Development of An Anybody Musculoskeletal Model of The Thoroughbred Forelimb.

The research article explores the development of a computational model for the entire forelimb of a horse, specifically thoroughbreds, which was not previously available. The model aims to better understand the causes and effects of musculoskeletal injuries in horses, a leading reason for horse retirement and death.

Objective and Methodology

• The primary purpose of this research was to create a comprehensive musculoskeletal model of the equine forelimb that enhances understanding of injuries in horses.
• The AnyBody Modelling System was utilized to develop this model, which comprises six limb segments, 11 muscle groups, and 17 ligaments.
• Kinematic data were collected from the right forelimb of four Thoroughbreds during various gaits and used to calculate sagittal plane joint excursions and the strains in ligaments and tendons.

Findings

• The model’s joint excursions report aligned generally with previous literature, notwithstanding differences in breed, gait, and surface.
• Tendons of the suspensory apparatus showed maximum strain in mid-stance or at the end of stance. These findings are in line with published data.
• The strains in the distal palmar ligaments reached a peak in mid-stance, while strain in lacertus fibrosus reached a peak at the transition from stance to swing.
• The greatest strains in tendons and ligaments at canter were found when the scanned forelimb was the trailing limb.

Observations and Discussions

• Strain amplitudes differed from earlier models. These discrepancies were discussed with respect to variations in methodologies, particularly around the attachment points of tendons and ligaments.
• This research provides a fundamental step towards a more comprehensive understanding of the biomechanics of equine locomotion, which could potentially lead to better treatment strategies for musculoskeletal injuries in horses.