Effect of Water Depth on Limb and Back Kinematics in Horses Walking on a Water Treadmill.
Abstract: Water treadmill (WT) exercise is frequently used for training/rehabilitation of horses. There is limited study into the effect of water depth on limb/back kinematics warranting investigation. The objective was to determine the effect of walking in different water depths, at the same speed, on limb/back kinematics measured simultaneously in a group of horses. Six horses (age:15 ± 6.5 years) completed a standardized WT exercise session (19 minutes duration; speed:1.6 m/s; water depths: 0.0/7.5/21.0/32.0/47.0 cm). Ten waterproof light-emitting-diode tea-light-markers and reflective-spheres were affixed to the skin at predetermined locations; inertial-measurement-units were fixed to the poll/withers/left and right tubera coxae (TC)/sacrum to determine range-of-motion (ROM) changes of these locations. Univariable-mixed-effects-linear-regression-analyses were carried out, with a significance value of P ≤ .05. At maximum carpal/tarsal flexion during swing, regression analyses showed a clear and consistent nonlinear increase in carpal and tarsal flexion at increasing water depths (P < 0.0001 for both variables). As water depth increased there was a significant increase in thoracic spine flexion-extension ROM (P < 0.0001 at all thoracic sites) and increased dorsoventral and mediolateral ROM of the sacrum/left and right TC (P < 0.001 for all variables) as water depth increased. Results suggest that horses responded to an increase in water depth until a threshold depth was reached when the biomechanical response levelled off, and there was increased pelvic roll. In conclusion, changes in limb kinematics brought about by relatively modest increases in water depth at walking speed of 1.6 m/s are sufficient to induce significant changes in back/pelvic movement highlighting key issues with relevance for WT program design.
Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2022-05-29 PubMed ID: 35649493DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104025Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study focuses on understanding the impact of walking in different depths of water on the limb and back movements of horses, as water treadmills are commonly used in their training and rehabilitation process.
Research Objectives
The researchers aimed to identify how different water depths influence the movement or kinematics of horse limbs and backs while maintaining a consistent walking speed. Such understanding is crucial for designing effective and efficient water treadmill (WT) exercise sessions for horses’ training and rehabilitation.
Research Methodology
- Six horses with an average age of 15 years were included in the study, each undergoing a standardized WT exercise session lasting 19 minutes at a consistent walking speed of 1.6 m/s. The depths of water used were 0.0 cm, 7.5 cm, 21.0 cm, 32.0 cm, and 47.0 cm respectively.
- The horses were fitted with ten waterproof light-emitting-diode tea-light-markers and reflective-spheres at specific locations and inertial measurement units on the poll/withers/left and right tubera coxae and sacrum. These devices helped in assessing the range of motion (ROM) alterations at the mentioned locations.
- Univariable mixed effects linear regression analyses were performed for the collected data to understand the impact of water depth on limb and back kinematics, with statistical significance set at P ≤ .05.
Research Findings
- As the water depth increased, carpal and tarsal flexion during swing increased in a clear and consistent non-linear manner (P < 0.0001).
- There was observable growth in thoracic spine flexion-extension ROM with increased water depth (P < 0.0001).
- The dorsoventral and mediolateral ROM of the sacrum and left and right tubera coxae increased as water depth elevated (P < 0.001).
- It was noted that horses adapted to increments in water depth until reaching a threshold point, after which the biomechanical response stabilized while pelvic roll increased.
Conclusion
The researchers concluded that even moderate changes in water depth, while maintaining a walking speed of 1.6 m/s, can bring about significant alterations in the limb and back movements of horses. The findings bring attention to the crucial aspects to be considered while designing and implementing WT exercise programs for horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Tranquille C, Tacey J, Walker V, Mackechnie-Guire R, Ellis J, Nankervis K, Newton R, Murray R.
(2022).
Effect of Water Depth on Limb and Back Kinematics in Horses Walking on a Water Treadmill.
J Equine Vet Sci, 115, 104025.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104025 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Hartpury University, Hartpury, Gloucestershire GL 19 3BE, UK. Electronic address: carolyne.tranquille@outlook.com.
- Granby Street, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 8HB, UK.
- Hartpury University, Hartpury, Gloucestershire GL 19 3BE, UK.
- Centaur Biomechanics, Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire, UK.
- Arden University, 17 Middlemarch Park, Coventry CV3 4FJ, UK.
- Hartpury University, Hartpury, Gloucestershire, UK.
- Cambridge Veterinary School, 18 Madingley Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 0ES, UK.
- Rossdales, 19 Diagnostic Centre, Cotton End Lane, Exning, Suffolk CB8 7NN, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Horses
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / methods
- Sacrum
- Walking / physiology
- Water
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