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The veterinary quarterly1996; 18 Suppl 2; S79-S84;

Are kinematics of the walk related to the locomotion of a warmblood horse at the trot?

Abstract: In purchase examinations or at studbook selection sales the locomotor apparatus of horses is judged both at walk and trot. To evaluate whether kinematics of the walk are related to the locomotion at the trot, fore and hind limb movements of a group of 24 26-month-old warmbloods were recorded at walk and trot on a treadmill (1.6 and 4 m/s) using a modified CODA-3 gait analysis system. The intralimb coordination patterns at walk and trot were compared, and temporal and spatial variables of these gaits were related. Stride and stance durations (s) were shorter at the trot, while the stance distance (m) and swing duration (s) remained the same. Moreover, the pattern of the joint angle-time curves at walk and trot looked rather similar, though shifted to the left at trot because of the shorter relative stance duration. During the stance phase, the shoulder, stifle and tarsal joints were more flexed throughout, while the carpal and fetlock joints were more maximally extended in the trot than in the walk. In the swing phase, the elbow, carpal, stifle, and tarsal joints were more flexed because of the higher 'operating' speed at the trot compared to the walk. All other kinematic variables at the trot could be predicted from the mean +/- lsd of the values recorded at the walk. Moreover, nearly all kinematic variables at the walk correlated well with those at the trot, while variables indicating gait quality of the walk were similar to the ones identified previously for the trot. In conclusion, kinematics recorded at the walk in a group of horses were similar to and thus predictive for locomotion at the trot providing the decreased stance duration and the increased speed of the trot are taken into consideration.
Publication Date: 1996-01-01 PubMed ID: 8933680
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This research study investigates the correlation between the movements of warmblood horses during walking and trotting on a treadmill, using a gait analysis system. The findings suggest that the kinematic aspects recorded while the horses walk could potentially predict their locomotion when trotting, taking into account the increased speed and shorter stance duration during trotting.

Methodology and Experiment Setup

  • The researchers used a sample group of 24 warmblood horses, all around 26 months old.
  • Fore and hind limb movements of these horses were recorded while the horses walked and trotted on a treadmill.
  • An adjusted CODA-3 gait analysis system was utilised to measure their locomotion.
  • The horses were made to walk and trot at different speeds (1.6 and 4 m/s respectively) on the treadmill.

Comparative Analysis of the Walk and Trot

  • The researchers compared the coordination patterns of limbs at walk and trot.
  • Spatial and temporal variables of these gaits were correlated.
  • The stride and stance durations were shorter while trotting, but the stance distance and swing duration remained consistent between both gaits.
  • Even though the joint angle-time curves in both gaits looked similar, there was a shift to the left in trotting due to the shorter relative stance duration.

Joint Flexibility

  • During stance phase, the shoulder, stifle, and tarsal joints were more flexed regardless of gait.
  • The carpal and fetlock joints were more maximally extended while trotting as compared to walking.
  • During the swing phase, the elbow, carpal, stifle, and tarsal joints were more flexed because of the higher speed required for trotting.

Conclusions and Key Findings

  • All other kinematic variables at the trot could be anticipated from the values recorded at the walk.
  • Nearly all kinematic variables at the walk correlated well with those at the trot.
  • Variables indicating the quality of gait during walking were similar to those identified previously for trotting.
  • The kinematics recorded at walk in the group of horses were similar to and thus predictive for locomotion at the trot, provided the increased speed and shorter stance duration of trotting are considered.

Cite This Article

APA
Back W, Schamhardt HC, Barneveld A. (1996). Are kinematics of the walk related to the locomotion of a warmblood horse at the trot? Vet Q, 18 Suppl 2, S79-S84.

Publication

ISSN: 0165-2176
NlmUniqueID: 7909485
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 18 Suppl 2
Pages: S79-S84

Researcher Affiliations

Back, W
  • Department of General and Large Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. w.back@hk.dgk.ruu.nl
Schamhardt, H C
    Barneveld, A

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Carpus, Animal / physiology
      • Female
      • Forelimb / physiology
      • Gait / physiology
      • Hindlimb / physiology
      • Hip / physiology
      • Horses / physiology
      • Kinetics
      • Locomotion / physiology
      • Male
      • Shoulder / physiology
      • Stifle / physiology
      • Tarsus, Animal / physiology
      • Walking / physiology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 6 times.
      1. Corbally AF, Mulligan FJ, Sweeney T, Fahey AG. Phenotypic Associations Between Linearly Scored Traits and Sport Horse Auction Sales Price in Ireland. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 29;15(15).
        doi: 10.3390/ani15152227pubmed: 40805017google scholar: lookup
      2. Vincelette A. The Characteristics, Distribution, Function, and Origin of Alternative Lateral Horse Gaits. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 8;13(16).
        doi: 10.3390/ani13162557pubmed: 37627349google scholar: lookup
      3. Rhodin M, Smit IH, Persson-Sjodin E, Pfau T, Gunnarsson V, Björnsdóttir S, Zetterberg E, Clayton HM, Hobbs SJ, Serra Bragança F, Hernlund E. Timing of Vertical Head, Withers and Pelvis Movements Relative to the Footfalls in Different Equine Gaits and Breeds. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 7;12(21).
        doi: 10.3390/ani12213053pubmed: 36359178google scholar: lookup
      4. Pagliara E, Marenchino M, Antenucci L, Costantini M, Zoppi G, Giacobini MDL, Bullone M, Riccio B, Bertuglia A. Fetlock Joint Angle Pattern and Range of Motion Quantification Using Two Synchronized Wearable Inertial Sensors per Limb in Sound Horses and Horses with Single Limb Naturally Occurring Lameness. Vet Sci 2022 Aug 25;9(9).
        doi: 10.3390/vetsci9090456pubmed: 36136672google scholar: lookup
      5. Hobbs SJ, St George L, Reed J, Stockley R, Thetford C, Sinclair J, Williams J, Nankervis K, Clayton HM. A scoping review of determinants of performance in dressage. PeerJ 2020;8:e9022.
        doi: 10.7717/peerj.9022pubmed: 32355578google scholar: lookup
      6. Hyun SH, Ryew CC. Motor ability of forelimb both on- and off-riding during walk and trot cadence of horse. J Exerc Rehabil 2016 Feb;12(1):60-5.
        doi: 10.12965/jer.160278pubmed: 26933662google scholar: lookup