Forelimb joint moments and power during the walking stance phase of horses.

The research focuses on studying the exertion and power in the forelimb joints of horses during their walking stance phase. It aims to establish a set of benchmark values for the same, which can be used to identify any deviations in horses suffering from specific lameness.

Research Methodology

• The study involved four Dutch Warmblood horses with no recent history of lameness. These specimens were chosen to establish normative data.
• The horses were walked through the test area by hand and data from five different walking trials were collected for each horse. This approach aimed to capture a comprehensive understanding of the joint moments and power during the walking stance.
• The data collection used a two-camera view to capture vertical and craniocaudal ground reaction forces. By integrating these views, the researchers calculated net moments of force in the sagittal plane across the carpal, metacarpophalangeal (fetlock), and distal interphalangeal (coffin) joints during the stance phase of the forelimb.
• Mechanical power was calculated as the product of the net joint moment and the joint’s angular velocity. This provided a quantitative measure of the power generated and absorbed in each joint during the walking phase.

Findings and Results

• For the carpal joint, the early part of the stance phase had oscillating periods of energy generation and absorption. A predominant flexor moment was observed. In the final part of the stance phase, there was a phase of energy absorption as the carpus flexed into swing against an extensor moment.
• The fetlock joint showed a pattern of energy absorption in the early part of the stance phase. This was succeeded by a major energy generation phase across the joint towards the terminal part of the stance phase.
• Throughout the stance phase, a flexor moment was measured at the coffin joint. This coincided with an extended phase of energy absorption followed by a brief phase of generation for push-off.
• The power data was consistent, which indicates typical work profiles for each of the joints (carpus, fetlock, and coffin).

Conclusion and Implications

• The study concluded that specific work profiles could be identified for each of the three joints.
• These established profiles can be used as a comparative measure to detect changes in horses with lameness conditions, providing a diagnostic tool for specific lameness conditions.