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Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2011; (38); 488-495; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00277.x

Biomechanical analysis of hoof landing and stride parameters in harness trotter horses running on different tracks of a sand beach (from wet to dry) and on an asphalt road.

Abstract: Sandy beaches are often considered good training surfaces for trotter horses. However, their biomechanical effects on locomotion are insufficiently documented. Events at hoof impact have mostly been studied under laboratory conditions with accelerometers, but there is lack of data (acceleration, force, movement) on events occurring under every day practical conditions in the field. Objective: To investigate hoof landing and stride parameters on different tracks (from wet to dry) of a sand beach and on an asphalt road. Methods: The right front hoof of 4 trotter horses was equipped with a triaxial accelerometer and a dynamometric horseshoe. Acceleration and force recordings (10 kHz) were synchronised with a high speed movie (600 Hz). Horses were driven on a sand beach where 3 tracks of decreasing water content had been delimited (from the sea to the shore): firm wet sand (FWS), deep wet sand (DWS) and deep dry sand (DDS). Firm wet sand and DWS were compared at 25 km/h and DDS compared to an asphalt road at 15 km/h. Recordings (10 strides) were randomly repeated 3 times. Statistical differences were tested using a GLM procedure (P < 0.05). Results: Main significant results were 1) a decrease in the amplitude of the vertical deceleration (and force) of the hoof during impact on a softer surface (about 59% between DWS and FWS and 95% between DDS and asphalt), 2) a decrease in the longitudinal braking deceleration (and force) on softer grounds (50% for DWS vs. FWS and 55% for DDS vs. asphalt), 3) a decrease in the stride length and an increase in the stride frequency on a softer surface. Conclusions: Drier sand surfaces reduce shock and impact forces during landing. For daily training, it should, however, be realised that improved damping characteristics are associated with a shorter stride length and a higher stride frequency.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2011-05-27 PubMed ID: 21059050DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00277.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

This research investigates the effects of different track surfaces (varying from wet to dry sand, and asphalt) on the hoof landing and stride patterns in harness trotter horses; it concludes that drier, softer sand surfaces minimize shock and impact forces during landing, but correspond with a shorter stride length and higher stride frequency.

Methods

  • The research was conducted with the right front hoof of four trotter horses, each fitted with a triaxial accelerometer and a dynamometric horseshoe. These devices were used to record acceleration and force data synchronously with a high-speed movie.
  • The horses were driven along three distinct tracks on a beach, each differing in water content – from firm wet sand (FWS) and deep wet sand (DWS), to deep dry sand (DDS). Firm wet sand and DWS were assessed at a trotting speed of 25 km/h, while DDS was compared to trotting on an asphalt road at 15km/h.
  • The experiment was repeated three times for each horse, with each specific condition being analyzed over ten trotting strides.
  • Statistical differences were evaluated using a GLM (General Linear Model) procedure.

Results

  • There was a significant reduction in the magnitude of vertical deceleration (and associated force) of the hoof upon impact on softer surfaces. The decrease was approximately 59% between deep wet sand (DWS) and firm wet sand (FWS), and about 95% between deep dry sand (DDS) and asphalt.
  • Longitudinal braking deceleration (and force) also decreased on softer surfaces; 50% for DWS versus FWS, and 55% for DDS versus asphalt.
  • Stride length decreased while stride frequency increased when the horses ran on softer surfaces.

Conclusion

  • The research concluded that softer (drier sand) surfaces reduce the shock and impact forces on horses during landing. However, these damping characteristics are also linked with a shorter stride length and increased stride frequency, which training regimes need to take into account.

Cite This Article

APA
Chateau H, Holden L, Robin D, Falala S, Pourcelot P, Estoup P, Denoix JM, Crevier-Denoix N. (2011). Biomechanical analysis of hoof landing and stride parameters in harness trotter horses running on different tracks of a sand beach (from wet to dry) and on an asphalt road. Equine Vet J Suppl(38), 488-495. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00277.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 38
Pages: 488-495

Researcher Affiliations

Chateau, H
  • USC INRA-ENVA 957 de Biomécanique et Pathologie Locomotrice du Cheval, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France. hchateau@vet-alfort.fr
Holden, L
    Robin, D
      Falala, S
        Pourcelot, P
          Estoup, P
            Denoix, J-M
              Crevier-Denoix, N

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Biomechanical Phenomena
                • Female
                • Gait / physiology
                • Hoof and Claw / physiology
                • Horses / physiology
                • Locomotion / physiology
                • Male
                • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
                • Silicon Dioxide
                • Water

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