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Home / Equine Research Bank / Sensors (Basel) / Inertial Sensor-Based Quantification of Movement Symmetry in...
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)2024; 24(15); doi: 10.3390/s24154848

Inertial Sensor-Based Quantification of Movement Symmetry in Trotting Warmblood Show-Jumping Horses after “Limb-by-Limb” Re-Shoeing of Forelimbs with Rolled Rocker Shoes.

Abstract: Hoof care providers are pivotal for implementing biomechanical optimizations of the musculoskeletal system in the horse. Regular visits allow for the collection of longitudinal, quantitative information ("normal ranges"). Changes in movement symmetry, e.g., after shoeing, are indicative of alterations in weight-bearing and push-off force production. Ten Warmblood show jumping horses (7-13 years; 7 geldings, 3 mares) underwent forelimb re-shoeing with rolled rocker shoes, one limb at a time ("limb-by-limb"). Movement symmetry was measured with inertial sensors attached to the head, withers, and pelvis during straight-line trot and lunging. Normalized differences pre/post re-shoeing were compared to published test-retest repeatability values. Mixed-model analysis with random factors horse and limb within horse and fixed factors surface and exercise direction evaluated movement symmetry changes (p < 0.05, Bonferroni correction). Withers movement indicated increased forelimb push-off with the re-shod limb on the inside of the circle and reduced weight-bearing with the re-shod limb and the ipsilateral hind limb on hard ground compared to soft ground. Movement symmetry measurements indicate that a rolled rocker shoe allows for increased push-off on soft ground in trot in a circle. Similar studies should study different types of shoes for improved practically relevant knowledge about shoeing mechanics, working towards evidence-based preventative shoeing.
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Publication Date: 2024-07-25 PubMed ID: 39123895PubMed Central: PMC11315053DOI: 10.3390/s24154848Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The research article focuses on examining the changes in movement symmetry of Warmblood show jumping horses when their forelimbs are re-shoed with rolled rocker shoes using a “limb-by-limb” approach. This study uses inertial sensors to quantify these changes.

Study Methodology

  • The study involved ten Warmblood show jumping horses, aged between 7 and 13 years, consisting of 7 geldings and 3 mares.
  • The horses underwent a process of re-shoeing, where each forelimb was individually shod with rolled rocker shoes.
  • The changes in movement symmetry were evaluated using inertial sensors attached at different points on the horse’s body: the head, withers, and pelvis.
  • Data was taken during the horse’s straight-line trot and lunging.
  • The effects of the shoeing process were analyzed by comparing the pre and post re-shoeing differences and contrasting them with standard test-retest repeatability values.

Mixed-Model Analysis and Results

  • The researchers utilized a mixed-model analysis to evaluate the changes in movement symmetry. This included ‘horse’ and ‘limb within horse’ as random factors and ‘surface’ and ‘exercise direction’ as fixed factors.
  • The results suggested that, with the re-shoed limb on the inner side of the circle, there was an increased forelimb push-off.
  • On hard ground as compared to soft ground, the re-shod limb and the ipsilateral hind limb demonstrated reduced weight-bearing.

Interpretation and Significance

  • From the measurements of the movement symmetry, it was deduced that a rolled rocker shoe allows for increased push-off on soft ground when the horse is trotting in a circle.
  • This study contributes to practically relevant knowledge about shoeing mechanics, paving the way towards evidence-based preventative shoeing.
  • It underscores the importance of hoof care providers in collecting valuable longitudinal, quantitative information for maximizing the biomechanical efficiency of a horse’s musculoskeletal system.

Recommendations for Future Research

  • The findings of this study suggest the importance of further research on various types of shoes to gain a more comprehensive understanding of shoeing mechanics.
  • A more extensive knowledge bank can support evidence-based decisions for preventative shoeing, improving the performance and wellbeing of the horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Bark C, Reilly P, Weller R, Pfau T. (2024). Inertial Sensor-Based Quantification of Movement Symmetry in Trotting Warmblood Show-Jumping Horses after “Limb-by-Limb” Re-Shoeing of Forelimbs with Rolled Rocker Shoes. Sensors (Basel), 24(15). https://doi.org/10.3390/s24154848

Publication

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 1424-8220
NlmUniqueID: 101204366
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 24
Issue: 15

Researcher Affiliations

Bark, Craig
  • The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London NW1 0TU, UK.
Reilly, Patrick
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19348, USA.
Weller, Renate
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
Pfau, Thilo
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
  • Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / physiology
  • Forelimb / physiology
  • Biomechanical Phenomena / physiology
  • Shoes
  • Movement / physiology
  • Weight-Bearing / physiology
  • Gait / physiology
  • Female
  • Male
  • Hindlimb / physiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

T.P. and R.W. are co-owners of EquiGait Ltd., a company providing gait analysis products and services. Craig Bark is a professional farrier and owner of Craig Bark Enterprises. The remaining authors do not declare any conflicts of interest.

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