Gait pattern of the ataxic horse compared to sedated and nonsedated horses.
Abstract: Equine ataxia is routinely evaluated subjectively by clinicians; however, objective measurements of the movement and coordination of ataxic horses have not been reported. Objective: To document the movement pattern of ataxic horses and compare the results to the movement of neurologically sound horses with, and without, sedation. Methods: Seventeen ataxic horses were evaluated walking and trotting on a treadmill using a 3D high speed video system. From the horizontal movement of hoof markers the autocorrelation function (ACF) of the left forelimb and the cross correlation function (CCF) between the left forelimb and other 3 limbs (CCF foreleft/hindright [flhr], foreleft/ hindleft [flhl], foreleft/foreright [flfr]) was calculated. This resulted in a value of motion cycle consistency. The results were compared to data of 17 neurologically normal horses with, and without, sedation with detomidine. For statistical analysis the t test for independent samples was used. Results: Comparing normal (NO) and ataxic (AT) horses at the walk, highly significant differences for the ACF and for all the CCFs were documented. At the trot, ACF and CCFs flhr and flfr were significantly different in the NO and AT groups. Comparing sedated and ataxic horses, only the CCF flfr at walk and at trot were significantly different. Conclusions: Ataxia is best documented and examined at the walk. At trot pendulum effect may make coordination easier for horses. The results of this study serve as basic data for evaluating questionably ataxic horses.
Publication Date: 2007-04-04 PubMed ID: 17402459DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05580.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article is about the study of the movement patterns in ataxic horses, comparing these patterns with those of healthy horses both in normal and sedated states. The study aims to provide significant objective measurements that will aid in the evaluation process of potentially ataxic horses.
Objective of the Study
- The main aim of the study was to document and compare the movement patterns of ataxic horses with those of neurologically sound horses, both sedated and non-sedated. This was done to establish a basic data set which can be used in the evaluation of potentially ataxic horses.
Research Methodology
- The study involved 17 horses suffering from ataxia and another 17 healthy horses, with and without sedation with detomidine – an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that sedates and provides pain relief to horses.
- A 3D high-speed video system was employed to capture the horses’ movements as they walked and trotted on a treadmill.
- The autocorrelation function (ACF) of the left forelimb, and the cross correlation function (CCF) between the left forelimb and the other three limbs, were calculated. This was done to evaluate the motion cycle consistency.
Results and Analysis
- Highly significant differences were identified in the ACF measurements and all of the CCF values between normal (NO) and ataxic (AT) horses during walking.
- A significant difference was also found between the ACF and CCFs of the NO and AT groups when trotting.
- Horse’s movement under the effects of sedation were also compared with the movements of ataxic horses. Only the CCF flfr at walk and trot showed significant differences.
Conclusion
- The research concluded that the best time to document and examine ataxia is during walking. This is due to a pendulum effect which seems to enhance coordination in horses while trotting, potentially masking signs of ataxia.
- The findings of this research can serve as baseline data for future evaluation of potentially ataxic horses, aiding in their diagnosis and treatment.
Cite This Article
APA
Strobach A, Kotschwar A, Mayhew IG, Peham C, Licka T.
(2007).
Gait pattern of the ataxic horse compared to sedated and nonsedated horses.
Equine Vet J Suppl(36), 423-426.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05580.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Movement Science Group, Department V, Clinic of Orthopaedics in Ungulates, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Conscious Sedation / veterinary
- Gait / physiology
- Gait Ataxia / diagnosis
- Gait Ataxia / physiopathology
- Gait Ataxia / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses / physiology
- Imaging, Three-Dimensional / veterinary
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Running / physiology
- Video Recording
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Pezzanite LM, Easley JT, Bayless R, Aldrich E, Nelson BB, Seim HB 3rd, Nout-Lomas YS. Outcomes after cervical vertebral interbody fusion using an interbody fusion device and polyaxial pedicle screw and rod construct in 10 horses (2015-2019). Equine Vet J 2022 Mar;54(2):347-358.
- Foss KD, Smith RL, da Costa RC. Kinetic and kinematic follow-up gait analysis in Doberman Pinschers with cervical spondylomyelopathy treated medically and surgically. J Vet Intern Med 2018 May;32(3):1126-1132.
- Olsen E, Dunkel B, Barker WH, Finding EJ, Perkins JD, Witte TH, Yates LJ, Andersen PH, Baiker K, Piercy RJ. Rater agreement on gait assessment during neurologic examination of horses. J Vet Intern Med 2014 Mar-Apr;28(2):630-8.
- Olsen E, Andersen PH, Pfau T. Accuracy and precision of equine gait event detection during walking with limb and trunk mounted inertial sensors. Sensors (Basel) 2012;12(6):8145-56.
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