Evaluation of an in-shoe pressure measurement system in horses.
Abstract: To develop an objective, accurate method for quantifying forelimb ground reaction forces in horses by adapting a human in-shoe pressure measurement system and determine the reliability of the system for shod and unshod horses. Methods: 6 adult Thoroughbreds. Methods: Horses were instrumented with a human in-shoe pressure measurement system and evaluated at a trot (3 m/s) on a motorized treadmill. Maximum force, stance time, and peak contact area were evaluated for shod and unshod horses. Three trials were performed for shod and unshod horses, and differences in the measured values were examined with a mixed model ANOVA for repeated measures. Sensor accuracy was evaluated by correlating measured variables to clinically observed lameness and by a variance component analysis. Results: 4 of 6 horses were determined to be lame in a forelimb on the basis of clinical examination and measured values from the system. No significant differences were observed between shod and unshod horses for maximum force and stance time. A significant decrease in peak contact area was observed for shod and unshod horses at each successive trial. Maximum force measurements provided the highest correlation for detecting lameness (r = 0.91, shod horses; r = 1.0, unshod horses). A variance component analysis revealed that 3 trials provided a variance of 35.35 kg for maximum force (+/- 5.78% accuracy), 0.007 seconds for stance time (+/- 2.5% accuracy), and 8.58 cm2 for peak contact area (+/- 11.95% accuracy). Conclusions: The in-shoe pressure measurement system provides an accurate, objective, and effective method to evaluate lameness in horses.
Publication Date: 2001-02-24 PubMed ID: 11197554DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.23Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research article describes an adaptation of a human in-shoe pressure measurement system for horses, with the aim of developing a quantitative method for detecting lameness in horses. The results found the system to be accurate and reliable.
Methods
- The researchers adapted a human in-shoe pressure measurement system for use in horses.
- They tested the system on six adult Thoroughbreds, who wore the instrument while trotting on a motorized treadmill.
- Three separate trials were performed for both shod and unshod horses (those wearing shoes and those not).
- The research team monitored and reviewed maximum force, stance time (the length of time a foot remains on the ground during a gait cycle), and peak contact area (the maximum area of the foot in contact with the ground).
- The system’s accuracy was evaluated by comparing the recorded data to observed lameness symptoms and executing variance component analysis.
Results
- Of the six horses, four were found to be lame in a forelimb. This outcome was reached both through clinical examinations and by data produced by the adapted in-shoe pressure measurement system.
- No notable differences were observed between the maximum force and stance time for shod and unshod horses, meaning the presence or absence of shoes did not significantly affect the readings.
- However, the peak contact area decreased significantly in each successive trial for both shod and unshod horses.
- The maximum force measurement emerged as the best indicator for detecting lameness, with a correlation of 0.91 for shod horses, and a perfect correlation of 1.0 for unshod horses.
Conclusion
- A variance component analysis showed that the three trials offered a variance of 35.35kg (with an accuracy of +-5.78%) for maximum force, 0.007 seconds (with an accuracy of +-2.5%) for stance time, and 8.58 cm2 (with an accuracy of +-11.95%) for peak contact area.
- These results endorsed the human in-shoe pressure measurement system as an effective and accurate tool for identifying lameness in horses. The system was lauded for its objectivity, as the measurements it recorded showed a very high correlation with observable lameness symptoms.
Cite This Article
APA
Judy CE, Galuppo LD, Snyder JR, Willits NH.
(2001).
Evaluation of an in-shoe pressure measurement system in horses.
Am J Vet Res, 62(1), 23-28.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.23 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Davis 95616-8747, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Forelimb / physiology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses / physiology
- Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
- Locomotion / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Posture
- Pressure
- Reproducibility of Results
- Shoes
- Stress, Mechanical
Citations
This article has been cited 2 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).
- 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).
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