On the classification of equine force traces.
Abstract: Evidence indicating that comparison of a particular animal trace with a population average is an insufficient test of the health of a limb is presented. The methodology involves representing each of three recorded force components (vertical, lateral, and transverse) as a Fourier-Legendre series; the coefficients in the series represent the trace. A history for the horse is built by accumulating the coefficients (along with pertinent experimental data such as date, sex, weight, height, and in the case of race horses the date of last race) over a long duration. Then, on each subsequent recording, the trace is first compared with the animal's history to identify the occurrence of injury or pathology. If the limb is found to be normal, the trace is added to the history. Otherwise, it is recommended that the animal be further examined by a veterinarian. Preliminary results indicate that an animal trace needs to be compared with a history of traces for the same animal to identify alterations in the locomotive behavior of the limb.
Publication Date: 1991-01-01 PubMed ID: 18238375DOI: 10.1109/51.82011Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research focuses on developing a better method for assessing equine limb health by comparing each recorded force trace to the same animal’s previous traces, rather than to population averages. The method includes recording three force components and constructing a historical record for each horse. The study suggests that this method can better detect when a horse might have sustained an injury, therefore requiring veterinary inspection.
Research methodology
- The researchers conducted their study by collecting three recorded force components for each individual horse. These components included vertical, lateral and transverse forces.
- These force components were represented as a Fourier-Legendre series. They used the coefficients in the series to present the force trace of the horse.
- Along with these force traces, they also collected other significant experimental data. This included the sex, date, weight, and height of the horse. If applicable, the date of the horse’s last race was also recorded.
- Using these data, the researchers created a comprehensive history for each horse.
Data analysis and subsequent procedures
- The researchers compared each new force trace with each horse’s respective history. They were looking for changes which might denote an injury or pathology.
- If the limb was found to be normal, then the force trace was added to the horse’s history. However, if changes were found, it was suggested that the horse’s limb be inspected further by a veterinarian.
Preliminary findings
- The preliminary results from the study indicated that a horse’s force trace needs to be compared to its own history to properly identify changes in locomotive behavior.
- Such changes can help in identifying potentially harmful conditions such as an injury or developing pathology in the limb. Consequently, it can enable early intervention and efficient management of the horse’s health.
- In stark contrast, comparison of force traces with a population average was found to be insufficient in identifying such issues.
Cite This Article
APA
Busch NA, Ranu HS, Silver IA.
(1991).
On the classification of equine force traces.
IEEE Eng Med Biol Mag, 10(2), 58-60.
https://doi.org/10.1109/51.82011 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Dept. of Pathol., Bristol Univ.
Citations
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