Design and validation of a dynamometric horseshoe for the measurement of three-dimensional ground reaction force on a moving horse.

The study describes the design and evaluation of a dynamometric horseshoe which helps measure three-dimensional ground reaction forces (GRF) on a moving horse. This technology allows researchers to examine how different track surfaces impact the locomotion and potential injuries in horses.

Designing the Dynamometric Horseshoe

The purpose behind this initiative was to:

• Create a device that could measure the 3-D ground reaction force on any surface, at any gait, for a given subject
• Assess the device’s accuracy
• Examine its performance and usefulness under physiological conditions

The actual device, a dynamometric horseshoe, was made up of four piezoelectric sensors lodged between two aluminium plates shaped like a horse’s shoe.

Accuracy Assessment

Following a quasi-static calibration to evaluate the measurements, it was found that the root mean square error was 1.3% in the normal direction and 3.1% in the transversal direction. This indicates a high level of accuracy in the collected data.

Field Testing

To ensure the device’s practical applicability, in vivo tests were carried out while the horse was walking and trotting in a straight line and on the trot on circles. These tests occurred on three different ground surfaces to fully examine the device’s performance on various terrains.

Conclusion

The study’s results indicate that the dynamometric horseshoe is effective in studying the effects of different ground surfaces on a horse’s ground reaction force. Therefore, it could be a useful tool in establishing better guidelines for track surfaces to prevent musculoskeletal injuries in horses.