FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet J / Effect of lungeing on head and pelvic movement asymmetry in ...
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2013; 198 Suppl 1; e39-e45; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.031

Effect of lungeing on head and pelvic movement asymmetry in horses with induced lameness.

Abstract: Lungeing is an important part of lameness examinations, since the circular path enforced during lungeing is thought to accentuate low grade lameness. However, during lungeing the movement of sound horses becomes naturally asymmetric, which may mimic lameness. Also, compensatory movements in the opposite half of the body may mimic lameness. The aim of this study was to objectively study the presence of circle-dependent and compensatory movement asymmetries in horses with induced lameness. Ten horses were trotted in a straight line and lunged in both directions on a hard surface. Lameness was induced (reversible hoof pressure) in each limb, one at a time, in random order. Vertical head and pelvic movements were measured with body-mounted, uni-axial accelerometers. Differences between maximum and minimum height observed during/after left and right stance phases for the head (HDmax, HDmin) and pelvis (PDmax, PDmin) were measured. Mixed models were constructed to study the effect of lungeing direction and induction, and to quantify secondary compensatory asymmetry mechanisms in the forelimbs and hind limbs. Head and pelvic movement symmetries were affected by lungeing. Minimum pelvic height difference (PDmin) changed markedly, increasing significantly during lungeing, giving the impression of inner hind limb lameness. Primary hind limb lameness induced compensatory head movement, which mimicked an ipsilateral forelimb lameness of almost equal magnitude to the primary hind limb lameness. This could contribute to difficulty in correctly detecting hind limb lameness. Induced forelimb lameness caused both a compensatory contralateral (change in PDmax) and an ipsilateral (change in PDmin) hind limb asymmetry, potentially mimicking hind limb lameness, but of smaller magnitude. Both circle-dependent and compensatory movement mechanisms must be taken into account when evaluating lameness.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2013-09-26 PubMed ID: 24140227DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.031Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 study investigates the impact of lungeing, a common exercise in horse training, on head and pelvic movement asymmetry in horses with artificially induced lameness. The research reveals that lungeing can affect the symmetry of these movements, potentially mimicking signs of lameness and complicating diagnosis.

Objective of the Study

  • The study aimed to objectively analyze whether circle-dependent and compensatory movement asymmetries present in horses with induced lameness.
  • The research identified how lungeing could affect the evaluation of a horse’s lameness, given that this form of exercise naturally causes movement asymmetry in sound horses.

Methodology

  • The experiment involved ten horses, which were required to trot in a straight line and lunge in both directions on a solid surface.
  • Each horse experienced induced lameness in each limb, one at a time, and the order was randomized.
  • Vertical head and pelvic movements were recorded using body-mounted, uni-axial accelerometers.
  • Differences in maximum and minimum height observed during and after left and right stance phases for the head (HDmax, HDmin) and pelvis (PDmax, PDmin) were measured.
  • The researchers built mixed models to study the effect of the direction of lungeing and the induction process.
  • The models also quantified secondary compensatory asymmetry mechanisms in the horse’s forelimbs and hind limbs.

Findings

  • The study found that lungeing did affect symmetry in head and pelvic movements.
  • The minimum difference in pelvic height (PDmin) significantly increased during the lungeing, giving an impression of inner hind limb lameness.
  • Primary hind limb lameness induced compensatory head movement that mirrored an ipsilateral forelimb lameness of almost the same scale.
  • The study implied that these new movements might complicate the correct detection of hind limb lameness.
  • When forelimb lameness was induced, there were both compensatory contralateral (change in PDmax) and ipsilateral (change in PDmin) hind limb asymmetries.
  • Such changes potentially mimic hind limb lameness, but on a smaller scale.

Conclusions

  • The researchers concluded that both circle-dependent and compensatory movement mechanisms could affect lameness evaluation.
  • These findings could be crucial in future studies seeking to accurately interpret and account for lameness in horse performance and welfare evaluations.

Cite This Article

APA
Rhodin M, Pfau T, Roepstorff L, Egenvall A. (2013). Effect of lungeing on head and pelvic movement asymmetry in horses with induced lameness. Vet J, 198 Suppl 1, e39-e45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.031

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 198 Suppl 1
Pages: e39-e45
PII: S1090-0233(13)00459-0

Researcher Affiliations

Rhodin, M
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: marie.rhodin@slu.se.
Pfau, T
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK.
Roepstorff, L
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
Egenvall, A
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Forelimb / physiopathology
  • Head
  • Hindlimb / physiopathology
  • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
  • Horses
  • Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
  • Pelvic Bones / physiopathology
  • Pelvis

Citations

This article has been cited 29 times.
  1. Rhodin M, Smit IH, Persson-Sjodin E, Pfau T, Gunnarsson V, Björnsdóttir S, Zetterberg E, Clayton HM, Hobbs SJ, Serra Bragança F, Hernlund E. Timing of Vertical Head, Withers and Pelvis Movements Relative to the Footfalls in Different Equine Gaits and Breeds. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 7;12(21).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12213053pubmed: 36359178google scholar: lookup
  2. Feuser AK, Gesell-May S, Müller T, May A. Artificial Intelligence for Lameness Detection in Horses-A Preliminary Study. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 17;12(20).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12202804pubmed: 36290189google scholar: lookup
  3. Ask K, Andersen PH, Tamminen LM, Rhodin M, Hernlund E. Performance of four equine pain scales and their association to movement asymmetry in horses with induced orthopedic pain. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:938022.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.938022pubmed: 36032285google scholar: lookup
  4. Pfau T, Bolt DM, Fiske-Jackson A, Gerdes C, Hoenecke K, Lynch L, Perrier M, Smith RKW. Linear Discriminant Analysis for Investigating Differences in Upper Body Movement Symmetry in Horses before/after Diagnostic Analgesia in Relation to Expert Judgement. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 17;12(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12060762pubmed: 35327159google scholar: lookup
  5. Pfau T, Scott WM, Sternberg Allen T. Upper Body Movement Symmetry in Reining Quarter Horses during Trot In-Hand, on the Lunge and during Ridden Exercise. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 27;12(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12050596pubmed: 35268165google scholar: lookup
  6. Pfau T, Persson-Sjodin E, Gardner H, Orssten O, Hernlund E, Rhodin M. Effect of Speed and Surface Type on Individual Rein and Combined Left-Right Circle Movement Asymmetry in Horses on the Lunge. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:692031.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.692031pubmed: 34322537google scholar: lookup
  7. Marunova E, Dod L, Witte S, Pfau T. Smartphone-Based Pelvic Movement Asymmetry Measures for Clinical Decision Making in Equine Lameness Assessment. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jun 3;11(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11061665pubmed: 34204921google scholar: lookup
  8. Byström A, Hardeman AM, Serra Bragança FM, Roepstorff L, Swagemakers JH, van Weeren PR, Egenvall A. Differences in equine spinal kinematics between straight line and circle in trot. Sci Rep 2021 Jun 18;11(1):12832.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-92272-2pubmed: 34145339google scholar: lookup
  9. 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.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252536pubmed: 34086765google scholar: lookup
  10. Smit IH, Hernlund E, Brommer H, van Weeren PR, Rhodin M, Serra Bragança FM. Continuous versus discrete data analysis for gait evaluation of horses with induced bilateral hindlimb lameness. Equine Vet J 2022 May;54(3):626-633.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13451pubmed: 34085312google scholar: lookup
  11. 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).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11030888pubmed: 33804702google scholar: lookup
  12. 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.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228872pubmed: 32069321google scholar: lookup
  13. Persson-Sjodin E, Hernlund E, Pfau T, Haubro Andersen P, Holm Forsström K, Rhodin M. Effect of meloxicam treatment on movement asymmetry in riding horses in training. PLoS One 2019;14(8):e0221117.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221117pubmed: 31408491google scholar: lookup
  14. Vertz J, Deblanc D, Rhodin M, Pfau T. Effect of a unilateral hind limb orthotic lift on upper body movement symmetry in the trotting horse. PLoS One 2018;13(6):e0199447.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199447pubmed: 29928020google scholar: lookup
  15. Pitti L, Oosterlinck M, Díaz-Bertrana ML, Carrillo JM, Rubio M, Sopena J, Santana A, Vilar JM. Assessment of static posturography and pedobarography for the detection of unilateral forelimb lameness in ponies. BMC Vet Res 2018 May 2;14(1):151.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1462-8pubmed: 29716596google scholar: lookup
  16. Rhodin M, Persson-Sjodin E, Egenvall A, Serra Bragança FM, Pfau T, Roepstorff L, Weishaupt MA, Thomsen MH, van Weeren PR, Hernlund E. Vertical movement symmetry of the withers in horses with induced forelimb and hindlimb lameness at trot. Equine Vet J 2018 Nov;50(6):818-824.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12844pubmed: 29658147google scholar: lookup
  17. Persson-Sjodin E, Hernlund E, Pfau T, Haubro Andersen P, Rhodin M. Influence of seating styles on head and pelvic vertical movement symmetry in horses ridden at trot. PLoS One 2018;13(4):e0195341.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195341pubmed: 29621299google scholar: lookup
  18. Pfau T, Noordwijk K, Sepulveda Caviedes MF, Persson-Sjodin E, Barstow A, Forbes B, Rhodin M. Head, withers and pelvic movement asymmetry and their relative timing in trot in racing Thoroughbreds in training. Equine Vet J 2018 Jan;50(1):117-124.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12705pubmed: 28548349google scholar: lookup
  19. Rhodin M, Egenvall A, Haubro Andersen P, Pfau T. Head and pelvic movement asymmetries at trot in riding horses in training and perceived as free from lameness by the owner. PLoS One 2017;12(4):e0176253.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176253pubmed: 28441406google scholar: lookup
  20. Rhodin M, Roepstorff L, French A, Keegan KG, Pfau T, Egenvall A. Head and pelvic movement asymmetry during lungeing in horses with symmetrical movement on the straight. Equine Vet J 2016 May;48(3):315-20.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12446pubmed: 25808700google scholar: lookup
  21. Hammarberg M, Egenvall A, Pfau T, Rhodin M. Rater agreement of visual lameness assessment in horses during lungeing. Equine Vet J 2016 Jan;48(1):78-82.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12385pubmed: 25399722google scholar: lookup
  22. Meistro F, Ralletti MV, Rinnovati R, Spadari A. Objective Evaluation of Gait Asymmetries in Traditional Racehorses During Pre-Race Inspection: Application of a Markerless AI System in Straight-Line and Lungeing Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 18;15(12).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15121797pubmed: 40564348google scholar: lookup
  23. Rhodin M, Serra Bragança FM, Persson-Sjodin E, Björnsdóttir S, Gunnarsdottir H, Gunnarsson V, Hernlund E, Smit IH. Adaptation strategies of Icelandic horses with induced transient hindlimb lameness at walk, trot and tölt. Equine Vet J 2026 Jan;58(1):230-242.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14525pubmed: 40371819google scholar: lookup
  24. Khammesri S, Wantanajittikul K, Namwongprom K, Kittisirikul N, Ueangpaibool P, Thitaram C, Brown JL, Kongsawasdi S. Evaluating Gait Abnormalities in Asian Elephants Using Inertial Measurement Unit-Based Vertical Movement Symmetry Analysis: A Pilot Study. Vet Sci 2025 Feb 11;12(2).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12020154pubmed: 40005914google scholar: lookup
  25. Marunova E, Hernlund E, Persson-Sjödin E. Effect of circle, surface type and stride duration on vertical head and pelvis movement in riding horses with pre-existing movement asymmetries in trot. PLoS One 2024;19(8):e0308996.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308996pubmed: 39150961google scholar: lookup
  26. St George LB, Spoormakers TJP, Hobbs SJ, Clayton HM, Roy SH, Richards J, Serra Bragança FM. Classification performance of sEMG and kinematic parameters for distinguishing between non-lame and induced lameness conditions in horses. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1358986.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1358986pubmed: 38628939google scholar: lookup
  27. Ask K, Rhodin M, Rashid-Engström M, Hernlund E, Andersen PH. Changes in the equine facial repertoire during different orthopedic pain intensities. Sci Rep 2024 Jan 2;14(1):129.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-50383-ypubmed: 38167926google scholar: lookup
  28. Macaire C, Hanne-Poujade S, De Azevedo E, Denoix JM, Coudry V, Jacquet S, Bertoni L, Tallaj A, Audigié F, Hatrisse C, Hébert C, Martin P, Marin F, Chateau H. Asymmetry Thresholds Reflecting the Visual Assessment of Forelimb Lameness on Circles on a Hard Surface. Animals (Basel) 2023 Oct 25;13(21).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13213319pubmed: 37958073google scholar: lookup
  29. Pfau T, Landsbergen K, Davis BL, Kenny O, Kernot N, Rochard N, Porte-Proust M, Sparks H, Takahashi Y, Toth K, Scott WM. Comparing Inertial Measurement Units to Markerless Video Analysis for Movement Symmetry in Quarter Horses. Sensors (Basel) 2023 Oct 12;23(20).
    doi: 10.3390/s23208414pubmed: 37896509google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.