Swing phase kinematics of horses trotting over poles.
Abstract: Trotting over poles is used therapeutically to restore full ranges of limb joint motion. The mechanics of trotting over poles have not yet been described, hence quantitative evidence for the presumed therapeutic effects is lacking. Objective: To compare limb kinematics in horses trotting over level ground, over low poles and over high poles to determine changes in joint angulations and hoof flight arcs. Methods: Repeated measures experimental study in sound horses. Methods: Standard motion analysis procedures with skin-fixed reflective markers were used to measure swing phase kinematics from 8 horses trotting on level ground, over low (11 cm) and high (20 cm) poles spaced 1.05 ± 0.05 m apart. Spatiotemporal variables and peak swing phase joint flexion angles were compared using repeated measures ANOVA (P<0.05) with Bonferroni correction for pairwise post hoc testing. Results: Peak heights of the fore and hind hooves increased significantly and progressively from no poles (fore: 13.8 ± 3.8 cm; hind: 10.8 ± 2.4 cm) to low poles (fore: 30.9 ± 4.9 cm; hind: 24.9 ± 3.7 cm) and to high poles (fore: 41.0 ± 3.9 cm; hind: 32.7 ± 4.0 cm). All joints of the fore- and hindlimbs contributed to the increase in hoof height through increased swing phase flexion. The hooves cleared the poles due to increases in joint flexion rather than by raising the body higher during the suspension phases of the stride. Conclusions: The increases in swing phase joint flexions indicate that trotting over poles is effective for activating and strengthening the flexor musculature. Unlike the use of proprioceptive stimulation devices in which the effects decrease over time due to habituation, the horse is required to elevate the hooves to ensure clearance whenever poles are present. The need to raise the limbs sufficiently to clear the poles and place the hooves accurately requires visuomotor coordination, which may be useful in the rehabilitation of neurological cases. The Summary is available in Chinese - see Supporting information.
© 2014 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2014-04-09 PubMed ID: 24593249DOI: 10.1111/evj.12253Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research explores how trotting over poles affects the movement mechanics of horses, providing quantitative evidence on its therapeutic effects for rehabilitation purposes.
Research Objective
The researchers aimed to compare the limb kinematics of horses as they trot over level ground and poles of varying heights. They sought to determine changes in joint angulations and the flight arcs of hooves in different situations.
Methods
- A repeated measures experimental study was conducted using sound horses.
- Standard motion analysis procedures were used, marking the horses’ skin with reflective markers to measure the swing phase kinematics during trotting over no poles, low poles (11 cm), and high poles (20 cm).
- The distances between poles were kept at about 1.05 ± 0.05m.
- They compared spatiotemporal variables and peak swing phase joint flexion angles using a statistical tool called repeated measures ANOVA, with a specific allowance for multiple comparison bias (Bonferroni correction).
Results
- The peak heights of both fore and hind hooves significantly and progressively increase from no poles to low poles and then to high poles.
- All joints of the fore and hind limbs contributed to the increase in hoof height by showing increased flexion during the swing phase.
- Hooves cleared the poles through increased joint flexion, as opposed to the horse’s body raising higher during stride’s suspension phases.
Conclusions
- The increased joint flexions during the swing phase signify that trotting over poles effectively activates and strengthens the flexor musculature of horses.
- Unlike sensory stimulation devices whose effects decrease over time, trotting over poles consistently requires the horse to elevate its hooves, thus maintaining the effectiveness of this exercise.
- The need for horses to sufficiently raise their limbs for pole clearance and accurate hoof placement implies the activity’s capacity to improve visuomotor coordination, which may be useful for rehabilitation in neurological cases.
Cite This Article
APA
Brown S, Stubbs NC, Kaiser LJ, Lavagnino M, Clayton HM.
(2014).
Swing phase kinematics of horses trotting over poles.
Equine Vet J, 47(1), 107-112.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12253 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- McPhail Equine Performance Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Gait / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Ursini T, Shaw K, Levine D, Richards J, Adair HS. Electromyography of the Multifidus Muscle in Horses Trotting During Therapeutic Exercises. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:844776.
- Santosuosso E, Leguillette R, Vinardell T, Filho S, Massie S, McCrae P, Johnson S, Rolian C, David F. Kinematic Analysis During Straight Line Free Swimming in Horses: Part 1 - Forelimbs. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:752375.
- Geiger T, Lindenhahn L, Delarocque J, Geburek F. Evaluation of water treadmill training, lunging and treadmill training in the rehabilitation of horses with back pain. BMC Vet Res 2025 Jul 29;21(1):495.
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