Inertial properties of Dutch Warmblood horses.
Abstract: The complete set of three-dimensional inertial properties (mass, density, centre of mass, inertial tensor) was determined in 26 segments of six Dutch Warmblood horses. The measurements were performed with frozen segments similar to the procedure described by Lephart (1984, J. Biomechanics 17, 537-543). Based on these data linear regression models were developed for the estimation of inertial properties in living horses. The reproducibility of the dissection procedure was found to range between 2 and 9%. Both mean values and regression models are presented for all parameters. The mean standard error of estimation was 8% for the segment mass, 3% of the segment reference length for the position of the centre of mass, and 17% for the moments of inertia.
Publication Date: 1997-06-01 PubMed ID: 9165402DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9290(97)00005-5Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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 study investigated the three-dimensional inertial properties of Dutch Warmblood horses, conducting measurements on 26 segments of the horse body based on an existing method by Lephart. With the data collected, the researchers developed models to estimate these properties in living horses, and found the error level in their results to be relatively low.
Study Objective and Methodology
- The objective of this research was to determine the three-dimensional inertial properties (including mass, density, centre of mass, and the inertial tensor) of Dutch Warmblood horses. These properties are crucial for understanding the mechanics of horse movement, providing insights into areas such as equine performance and health.
- This study applied a methodology based on a procedure by Lephart, which involves using segments from frozen horses. A total of 26 segments from six Dutch Warmblood horses were used for the tests. This procedure enables analysis of the inertial properties in a controlled and precise way.
Development of Regression Models
- Using the data collected from the measurements, the researchers developed linear regression models. These models are mathematical techniques to estimate the inertial properties in living horses.
- The developed models take into account various factors like the structure, body mass, and other physical properties of the horses. The aim is to form a predictive tool that allows scientists to assume these properties without needing invasive procedures on live horses.
Results and Reproducibility
- The researchers found a reproducibility rate between 2 and 9%, suggesting a reasonable level of trust in the repetition of this dissection method on different horse samples.
- The standard error of estimation, a measure indicating the discrepancy between the predicted values by the model and the actual measured values, varied depending on the inertial property. It was 8% for the segment mass, 3% of the segment reference length for the position of the centre of mass, and 17% for the moments of inertia. The relatively low error rates suggest a satisfactory level of prediction accuracy and reliability in the developed models.
Conclusion
- Finally, the research presented both mean values and the developed regression models for all studied parameters, contributing valuable material for future studies aiming to non-invasively explore the biomechanical aspects of horse locomotion.
Cite This Article
APA
Buchner HH, Savelberg HH, Schamhardt HC, Barneveld A.
(1997).
Inertial properties of Dutch Warmblood horses.
J Biomech, 30(6), 653-658.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9290(97)00005-5 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of General and Large Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Female
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
Citations
This article has been cited 37 times.- Bosch K, Zsoldos RR, Hartig A, Licka T. Motion Coupling at the Cervical Vertebral Joints in the Horse-An Ex Vivo Study Using Bone-Anchored Markers. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 1;15(15).
- Henry A, Benner C, CoVan B, Helin A, Gaddy D, Suva LJ, Robbins AB. Modeling and prediction of body segment inertial properties of sheep from tomographic imaging. J Biomech 2025 Sep;190:112848.
- Fercher C, Bartsch J, Kluge S, Schneider F, Liedtke AM, Schleichardt A, Ueberschär O. Applying Multi-Purpose Commercial Inertial Sensors for Monitoring Equine Locomotion in Equestrian Training. Sensors (Basel) 2024 Dec 21;24(24).
- Wright MA, Cavanaugh TJ, Pierce SE. Volumetric versus Element-scaling Mass Estimation and Its Application to Permo-Triassic Tetrapods. Integr Org Biol 2024;6(1):obae034.
- van Bijlert PA, Geijtenbeek T, Smit IH, Schulp AS, Bates KT. Muscle-Driven Predictive Physics Simulations of Quadrupedal Locomotion in the Horse. Integr Comp Biol 2024 Sep 27;64(3):694-714.
- Motani R. Paleomass for R-bracketing body volume of marine vertebrates with 3D models. PeerJ 2023;11:e15957.
- Adachi M, Aoi S, Kamimura T, Tsuchiya K, Matsuno F. Fore-Aft Asymmetry Improves the Stability of Trotting in the Transverse Plane: A Modeling Study. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022;10:807777.
- Polet DT, Bertram JEA. Competing Models of Work in Quadrupedal Walking: Center of Mass Work is Insufficient to Explain Stereotypical Gait. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022;10:826336.
- Minetti AE, Ruggiero L. Inertial biometry from commercial 3D body meshes. Biol Open 2022 Mar 15;11(3).
- Yamada T, Aoi S, Adachi M, Kamimura T, Higurashi Y, Wada N, Tsuchiya K, Matsuno F. Center of Mass Offset Enhances the Selection of Transverse Gallop in High-Speed Running by Horses: A Modeling Study. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022;10:825157.
- Raspa F, Roggero A, Palestrini C, Marten Canavesio M, Bergero D, Valle E. Studying the Shape Variations of the Back, the Neck, and the Mandibular Angle of Horses Depending on Specific Feeding Postures Using Geometric Morphometrics. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 10;11(3).
- Müller RT, Ferreira JD, Pretto FA, Bronzati M, Kerber L. The endocranial anatomy of Buriolestes schultzi (Dinosauria: Saurischia) and the early evolution of brain tissues in sauropodomorph dinosaurs. J Anat 2021 Apr;238(4):809-827.
- Serra Bragança FM, Hernlund E, Thomsen MH, Waldern NM, Rhodin M, Byström A, van Weeren PR, Weishaupt MA. Adaptation strategies of horses with induced forelimb lameness walking on a treadmill. Equine Vet J 2021 May;53(3):600-611.
- Rovinsky DS, Evans AR, Martin DG, Adams JW. Did the thylacine violate the costs of carnivory? Body mass and sexual dimorphism of an iconic Australian marsupial. Proc Biol Sci 2020 Aug 26;287(1933):20201537.
- Hunter A, Blake S, De Godoy RF. Pressure and force on the canine neck when exercised using a collar and leash. Vet Anim Sci 2019 Dec;8:100082.
- Jones OY, Raschke SU, Riches PE. Inertial properties of the German Shepherd Dog. PLoS One 2018;13(10):e0206037.
- Macaulay S, Hutchinson JR, Bates KT. A quantitative evaluation of physical and digital approaches to centre of mass estimation. J Anat 2017 Nov;231(5):758-775.
- Zsoldos RR, Krüger B, Licka TF. From maturity to old age: tasks of daily life require a different muscle use in horses. Comp Exerc Physiol 2014;10(2):75-88.
- Loscher DM, Meyer F, Kracht K, Nyakatura JA. Timing of head movements is consistent with energy minimization in walking ungulates. Proc Biol Sci 2016 Nov 30;283(1843).
- García Liñeiro JA, Graziotti GH, Rodríguez Menéndez JM, Ríos CM, Affricano NO, Victorica CL. Structural and functional characteristics of the thoracolumbar multifidus muscle in horses. J Anat 2017 Mar;230(3):398-406.
- Gorissen BMC, Wolschrijn CF, Serra Bragança FM, Geerts AAJ, Leenders WOJL, Back W, van Weeren PR. The development of locomotor kinetics in the foal and the effect of osteochondrosis. Equine Vet J 2017 Jul;49(4):467-474.
- Gan Z, Wiestner T, Weishaupt MA, Waldern NM, David Remy C. Passive Dynamics Explain Quadrupedal Walking, Trotting, and Tölting. J Comput Nonlinear Dyn 2016 Mar;11(2):0210081-2100812.
- Kilbourne BM. Scale effects and morphological diversification in hindlimb segment mass proportions in neognath birds. Front Zool 2014;11:37.
- 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.
- Raichlen DA, Pontzer H, Shapiro LJ. A new look at the Dynamic Similarity Hypothesis: the importance of swing phase. Biol Open 2013;2(10):1032-6.
- Warner SE, Pickering P, Panagiotopoulou O, Pfau T, Ren L, Hutchinson JR. Size-related changes in foot impact mechanics in hoofed mammals. PLoS One 2013;8(1):e54784.
- Sellers WI, Hepworth-Bell J, Falkingham PL, Bates KT, Brassey CA, Egerton VM, Manning PL. Minimum convex hull mass estimations of complete mounted skeletons. Biol Lett 2012 Oct 23;8(5):842-5.
- Garcia E, Arevalo JC, Muñoz G, Gonzalez-de-Santos P. On the biomimetic design of agile-robot legs. Sensors (Basel) 2011;11(12):11305-34.
- Hutchinson JR, Bates KT, Molnar J, Allen V, Makovicky PJ. A computational analysis of limb and body dimensions in Tyrannosaurus rex with implications for locomotion, ontogeny, and growth. PLoS One 2011;6(10):e26037.
- Nauwelaerts S, Allen WA, Lane JM, Clayton HM. Inertial properties of equine limb segments. J Anat 2011 May;218(5):500-9.
- Crompton RH, Sellers WI, Thorpe SK. Arboreality, terrestriality and bipedalism. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2010 Oct 27;365(1556):3301-14.
- Merritt JS, Davies HM, Burvill C, Pandy MG. Influence of muscle-tendon wrapping on calculations of joint reaction forces in the equine distal forelimb. J Biomed Biotechnol 2008;2008:165730.
- Thorup VM, Tøgersen FA, Jørgensen B, Jensen BR. Joint axes of rotation and body segment parameters of pig limbs. Acta Vet Scand 2007 Sep 6;49(1):20.
- Ren L, Hutchinson JR. The three-dimensional locomotor dynamics of African (Loxodonta africana) and Asian (Elephas maximus) elephants reveal a smooth gait transition at moderate speed. J R Soc Interface 2008 Feb 6;5(19):195-211.
- Payne RC, Veenman P, Wilson AM. The role of the extrinsic thoracic limb muscles in equine locomotion. J Anat 2005 Feb;206(2):193-204.
- Payne RC, Veenman P, Wilson AM. The role of the extrinsic thoracic limb muscles in equine locomotion. J Anat 2004 Dec;205(6):479-90.
- Minetti AE. The biomechanics of skipping gaits: a third locomotion paradigm?. Proc Biol Sci 1998 Jul 7;265(1402):1227-35.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists