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Equine veterinary journal2020; 53(3); 590-599; doi: 10.1111/evj.13302

Objectively measured movement asymmetry in yearling Standardbred trotters.

Abstract: Lameness evaluation of Standardbred trotters can be challenging due to discrepancies in observed movement asymmetry between in-hand and track exercise, and between different trotting speeds. There are few studies on objective measurement of movement in Standardbreds, and little knowledge regarding biological variation and clinical significance of measured movement asymmetry in this breed. Objective: To quantify the prevalence and magnitude of objectively measured movement asymmetry in young Standardbred trotters, and identify associations with trainer, sex, height, track type and in-hand measurement prior to or after track trials. Methods: Cross-sectional, observational study. Methods: A total of 114 Standardbred yearlings were evaluated with a wireless inertial sensor system during trot in-hand and when driven on a track. After exclusions relating to lameness or technical difficulties, 103 horses were included in the study; 77 were evaluated in-hand and on the track, 24 only in-hand and 2 only on the track. Results: Front and/or hindlimb parameters were above asymmetry thresholds previously established for other breeds during in-hand trials for 94 (93%) horses and during track trials for 74 (94%) horses. Most horses showed mild asymmetry. A minority of horses (20%) switched side of the asymmetry for one or more parameters between in-hand and track trials. Mixed model analyses revealed no significant effects of trial mode (in-hand or track trial, in-hand trial pre- or post-track trial, straight or oval track), trainer or horse height. Females had a significant but small reduction in asymmetry in one front limb parameter (HD ) compared with males (1.7 mm, 95% CI 0.18-3.28, P = .03). Conclusions: High data variability, reflected in large trial standard deviations, relating mainly to a lack of horse compliance. Conclusions: A high proportion of Standardbred yearlings showed movement asymmetries. There was no group-level effect between in-hand and track trials, however, considerable individual variation was observed.
© 2020 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2020-07-03 PubMed ID: 32558997DOI: 10.1111/evj.13302Google 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 article studies the movement asymmetry in yearling Standardbred trotters. Analyzing 114 horses, the study attempts to provide an objective measurement for such a disparity, and analyzes the factors which might affect this asymmetry such as trainer, sex, height, and track type.

Objective and Methodology

The study strived to determine the prevalence of movement asymmetry in young Standardbred trotters, and aimed to understand how factors such as trainer, sex, height, track type and the way the horse was handled influenced this condition.

  • A total of 114 yearling Standardbreds were involved in this research.
  • The researchers made use of a wireless inertial sensor system to evaluate the trot of the horses both in-hand and on the race track.
  • After excluding those horses who showed signs of lameness or in case of technical difficulties, 103 horses remained in the study: 77 were evaluated in-hand and on the track, 24 only in-hand and 2 only on the track.

Results and Findings

During in-hand trials, 94 (93%) horses, and during track trials, 74 (94%) horses, displayed front and/or hindlimb parameters above asymmetry thresholds previously set for other breeds.

  • The majority of the horses displayed a mild asymmetry.
  • There was a small group of horses (20%) that switched sides of the asymmetry for one or more parameters between in-hand and track trials.
  • The statistical analysis showed no significant effects of trial mode (in hand or track trial), horse height or trainer.
  • Female horses showed a noteworthy but small reduction in asymmetry in one front limb parameter compared to the males.

Conclusion

The research concluded high data variability, which was mainly due to a lack of horse compliance:

  • A significant percentage of the Standardbred yearlings displayed movement asymmetries.
  • Though there was no discernable difference found on a group level between in-hand and track trials, individual variations were substantial.

Cite This Article

APA
Kallerud AS, Fjordbakk CT, Hendrickson EHS, Persson-Sjodin E, Hammarberg M, Rhodin M, Hernlund E. (2020). Objectively measured movement asymmetry in yearling Standardbred trotters. Equine Vet J, 53(3), 590-599. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13302

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 3
Pages: 590-599

Researcher Affiliations

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

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Gait
  • Hindlimb
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Lameness, Animal
  • Male
  • Movement

Grant Funding

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

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This article has been cited 13 times.
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