Circle Diameter Impacts Stride Frequency and Forelimb Stance Duration at Various Gaits in Horses.
Abstract: The effects of gait and diameter have been studied independently, but rarely together in equine circular exercise studies. This study aimed to determine the impact of diameter (10-m or 15-m) at various gaits (walk, trot, and canter) on stride frequency or forelimb stance duration. Nine mature horses were outfitted with Tekscan™ Hoof Sensors on their forelimbs during circular and straight-line exercise at various gaits on a clay and sand arena surface. Statistical analysis was performed in SAS 9.4 with fixed effects of exercise type, recording, leg, and breed (PROC GLIMMIX, p < 0.05 significance). At walk (p < 0.0001) and trot (p < 0.001), stride frequency was lower during circular exercise. Stride frequency was similar between forelimbs at all gaits. At walk (p < 0.001) and canter (p = 0.01), stance duration was greatest during 10-m circle exercise. At walk (p = 0.0007), trot (p < 0.001), and canter (p < 0.0001), the inside forelimb had longer stance duration than the outside forelimb. Differences between forelimb stance durations may support asymmetrical travel while horses exercise on a circle at the walk, trot, and canter. These results demonstrate diameter and gait are important factors when evaluating forelimb kinematics during circular exercise.
Publication Date: 2023-04-24 PubMed ID: 37177435PubMed Central: PMC10181099DOI: 10.3390/s23094232Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study explores the influence of gait and diameter on stride frequency and stance duration in horses. The research found that these variables have notable impacts on equine locomotion during circular exercises.
Research Objectives
- The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of diameter (10-m or 15-m) on stride frequency and forelimb stance duration as horses execute various gaits like walking, trotting, and cantering.
- The study aimed to bridge a gap in research, as the effects of gait and diameter are often studied separately, but not usually together in the context of equine circular exercises.
Methodology
- Nine full-grown horses were fitted with Tekscan™ Hoof Sensors which were attached to their forelimbs. This was done to accurately measure and record their stride frequencies and stance durations during the exercises.
- The exercises involved both circular and straight-line movement over different surfaces including clay and sand. These different scenarios allowed the researchers to gather a wide scope of data in varying contexts.
- A comprehensive statistical analysis of the collected data was performed using the SAS 9.4 software. The analysis considered the fixed effects of the type of exercise, recording, leg, and breed of the horse.
Findings
- The study found that at both walking and trotting gaits, the stride frequency was lower during circular exercises compared to straight-line movements.
- In terms of stance duration, the greatest durations were recorded during a 10-m circle exercise at both walk and canter gaits.
- Moreover, the data indicated that the inside forelimb had a longer stance duration compared to the outside forelimb across all gaits. This observation suggests that forelimb stance duration differences may facilitate asymmetrical travel in horses while they’re performing circular exercises at various gaits.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that both diameter and gait significantly influence stride frequency and the stance duration of forelimb in horses during circular exercises.
- This research illustrates the necessity to consider both factors when evaluating equine locomotion and kinematics during circular exercises.
Cite This Article
APA
Logan AA, Snyder AJ, Nielsen BD.
(2023).
Circle Diameter Impacts Stride Frequency and Forelimb Stance Duration at Various Gaits in Horses.
Sensors (Basel), 23(9).
https://doi.org/10.3390/s23094232 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Agriculture, Middle Tennessee State University, 314 W. Thompson Ln., Murfreesboro, TN 37129, USA.
- School of Agriculture, Middle Tennessee State University, 314 W. Thompson Ln., Murfreesboro, TN 37129, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, 474 S. Shaw Ln., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Gait
- Walking
- Forelimb
- Upper Extremity
- Biomechanical Phenomena
Grant Funding
- AA-19-034 / Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture
- 396690 / American Quarter Horse Foundation
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest and the funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Marunova E, Hernlund E, Persson-Sjödin E. Effect of circle, surface type and stride duration on vertical head and pelvis movement in riding horses with pre-existing movement asymmetries in trot. PLoS One 2024;19(8):e0308996.
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