Head and pelvic movement asymmetries at trot in riding horses in training and perceived as free from lameness by the owner.
Abstract: Recent studies evaluating horses in training and considered free from lameness by their owners have identified a large proportion of horses with motion asymmetries. However the prevalence, type and magnitude of asymmetries when trotting in a straight line or on the lunge have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to objectively investigate the presence of motion asymmetries in riding horses in training by identifying the side and quantifying the degree and type (impact, pushoff) of forelimb and hind limb asymmetries found during straight line trot and on the lunge. In a cross-sectional study, vertical head and pelvic movement symmetry was measured in 222 Warmblood type riding horses, all without perceived performance issues and considered free from lameness by their owners. Body-mounted uni-axial accelerometers were used and differences between maximum and minimum head (HDmax, HDmin) and pelvic (PDmax, PDmin) vertical displacement between left and right forelimb and hind limb stances were calculated during straight line trot and on the lunge. Previously reported symmetry thresholds were used. The thresholds for symmetry were exceeded in 161 horses for at least one variable while trotting in a straight line, HDmin (n = 58, mean 14.3 mm, SD 7.1), HDmax (n = 41, mean 12.7 mm, SD 5.5), PDmax (n = 87, mean 6.5 mm, SD 3.10), PDmin (n = 79, mean 5.7 mm, SD 2.1). Contralateral and ipsilateral concurrent forelimb and hind limb asymmetries were detected in 41 and 49 horses, respectively. There was a linear association between the straight line PDmin values and the values on the lunge with the lame limb to the inside of the circle. A large proportion (72.5%) of horses in training which were perceived as free from lameness by their owner showed movement asymmetries above previously reported asymmetry thresholds during straight line trot. It is not known to what extent these asymmetries are related to pain or to mechanical abnormalities. Therefore, one of the most important questions that must be addressed is how objective asymmetry scores can be translated into pain, orthopedic abnormality, or any type of unsoundness.
Publication Date: 2017-04-25 PubMed ID: 28441406PubMed Central: PMC5404851DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176253Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study aims to objectively evaluate the presence, type and magnitude of motion asymmetries in horses during trotting, with a particular focus on horses in training that are perceived as being free of lameness by their owners.
Research Design and Methodology
- The research study follows a cross-sectional design and utilizes the measurements of vertical head, and pelvic movement symmetry in 222 Warmblood-type riding horses.
- These horses were selected based on the premise that they had no apparent performance issues and were perceived by their owners as free from lameness.
- The authors used uni-axial accelerometers mounted on the body of the horses to track their motion.
- The values for maximum and minimum vertical displacement of the head and pelvic areas (HDmax, HDmin, PDmax, PDmin) during trotting in a straight line and on the lunge, were then calculated.
- Existing symmetry threshold values were used as reference for comparison with the values obtained in this study.
Key Findings
- It was found that 161 horses exceeded the symmetry thresholds for at least one variable while trotting in a straight line.
- Concurrent forelimb and hind limb asymmetries were detected in a significant number of horses. This was true for both contralateral and ipsilateral stances.
- There was a linear association between the PDmin values recorded during straight line trotting and the values measured on the lunge, particularly when the lame limb was positioned inside the circle.
Implications and Further Research
- The study revealed that 72.5% or a significant majority of the horses in training, which were thought to be free of lameness by their owners, demonstrated movement asymmetries exceeding the previously reported thresholds.
- However, it is unclear whether these asymmetries are indicative of pain or mechanical abnormalities in the horses.
- The findings of the study underline the need for further research to understand how objective asymmetry scores could be linked to pain, orthopedic abnormalities, or any kind of unsoundness in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Rhodin M, Egenvall A, Haubro Andersen P, Pfau T.
(2017).
Head and pelvic movement asymmetries at trot in riding horses in training and perceived as free from lameness by the owner.
PLoS One, 12(4), e0176253.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0176253 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, United Kingdom.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena / physiology
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Female
- Forelimb / physiology
- Gait / physiology
- Head / physiology
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
- Male
- Movement / physiology
- Pelvis / physiology
- Perception
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
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