Effect of turn direction on body lean angle in the horse in trot and canter.
Abstract: Turning is commonly used as a diagnostic aid in equine lameness examinations. Forces experienced on the circle differ from those in a straight line, necessitating an inward lean of the body and asymmetric head/pelvic excursion, which are important parameters for lameness investigations. To better understand gait adaptations to lungeing in normal horses, the effect of turn direction on body lean in trot and in canter warrants further investigation. In this study, it was hypothesised that, on average and independent of gait, the observed body lean angle would be consistent with the ratio between gravitational and centripetal acceleration, but with variations for individual horses showing differences between reins. Twenty horses were fitted with a global positioning system (GPS)-aided inertial measurement unit quantifying body lean angle, speed and circle radius in trot and canter in both directions. The difference between predicted (from speed and circle radius) and observed body lean (Δobs,pred) was compared between horses, directions and gaits using a generalised linear model. The mean speed and circle radius were 3.3m/s and 4.9 m in trot and 4.5m/s and 5.7 m in canter. Mean Δobs,pred was -1.1° (range -7.6° to 5.4°) in trot and -0.8° (range -7.6° to 8.3°) in canter and was significantly different between horses (P<0.0001) and directions (P<0.0001), but not between gaits (P=0.14). Interactions between horse and direction (P<0.0001) and horse and gait (P=0.011) were also significant. Horses leaned marginally less into the circle than predicted. However, this study provides additional evidence for horse specific adaptations, showing significant differences between horses and turn directions but not between gaits.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2013-11-19 PubMed ID: 24360754DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.11.009Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates the impact of turning on a horse’s body lean angle during trotting and cantering. The study hypothesized that the body lean angle would comply with the ratio of gravity and centrifugal forces, with variations observed between individual horses and reins.
Study Parameters and Execution
- The turning motion of a horse has been believed to exert different forces on a horse body compared to straightforward motion, leading to an inward lean and asymmetric head/pelvic movement. These factors can be crucial in the lameness examination of horses.
- For a better understanding of gait modifications during lungeing, this study was conducted on 20 horses.
- The horses were fitted with GPS-supported inertial measurement unit to measure body lean angle, speed and the radius of the circle in both trotting and cantering.
- The researchers used a mathematical model to compare the predicted body lean based on speed and circle radius, versus the observed body lean.
Results and Findings
- The findings showed an average speed of 3.3m/s and circle radius of 4.9m in trot and 4.5m/s and 5.7m in canter.
- The difference in observed and predicted body lean was substantial, with a mean difference of -1.1° (range -7.6° to 5.4°) in trotting and -0.8° (range -7.6° to 8.3°) in cantering.
- This difference was significantly deviant amongst horses and directions, indicating the unique adaptation of horses and the impact of turn direction.
- Further, the results highlighted the effects of interactions between horse and direction, as well as horse and gait on the body lean.
- Surprisingly, the gait (trotting or cantering) had no significant effect on the body lean.
- Horses were found to lean less into the circle than what was predicted, countering past assumptions.
Implications
- The study showcases how horse specific adaptations and turning direction have important consequences on body lean of horses, a crucial indicator during lameness examinations.
- These insights can help better understand horse biomechanics and can improve diagnostic techniques for horse lameness.
- More in-depth studies, however, remain needed to further understand these gait adaptations and their corresponding physiological interpretations.
Cite This Article
APA
Brocklehurst C, Weller R, Pfau T.
(2013).
Effect of turn direction on body lean angle in the horse in trot and canter.
Vet J, 199(2), 258-262.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.11.009 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK.
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK.
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK. Electronic address: tpfau@rvc.ac.uk.
MeSH Terms
- Adaptation, Physiological
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Gait / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Posture / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Logan AA, Snyder AJ, Nielsen BD. Circle Diameter Impacts Stride Frequency and Forelimb Stance Duration at Various Gaits in Horses. Sensors (Basel) 2023 Apr 24;23(9).
- Egenvall A, Engström H, Byström A. Back motion in unridden horses in walk, trot and canter on a circle. Vet Res Commun 2023 May 2;.
- Pagliara E, Pasinato A, Valazza A, Riccio B, Cantatore F, Terzini M, Putame G, Parrilli A, Sartori M, Fini M, Zanetti EM, Bertuglia A. Multibody Computer Model of the Entire Equine Forelimb Simulates Forces Causing Catastrophic Fractures of the Carpus during a Traditional Race. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 16;12(6).
- Logan AA, Nielsen BD, Robison CI, Hallock DB, Manfredi JM, Hiney KM, Buskirk DD, Popovich JM Jr. Impact of Gait and Diameter during Circular Exercise on Front Hoof Area, Vertical Force, and Pressure in Mature Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Dec 17;11(12).
- 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.
- Parkes RSV, Pfau T, Weller R, Witte TH. The effect of curve running on distal limb kinematics in the Thoroughbred racehorse. PLoS One 2020;15(12):e0244105.
- Best R, Standing R. The Spatiotemporal Characteristics of 0-24-Goal Polo. Animals (Basel) 2019 Jul 16;9(7).
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