Bilateral lameness in horses–a kinematic study.
Abstract: The kinematic pattern of mild bilateral lameness was studied by inducing a supporting limb lameness in both fore-limbs of 11 sound Dutch Warmblood horses. The kinematics of the horses were recorded while they trotted (3.5 m/s) on a treadmill. The locomotion analysis system CODA-3 was used to determine the temporal stride patterns, limb movements as well as head and trunk movement patterns. The transient lameness model, by which pressure-induced pain is evoked on the hoof sole, was used. Differences between left and right limbs as well as between the sound and the lame condition were tested using a paired t-test. Stride and stance duration did not change significantly (p < 0.05) during bilateral lameness compared to the pattern of sound horses. Diagonal advanced placement changed to an earlier placement of both forelimbs. Fetlock hyperextension decreased also in both forelimbs, while the pro- and retraction, hoof impact angle, maximal hoof height, and all hind limb variables remained unchanged. Vertical head and trunk movements tended to decrease, but these changes were not significant. It was concluded that fetlock hyperextension and diagonal advanced placement indicate locomotor disturbances, but that mild bilateral lameness may be difficult to distinguish from individual patterns in single assessments because of the lack of locomotor asymmetries. Evaluation of these variables at regular intervals may allow an early detection of bilateral lameness, which then could be confirmed by diagnostic local anaesthesia.
Publication Date: 1995-09-01 PubMed ID: 8525594DOI: 10.1080/01652176.1995.9694543Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research paper explores the kinematic patterns of mild bilateral lameness in horses, focusing on Dutch Warmblood horses. The research specifically deals with the changes in stride patterns, limb movements, and head and trunk movement patterns when lameness was artificially induced in both forelimbs of the horses.
Research Methodology
- The research was conducted on 11 sound Dutch Warmblood horses, and the lameness was induced by causing pressure-induced pain on the hoof sole.
- The horses were made to trot on a treadmill at a speed of 3.5 m/s, and the kinematics of their motion was recorded.
- The CODA-3 locomotion analysis system was used to analyze various aspects of the horse’s trot, including temporal stride patterns, limb movements, and the movement patterns of the head and trunk.
Findings and Conclusions
- During the period of induced bilateral lameness, the stride and stance duration did not show any significant changes as compared to the patterns observed in sound horses.
- Diagonal advanced placement, i.e., the pattern of the horse placing its forelimbs, shifted to an earlier placement.
- The fetlock hyperextension, the outward extension of the lower part of the leg where the horse’s foot is attached, decreased.
- Moreover, there were no significant changes in pro- and retraction (forward and backward movement of the forelimbs), hoof impact angle, maximal hoof height, or any variables related to the hind limbs.
- Vertical movements of the head and trunk showed a decreasing tendency, but these changes were not significant.
- The researchers concluded that while fetlock hyperextension and diagonal advanced placement could indicate locomotor disturbances, mild bilateral lameness may be difficult to distinguish from individual patterns in single assessments due to the lack of locomotor asymmetries.
- When these variables are evaluated at regular intervals, early detection of bilateral lameness might be possible. The findings can be confirmed using diagnostic local anesthesia.
Cite This Article
APA
Buchner HH, Savelberg HH, Schamhardt HC, Barneveld A.
(1995).
Bilateral lameness in horses–a kinematic study.
Vet Q, 17(3), 103-105.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.1995.9694543 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of General and Large Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
- Locomotion / physiology
- Male
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Dyson S, Pollard D. Determination of Equine Behaviour in Subjectively Non-Lame Ridden Sports Horses and Comparison with Lame Sports Horses Evaluated at Competitions. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 20;14(12).
- Giraudet C, Moiroud C, Beaumont A, Gaulmin P, Hatrisse C, Azevedo E, Denoix JM, Ben Mansour K, Martin P, Audigié F, Chateau H, Marin F. Development of a Methodology for Low-Cost 3D Underwater Motion Capture: Application to the Biomechanics of Horse Swimming. Sensors (Basel) 2023 Oct 30;23(21).
- Dyson S, Pollard D. Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to 150 Horses with Musculoskeletal Pain before and after Diagnostic Anaesthesia. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 9;13(12).
- Smit IH, Hernlund E, Brommer H, van Weeren PR, Rhodin M, Serra Bragança FM. Continuous versus discrete data analysis for gait evaluation of horses with induced bilateral hindlimb lameness. Equine Vet J 2022 May;54(3):626-633.
- Egan S, Brama PAJ, Goulding C, McKeown D, Kearney CM, McGrath D. The Feasibility of Equine Field-Based Postural Sway Analysis Using a Single Inertial Sensor. Sensors (Basel) 2021 Feb 11;21(4).
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