The application of high-speed cinematography for the quantitative analysis of equine locomotion.

This research is focused on the use of high-speed cinematography to perform a quantitative analysis of horse locomotion, particularly at high speeds. This method aims to enhance understanding of locomotive disorders in horse racing by accurately recording and computing various aspects of a horse’s gait.

Introduction and Background

• This study addresses locomotive disorders in horse racing, which considerably hinder performance and remain largely unresolved. These disorders are believed to stem from irregularities in the horse’s gait, the causes of which are still not fully understood.

Main Study Focus

• The primary goal of this research is to develop a method for scientifically evaluating a horse’s locomotion at high-speed, hence allowing for a quantitative analysis.
• This method utilizes high-speed cinematography, involving the recording of the horse’s movements using a 16mm high-speed camera set to 500 frames per second. This high frame-rate allows for the capture of subtle nuances in the horse’s movement, which might otherwise go unnoticed with the naked eye.

Method of Analysis

• Beyond filming, the study introduced a semi-automatic method for analysing the obtained film footage. This involves utilizing specialized film-reading equipment along with a mini-computer.
• The process yields both time-based and linear gait variables, which are made available in a simplistically presented tabular format. This collectively expresses how a horse’s gait changes over time provided in a graphical manner.
• A more detailed depiction of the horse’s locomotion is obtained by also graphically presenting the angles and trajectories of the joints and body segments.

Significance of the Study

• This research’s primary significance lies in its potential to contribute to a better understanding of locomotive disorders in horse racing.
• By offering a clear and in-depth quantifiable analysis of a horse’s locomotion, it’s believed that this method can uncover insights into the causative factors behind disturbances in a horse’s gait.
• Such findings are expected to play a significant role in developing more effective strategies to address and overcome locomotive disorders in horses, thereby enhancing their performance in racing events, and potentially improving horse welfare in general.