A pressure plate study on fore and hindlimb loading and the association with hoof contact area in sound ponies at the walk and trot.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between fore- and hind-hoof contact area and limb loading. Data from a previous study on forelimb loading and symmetry were compared with data on hindlimb kinetics, and the fore- and hind-hoof contact area at the walk and trot was evaluated. Five sound ponies, selected for symmetrical feet, were walked and trotted over a pressure plate embedded in a custom-made runway. The hindlimb peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) were found to be significantly lower than in the forelimb, whereas their high symmetry ratios (>95%) did not show a significant difference from forelimb data. Hindlimb PVF in ponies was found to be slightly higher when compared to data reported for horses even though the ponies moved at a similar or lower relative velocity. The contact area had low intra-individual variability and was significantly smaller in the hind- than in the fore-hooves. A larger contact area was significantly associated with lower peak vertical pressure (PVP) but higher PVF and VI. No significant differences between left and right sides were found for contact area or loading variables. Pressure plate measurements demonstrated a significant association between hoof contact area and limb loading, in addition to intrinsic differences between fore and hindlimb locomotor function. The pressure plate provides the clinician with a tool to quantify simultaneously contralateral differences in hoof contact area and limb loading.
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2010-09-27 PubMed ID: 20875762DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.08.016Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research intends to establish the link between hoof contact area and the load on the limbs of ponies during walking and trotting. The findings indicate that the hindlimb peak vertical force (force exerted by the pony’s limbs) and vertical impulse (change in momentum) is significantly lower than in the forelimbs. However, the study found little difference in symmetry ratios between fore and hind limbs.
Methodology
- Researchers used data from five sound ponies, specifically chosen for having symmetrical feet.
- The ponies were made to walk and trot over a pressure plate fixed in a custom-made runway.
- This setup helped determine the pressure exerted by both the fore and hind hooves during movement.
Results
- The study found that the hindlimb peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) were significantly lower than those in the forelimb.
- The symmetry ratios for hindlimbs were over 95%, showing no substantial disparity from the forelimb data.
- The contact area had low variability within individual ponies and was considerably smaller in the hind- than in the fore-hooves.
- The study also found that a larger contact area was significantly associated with a lower peak vertical pressure (PVP) but higher PVF and VI.
- No significant differences were found between the left and right sides for contact area or loading variables.
Conclusion
- The research showed a significant association between the hoof contact area and limb loading.
- This insight further delineates the inherent differences between fore and hindlimb locomotor function.
- The use of pressure plate measurements allows practitioners to quantify simultaneously the differences between the left and right sides in terms of hoof contact area and limb loading.
Cite This Article
APA
Oosterlinck M, Pille F, Back W, Dewulf J, Gasthuys F.
(2010).
A pressure plate study on fore and hindlimb loading and the association with hoof contact area in sound ponies at the walk and trot.
Vet J, 190(1), 71-76.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.08.016 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium. Maarten.Oosterlinck@ugent.be
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Female
- Forelimb / anatomy & histology
- Gait
- Hindlimb / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Pressure
- Running
- Walking
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Logan AA, Nielsen BD, Robison CI, Hallock DB, Manfredi JM, Hiney KM, Buskirk DD, Popovich JM Jr. Impact of Gait and Diameter during Circular Exercise on Front Hoof Area, Vertical Force, and Pressure in Mature Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Dec 17;11(12).
- Liu X, Kui H, Qian Z, Ren L. Hoof Pressure Distribution Pattern of Blue Sheep During Walking on Different Slopes: A Subject-Specific Analysis.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:633509.
- López S, Vilar JM, Rubio M, Sopena JJ, Santana A, Rodríguez O, Rodríguez-Altonaga JA, Carrillo JM. Pedobarography: a novel approach to test the efficacy of treatments for lameness; an experience with mavacoxib in dogs with elbow osteoarthritis.. BMC Vet Res 2019 Jun 11;15(1):193.
- López S, Vilar JM, Rubio M, Sopena JJ, Damiá E, Chicharro D, Santana A, Carrillo JM. Center of pressure limb path differences for the detection of lameness in dogs: a preliminary study.. BMC Vet Res 2019 May 8;15(1):138.
- Pitti L, Oosterlinck M, Díaz-Bertrana ML, Carrillo JM, Rubio M, Sopena J, Santana A, Vilar JM. Assessment of static posturography and pedobarography for the detection of unilateral forelimb lameness in ponies.. BMC Vet Res 2018 May 2;14(1):151.
- Nauwelaerts S, Hobbs SJ, Back W. A horse's locomotor signature: COP path determined by the individual limb.. PLoS One 2017;12(2):e0167477.
- Manera ME, Carrillo JM, Batista M, Rubio M, Sopena J, Santana A, Vilar JM. Static Posturography: A New Perspective in the Assessment of Lameness in a Canine Model.. PLoS One 2017;12(1):e0170692.
- Gorissen BMC, Wolschrijn CF, Serra Bragança FM, Geerts AAJ, Leenders WOJL, Back W, van Weeren PR. The development of locomotor kinetics in the foal and the effect of osteochondrosis.. Equine Vet J 2017 Jul;49(4):467-474.
- Meijer E, Bertholle CP, Oosterlinck M, van der Staay FJ, Back W, van Nes A. Pressure mat analysis of the longitudinal development of pig locomotion in growing pigs after weaning.. BMC Vet Res 2014 Feb 6;10:37.
- Verdugo MR, Rahal SC, Agostinho FS, Govoni VM, Mamprim MJ, Monteiro FO. Kinetic and temporospatial parameters in male and female cats walking over a pressure sensing walkway.. BMC Vet Res 2013 Jun 27;9:129.
- Agostinho FS, Rahal SC, Araújo FA, Conceição RT, Hussni CA, El-Warrak AO, Monteiro FO. Gait analysis in clinically healthy sheep from three different age groups using a pressure-sensitive walkway.. BMC Vet Res 2012 Jun 22;8:87.
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