Stride characteristics of overground versus treadmill locomotion in the saddle horse.

This study compares the stride length and frequency of horses when they perform an exercise on a flat track and a treadmill. Research showed that steeper inclines, overwhelmingly, did not affect the stride of the horses, but stride frequency and length varied significantly between a track and treadmill.

Objective and Methodology

• The objective was to evaluate how the stride characteristics of horses change with varying velocities and terrains by carrying out an incremental exercise test first on a track and then on a treadmill.
• Seven French saddle horses were made to perform the exercise, starting slow and incrementally increasing speed over five stages. Each stage lasted for 3 minutes with a 1-minute rest period in between.
• The speeds were set at 1.6, 4.2, 8.3, 9.2, and 10 m/s and the treadmill was set at an inclination of 0 and 3.5%.
• To record the horses’ gaits and stride patterns, video cameras were installed and tapes were then analysed in terms of stride frequency and length.

Results and Findings

• The findings indicated that at 1.6, 8.3, 9.2 and 10 m/s speeds, stride frequencies of the horses were significantly greater on the track than on the treadmill. This implies that the horses had to take more steps on the track to maintain the same speed compared to the treadmill.
• Stride length was significantly shorter on the track than on the treadmill when walking. This could suggest that the horses were taking smaller steps while walking on the track compared to the treadmill.
• There was a strong linear relationship between stride length and speed in all experimental conditions (R2 > 0.96). This implies stride length increases with speed.
• Differences in stride length between track and treadmill locomotion were statistically significant. Stride length was longer both on the flat and inclined treadmill compared to the track.
• Interestingly, the inclination of the treadmill did not significantly influence stride parameters. This means that making the treadmill steeper did not notably change the way the horses moved.

Conclusions

• The study showed that the terrain or the platform on which horses conduct their exercise significantly influences their stride frequency and length. However, changing the steepness of the terrain (in this case, the treadmill incline) doesn’t have any significant effect on these stride characteristics.
• The conclusions based on these results could potentially provide important insights for training procedures and rehabilitation practices for horses in the future.