Reproducibility of a locomotor test for trotter horses.

This research article focuses on developing and assessing a new locomotion test for fast trotting harnessed horses. The test, using an accelerometric device, is proven to be accurate and easily reproducible, providing consistent data for stride variables, regardless of the tracks used.

Introduction and Purpose

• The focus of this study revolves around the field of equine athletics, specifically for fast trotting harnessed horses. Locomotion analysis is increasingly used to evaluate a horse’s gait, which can help further improve training and selection of athletic horses.
• The researchers developed a new locomotion test that utilises an accelerometric device with the aim of accurately assessing the locomotion of trotting racehorses. The test’s reproducibility and validity in a real racetrack setting were also evaluated in this study.

Methodology

• The researchers performed the test on eight horses three times in a single week under identical conditions, assessing its reproducibility in the short-term. They measured various aspects of the horses’ locomotion during each application of the test.
• To verify its adaptability to different racing tracks, the test was also carried out on five different tracks with new set of eight trotters every two days. The horses were asked to trot at three or four velocities (8.3, 10, 11.7 m/s and at maximal velocity) in a straight line for 20 seconds.

Findings

• The test was found to have excellent short-term reproducibility, with almost no significant variation in 23 out of the 25 recorded locomotion variables across all three rounds of testing on the same horses.
• The remaining two variables that were found less reproducible were attributed to human error, not to the test itself.
• When considering the influence of different racing tracks, results demonstrated that diverse track conditions did not impede the stride variables measured, further establishing the test’s effectiveness.

Conclusion

• The research concludes that their locomotor test is a sound, accurate method to analyse the gait of trotting horses. It can offer consistent and reproducible stride variables, making it a powerful tool in the training and selection of equine athletes under real world conditions.