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Equine veterinary journal2020; 53(3); 600-611; doi: 10.1111/evj.13344

Adaptation strategies of horses with induced forelimb lameness walking on a treadmill.

Abstract: There is a paucity of research describing the gait pattern of lame horses at the walk. Objective: To describe the changes in motion pattern and vertical ground reaction forces (GRFz) in horses with induced forelimb lameness at the walk and compare those changes with the changes observed at the trot. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: In 10 clinically sound Warmblood horses, moderate forelimb lameness was induced using a sole pressure model followed by trot and walk on a treadmill. Kinematic data were collected using 3D optical motion capture (OMC), and GRFz by an instrumented treadmill. Mixed models were used to compare sound baseline versus forelimb lameness (significance was set at P < .05). Results: Lameness induction significantly reduced peak GRFz on the second force peak, and vertical impulse in the lame limb. Stride and stance duration in all limbs were reduced. Lameness significantly affected the vertical movement symmetry of the head and withers. Maximum limb retraction angle, fetlock extension and protraction speed were reduced in the lame limb. Body centre of mass (COM) translation was reduced in the side-to-side direction and increased in the vertical and fore-aft directions. Several compensatory kinetic and kinematic changes were observed in the nonlame limbs. The observed changes in both kinetics and kinematics were generally smaller at walk with fewer variables being affected, compared to the trot. Conclusions: Only one degree and type of orthopaedic pain (sole pressure) was studied. Conclusions: Compensatory strategies of forelimb lameness at the walk include alteration of several kinetic and kinematic parameters and have some specific patterns and inter-individual differences that are not seen at the trot. However, much like at the trot, head movement and forelimb vertical force symmetry seem to be the most useful parameters to detect forelimb lameness at walk.
© 2020 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2020-09-24 PubMed ID: 32888199PubMed Central: PMC8048804DOI: 10.1111/evj.13344Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study provides an analysis of the motion patterns and ground reaction forces of horses with induced forelimb lameness at two different gaits, walk and trot. The findings indicate that these horses adopt different movement strategies at the walk, compared to the trot, and that the symmetry of head movement and forelimb force are key parameters for detecting lameness at both gaits.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted an experimental study on 10 clinically sound Warmblood horses, inducing moderate forelimb lameness using a sole pressure model. After lameness was induced, the horses were made to trot and walk on a treadmill.
  • Gait analysis data was collected using a 3D optical motion capture system. Vertical ground reaction forces (GRFz), or the force exerted by the ground on a body in contact with it, were measured using an instrumented treadmill.
  • The team made comparisons between sound baseline and forelimb lameness using mixed models statistical approach, with the level of significance set at P < .05.

Findings

  • Lameness induction resulted in a significant reduction of the peak GRFz on the second force peak and vertical impulse in the affected limb. The stride and stance duration in all limbs were shown to be reduced.
  • Vertically, the lameness significantly altered the movement symmetry of the horse’s head and withers (the highest part of the back).
  • In regards to the lame limb, the maximum retraction angle, fetlock extension (joint angle in horse’s leg), and protraction speed (forward extension) were all reduced.
  • The body centre of mass (COM) translation was diminished in the side-to-side direction, but was augmented in both vertical and fore-aft (front and back) directions.
  • Several kinetic and kinematic changes were observed in the nonlame limbs as compensatory measures to the primary change in the lame limb.
  • The changes in kinetics and kinematics were generally less pronounced at walk with fewer variables being affected, in comparison to the trot.

Conclusions

  • The research only examined one type and degree of orthopaedic pain (sole pressure).
  • Forelimb lameness at the walk is countered by alteration of several kinetic and kinematic parameters, displaying unique patterns and individual differences that are not seen at the trot.
  • Similar to the trotting gait, head movement and forelimb vertical force symmetry appear to be the most reliable parameters for detecting forelimb lameness at walk.

Cite This Article

APA
Serra Bragança FM, Hernlund E, Thomsen MH, Waldern NM, Rhodin M, Byström A, van Weeren PR, Weishaupt MA. (2020). Adaptation strategies of horses with induced forelimb lameness walking on a treadmill. Equine Vet J, 53(3), 600-611. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13344

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 3
Pages: 600-611

Researcher Affiliations

Serra Bragança, Filipe M
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Hernlund, Elin
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Thomsen, Maj H
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark.
Waldern, Nina M
  • Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Rhodin, Marie
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Byström, Anna
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
van Weeren, P René
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Weishaupt, Michael A
  • Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Forelimb
  • Gait
  • Hindlimb
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
  • Walking

Grant Funding

  • Swedish Research Council Formas

Conflict of Interest Statement

No competing interests have been declared.

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Citations

This article has been cited 14 times.
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