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Mechanical Effect of Performance Pressure Boots on Cadaveric Equine Hindlimb Fetlock Biomechanics.
Abstract: Pressure boots are applied to hind limbs of showjumping horses with the intent to enhance jumping form. Manufacturers claim acupressure points enhance proprioception of hind limbs. With this increased awareness, horses are expected to retract their hind limbs to clear jump rails. This research aimed to investigate a more direct, mechanical effect of pressure boots on hind limb biomechanics. Cadaveric hind limbs ( = 6) were mechanically loaded in axial compression (3 cycles at 0.25 Hz, displacement control ~3300 N) with (2 trials) and without (2 trials) a pressure boot applied. During mechanical loading, fetlock angle was measured using bone fixed pins with retroreflective markers (30 Hz). Changes in limb load and fetlock angle between unloaded and loaded states, as well as average fetlock joint stiffness, were compared between trials with and without the pressure boot via ANOVA. Differences in measured loads between trials with and without the boot were observed in both unloaded (Δ = 6 N, = 0.05) and loaded states (Δ = 25 N, = 0.002). Trials with the boot had greater average fetlock stiffness (Δ = 3 N/degree, = 0.001). Differences in loads with and without boots may increase with greater fetlock angles when cantering and jumping. These mechanical effects of pressure boots may contribute to greater tensile loading of palmar tendons and ligaments, and likelihood of musculoskeletal injury that can be related to animal welfare issues.
Publication Date: 2021-03-30 PubMed ID: 33808243PubMed Central: PMC8066513DOI: 10.3390/ani11040958Google 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
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The research article explores the mechanical effects of pressure boots on the hind limb biomechanics of showjumping horses. The experiment aims to investigate if these boots, designed to increase hind limb awareness in horses, have a direct mechanical effect on the horse’s limb load, fetlock angle and average fetlock joint stiffness.
Objective of the Research
- The purpose of the research was to investigate the mechanical effect of pressure boots on the biomechanics of a horse’s hind limbs.
- The research was conducted in response to manufacturer claims that pressure boots enhance the proprioception, or self-awareness, of horses’ hind limbs, thus improving their jumping form.
Research Methodology and Measurements
- Experimentation on cadaveric hind limbs of horses was used to replicate natural conditions.
- The limbs were tested under axial compression with and without pressure boots. The parameters were set to reflect the pressure a horse’s legs would experience during jumps.
- The fetlock angle was measured using bone fixed pins and retroreflective markers.
- Both limb load and fetlock angle and their changes under loaded and unloaded conditions were studied, along with the average stiffness of the fetlock joint.
Results
- Statistical analysis (ANOVA) showed differences in measured limb loads and changes in fetlock angles with and without the pressure boot.
- Both the loaded and unloaded states exhibited different measured loads when trials were conducted with and without the pressure boot.
- The boots increased average fetlock stiffness, and this increase in stiffness was statistically significant.
Implications
- The research suggested that pressure boots’ mechanical effects could lead to greater tensile loading of palmar tendons and ligaments, increasing the likelihood of musculoskeletal injury.
- This finding can have significant implications for animal welfare, as these types of injuries can cause considerable harm to horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Symons J.
(2021).
Mechanical Effect of Performance Pressure Boots on Cadaveric Equine Hindlimb Fetlock Biomechanics.
Animals (Basel), 11(4), 958.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11040958 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Shiley School of Engineering, University of Portland, Portland, OR 97203, USA.
Grant Funding
- NA / Butine Award and Shiley School of Engineering Dean's Discretionary Funds
Conflict of Interest Statement
The author declares no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.
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