Changes in movement symmetry over the stages of the shoeing process in military working horses.

The article examines the impact of shoeing procedures on the symmetry of motion in military horses. The study used inertial sensor gait analysis for comparison at different stages of shoeing and found that trimming had the most significant effect on pelvic movement symmetry.

Methodology and Sample Size

• The study was performed on 23 Irish military horses used in full ceremonial work at the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery. The age range of these horses was from 4 to 21 years and they were between 1.58 to 1.85 meters tall.
• An inertial sensor gait analysis was conducted to measure and evaluate the movement of the horses. The movement symmetry was studied as an indirect indicator to understand the influence of shoeing on contralateral limbs’ force production.

Stages of the Shoeing Process

• Four stages in the routine shoeing process were considered – ‘old shoes,’ ‘shoes removed,’ ‘trimmed,’ and ‘reshod.’
• The researchers divided the horses into three groups to understand the effect on different limbs – applying shoes just to the front limbs, to the hind limbs, or to both.

Findings of the Research

• The changes in head movement symmetry between the different shoeing stages were found to be small and inconsistent.
• The study observed that in the pelvic movement, there were small but significant variations in symmetry between the shoeing stages. Trimming was found to cause the most symmetrical pelvic movement.

Futher Considerations

• Despite high-frequency shoeing in military horses, the study found minor changes in movement symmetry. All significant changes that they found were linked to the trimming stage.
• This suggests that conducting further studies to assess the changes before and after trimming could be beneficial. The study also suggests exploring the impact of longer shoeing intervals on the horse’s movement symmetry.