Effects of Jumping Phase, Leading Limb, and Arena Surface Type on Forelimb Hoof Movement.
Abstract: During the stance phase of equine locomotion, ground reaction forces are exerted on the hoof, leading first to rapid deceleration ("braking") and later to acceleration ("propulsion") as the hoof leaves the ground. Excessive hoof deceleration has been identified as a risk factor for musculoskeletal injury and may be influenced by arena surface properties. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the effect of arena surface type (dirt, synthetic) on hoof translation of the leading and trailing forelimbs during jump takeoff and landing. Solar hoof angle, displacement, velocity, and deceleration were captured using kinematic markers and high-speed video for four horses jumping over a 1.1 m oxer at 12 different arenas (5 dirt, 7 synthetic). Surface vertical impact and horizontal shear properties were measured simultaneously. The effects of surface type (dirt, synthetic), jump phase (takeoff, landing), and limb (leading, trailing) on hoof movement were assessed using ANOVA (p < 0.05), while the relationships of hoof movement with surface mechanical properties were examined with correlation. Slide time (p = 0.032), horizontal velocity of the hoof (p < 0.001), and deceleration (p < 0.001) were greater in the leading limb, suggesting a higher risk of injury to the leading limb when braking. However, surface type and jump phase did not significantly affect deceleration during braking.
Publication Date: 2023-06-27 PubMed ID: 37443919PubMed Central: PMC10340005DOI: 10.3390/ani13132122Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research study examines how different factors, namely the phase of a horse’s jump, the leading limb, and the type of arena surface, influence the horse’s hoof movement. It is particularly focused on understanding how these factors affect the deceleration of the hoof, given the association between excessive hoof deceleration and the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in horses.
Objective of the Study
- The main goal of the study was to understand how arena surface types (dirt or synthetic) influence the hoof movement of a horse’s leading and trailing forelimbs as they take off or land during a jump. The study measured the hoof’s solar angle, displacement, velocity, and deceleration, using kinematic markers and high-speed video.
Methodology
- The research involved recording the jumping movements of four horses in twelve different arenas, which included five dirt and seven synthetic surfaces.
- The vertical impact and horizontal shear properties of each surface were measured simultaneously with the horses’ hoof movements.
- The data gathered was then analyzed using an ANOVA method to determine the impact of three key variables – surface type, jumping phase, and limb – on the horse’s hoof movement.
Key Findings
- This research found that slide time, horizontal velocity, and deceleration were all greater in the leading limb of a horse’s jump. This suggests that there is a higher risk of injury to the leading limb during the braking phase of the jump.
- However, the study found no significant impact of either the surface type or the jumping phase on the level of deceleration during braking. This suggests that other factors not examined in the study may play a more significant role in influencing hoof deceleration and subsequent risk of injury.
Conclusions and Future Directions
- While the surface type and jump phase did not appear to significantly influence hoof deceleration, the greater deceleration observed in the leading limb suggests that it could be more prone to injury.
- The lack of significant impacts from the examined factors (surface type, jumping phase) on hoof deceleration calls for further research to identify other potential influences. This can contribute valuable knowledge in the quest to reduce injury risk and enhance the welfare of jumping horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Rohlf CM, Garcia TC, Marsh LJ, Acutt EV, le Jeune SS, Stover SM.
(2023).
Effects of Jumping Phase, Leading Limb, and Arena Surface Type on Forelimb Hoof Movement.
Animals (Basel), 13(13).
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132122 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Group, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Animal Biology Graduate Group, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Clinical Large Animal Diagnostic Imaging, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Group, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Animal Biology Graduate Group, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Grant Funding
- 17-01 / University of California Davis Center for Equine Health
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Shaffer SK, Medjaouri O, Swenson B, Eliason T, Nicolella DP. A Markerless Approach for Full-Body Biomechanics of Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 5;15(15).
- Bonilla Lemos Pizzi GL, Holz K, Kowalski ÉA, Fonseca Ribeiro P, Blake R, Ferreira Martins C. 2D Kinematic Analysis of the Esbarrada and Volta Sobre Patas Manoeuvres of Criollo Breed Horses Competing in Freio de Ouro. Animals (Basel) 2024 Aug 20;14(16).
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