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Centre of mass movement and mechanical energy fluctuation during gallop locomotion in the Thoroughbred racehorse.
Abstract: During locomotion cyclical interchange between different forms of mechanical energy enhances economy; however, 100% efficiency cannot be achieved and ultimately some mechanical work must be performed de novo. There is a metabolic cost associated with fluctuations in mechanical energy, even in the most efficient animals. In this study we investigate the exchanges between different forms of mechanical energy involved in high-speed gallop locomotion in Thoroughbred race horses during over-ground locomotion using innovative, mobile data collection techniques. We use hoof-mounted accelerometers to capture foot contact times, a GPS data logger to monitor speed and an inertial sensor mounted over the dorsal spinous processes of the fourth to sixth thoracic vertebrae (the withers) of the horse to capture trunk movement with six degrees of freedom. Trunk movement data were used to estimate the movement of the centre of mass (CoM). Linear (craniocaudal, mediolateral and dorsoventral) and rotational (roll, pitch and heading) kinematic parameters (displacement, velocity and acceleration) were calculated for seven horses at gallop speeds ranging from 7 to 17 m s(-1) during their regular training sessions. These were used to estimate external mechanical energy (potential energy and linear kinetic energy of the CoM) as well as selected components of internal energy (angular kinetic energy). Elastic energy storage in the limbs was estimated from duty factor, sine wave assumptions and published leg stiffness values. External mechanical energy changes were dominated by changes in craniocaudal velocity. Potential energy change, which was in phase with craniocaudal energy during the front limb stances, was small. Elastic energy storage in the limbs was small compared to the overall amplitude of fluctuation of external mechanical energy. Galloping at high speeds does not therefore fit classical spring mass mechanics.
Publication Date: 2006-09-21 PubMed ID: 16985191DOI: 10.1242/jeb.02439Google 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.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- 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.
The research article explores the movements and energy usage of Thoroughbred racehorses during high-speed gallop. It uses innovative data collection methods to study different mechanical energy forms, how these energies interchange, and their effect on the horse’s metabolic cost.
Methodology
The exchanges of mechanical energy in Thoroughbred horse racing were studied during over-ground locomotion. The research methodology involved the use of advanced, mobile data collection techniques:
- They used hoof-mounted accelerometers to capture the times the horse’s foot made contact with the ground.
- A GPS data logger monitored the speed of the horse.
- The trunk movement of the horse was captured with an inertial sensor mounted over the dorsal spinous processes of the fourth to sixth thoracic vertebrae, otherwise known as the withers of the horse.
These methods were applied to estimate the movement of the centre of mass (CoM). The data collected from the horse’s trunk movement were used for this.
Calculations
Next, they calculated linear (displacement, velocity, and acceleration in different directions) and rotational (roll, pitch, and heading) kinematic parameters for seven Thoroughbred horses during their regular training sessions. Gallop speeds for the horses ranged from 7 to 17 m s(-1).
These parameters helped researchers estimate the horse’s external mechanical energy – including potential energy and linear kinetic energy of the CoM, as well as selected components of internal energy like angular kinetic energy.
Insights
Research findings showed that:
- The elastic energy stored in the limbs was small compared to the total amplitude of external mechanical energy fluctuation. Therefore, the idea of galloping fitting classical spring mass mechanics was questioned.
- The changes in an external mechanical energy were mostly determined by changes in the horse’s craniocaudal velocity or the head-to-tail velocity.
- A significant insight from this research is that the potential energy change, which was in phase with craniocaudal energy during the front limb stances, was small.
In conclusion, this research helped reveal and understand the intricate mechanisms behind the energy fluctuations and movements when a Thoroughbred horse gallops, which may be different than previously assumed theories.
Cite This Article
APA
Pfau T, Witte TH, Wilson AM.
(2006).
Centre of mass movement and mechanical energy fluctuation during gallop locomotion in the Thoroughbred racehorse.
J Exp Biol, 209(Pt 19), 3742-3757.
https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.02439 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Structure and Motion Laboratory, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK. tpfau@rvc.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Acceleration
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Body Weight
- Gait / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Locomotion / physiology
- Telemetry
Citations
This article has been cited 22 times.- Horan K, Coburn J, Kourdache K, Day P, Carnall H, Brinkley L, Harborne D, Hammond L, Peterson M, Millard S, Pfau T. Hoof Impact and Foot-Off Accelerations in Galloping Thoroughbred Racehorses Trialling Eight Shoe-Surface Combinations. Animals (Basel) 2022 Aug 23;12(17).
- Hobbs SJ, Clayton HM. The Olympic motto through the lens of equestrian sports. Anim Front 2022 Jun;12(3):45-53.
- Horan K, Kourdache K, Coburn J, Day P, Carnall H, Harborne D, Brinkley L, Hammond L, Millard S, Lancaster B, Pfau T. The effect of horseshoes and surfaces on horse and jockey centre of mass displacements at gallop. PLoS One 2021;16(11):e0257820.
- Parkes RSV, Pfau T, Weller R, Witte TH. The effect of curve running on distal limb kinematics in the Thoroughbred racehorse. PLoS One 2020;15(12):e0244105.
- Ricard A, Dumont Saint Priest B, Chassier M, Sabbagh M, Danvy S. Genetic consistency between gait analysis by accelerometry and evaluation scores at breeding shows for the selection of jumping competition horses. PLoS One 2020;15(12):e0244064.
- Hayati H, Mahdavi F, Eager D. Analysis of Agile Canine Gait Characteristics Using Accelerometry. Sensors (Basel) 2019 Oct 10;19(20).
- Usherwood JR. An extension to the collisional model of the energetic cost of support qualitatively explains trotting and the trot-canter transition. J Exp Zool A Ecol Integr Physiol 2020 Jan;333(1):9-19.
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- Bertuglia A, Bullone M, Rossotto F, Gasparini M. Epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries in a population of harness Standardbred racehorses in training. BMC Vet Res 2014 Jan 10;10:11.
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- Ogihara N, Makishima H, Hirasaki E, Nakatsukasa M. Inefficient use of inverted pendulum mechanism during quadrupedal walking in the Japanese macaque. Primates 2012 Jan;53(1):41-8.
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- Starke SD, Robilliard JJ, Weller R, Wilson AM, Pfau T. Walk-run classification of symmetrical gaits in the horse: a multidimensional approach. J R Soc Interface 2009 Apr 6;6(33):335-42.
- Ren L, Hutchinson JR. The three-dimensional locomotor dynamics of African (Loxodonta africana) and Asian (Elephas maximus) elephants reveal a smooth gait transition at moderate speed. J R Soc Interface 2008 Feb 6;5(19):195-211.
- Legg KA, Cochrane DJ, Gee EK, Chin YY, Rogers CW. Relationship between experience and head kinematics in race riding jockeys. Sci Rep 2025 Apr 26;15(1):14686.
- Schampheleer J, Eerdekens A, Joseph W, Martens L, Deruyck M. Detecting Equine Gaits Through Rider-Worn Accelerometers. Animals (Basel) 2025 Apr 8;15(8).
- Hanousek K, Fiske-Jackson A, O'Leary L, Smith RKW. Injury to the palmar supporting structures of the fetlock alters limb stiffness and fetlock angle. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):636-644.
- Schmitt PR, Sanderson W, Rogers JT 3rd, Barzee TJ, Peterson MM. A Comparison of Devices for Race Day Characterization of North American Turfgrass Thoroughbred Racing Surfaces. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 21;14(1).
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