In vivo and in vitro measurement of tendon strain in the horse.
Abstract: Strains gauges were applied to the superficial flexor tendon, deep flexor tendon, and suspensory ligament of sound adult horses. Maximum tendon strain occurred during full weight bearing while walking, when the forelimb was perpendicular to the group surface. There was decrease in tendon strain with increase in hoof angle for the deep digital flexor, but no change in tendon strain for the superficial digital flexor and suspensory ligament with changing hoof angle. At physiologic rates of strain, tendons were able to withstand large loads without yielding. Load strain curves developed in vitro indicated that during walking, the deep digital flexor was calculated to load to 416.8 kg; the superficial flexor tendon to 362.9 kg; and the suspensory ligament to 172.4 kg. This study shows that in the horse, strain in flexor tendons during walking was in excess of 5%, indicating strains within the visco-elastic range.
Publication Date: 1980-12-01 PubMed ID: 7212427
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The study measures the levels of strain in the tendons of horses during various activities and explores how changes in hoof angles affect this strain. It was found that the maximum strain occurred during full weight bearing while walking, and increasing hoof angle decreased strain for a particular tendon while remaining constant for others.
Objectives of the Study
- This research was conducted to measure the strain in horses’ flexor tendons and suspensory ligaments both in vitro and in vivo, with the aim of understanding the effects of different activities and hoof angles.
- The researchers aimed to discover the stages of activities during which maximum tendon strain occurs, to help predict and prevent potential injuries.
Methods Used in the Study
- Strain gauges were applied to three types of tendons—superficial flexor tendon, deep flexor tendon, and the suspensory ligament of sound adult horses.
- Activities were modified to test various weights and hoof angles in order to record the strain in each tendon.
- The in vitro studies developed load strain curves to calculate the loading of each tendon during walking.
Key Findings of the Study
- Maximum tendon strain occurred during full weight bearing while walking, with the forelimb perpendicular to the ground.
- An increase in hoof angle led to a decrease in strain in the deep digital flexor tendon, but did not affect the strain in the superficial flexor and suspensory ligament.
- Tendons were capable of bearing large loads without breaking under physiological rates of strain.
- The deep digital flexor was found to take a load of 416.8 kg during walking, the superficial flexor tendon took 362.9 kg, and the suspensory ligament took 172.4 kg.
- Strain in the flexor tendons during walking was found to be in excess of 5%, indicating strains within the visco-elastic range.
Significance of the Research
- The findings of this research are crucial for understanding the capacity of horses’ tendons and for preventing potential injuries.
- Having established the stages of activities at which maximum strain occurs can inform training methods that minimize the risk of harm to the horse.
- Determining how hoof angles affect tendon strain can guide advice on horse shoeing practices for optimal hoof health and functionality.
Cite This Article
APA
Lochner FK, Milne DW, Mills EJ, Groom JJ.
(1980).
In vivo and in vitro measurement of tendon strain in the horse.
Am J Vet Res, 41(12), 1929-1937.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Forelimb / physiology
- Gait
- Hoof and Claw / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- In Vitro Techniques
- Ligaments / physiology
- Posture
- Stress, Mechanical
- Tendons / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Wagner FC, Gerlach K, Geiger SM, Gittel C, Böttcher P, Mülling CKW. Biplanar High-Speed Fluoroscopy of Pony Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT)-An In Vivo Pilot Study. Vet Sci 2021 May 27;8(6).
- Tran MP, Tsutsumi R, Erberich JM, Chen KD, Flores MD, Cooper KL. Evolutionary loss of foot muscle during development with characteristics of atrophy and no evidence of cell death. Elife 2019 Oct 15;8.
- Kondratko-Mittnacht J, Lakes R, Vanderby R Jr. Shear loads induce cellular damage in tendon fascicles. J Biomech 2015 Sep 18;48(12):3299-305.
- Takahashi T, Mukai K, Ohmura H, Aida H, Hiraga A. In vivo measurements of flexor tendon and suspensory ligament forces during trotting using the thoroughbred forelimb model. J Equine Sci 2014;25(1):15-22.
- Kondratko J, Duenwald-Kuehl S, Lakes R, Vanderby R Jr. Mechanical compromise of partially lacerated flexor tendons. J Biomech Eng 2013 Jan;135(1):011001.
- Duenwald-Kuehl S, Lakes R, Vanderby R Jr. Strain-induced damage reduces echo intensity changes in tendon during loading. J Biomech 2012 Jun 1;45(9):1607-11.
- Brown NA, Pandy MG, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW. Force- and moment-generating capacities of muscles in the distal forelimb of the horse. J Anat 2003 Jul;203(1):101-13.
- Shaw KA, Brounts SH. The effect of heel elevation on the stiffness gradient index of the digital flexor tendons in the equine forelimb of clinically normal horses. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1610788.
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