Effect of conformational aspects on the movement of the equine back.
Abstract: The relationship between structure and function is important in the judgement of the horse. Twenty sound riding horses walked and trotted on a treadmill. The movement of the backs of each of the horses was measured using a commercially available movement analysis system. Morphometric, spatiotemporal and kinematic information were correlated to investigate the effect of conformation on movement. Taller and heavier horses seem to have longer thoracic and lumbar backs, and are wider at the pelvis. Horses with longer strides extended and flexed their backs in the caudal saddle region to a greater extent at the walk, but not the trot. Horses with greater angle of L5 tend to extend and flex this region of the back more. At the walk and trot, a long thoracic back results in greater lumbar lateral bending. A negative relationship was found between the curvature of mid-thoracic back and the amount of lateral bending of L1 and L3 and axial rotation of the pelvis at the trot. There are clear relationships between back conformation and movement that may be important to the orthopaedic health of the horse. Further understanding of the relationships between conformation, movement and injury may provide an objective basis for the evaluation of future performance and soundness.
Publication Date: 2002-10-31 PubMed ID: 12405707DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05439.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article discusses the effect of physical conformation on the movement dynamics of a horse’s back. The study shows clear relationships between back structure and movement patterns in the horse, which could hold implications for orthopedic health and long-term performance.
Methodology
- The study evaluated twenty healthy riding horses.
- The horses were made to walk and trot on a treadmill.
- A commercially available movement analysis system was used to measure the movement of the horses’ backs.
- The researchers collected morphometric (physical measurements of shape and size), spatiotemporal (time and space-based), and kinematic (concerning motion) data to investigate how conformation impacts movement.
Findings
- Heavier and taller horses were found to have longer thoracic and lumbar backs and a wider pelvis.
- Horses with longer strides were observed to extend and flex their backs more in the caudal saddle region when walking but not when trotting.
- Horses demonstrating a greater angle at the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5) showed increased flex and extension in this region of the back.
- Horses with a longer thoracic back demonstrated greater lateral bending of the lumbar region, both during walking and trotting.
- A negative relationship was observed between the curvature of the mid-thoracic back and lateral bending at the first and third lumbar vertebrae (L1 and L3) and axial rotation of the pelvis when the horse is trotting.
Implications
- The research exhibited a clear relationship between the conformation of the horse’s back and its movement pattern. This could have significant implications regarding the horse’s orthopedic health.
- Further understanding and exploration of these relationships could provide a more objective basis for evaluating a horse’s future performance and soundness.
- This could influence the judgement of horses, with more informed decisions made regarding their training, care, and potential for success in performance contexts.
Cite This Article
APA
Johnston C, Holmt K, Faber M, Erichsen C, Eksell P, Drevemo S.
(2002).
Effect of conformational aspects on the movement of the equine back.
Equine Vet J Suppl(34), 314-318.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05439.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Back / anatomy & histology
- Back / physiology
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Gait / physiology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Lumbar Vertebrae / physiology
- Male
- Thoracic Vertebrae / physiology
- Video Recording
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Spoormakers TJP, Graat EAM, Serra Bragança FM, Weeren PRV, Brommer H. Rater agreement for assessment of equine back mobility at walk and trot compared to quantitative gait analysis.. PLoS One 2021;16(6):e0252536.
- MacKechnie-Guire R, Pfau T. Differential rotational movement and symmetry values of the thoracolumbosacral region in high-level dressage horses when trotting.. PLoS One 2021;16(5):e0251144.
- MacKechnie-Guire R, Pfau T. Differential Rotational Movement of the Thoracolumbosacral Spine in High-Level Dressage Horses Ridden in a Straight Line, in Sitting Trot and Seated Canter Compared to In-Hand Trot.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 20;11(3).
- Raspa F, Roggero A, Palestrini C, Marten Canavesio M, Bergero D, Valle E. Studying the Shape Variations of the Back, the Neck, and the Mandibular Angle of Horses Depending on Specific Feeding Postures Using Geometric Morphometrics.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 10;11(3).
- Mayaki AM, Abdul Razak IS, Adzahan NM, Mazlan M, Rasedee A. Clinical assessment and grading of back pain in horses.. J Vet Sci 2020 Nov;21(6):e82.
- Matsuura A, Ohta E, Ueda K, Nakatsuji H, Kondo S. Influence of equine conformation on rider oscillation and evaluation of horses for therapeutic riding.. J Equine Sci 2008;19(1):9-18.
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