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PloS one2018; 13(6); e0199447; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199447

Effect of a unilateral hind limb orthotic lift on upper body movement symmetry in the trotting horse.

Abstract: In trotting horses, movement asymmetry is associated with ground reaction force asymmetry. In humans, limb length differences influence contralateral force production. Here we investigate whether horses, in immediate reaction to limb length changes, show movement asymmetry adaptations consistent with reported force differences. Aim of this study was to quantify pelvic and compensatory head and withers movement asymmetry as a function of limb length changes after application of orthotic lifts. In this experimental study movement asymmetry of eleven trotting horses was calculated from vertical displacement of poll, withers, sacrum and left and right tuber coxae with inertial sensors. Horses were assessed in-hand under 5 conditions (all with hind limb boots): without orthotic lifts, and with a 15mm or 30mm orthotic lift applied to the left hind or right hind. A linear mixed model investigated the influence of orthotic lift condition (P<0.05, pairwise posthoc Bonferroni correction). Pelvic movement asymmetry showed increased pelvic downward movement during stance of the shorter limb and increased pelvic upward movement during and after stance of the longer limb (P<0.001) with asymmetry changes of 3-7mm (4-10mm) for 15mm (30mm) lifts. Hip hike (tuber coxae movement asymmetry) was unaffected (P = 0.348). Head and withers movement asymmetry were affected less consistently (2 of 3 respectively 1 of 3 head or withers parameters). The small sample size of the study reduced generalizability, no direct force measurements were conducted and only immediate effects of orthotic lifts were assessed with no re-assessments days or weeks after. Conclusions about mechanical consequences (weight bearing, pushoff) are based on published movement-force associations. Pelvic movement asymmetry with an artificial change in limb length through application of an orthotic lift indicates increased weight support with the shorter limb and increased pushoff with the longer limb. This may be of relevance for the management of horses with different hoof shapes between contralateral limbs, for example some chronically lame horse.
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Publication Date: 2018-06-21 PubMed ID: 29928020PubMed Central: PMC6013171DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199447Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates how adjusting the length of one hind limb in trotting horses through orthotic lifts affects the symmetrical movement of the upper body. It found that these adjustments led to increased pelvic movement asymmetry, but had varied effects on the horse’s head and withers movement, with implications for the management of horses with different hoof shapes or chronic lameness.

Study Overview

  • The study was based on an experimental setup where the movement asymmetry of eleven trotting horses was monitored under different conditions.
  • The horses were assessed under 5 conditions: without orthotic lifts, and with a 15mm or 30mm orthotic lift applied to the left hind or right hind.
  • Through the use of inertial sensors, the vertical displacement of various parts of the horse’s body – including the poll, withers, sacrum, and left and right tuber coxae – was recorded.

Key Findings

  • Application of the orthotic lifts resulted in increased pelvic movement asymmetry. There was increased downward movement during the stance of the shorter limb and increased upward movement during and after the stance of the longer limb.
  • The asymmetry changes ranged from 3-7mm for the 15mm lifts, and 4-10mm for the 30mm lifts.
  • It is important to note that the hip hike (movement asymmetry of the tuber coxae) was not affected.
  • The head and withers movement asymmetry were less consistently affected, with 2 of 3 head parameters and 1 of 3 withers parameters showing changes.

Implications and Limitations

  • This study only assessed the immediate effects of the orthotic lifts and did not conduct any follow-up assessments days or weeks later.
  • As such, it makes conclusions about mechanical consequences – specifically increased weight support with the shorter limb and increased pushoff with the longer limb – based on published movement-force associations.
  • The findings of the study imply that adjusting limb length might affect the management of horses with differing hoof shapes between contralateral limbs, such as some chronically lame horses.
  • However, the small sample size of the study limits the generalizability of the results.
  • No direct force measurements were conducted, which could have provided additional insights into the impact of orthotic lifts on horse movement.

Cite This Article

APA
Vertz J, Deblanc D, Rhodin M, Pfau T. (2018). Effect of a unilateral hind limb orthotic lift on upper body movement symmetry in the trotting horse. PLoS One, 13(6), e0199447. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0199447

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 6
Pages: e0199447
PII: e0199447

Researcher Affiliations

Vertz, Jodi
  • Healthy Hoofcare, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America.
  • University of Edinburgh, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Deblanc, Diana
  • Performance Equine Veterinary Services, Peralta, NM, United States of America.
Rhodin, Marie
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Pfau, Thilo
  • Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Female
  • Foot Orthoses
  • Hindlimb / physiology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male
  • Models, Biological
  • Motor Activity / physiology
  • Pelvis / physiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

We have the following interests. JV is employed by Healthy Hoofcare and DD by Performance Equine Veterinary Services. TP is owner of EquiGait, a provider of gait analysis products and services. This does not alter our adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials, as detailed online in the guide for authors.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Horan K, Kourdache K, Coburn J, Day P, Carnall H, Harborne D, Brinkley L, Hammond L, Millard S, Lancaster B, Pfau T. The effect of horseshoes and surfaces on horse and jockey centre of mass displacements at gallop. PLoS One 2021;16(11):e0257820.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257820pubmed: 34813584google scholar: lookup
  2. Pitts JB, Kramer J, Reed SK, Schiltz P, Thombs L, Keegan KG. Effect of induced hindlimb length difference on body-mounted inertial sensor measures used to evaluate hindlimb lameness in horses. PLoS One 2020;15(2):e0228872.
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