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Journal of equine science2014; 25(1); 15-22; doi: 10.1294/jes.25.15

In vivo measurements of flexor tendon and suspensory ligament forces during trotting using the thoroughbred forelimb model.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to create a lower forelimb model of the Thoroughbred horse for measuring the force in the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons (SDFT and DDFT), and the suspensory ligament (SL) during a trot. The mass, centers of gravity, and inertial moments in the metacarpus, pastern, and hoof segments were measured in 4 Thoroughbred horses. The moment arms of the SDFT, DDFT, and SL in the metacarpophalangeal (fetlock) and distal interphalangeal (coffin) joints were measured in 7 Thoroughbred horses. The relationship between the fetlock joint angle and the force in the SL was assessed in 3 limbs of 2 Thoroughbred horses. The forces in the SDFT, DDFT, and SL during a trot were also measured in 7 Thoroughbred horses. The mass of the 3 segments, and the moment arms of the SDFT and DDFT in the fetlock joint of the Thoroughbred horses were smaller than those of the Warmblood horses, whereas the other values were almost the same in the 2 types. The calculated force in the SDFT with this Thoroughbred model reached a peak (4,615 N) at 39.3% of the stance phase, whereas that in the DDFT reached a peak (5,076 N) at 51.2% of the stance phase. The force in the SL reached a peak (11,957 N) at 49.4% of the stance phase. This lower forelimb model of the Thoroughbred can be applied to studying the effects of different shoe types and change of hoof angle for the flexor tendon and SL forces.
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Publication Date: 2014-04-22 PubMed ID: 24834009PubMed Central: PMC4019201DOI: 10.1294/jes.25.15Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study aims to use a forelimb model of the thoroughbred horse to measure the force exerted on crucial leg components during a trot. The researchers were particularly interested in the force applied on the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, and the suspensory ligament.

Study Overview

The study involved thorough measurements of various components of the Thoroughbred horse’s lower forelimb:

  • The mass, centers of gravity, and inertial moments in the metacarpus, pastern, and hoof segments were studied in 4 Thoroughbred horses.
  • The moment arms of the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, and the suspensory ligament in the metacarpophalangeal (fetlock) and distal interphalangeal (coffin) joints were studied in 7 Thoroughbred horses.
  • The correlation between the fetlock joint angle and the force in the suspensory ligament was assessed in 3 limbs of 2 Thoroughbred horses.
  • The researchers also measured the forces in the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, and the suspensory ligament during a trot in 7 Thoroughbred horses.

Research Findings

The research concluded that the mass of the three segments and the moment arms of the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons in the fetlock joint were found to be smaller in Thoroughbred horses compared to Warmblood horses. However, most other studied parameters were rather similar for both horse types.

During the stance phase of the trot, the study found that the force in the superficial digital flexor tendon peaked at 4,615 N and occurred at 39.3% of the phase. For the deep digital flexor tendon, it peaked at 5,076 N about halfway through the stance phase (51.2%). The force in the suspensory ligament was considerably higher, peaking at 11,957 N, also around midway (49.4%) through the stance phase.

Applications of the Study

With these findings, the lower forelimb model of the Thoroughbred can now be effectively used to study the impact of varying shoe types and changes in hoof angle on the forces experienced by the flexor tendons and suspensory ligament. It would thereby be instrumental in creating better hoof care strategies, shoe designs, and possibly even informing horse training routines.

Cite This Article

APA
Takahashi T, Mukai K, Ohmura H, Aida H, Hiraga A. (2014). In vivo measurements of flexor tendon and suspensory ligament forces during trotting using the thoroughbred forelimb model. J Equine Sci, 25(1), 15-22. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.25.15

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 1
Pages: 15-22

Researcher Affiliations

Takahashi, Toshiyuki
  • Sport Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 320-0856, Japan.
Mukai, Kazutaka
  • Sport Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 320-0856, Japan.
Ohmura, Hajime
  • Sport Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 320-0856, Japan.
Aida, Hiroko
  • Sport Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 320-0856, Japan.
Hiraga, Atsushi
  • Sport Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 320-0856, Japan.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Guest DJ, Birch HL, Thorpe CT. A review of the equine suspensory ligament: Injury prone yet understudied. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1167-1182.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14447pubmed: 39604165google scholar: lookup
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