Equine locomotor analysis on vet-gates in endurance events.
Abstract: Fatigue during endurance rides might induce changes in gait pattern that could be difficult to distinguish from subtle lameness. Objective: To assess changes in gait pattern en route, in fore(FL) and hindlimbs (HL) and establish differences between excellent (EP) and good performers (GP). Methods: Seventy-five sound and fit horses that completed endurance rides of 80 km were filmed at trot in the vet-gates (VGs) prior to competitions (VGO), and at 29 km (VG1), 59 km (VG2) and 80 km (VG3). Mean gait velocity (V), stride length (SL), duration (SD) and frequency (SF) were measured. Also, stance (StD), swing (SwD), braking (BrD) and propulsion (PrD) durations were determined in the 4 limbs and expressed as % of SD. Results: Horses trotted with a significant lower V at VG3 in comparison to VG0 (mean +/- s.d. 2.3 +/- 0.6 m/sec, 3.3 +/- 0.6 m/sec) and showed a shorter SL (1.5 +/- 0.4 m and 2.2 +/- 0.3 m in VG0 and VG3). Regression analysis confirmed that the reduced SL at VG3 was due to the lower V. Horses in VG3 presented longer FL-StD (46.2 +/- 4.7%, 38.1 +/- 4.6%), BrD (22.0 +/- 2.5%, 16.9 +/- 2.5%) and PrD (24.1 +/- 21%, 21.5 +/- 2.47%) compared to VG0. In VG0, HL-PrD (23.0 +/- 3.0%) and HL-BrD (18.7 +/- 1.8%) were longer than FL-PrD (21.5 +/- 2.47%) and FL-BrD (16.9 +/- 2.5%). EP showed fastest V and longer SL at VG0, and VG3 than GP (P<0.05). Conclusions: Sound endurance horses undergo changes in gait pattern during competition, mainly due to reduction of V. Some differences exist between FL and HL, and EP show higher V and SL in the VGs. Conclusions: Understanding of the locomotor effect of fatigue will provide an objective basis for the assessment of soundness during endurance events.
Publication Date: 2007-04-04 PubMed ID: 17402392DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05513.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates how fatigue during endurance horse rides impacts their gait pattern. Particularly, it explores how changes in gaits occur during events and how they may differ between good and excellent horse performers.
Research Methodology
- The researchers collected data from 75 healthy and fit horses that completed 80 km endurance rides.
- The gait of these horses was filmed at several stages: before the competition, at 29 km, 59 km, and at the end of the ride (80 km).
- Several elements of the horses’ gait – gait velocity, stride length, stride duration, and stride frequency – were measured.
- Furthermore, specifics about their stance, swing, braking, and propulsion durations were determined for all four limbs.
- All these measurements were expressed as a percentage of the stride duration.
Findings
- The horses displayed a significantly lower trotting velocity towards the end of the ride. This change was found to be significant when compared to their starting velocity.
- A notable decrease in stride length was observed as the competition progressed, especially noticeable at the 80-km mark.
- Regression analysis pinpointed this reduced stride length to the lower trotting velocity.
- At the end of the ride, horses exhibited longer stance, braking, and propulsion durations in their forelimbs compared to their initial measurements.
- Interestingly, at the beginning of the event, hindlimbs showed longer propulsion and braking durations compared to forelimbs.
- Among the horses observed, excellent performers demonstrated a faster initial and final velocity and longer initial and final stride length when compared to the good performers.
Conclusions
- This study underlines that horses taking part in endurance rides undergo notable changes in their gait patterns, primarily due to a reduction in trotting velocity.
- The gait pattern changes vary between forelimbs and hindlimbs.
- There are also discernable differences between excellent and good performers, specifically in relation to gait velocity and stride length.
- Understanding how fatigue impacts a horse’s locomotion provides an objective basis for assessing the soundness of a horse during endurance events.
Cite This Article
APA
Riber C, Cuesta I, Muñoz A, Gata J, Trigo P, Castejón FM.
(2007).
Equine locomotor analysis on vet-gates in endurance events.
Equine Vet J Suppl(36), 55-59.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05513.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Córdoba, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Fatigue / diagnosis
- Fatigue / physiopathology
- Female
- Gait
- Horses / physiology
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
- Locomotion / physiology
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Physical Endurance / physiology
- Regression Analysis
- Time Factors
- Video Recording
Citations
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