Quantification of skin displacement near the carpal, tarsal and fetlock joints of the walking horse.

This study involves measuring the displacement of the skin in relation to the bones near the carpal, tarsal, and fetlock joints of horses while they are walking. This is done using a special technique that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and labels to visually mark the skin and bony structures, respectively.

Research Methodology

• The study was conducted using a method that allows the simultaneous visualization of the horse’s skin as well as the underlying bone structures while the horse is walking.
• The researchers used light-emitting diodes or LEDs that they implanted in the horse’s bone to mark the bone. Self-adhesive labels were used to mark theskin lying over the bone.
• A series of photographic recordings were made to capture the movement and displacement of the skin and the underlying bone structure.
• Six Dutch Warmblood horses were chosen for this study.

Data Analysis

• After obtaining the photographic recordings, the researchers set out to measure the level of skin displacement.
• The measurements were taken on the lateral surface of three different joints: the carpal, tarsal and fetlock joints.
• They then calculated the mean or average of the total displacements. They also calculated the mean displacement per degree of the joint angle change.

Research Findings

• The results showed that displacements at the level of the fetlock joints tended to be quite small (less than or equal to 2 millimeters).
• However, they found much larger displacements (up to 2 centimeters) in the distal tibia, which is the bone near the ankle.
• These findings suggest that these skin displacements of such magnitude can have significant implications on the interpretation of the results obtained by contemporary gait analysis techniques.