Analyze Diet
American journal of veterinary research2000; 61(4); 399-406; doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.399

Basic three-dimensional kinematics of the vertebral column of horses walking on a treadmill.

Abstract: To determine kinematic movements of the vertebral column of horses during normal locomotion. Methods: 5 Dutch Warmblood horses without apparent lameness or problems associated with the vertebral column. Methods: Kinematics of 8 vertebrae (T6, T10, T13, T17, L1, L3, L5, and S3) and both tuber coxae were determined, using bone-fixated markers. Horses were recorded while walking on a treadmill at a constant speed of 1.6 m/s. Results: Flexion-extension was characterized by 2 periods of extension and flexion during 1 stride cycle, whereas lateral bending and axial rotation were characterized by 1 peak and 1 trough. The range of motion for flexion-extension was fairly constant for vertebrae caudal to T10 (approximately 7 degrees). For lateral bending, the cranial thoracic vertebrae and segments in the pelvic region had the maximal amount of motion, with values of up to 5.6 degrees. For vertebrae between T17 and L5, the amount of lateral bending decreased to <4 degrees The amount of axial rotation increased gradually from 4 degrees for T6 to 13 degrees for the tuber coxae. Conclusions: This direct measurement method provides 3-dimensional kinematic data for flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation of the thoracolumbar portion of the vertebral column of horses walking on a treadmill. Regional differences were observed in the magnitude and pattern of the rotations. Understanding of the normal kinematics of the vertebral column in healthy horses is a prerequisite for a better understanding of abnormal function.
Publication Date: 2000-04-20 PubMed ID: 10772104DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.399Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
  • 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.

The study examines the movement of the vertebral column in horses during a normal walking motion. Using fixed markers on certain vertebrae, researchers gathered data on horse’s spine flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation while walking on a treadmill.

Study Methods

  • Five Dutch Warmblood horses without any apparent lameness or issues with their vertebral column were used for the research.
  • Specific bones of the spine (T6, T10, T13, T17, L1, L3, L5, and S3) and the pelvis (tuber coxae) were marked with fixed markers to track motion and rotation.
  • The horses were observed and recorded while walking on a treadmill at a set speed of 1.6 meters per second.

Findings

  • The flexion-extension of the spine (bending forwards and backwards) showed two periods of extension and flexion in one walking cycle.
  • Lateral bending (side to side movement) and axial rotation (rotation around the spine) each showed one peak and one trough in a stride cycle.
  • The range of motion for flexion-extension was fairly constant in the vertebrae caudal to T10 (towards the tail), staying around 7 degrees.
  • The cranial thoracic vertebrae (towards the head) and the pelvic region showed the most amount of movement during lateral bending, with values of up to 5.6 degrees.
  • For the vertebrae between T17 and L5, lateral bending decreased to less than 4 degrees.
  • The amount of axial rotation increased gradually from 4 degrees at T6 to 13 degrees at the pelvis (tuber coxae).

Conclusion

This study provides detailed information about the three-dimensional movement of a horse’s thoracolumbar portion of the vertebral column during a walking motion on a treadmill. It also revealed regional differences in terms of the magnitude and pattern of rotations. Understanding normal movements in the vertebral column in healthy horses will provide a solid basis for studying abnormal function, paving the way for improved veterinary diagnosis and treatment.

Cite This Article

APA
Faber M, Schamhardt H, van Weeren R, Johnston C, Roepstorff L, Barneveld A. (2000). Basic three-dimensional kinematics of the vertebral column of horses walking on a treadmill. Am J Vet Res, 61(4), 399-406. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.399

Publication

ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 61
Issue: 4
Pages: 399-406

Researcher Affiliations

Faber, M
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
Schamhardt, H
    van Weeren, R
      Johnston, C
        Roepstorff, L
          Barneveld, A

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Biomechanical Phenomena
            • Exercise Test / veterinary
            • Female
            • Horses / physiology
            • Male
            • Spine / physiology

            Citations

            This article has been cited 23 times.
            1. St George L, Nankervis K, Walker V, Maddock C, Robinson A, Sinclair J, Hobbs SJ. A Feasibility Study to Determine Whether Neuromuscular Adaptations to Equine Water Treadmill Exercise Can Be Detected Using Synchronous Surface Electromyography and Kinematic Data. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 1;15(21).
              doi: 10.3390/ani15213189pubmed: 41227519google scholar: lookup
            2. van Bijlert PA, Geijtenbeek T, Smit IH, Schulp AS, Bates KT. Muscle-Driven Predictive Physics Simulations of Quadrupedal Locomotion in the Horse. Integr Comp Biol 2024 Sep 27;64(3):694-714.
              doi: 10.1093/icb/icae095pubmed: 39003243google scholar: lookup
            3. Baudisch N, Singer E, Jensen KC, Eichler F, Meyer HJ, Lischer C, Ehrle A. Influence of surgical intervention at the level of the dorsal spinous processes on the biomechanics of the equine thoracolumbar spine. Equine Vet J 2025 Mar;57(2):492-501.
              doi: 10.1111/evj.14123pubmed: 38934728google scholar: lookup
            4. Fair N, Blake S, Blake R. Four Weeks of Incline Water Treadmill Exercise Can Contribute to Increase Epaxial Muscle Profile in Horses. Vet Med Int 2023;2023:9090406.
              doi: 10.1155/2023/9090406pubmed: 38023427google scholar: lookup
            5. Merten LJF, Manafzadeh AR, Herbst EC, Amson E, Tambusso PS, Arnold P, Nyakatura JA. The functional significance of aberrant cervical counts in sloths: insights from automated exhaustive analysis of cervical range of motion. Proc Biol Sci 2023 Nov 8;290(2010):20231592.
              doi: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1592pubmed: 37909076google scholar: lookup
            6. St George L, Spoormakers TJP, Roy SH, Hobbs SJ, Clayton HM, Richards J, Serra Bragança FM. Reliability of surface electromyographic (sEMG) measures of equine axial and appendicular muscles during overground trot. PLoS One 2023;18(7):e0288664.
              doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288664pubmed: 37450555google scholar: lookup
            7. Egenvall A, Engström H, Byström A. Back motion in unridden horses in walk, trot and canter on a circle. Vet Res Commun 2023 Dec;47(4):1831-1843.
              doi: 10.1007/s11259-023-10132-ypubmed: 37127806google scholar: lookup
            8. Belyaev RI, Kuznetsov AN, Prilepskaya NE. Truly dorsostable runners: Vertebral mobility in rhinoceroses, tapirs, and horses. J Anat 2023 Apr;242(4):568-591.
              doi: 10.1111/joa.13799pubmed: 36519561google scholar: lookup
            9. Schaub KI, Kelleners N, Schmidt MJ, Eley N, Fischer MS. Three-Dimensional Kinematics of the Pelvis and Caudal Lumbar Spine in German Shepherd Dogs. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:709966.
              doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.709966pubmed: 34513974google scholar: lookup
            10. Simonato SP, Bernardina GRD, Ferreira LCR, Silvatti AP, Barcelos KMC, da Fonseca BPA. 3D kinematic of the thoracolumbar spine in Mangalarga Marchador horses performing the marcha batida gait and being led by hand-A preliminary report. PLoS One 2021;16(7):e0253697.
              doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253697pubmed: 34228737google scholar: lookup
            11. Spoormakers TJP, Graat EAM, Serra Bragança FM, Weeren PRV, Brommer H. Rater agreement for assessment of equine back mobility at walk and trot compared to quantitative gait analysis. PLoS One 2021;16(6):e0252536.
              doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252536pubmed: 34086765google scholar: lookup
            12. Spoormakers TJP, Veraa S, Graat EAM, van Weeren PR, Brommer H. A comparative study of breed differences in the anatomical configuration of the equine vertebral column. J Anat 2021 Oct;239(4):829-838.
              doi: 10.1111/joa.13456pubmed: 33991425google scholar: lookup
            13. MacKechnie-Guire R, Pfau T. Differential rotational movement and symmetry values of the thoracolumbosacral region in high-level dressage horses when trotting. PLoS One 2021;16(5):e0251144.
              doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251144pubmed: 33956858google scholar: lookup
            14. MacKechnie-Guire R, Pfau T. Differential Rotational Movement of the Thoracolumbosacral Spine in High-Level Dressage Horses Ridden in a Straight Line, in Sitting Trot and Seated Canter Compared to In-Hand Trot. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 20;11(3).
              doi: 10.3390/ani11030888pubmed: 33804702google scholar: lookup
            15. Belyaev RI, Kuznetsov AN, Prilepskaya NE. A mechanistic approach for the calculation of intervertebral mobility in mammals based on vertebrae osteometry. J Anat 2021 Jan;238(1):113-130.
              doi: 10.1111/joa.13300pubmed: 32951205google scholar: lookup
            16. 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
            17. MacKechnie-Guire R, MacKechnie-Guire E, Fairfax V, Fisher D, Fisher M, Pfau T. The Effect of Tree Width on Thoracolumbar and Limb Kinematics, Saddle Pressure Distribution, and Thoracolumbar Dimensions in Sports Horses in Trot and Canter. Animals (Basel) 2019 Oct 21;9(10).
              doi: 10.3390/ani9100842pubmed: 31640213google scholar: lookup
            18. 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.
              doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211852pubmed: 30721258google scholar: lookup
            19. Sénèque E, Morisset S, Lesimple C, Hausberger M. Testing optimal methods to compare horse postures using geometric morphometrics. PLoS One 2018;13(10):e0204208.
              doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204208pubmed: 30379841google scholar: lookup
            20. 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.
              doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044604pubmed: 22970261google scholar: lookup
            21. 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.
              doi: 10.1007/s00114-011-0803-2pubmed: 21573691google scholar: lookup
            22. 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.
              doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012434pubmed: 20865160google scholar: lookup
            23. 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.
              doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010257pubmed: 20442766google scholar: lookup