Comparison of limb kinematics between collected and lengthened (medium/extended) trot in two groups of dressage horses on two different surfaces.

The research article focuses on the comparison of limb movements in dressage horses during a collected and lengthened trot, performed on two different surfaces. The study indicates that lengthened trotting increases fetlock extension in both the fore and hind limbs, particularly in mature horses.

Research Objective and Methodology

• This study was conducted to analyze the kinematic differences between collected, medium and extended trotting in dressage horses. Specifically, evaluating how collected versus medium/extended trotting impacts their limb kinematics.
• Twenty horses in active dressage training were included in the study. The subjects were of different age groups; Group 1 consisted of ten young horses aged six years or less, who performed collected and medium trot, and Group 2 included ten mature horses aged nine years or more, who performed collected and extended trot.
• All horses were evaluated on two different types of surfaces.
• High-speed motion capture technology was used to observe and measure the kinematic variables of the horses as they trotted, with angles of fore and hind limbs being measured at mid-stance.

Results

• The study found that both speed and stride length were reduced, while stride duration increased when comparing a collected trot with a medium/extended trot.
• In both groups of horses, lengthened trotting (medium/extended) was associated with increased fetlock extension in both the fore- and hindlimbs. The changes were more prominent in mature horses when compared to young horses.
• The study showed that the angles of the shoulder and carpus were linked with the angle of the forelimb fetlock, and that the hock angle was not significantly affected by the pace of trotting.
• The surface had no significant effect on either the fetlock or hock angles.

Conclusion

• The study concluded that medium/extended trot increases the extension of the fore and hindlimb fetlock joints when compared to the collected trot in both the young and mature dressage horses.
• However, the research was only based on 2D motion analysis and the results might differ in horses with more extreme gait characteristics.