External mechanical work in the galloping racehorse.
Abstract: Horse locomotion is remarkably economical. Here, we measure external mechanical work of the galloping horse and relate it to published measurements of metabolic cost. Seven Thoroughbred horses were galloped (ridden) over force plates, under a racing surface. Twenty-six full strides of force data were recorded and used to calculate the external mechanical work of galloping. The mean sum of decrements of mechanical energy was -876 J (±280 J) per stride and increments were 2163 J (±538 J) per stride as horses were accelerating. Combination with published values for internal work and metabolic costs for galloping yields an apparent muscular efficiency of 37-46% for galloping, which would be reduced by energy storage in leg tendons. Knowledge about external work of galloping provides further insight into the mechanics of galloping from both an evolutionary and performance standpoint.
Publication Date: 2019-04-09 PubMed ID: 30958128PubMed Central: PMC6405464DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0709Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research analyzes the external mechanical work and efficiency of galloping horses. This investigation was carried out by observing the total mechanical work of seven thoroughbred horses during a full stride of galloping, and the results suggest galloping in horses is a highly efficient form of locomotion.
Research Methods
- The researchers used a force plate system under a racing surface to record the force data during horse galloping.
- These measurements were taken during twenty-six full strides of seven Thoroughbred horses.
- Using this data, researchers calculated the mechanical work done during the movements of galloping.
Results of the Study
- Researchers discovered that the decrement and increment of mechanical energy per stride were -876 J (±280 J) and 2163 J (±538 J) respectively while the horses were accelerating.
- The researchers noted this mechanical energy expenditure pattern to calculate the apparent muscular efficiency of galloping horses.
- The apparent muscular efficiency of the horses during galloping was found to be between 37-46%.
- The researchers recognized that this efficiency could be reduced by the energy stored in the leg tendons of the horses, which leads to some energy being stored rather than used directly for movement.
Conclusions and Implications
- The study concluded that the external mechanical work of galloping horses offers valuable insights into the mechanics of galloping from both performance and evolutionary perspectives.
- Understanding the mechanics and efficiency of horse’s movement can potentially contribute to improving equine performance and guide the design of training and care routines as well as contribute to the broader realm of locomotion research.
Cite This Article
APA
Self Davies ZT, Spence AJ, Wilson AM.
(2019).
External mechanical work in the galloping racehorse.
Biol Lett, 15(2), 20180709.
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2018.0709 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Structure and Motion Lab, The Royal Veterinary College , Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA , UK.
- Structure and Motion Lab, The Royal Veterinary College , Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA , UK.
- Structure and Motion Lab, The Royal Veterinary College , Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA , UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Gait
- Horses
- Locomotion
Grant Funding
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors have no competing interests to declare.
References
This article includes 28 references
- Minetti AE, ArdigO LP, Reinach E, Saibene F. The relationship between mechanical work and energy expenditure of locomotion in horses.. J Exp Biol 1999 Sep;202(Pt 17):2329-38.
- Thornton J, Pagan J, Persson S. The oxygen cost of weight loading and inclined treadmill exercise in the horse. 1987.
- Hildebrand M. Analysis of vertebrate structure. 1988.
- Biewener AA. Muscle-tendon stresses and elastic energy storage during locomotion in the horse.. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 1998 May;120(1):73-87.
- Payne RC, Hutchinson JR, Robilliard JJ, Smith NC, Wilson AM. Functional specialisation of pelvic limb anatomy in horses (Equus caballus).. J Anat 2005 Jun;206(6):557-74.
- McGuigan MP, Wilson AM. The effect of gait and digital flexor muscle activation on limb compliance in the forelimb of the horse Equus caballus.. J Exp Biol 2003 Apr;206(Pt 8):1325-36.
- Wilson AM, McGuigan MP, Su A, van Den Bogert AJ. Horses damp the spring in their step.. Nature 2001 Dec 20-27;414(6866):895-9.
- Wilson AM, Watson JC, Lichtwark GA. Biomechanics: A catapult action for rapid limb protraction.. Nature 2003 Jan 2;421(6918):35-6.
- Bertram JE, Gutmann A. Motions of the running horse and cheetah revisited: fundamental mechanics of the transverse and rotary gallop.. J R Soc Interface 2009 Jun 6;6(35):549-59.
- Pfau T, Witte TH, Wilson AM. Centre of mass movement and mechanical energy fluctuation during gallop locomotion in the Thoroughbred racehorse.. J Exp Biol 2006 Oct;209(Pt 19):3742-57.
- Cavagna GA. Force platforms as ergometers.. J Appl Physiol 1975 Jul;39(1):174-9.
- McGowan CP, Baudinette RV, Usherwood JR, Biewener AA. The mechanics of jumping versus steady hopping in yellow-footed rock wallabies.. J Exp Biol 2005 Jul;208(Pt 14):2741-51.
- Hedrick TL. Software techniques for two- and three-dimensional kinematic measurements of biological and biomimetic systems.. Bioinspir Biomim 2008 Sep;3(3):034001.
- Williams SB, Tan H, Usherwood JR, Wilson AM. Pitch then power: limitations to acceleration in quadrupeds.. Biol Lett 2009 Oct 23;5(5):610-3.
- Hoyt DF, Taylor CR. Gait and the energetics of locomotion in horses. Nature 292, 239–240, 1981.
- Curtin NA, Bartlam-Brooks HLA, Hubel TY, Lowe JC, Gardner-Medwin AR, Bennitt E, Amos SJ, Lorenc M, West TG, Wilson AM. Remarkable muscles, remarkable locomotion in desert-dwelling wildebeest.. Nature 2018 Nov;563(7731):393-396.
- Smith NP, Barclay CJ, Loiselle DS. The efficiency of muscle contraction.. Prog Biophys Mol Biol 2005 May;88(1):1-58.
- Alexander RM, Dimery NJ, Ker RF. Elastic structures in the back and their role in galloping in some mammals. J. Zool. 207, 467–482, 1985.
- Ruina A, Bertram JE, Srinivasan M. A collisional model of the energetic cost of support work qualitatively explains leg sequencing in walking and galloping, pseudo-elastic leg behavior in running and the walk-to-run transition.. J Theor Biol 2005 Nov 21;237(2):170-92.
- Cavagna GA, Kaneko M. Mechanical work and efficiency in level walking and running.. J Physiol 1977 Jun;268(2):467--81.
- Eaton MD, Evans DL, Hodgson DR, Rose RJ. Effect of treadmill incline and speed on metabolic rate during exercise in thoroughbred horses.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1995 Sep;79(3):951-7.
- Witte TH, Hirst CV, Wilson AM. Effect of speed on stride parameters in racehorses at gallop in field conditions.. J Exp Biol 2006 Nov;209(Pt 21):4389-97.
- Heglund NC, Cavagna GA. Efficiency of vertebrate locomotory muscles.. J Exp Biol 1985 Mar;115:283-92.
- Spence AJ, Thurman AS, Maher MJ, Wilson AM. Speed, pacing strategy and aerodynamic drafting in Thoroughbred horse racing.. Biol Lett 2012 Aug 23;8(4):678-81.
- Pfau T, Spence A, Starke S, Ferrari M, Wilson A. Modern riding style improves horse racing times.. Science 2009 Jul 17;325(5938):289.
- Self ZT, Spence AJ, Wilson AM. Speed and incline during thoroughbred horse racing: racehorse speed supports a metabolic power constraint to incline running but not to decline running.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2012 Aug 15;113(4):602-7.
- Wickler SJ, Hoyt DF, Cogger EA, Hirschbein MH. Preferred speed and cost of transport: the effect of incline.. J Exp Biol 2000 Jul;203(Pt 14):2195-200.
- Self Davies ZT, Spence AJ, Wilson AM. Data from: External mechanical work in the galloping racehorse. Dryad Digital Repository 2019.
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Hobbs SJ, Clayton HM. The Olympic motto through the lens of equestrian sports.. Anim Front 2022 Jun;12(3):45-53.
- Usherwood JR. Legs as linkages: an alternative paradigm for the role of tendons and isometric muscles in facilitating economical gait.. J Exp Biol 2022 Mar 8;225(Suppl_1).
- Briggs EV, Mazzà C. Automatic methods of hoof-on and -off detection in horses using wearable inertial sensors during walk and trot on asphalt, sand and grass.. PLoS One 2021;16(7):e0254813.
- Mercier Q, Aftalion A. Optimal speed in Thoroughbred horse racing.. PLoS One 2020;15(12):e0235024.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
