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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Res Commun / Back motion in unridden horses in walk, trot and canter on a...
Veterinary research communications2023; 47(4); 1831-1843; doi: 10.1007/s11259-023-10132-y

Back motion in unridden horses in walk, trot and canter on a circle.

Abstract: Equine back function is of concern to riders, as well as to veterinarians and physiotherapists; these groups may benefit from knowledge about spinal motion on the circle. This descriptive and comparative study aimed to quantify equine neck, back and pelvic motion in walk, trot and canter on a 9 m circle. Sixteen healthy horses in training, of varying breed and conformation, were measured using optical motion capture (150 Hz), with optical markers on the poll, withers, T15, tubera coxae and lumbosacral joint. Cervicothoracic and thoracolumbar flexion-extension and lateral bending, and pelvic roll, pitch and yaw, were statistically evaluated using mixed models. Motion patterns showed distinct differences between gaits, but were generally similar between horses. The thoracolumbar back was bent towards the inside of the circle (stride mean 5-6º for all gaits). The cervicothoracic spine was more flexed in walk (18°), and more extended in canter (-4--8°), compared to trot (6-7°), whereas the thoracolumbar spine was slightly less extended in canter than in walk. Thoracolumbar flexion-extension range of motion (ROM) increased from walk (4°) to canter (9°), as did pelvic pitch ROM (walk 7° and canter 15-16°), while back lateral bending ROM and pelvic yaw ROM were lowest in trot. Taken together, the study findings suggest that neck and back motion patterns on the circle reflect an interaction between the constraints of circular movement, and the mechanics and characteristics of each gait.
© 2023. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2023-05-02 PubMed ID: 37127806PubMed Central: PMC10698108DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10132-yGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research article explores and quantifies the motion of the neck, back, and pelvic regions of horses, walking, trotting, and cantering on a 9-meter circle. The researchers utilized optical motion capture to map movement patterns and differing gait characteristics.

Research Methodology

  • For the study, the researchers employed a set of sixteen healthy horses in training, representing different breeds and conformations.
  • Optical motion capture technology at 150Hz was used to quantify the motion of the horses. This entailed placing optical markers on multiple key spots including on the poll, withers, T15 vertebrate, tubera coxae (hip joints), and the lumbosacral joint (joint between the last lumbar vertebra and the first sacral segment).

Analysis of Results

  • Mixed models statistical evaluations were conducted to crunch the data. The researchers assessed cervicothoracic and thoracolumbar flexion-extension and lateral bending, as well as pelvic roll, pitch, and yaw.
  • The investigators observed distinct differences in motion patterns depending on the gait (whether the horse was walking, trotting, or cantering). That being said, motion patterns remained mostly consistent across the horse sample.
  • In all three gaits, the thoracolumbar back was bent towards the center of the 9-meter circle. The stride mean was 5-6º for all gaits.
  • The cervicothoracic spine showed more flexibility when the horse was walking (18°) and extended more when the horse was cantering (-4–8°). Compared to trotting (6-7°), the thoracolumbar spine was slightly less extended in a canter than in a walk.

Findings and Implications

  • The flexion-extension range of motion (ROM) increased from walk (4°) to canter (9°).
  • Pelvic pitch ROM also expanded from walk (7°) to canter (15-16°).
  • However, the study recorded the lowest ROM in back lateral bending and pelvic yaw when the horses were trotting.
  • Taking these findings into account, the researchers infer that neck and back motion patterns on a circle reflect an interplay between the mechanics and constraints of circular movement and the characteristics of each individual gait.
  • These insights can be useful to riders, veterinarians, and physiotherapists in enhancing understanding and management of equine back function.

Cite This Article

APA
Egenvall A, Engström H, Byström A. (2023). Back motion in unridden horses in walk, trot and canter on a circle. Vet Res Commun, 47(4), 1831-1843. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-023-10132-y

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 1573-7446
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 47
Issue: 4
Pages: 1831-1843

Researcher Affiliations

Egenvall, Agneta
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. agneta.egenvall@slu.se.
Engström, Hanna
  • Ekeskogs Riding Academy, Klintehamn, Sweden.
Byström, Anna
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Gait
  • Back
  • Range of Motion, Articular

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

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