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Equine veterinary journal2021; 53(6); 1178-1187; doi: 10.1111/evj.13409

Non-banked curved tracks influence movement symmetry in two-year-old Standardbred trotters.

Abstract: Little is known regarding how trotting through curves affects locomotion symmetry in Standardbred trotters. Objective: To investigate differences in objectively measured Standardbred trotter vertical motion symmetry between straight and non-banked, curved sections of oval trotting tracks during exercise warm-up, using a wireless inertial measurement unit (IMU) system. Methods: Cross-sectional, observational study. Methods: Sixteen horses were included. Mixed models were used to assess associations between symmetry, track segment (straight vs curve) and stride duration. Results: Significant results for forelimb parameters were dependent on interactions between track segments and stride duration. At mean stride duration (0.611 second), during the curved track segment horses showed a lower maximum vertical position of the head after push-off of the outside forelimb (estimate -2.3 mm, P < 0.0001, 95% CI -1.7 to -2.9) and higher minimum vertical position of the head during stance of the outside forelimb (estimate -1.8 mm, P < 0.0001, 95% CI -1.2 to -2.5) compared to straight track, mimicking outside forelimb impact and push-off asymmetry during track curves. For hindlimb parameters, during the curve there was a decreased downward motion of the pelvis during outer hindlimb stance (estimate-0.7 mm, P < 0.0001, 95% CI -0.4 to -1.0), mimicking outside hindlimb impact asymmetry. Conclusions: Horses were evaluated going in one direction only on the track (clockwise). Conclusions: Systematic differences between straight and curved track segments were found but did not fully correspond to previously described findings for horses lunged in circles. Effect sizes were overall small. Data in our study were collected from horses trotting on 1000 m tracks with curve radii of 80-85 m. On non-banked tracks of this size, collecting IMU symmetry data at jogging speeds without distinguishing between straight and curved parts is unlikely to adversely affect clinical decision-making.
© 2020 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2021-01-20 PubMed ID: 33345343DOI: 10.1111/evj.13409Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Observational Study
  • Veterinary

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 focuses on how trotting through non-banked curved tracks affects the symmetry in the movement of two-year-old Standardbred horse trotters during their exercise warm-up. A wireless system was used to objectively measure the differences in the horses’ vertical motion symmetry when trotting on straight vs. curved tracks.

Methodology

  • The study was cross-sectional and observational, involving sixteen Standardbred trotters.
  • Wireless Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) systems were used during the trotters’ exercise warm-up to measure the locomotion symmetry between straight and non-banked, curved sections of the track.
  • Mixed models were utilized to associate the changes in track symmetry, the difference between straight and curved track segments, and stride duration.

Results

  • The study found significant interaction effects between the track segments and stride duration on the forelimb and hindlimb parameters of the trotters.
  • During trotting on curved track sections, horses displayed a lower maximum vertical position of the head after push-off of the outside forelimb and a higher minimum vertical position of the head during the stance of the outside forelimb, when compared to trotting on straight tracks.
  • These vertical position differences indicated asymmetry in the impact and push-off of the outside forelimb while maneuvering curved tracks.
  • For the hindlimb parameters, there was a decrease in the downward motion of the pelvis during the outer hindlimb stance on a curved track, again indicating an impact asymmetry.

Conclusion

  • The research concluded that there were distinct differences in the locomotion symmetry of Standardbred trotters between straight and curved track segments.
  • However, these differences did not fully align with earlier findings for horses lunged in circles.
  • Even though effects observed were generally minor, data collected from horses trotting on 1000m tracks with curve radii of 80-85m suggested that collecting IMU symmetry data at jogging speeds without distinguishing between straight and curved parts is unlikely to adversely affect clinical decision-making.
  • These findings are limited as the study evaluated the horses moving in only one direction on the track (clockwise).

Cite This Article

APA
Kallerud AS, Hernlund E, Byström A, Persson-Sjodin E, Rhodin M, Hendrickson EHS, Fjordbakk CT. (2021). Non-banked curved tracks influence movement symmetry in two-year-old Standardbred trotters. Equine Vet J, 53(6), 1178-1187. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13409

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 6
Pages: 1178-1187

Researcher Affiliations

Kallerud, Anne S
  • Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
Hernlund, Elin
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Byström, Anna
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Persson-Sjodin, Emma
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Rhodin, Marie
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Hendrickson, Eli H S
  • The Norwegian Veterinary Association, Oslo, Norway.
Fjordbakk, Cathrine T
  • Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Forelimb
  • Gait
  • Hindlimb
  • Horses
  • Locomotion

Grant Funding

  • H1647178 / Swedish-Norwegian Foundation for Equine Research
  • 272327 / Norges Forskningsru00e5d

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Macaire C, Hanne-Poujade S, De Azevedo E, Denoix JM, Coudry V, Jacquet S, Bertoni L, Tallaj A, Audigié F, Hatrisse C, Hébert C, Martin P, Marin F, Chateau H. Investigation of Thresholds for Asymmetry Indices to Represent the Visual Assessment of Single Limb Lameness by Expert Veterinarians on Horses Trotting in a Straight Line. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 11;12(24).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12243498pubmed: 36552418google scholar: lookup
  2. Pagliara E, Pasinato A, Valazza A, Riccio B, Cantatore F, Terzini M, Putame G, Parrilli A, Sartori M, Fini M, Zanetti EM, Bertuglia A. Multibody Computer Model of the Entire Equine Forelimb Simulates Forces Causing Catastrophic Fractures of the Carpus during a Traditional Race. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 16;12(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12060737pubmed: 35327134google scholar: lookup
  3. Forbes B, Ho W, Parkes RSV, Sepulveda Caviedes MF, Pfau T, Martel DR. Associations between Racing Thoroughbred Movement Asymmetries and Racing and Training Direction. Animals (Basel) 2024 Apr 3;14(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14071086pubmed: 38612325google scholar: lookup
  4. Macaire C, Hanne-Poujade S, De Azevedo E, Denoix JM, Coudry V, Jacquet S, Bertoni L, Tallaj A, Audigié F, Hatrisse C, Hébert C, Martin P, Marin F, Chateau H. Asymmetry Thresholds Reflecting the Visual Assessment of Forelimb Lameness on Circles on a Hard Surface. Animals (Basel) 2023 Oct 25;13(21).
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