HORSE SPECIES SYMPOSIUM: Biomechanics of the exercising horse.
Abstract: In spite of having large height and body mass, horses are cursorial animals with an extensive gait repertoire and considerable athletic abilities. The limbs have evolved so that the heavy musculature is confined to the proximal limbs while the distal limbs are light in weight with a single functional digit and long, lightweight tendons to move and support the distal joints. These adaptations reduce the moment of inertia and decrease the energy expended to protract and retract the limbs during locomotion. There is a division of labor between the forelimbs, which have a pillar-like construction specialized for weight bearing, and the hind limbs, in which the more angulated joints provide leverage for the generation of propulsion. Each gait is characterized by a repeated, rhythmic pattern of limb movements with a single repetition of the pattern being a stride. Limb movements are coordinated by central pattern generators in the spinal cord that determine the rhythmic patterns of flexion and extension in the joints during the swing and stance phases. The patterns can be modified by commands descending from the motor cortex or in response to proprioceptive feedback that provides awareness of body and limb position and movements. Musculoskeletal pathologies are a common problem in equine athletes. Lame horses reduce the load-bearing responsibilities of the painful limb by adapting the movement pattern with the goal of transferring vertical force from the lame limb to the compensating limbs. When the horse is trotting, this is associated with asymmetrical movements of the poll, withers, and croup on the 2 diagonals. The lame limb can be identified, and the degree of lameness can be assessed qualitatively by visual assessment or quantitatively using an inertial sensor system.
Publication Date: 2016-11-30 PubMed ID: 27898852DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-9990Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article explores the biomechanics of a horse in motion, discussing the specialized adaptations of the horse’s limb system, its gait patterns, the role of various parts of the horse’s body in locomotion, and how horses make adaptations to manage pain and lameness.
Adaptations of the Horse’s Body
- The researchers first discuss the anatomical evolution of horses, focusing on their limbs. Despite being large animals, horses are cursorial creatures possessing impressive athleticism.
- Horses’ limbs show remarkable adaptations intended to reduce energy expenditure during locomotion. Most muscles are located proximally in the limbs, while the distal limbs are lightweight and possess long tendons to help move and support joints.
- This particular arrangement decreases the moment of inertia, reducing energy spent in initiating and stopping limb movement.
- The front and hind limbs exhibit a division of labor; the pillar-like construction of the front limbs serves a weight-bearing function, while the rear limbs, with their angulated joints, generate propulsion.
Understanding the Gait of Horses
- Moving on to gait, the authors detail how each gait is characterized by a repeated rhythmic pattern of limb movements.
- These cyclical movements are managed by “central pattern generators” in the horse’s spinal cord, which dictate the variant patterns of joint flexion and extension during both the swing and stance phases of a stride.
- The article explains that these sequences can be changed based on commands given by the motor cortex or in response to proprioceptive feedback.
Navigating Musculoskeletal Issues
- The research also delves into the locomotive challenges faced by horses with musculoskeletal pathologies such as lameness.
- To manage pain, affected horses will unconsciously modify their movement patterns to transfer force from the painful limb to other limbs.
- The article notes that visually, lame horses will exhibit asymmetrical movement in certain parts of their bodies.
- The study suggests using inertial sensor systems to objectively identify lameness and assess its severity.
Cite This Article
APA
Clayton HM.
(2016).
HORSE SPECIES SYMPOSIUM: Biomechanics of the exercising horse.
J Anim Sci, 94(10), 4076-4086.
https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2015-9990 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Adaptation, Physiological
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Forelimb / physiology
- Gait
- Hindlimb / physiology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses / physiology
- Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
- Locomotion
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Weight-Bearing
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Schrurs C, Blott S, Dubois G, Van Erck-Westergren E, Gardner DS. Locomotory Profiles in Thoroughbreds: Peak Stride Length and Frequency in Training and Association with Race Outcomes. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 24;12(23).
- Landry Z, Roloson MJ, Fraser D. Investigating the reliability of metapodials as taxonomic Indicators for Beringian horses. J Mamm Evol 2022;29(4):863-875.
- Buzzetti AP, Nothaft IT, Paganela JC, Franzan BC, Braga GI, Barreira APB, de Lima LR, de Almeida FQ. Ultrasound evaluation of digital flexor tendons of jumping horses undergoing treadmill training. Braz J Vet Med 2022;44:e004421.
- Vergara-Hernandez FB, Nielsen BD, Robison CI, Fabus TA, Kompare JL, LeCompte Lazić RA, Colbath AC. Average stride length and stride rate of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses during racing. Transl Anim Sci 2022 Jan;6(1):txab233.
- Ahmed W, Kulikowska M, Ahlmann T, Berg LC, Harrison AP, Elbrønd VS. A comparative multi-site and whole-body assessment of fascia in the horse and dog: a detailed histological investigation. J Anat 2019 Dec;235(6):1065-1077.
- Devillers N, Janvier E, Delijani F, Méthot S, Dick KJ, Zhang Q, Connor L. Effect of Slat and Gap Width of Slatted Concrete Flooring on Sow Gait Using Kinematics Analysis. Animals (Basel) 2019 Apr 30;9(5).
- Laffi L, Bigand F, Peham C, Novembre G, Gamba M, Ravignani A. Rhythmic categories in horse gait kinematics. J Anat 2025 Mar;246(3):456-465.
- Ma Y, Liu Y, Li H, Yang K, Yao G. Changes in blood physiological and biochemical parameters and intestinal flora in newborn horses and mares with angular limb deformities. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1503117.
- Bonilla Lemos Pizzi GL, Holz K, Kowalski ÉA, Fonseca Ribeiro P, Blake R, Ferreira Martins C. 2D Kinematic Analysis of the Esbarrada and Volta Sobre Patas Manoeuvres of Criollo Breed Horses Competing in Freio de Ouro. Animals (Basel) 2024 Aug 20;14(16).
- Schrurs C, Dubois G, Van Erck-Westergren E, Gardner DS. Cardiovascular Fitness and Stride Acceleration in Race-Pace Workouts for the Prediction of Performance in Thoroughbreds. Animals (Basel) 2024 Apr 29;14(9).
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