Kinetics of the forelimb in horses circling on different ground surfaces at the trot.
Abstract: Circling increases the expression of distal forelimb lameness in the horse, depending on rein, diameter and surface properties of the circle. However, there is limited information about the kinetics of horses trotting on circles. The aim of this study was to quantify ground reaction force (GRF) and moments in the inside and outside forelimb of horses trotting on circles and to compare the results obtained on different ground surfaces. The right front hoof of six horses was equipped with a dynamometric horseshoe, allowing the measurement of 3-dimensional GRF, moments and trajectory of the centre of pressure. The horses were lunged at slow trot (3 m/s) on right and left 4 m radius circles on asphalt and on a fibre sand surface. During circling, the inside forelimb produced a smaller peak vertical force and the stance phase was longer in comparison with the outside forelimb. Both right and left circling produced a substantial transversal force directed outwards. On a soft surface (sand fibre), the peak transversal force and moments around the longitudinal and vertical axes of the hoof were significantly decreased in comparison with a hard surface (asphalt). Sinking of the lateral or medial part of the hoof in a more compliant surface enables reallocation of part of the transversal force into a proximo-distal force, aligned with the limb axis, thus limiting extrasagittal stress on the joints.
Publication Date: 2014-02-11 PubMed ID: 24511634DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.028Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study investigates how ground surfaces affect the ground reaction force and moments in the forelimbs of trotting horses. The researchers found that softer surfaces like sand fibre decimate peak transversal force and moments around the longitudenal and vertical axes of a horse’s hoof compared to harder surfaces like asphalt.
Objective of the Research
- The study aims to analyse the variation in ground reaction force (GRF) and movements in the inside and outside forelimb of horses as they trot in circles on different types of ground surfaces.
Methodology
- The right front hoof of six horses was equipped with a dynamometric horseshoe, a device that measures 3-dimensional GRF, moments and trajectory of the centre of pressure.
- The horses were then made to trot at a slow pace on right and left 4 m radius circles on two different surfaces – asphalt and a fibre sand surface.
Findings
- During circling, the researchers noted that the inside forelimb generated a smaller peak vertical force compared to the outside forelimb. Moreover, the stance phase, which is the duration when the hoof is in contact with the ground, was lengthened.
- Both right and left circling generated significant outward-directed transversal force.
- The peak transversal force and moments around the longitudinal and vertical axes of the hoof were significantly decreased when the horses were trotting on a soft surface (sand fibre) as compared to a hard surface (asphalt).
Conclusion
- The study concludes that softer surfaces like sand fibre can dissipate transversal forces, thereby reducing extrasagittal stress on the joints of trotting horses.
- This is possible because such compliant surfaces allow for the sinking of the lateral or medial part of the hoof, realigning part of the transversal force into a proximo-distal force that is closely aligned with the horse’s limb axis.
Cite This Article
APA
Chateau H, Camus M, Holden-Douilly L, Falala S, Ravary B, Vergari C, Lepley J, Denoix JM, Pourcelot P, Crevier-Denoix N.
(2014).
Kinetics of the forelimb in horses circling on different ground surfaces at the trot.
Vet J, 198 Suppl 1, e20-e26.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.028 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Forelimb / physiology
- Gait / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Motor Activity / physiology
- Weight-Bearing
Citations
This article has been cited 15 times.- Horan K, Price H, Day P, Mackechnie-Guire R, Pfau T. Timing Differences in Stride Cycle Phases in Retired Racehorses Ridden in Rising and Two-Point Seat Positions at Trot on Turf, Artificial and Tarmac Surfaces.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 9;13(16).
- Logan AA, Snyder AJ, Nielsen BD. Circle Diameter Impacts Stride Frequency and Forelimb Stance Duration at Various Gaits in Horses.. Sensors (Basel) 2023 Apr 24;23(9).
- Logan AA, Nielsen BD, Hiney KM, Robison CI, Manfredi JM, Buskirk DD, Popovich JM Jr. The Impact of Circular Exercise Diameter on Bone and Joint Health of Juvenile Animals.. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 27;12(11).
- Pfau T, Bolt DM, Fiske-Jackson A, Gerdes C, Hoenecke K, Lynch L, Perrier M, Smith RKW. Linear Discriminant Analysis for Investigating Differences in Upper Body Movement Symmetry in Horses before/after Diagnostic Analgesia in Relation to Expert Judgement.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 17;12(6).
- Logan AA, Nielsen BD, Robison CI, Hallock DB, Manfredi JM, Hiney KM, Buskirk DD, Popovich JM Jr. Impact of Gait and Diameter during Circular Exercise on Front Hoof Area, Vertical Force, and Pressure in Mature Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Dec 17;11(12).
- Pfau T, Persson-Sjodin E, Gardner H, Orssten O, Hernlund E, Rhodin M. Effect of Speed and Surface Type on Individual Rein and Combined Left-Right Circle Movement Asymmetry in Horses on the Lunge.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:692031.
- Byström A, Hardeman AM, Serra Bragança FM, Roepstorff L, Swagemakers JH, van Weeren PR, Egenvall A. Differences in equine spinal kinematics between straight line and circle in trot.. Sci Rep 2021 Jun 18;11(1):12832.
- Fikes KK, Coverdale JA, Leatherwood JL, Campbell JM, Welsh TH Jr, Hartz CJ, Goehring M, Millican AA, Bradbery AN, Wickersham TA. Effect of bioactive proteins on gait kinematics and systemic inflammatory markers in mature horses.. Transl Anim Sci 2021 Jan;5(1):txab017.
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- Rogers CW, Dittmer KE. Does Juvenile Play Programme the Equine Musculoskeletal System?. Animals (Basel) 2019 Sep 3;9(9).
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- Starke SD, Clayton HM. A universal approach to determine footfall timings from kinematics of a single foot marker in hoofed animals.. PeerJ 2015;3:e783.
- Rhodin M, Roepstorff L, French A, Keegan KG, Pfau T, Egenvall A. Head and pelvic movement asymmetry during lungeing in horses with symmetrical movement on the straight.. Equine Vet J 2016 May;48(3):315-20.
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