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Influence of the force applied and its period of application on the outcome of the flexion test of the distal forelimb of the horse.
Abstract: The influence of the force applied and its period of application on the outcome of the flexion test of the distal forelimb was investigated in a group of eight sound horses. The degree of lameness after the flexion test was scored by a standard clinical classification, and by measuring the angle of maximum fetlock extension by means of the infrared light-based MacReflex gait analysis system. There was a good correlation between the clinical score and this electronically recorded kinematic parameter (r = 0.96). Both the force applied and the period of application affected the outcome of the test. Increasing the force applied by 25 per cent led to three horses being judged positive, instead of two when the normal force was applied. Doubling the time to 120 seconds resulted in four horses rather than two being classified as lame after the test. Reducing the force to 75 per cent or the time to 30 seconds resulted in all the horses being classified as sound. A flexion test lasting five minutes, either at 100 per cent force or at 75 per cent, classified six of the eight horses as lame. It is concluded that the flexion test should be defined more precisely in terms of these two factors in order to make its results more consistent and hence more useful.
Publication Date: 1997-12-10 PubMed ID: 9392063DOI: 10.1136/vr.141.18.463Google 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.
The research article discusses how the levels of force applied, and its duration of application, impacts the results of a flexion test on a horse’s lower forelimb. By adjusting these variables, the researchers found that they could manipulate the outcome of the test, potentially raising questions around the standardization of these procedures.
Objective
The aim of the study was to explore the impact of the force applied and its period of application on the outcome of the distal forelimb flexion test in horses. The researchers wanted to understand how changes in these two factors might affect the resulting classification of horses as either ‘sound’ or ‘lame’.
Methodology
- The study was conducted on a group of eight sound horses.
- The flexion test results were scored based on a standard clinical classification, as well as by measuring the angle of maximum fetlock extension via the MacReflex gait analysis system.
- The researchers adjusted both the force of application and the period during which the force was applied, to observe the effects on the results of the flexion test.
Results
- The researchers found a strong correlation (r = 0.96) between the clinical score and kinematic parameter measured by the MacReflex system.
- Both the force applied and the period of application impacted the outcome of the flexion test.
- Increasing both variables led to more horses being classified as lame, while reducing them resulted in all horses being classified as sound.
- A five-minute flexion test at either full or 75% force resulted in the majority of the horses being classified as lame.
Conclusion
The research concluded that the manner in which the flexion test is conducted may need greater standardization to account for variance in the level of force and duration of its application. This standardization could lead to more consistent and useful results, improving the effectiveness of the flexion test for diagnosing lameness in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Keg PR, van Weeren PR, Back W, Barneveld A.
(1997).
Influence of the force applied and its period of application on the outcome of the flexion test of the distal forelimb of the horse.
Vet Rec, 141(18), 463-466.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.141.18.463 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of General and Large Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Female
- Forelimb / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Male
- Physical Examination / veterinary
- Pliability
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Bowen AG, Tabor G, Labens R, Randle H. Visually Assessing Equine Quality of Movement: A Survey to Identify Key Movements and Patient-Specific Measures. Animals (Basel) 2023 Sep 5;13(18).
- Grosjean D, De Bakker E, Mugnier A, Forterre F, Saunders J, Van Ryssen B, Samoy YCA. Effect of dog-related parameters on the flexion test outcome: A large cohort retrospective study on physiological and orthopedic pathological-related factors. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:1064795.
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