Limb loading activity of adult horses confined to box stalls in an equine hospital barn.
Abstract: To determine a range of limb loading activity for healthy adult horses confined to box stalls in an equine veterinary teaching hospital and determine the effects of hospital environmental factors on load rates and daily limb loading patterns. Methods: 6 mature healthy horses of various ages, breeds, and sexes, and 1 horse with a repaired metatarsal fracture. Methods: Step monitors were placed on 2 limbs of adult horses confined to box stalls. Relocation steps and weight shifts were recorded, as loading events, for 24 hours. Influence of forelimb versus hind limb and environmental factors on load rate (loading events per hour) were assessed with repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: Loading activity was greater for the forelimb than the hind limb and was greater during the day than the night. Loading activity differences were not associated with daytime environmental factors. Conclusions: Horses with normal locomotor activity appear to have higher load rates for forelimbs compared with hind limbs and higher load rates during the day compared with night. Knowledge of influence of environmental factors and mechanical restraint on limb loading activity may be useful in management of horses with musculoskeletal disorders. This information may also be used for in vitro simulation of in vivo loading of limbs during cyclic biomechanical investigations.
Publication Date: 2000-03-14 PubMed ID: 10714511DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.234Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigates limb-loading activity in healthy adult horses confined to box stalls in an equine veterinary hospital, to understand the effects of hospital environment on load rates and daily limb-loading patterns. It suggests that healthy horses exhibit higher load rates for forelimbs than hind limbs, and higher loading rates during daytime compared to night.
Objective and Methods
- The research aims to determine a range of limb-loading activity for healthy adult horses confined to box stalls in an equine veterinary teaching hospital.
- It also aims to understand the impact of environmental factors in the hospital on the load rates and daily limb-loading patterns in these horses.
- This study was conducted using seven mature healthy horses of various ages, breeds, and sexes; including one horse with a repaired metatarsal fracture.
- To record the loading activity, step monitors were placed on two limbs of each horse. The monitors recorded relocation steps and weight shifts as loading events over a 24-hour period.
- The study analysed the influence of forelimb versus hind limb, and environmental factors, on load rate (loading events per hour) with repeated-measures ANOVA (Analysis of Variance).
Results
- The results of the study indicated that the loading activity was higher for the forelimb than the hind limb.
- The horses also showed higher loading activity during the day compared to the night.
- No significant differences in loading activity were found in association with daytime environmental factors.
Conclusions and Use of Research Findings
- The study concludes that horses with normal locomotor activity have higher load rates for forelimbs compared to hind limbs, and higher load rates during the day compared to night.
- The findings can be useful in managing horses with musculoskeletal disorders, by understanding their load rates in various conditions.
- Moreover, the research can inform in vitro simulations of in vivo loading of limbs during cyclic biomechanical investigations, for more accurate results.
Cite This Article
APA
McD￮ LA, Stover SM, Coleman K.
(2000).
Limb loading activity of adult horses confined to box stalls in an equine hospital barn.
Am J Vet Res, 61(3), 234-237.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.234 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Female
- Forelimb / physiology
- Hindlimb / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Hospitals, Animal
- Housing, Animal
- Male
- Movement / physiology
- Weight-Bearing / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Salem M, El-Shafaey ES, Farag AMM, El-Khodery S, Al Mohamad Z, Abass M. A Descriptive Study of the Carpal Joint of Healthy Donkeys Using Ultrasonography, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Vet Sci 2022 May 23;9(5).
- Schiavo S, Beccati F, Pokora R, Lin ST, Milmine RC, Bak L, Peter VG, Murray RC. Lesion Distribution in the Metacarpophalangeal and Metatarsophalangeal Region of 341 Horses Using Standing Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 25;14(13).
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