An objective method for evaluating the flexibility of the back of standing horses.
Abstract: The spinal movements in maximum arching, dipping and left and right lateral flexion were measured in 10 horses without signs of back pain. A system for motion analysis (Expert Vision System) was used to identify the position of the markers placed on the head, the spinous processes of T5, T10, T16, L3, and on 2 of the sacral spines. By definition, the maximum of the spinal movement was set when the T16 marker reached its maximum deviation from the start position. The difference between start position and maximum position was presented as per cent of the horse's height at the withers. At T16 the mean results for flexion (arching) of the back were 5.9% (s.d.0.9), for extension (dipping) -2.4% (s.d.0.7), for flexion to the left 4.2% (s.d.1.1), and for flexion to the right 5.3% (s.d.1.3).
Publication Date: 1998-10-03 PubMed ID: 9758099DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb04511.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research explored an objective method of quantifying the flexibility of a horse’s back, using tools for motion analysis and reference points along the animal’s spine.
Study Design
- The study involved 10 horses showing no <a href="/back-pain-in-horses/" title="Back Pain in Horses: Signs, Causes, Treatment & Management”>signs of back pain.
- Back flexibility was measured in different motions: maximum arching, dipping, and lateral bending to the left and right.
- The Expert Vision System, a motion analysis tool, was used to measure the back movements in these horses.
- Markers were placed in specific areas along the horse’s spine for precise measurement: the head, the spinous process at T5, T10, and T16 vertebrae, L3 in the lumbar region, and two places on the sacral spine.
Measurement Procedures
- By definition, the maximum spinal movement was determined when the marker at the T16 vertebra reached its maximum deviation from the starting position.
- The difference between the start position and this maximum position was then calculated as a percentage of the horse’s height at the withers, a point at the top of the shoulders and the typically highest part of the body.
Results
- The average results showed that at the T16 vertebra, back flexion or arching resulted in movement equivalent to 5.9% of the horse’s withers height with a standard deviation of 0.9.
- Extension or dipping resulted in negative movement, -2.4% of the horse’s height at the withers with a standard deviation of 0.7.
- Lateral flexion to the left caused movement amounting to 4.2% of the horse’s withers height, with a standard deviation of 1.1.
- Flexion to the right resulted in a movement of 5.3% of the horse’s height at the withers, with a standard deviation of 1.3.
This research provides an objective and measurable method to assess back flexibility in standing horses, using motion analysis tools and markers at key points along the animals’ spine. This method can be useful for veterinarians and equine sports scientists to better understand equine musculoskeletal health.
Cite This Article
APA
Licka T, Peham C.
(1998).
An objective method for evaluating the flexibility of the back of standing horses.
Equine Vet J, 30(5), 412-415.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb04511.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinic for Orthopaedics in Ungulates, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Back Pain / etiology
- Back Pain / physiopathology
- Back Pain / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Movement / physiology
- Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
- Pliability
- Reference Values
- Spine / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Shokry M, Ali LB, El-Sharkawy M. Relationship between back pain and poor performance in show jumping athletic horses. Open Vet J 2025 Mar;15(3):1480-1487.
- Sénèque E, Lesimple C, Morisset S, Hausberger M. Could posture reflect welfare state? A study using geometric morphometrics in riding school horses. PLoS One 2019;14(2):e0211852.
- Sénèque E, Morisset S, Lesimple C, Hausberger M. Testing optimal methods to compare horse postures using geometric morphometrics. PLoS One 2018;13(10):e0204208.
- Valentin S, Licka TF. Spinal Motion and Muscle Activity during Active Trunk Movements - Comparing Sheep and Humans Adopting Upright and Quadrupedal Postures. PLoS One 2016;11(1):e0146362.
- Lesimple C, Fureix C, De Margerie E, Sénèque E, Menguy H, Hausberger M. Towards a postural indicator of back pain in horses (Equus caballus). PLoS One 2012;7(9):e44604.
- Fureix C, Hausberger M, Seneque E, Morisset S, Baylac M, Cornette R, Biquand V, Deleporte P. Geometric morphometrics as a tool for improving the comparative study of behavioural postures. Naturwissenschaften 2011 Jul;98(7):583-92.
- Fureix C, Menguy H, Hausberger M. Partners with bad temper: reject or cure? A study of chronic pain and aggression in horses. PLoS One 2010 Aug 26;5(8):e12434.
- Lesimple C, Fureix C, Menguy H, Hausberger M. Human direct actions may alter animal welfare, a study on horses (Equus caballus). PLoS One 2010 Apr 28;5(4):e10257.
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