Musculoskeletal Assessment of Forelimbs and Hindlimbs in Mounted Police Horses using Infrared Thermography.

Overview

• This study investigated the use of infrared thermography (IRT) to assess thermal patterns in the forelimbs and hindlimbs of mounted police horses, aiming to detect musculoskeletal inflammation non-invasively over time and across different limb regions.

Introduction to the Study

• Infrared thermography (IRT) is a technique that measures surface temperature without contact, useful in veterinary medicine.
• IRT helps in early detection of inflammation in muscles and joints by identifying abnormal thermal patterns.
• The study focused on mounted police horses, which are subject to musculoskeletal stress due to their working roles.
• Objective: To characterize the surface thermal profile of horses’ forelimbs and hindlimbs using IRT, considering clinical health status, specific anatomical areas, the side of the body, and multiple evaluations over time.

Methods

• Location: Military Police Cavalry in Manaus, Brazil.
• Subjects: 20 adult mounted police horses.
• Equipment: HIKVISION DS-2TP31B-3AUF infrared camera used to capture thermographic images.
• Procedure: Images of forelimbs and hindlimbs obtained under standardized environmental conditions to ensure consistency.
• Data Analysis:
  • Descriptive statistics to summarize temperature data.
  • Linear mixed models to analyze effects of factors like anatomical region, limb side, clinical classification, and repeated measures.
  • Statistical significance threshold set at p < 0.05.

Results

• Overall mean surface temperature measured was approximately 39.31°C.
• Adjusted mean temperatures considering anatomy and health status varied between 37.82°C and 42.05°C.
• Anatomical variation:
  • The coronary band (area around the hoof) showed significantly higher temperatures compared to the metacarpus/metatarsus regions (middle limb bones).
  • This suggests natural temperature differences by region or localized inflammation.
• Clinical classification effect:
  • Horses identified as clinically affected exhibited higher average thermal values than clinically normal horses.
  • The temperature difference was consistent, supporting IRT’s sensitivity in detecting musculoskeletal inflammation.

Conclusions and Implications

• IRT is confirmed as a valuable, non-invasive method for detecting thermal changes linked to inflammation in horse limbs.
• The study demonstrates the potential for use of IRT in ongoing clinical monitoring of working horses to identify early signs of musculoskeletal issues.
• Detecting inflammation early could help mitigate injury progression, optimize horse welfare, and maintain performance in mounted police horses.
• Further research may expand on standardizing protocols and establishing diagnostic thresholds for broader clinical application.