect of full-limb flexion tests on static (flexed position) and dynamic (subsequent trot-up) muscle activity. Secondarily, to assess their effect on locomotion asymmetry during trotting. Methods: In vivo experiments. Methods: Sixteen warmblood horses were randomly assigned ...
Statistical approaches for estimating forelimb ground reaction forces in foals during walking and trotting. Equine models are useful in biomechanics research due to their similarity in musculoskeletal tissue to humans, their athletic nature, and rapid skeletal development which permits ontogenetic studies. However, a continuing challenge in musculoskeletal models for large animal biomechanics is measuring the ground reaction force (GRF) during locomotion and therefore few reports of biomechanical measures such as joint torques. Here we evaluate two statistical approaches for estimating forelimb ground reaction forces in foals (n = 3). Longitudinal motion capture, GRF, and subject mass data during ...
Quantitative assessment of gait alterations and variability in sulky-driven Standardbred trotters after a standardised exercise test. Assessment of equine metabolic and locomotory responses to quantified levels of physical exercise is needed to support the creation of tailored protocols for optimal training adaptation. The locomotory response to exercise in horses is not fully understood. Objective: To investigate the effect of a standardised exercise test (SET) on upper-body and limb kinematics and stride-to-stride variability in Standardbred Warmblood trotters. Methods: Experimental repeated-measures field study. Methods: Thirteen Standardbred trotters, equipped with nine inertial measurement units (IMUs), performed an inc...
Reliability, agreement and variability of a markerless computer vision algorithm for equine gait analysis under field conditions. Computer vision-based algorithms offer accessible alternatives for equine gait analysis but require thorough assessment under diverse conditions. Objective: To evaluate a proprietary vision-based algorithm's reliability in measuring vertical displacement signals (VDS) at the eye, withers and croup, alongside groundline estimation, for horses trotting on straight lines and circles under field conditions. Methods: Cross-sectional comparative study evaluating agreement, variability and reliability of a markerless computer vision algorithm. Methods: We obtained 67 handheld iPhone recordings from 3...
