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The Journal of experimental biology2003; 206(Pt 8); 1325-1336; doi: 10.1242/jeb.00254

The effect of gait and digital flexor muscle activation on limb compliance in the forelimb of the horse Equus caballus.

Abstract: A horse's legs are compressed during the stance phase, storing and then returning elastic strain energy in spring-like muscle-tendon units. The arrangement of the muscle-tendon units around the lever-like joints means that as the leg shortens the muscle-tendon units are stretched. The forelimb anatomy means that the leg can be conceptually divided into two springs: the proximal spring, from the scapula to the elbow, and the distal spring, from the elbow to the foot. In this paper we report the results of a series of experiments testing the hypothesis that there is minimal scope for muscle contraction in either spring to adjust limb compliance. Firstly, we demonstrate that the distal, passive leg spring changes length by 127 mm (range 106-128 mm) at gallop and the proximal spring by 12 mm (9-15 mm). Secondly, we demonstrate that there is a linear relationship between limb force and metacarpo-phalangeal (MCP) joint angle that is minimally influenced by digital flexor muscle activation in vitro or as a function of gait in vivo. Finally, we determined the relationship between MCP joint angle and vertical ground-reaction force at trot and then predicted the forelimb peak vertical ground-reaction force during a 12 m s(-1) gallop on a treadmill. These were 12.79 N kg(-1) body mass (BM) (range 12.07-13.73 N kg(-1) BM) for the lead forelimb and 15.23 N kg(-1) BM (13.51-17.10 N kg(-1) BM) for the non-lead forelimb.
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Publication Date: 2003-03-08 PubMed ID: 12624168DOI: 10.1242/jeb.00254Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study focuses on understanding the role of gait and digital flexor muscle activation on the limb compliance in horses. The research shows that there is very little scope for muscle contraction changes to adjust limb compliance, indicating that a horse’s gait has a more significant impact on leg compression and the return of elastic strain energy.

Breaking Down Forelimb Anatomy of Horses

  • The horse’s forelimb can be conceptually divided into two ‘springs’: the proximal spring, which extends from the scapula to the elbow, and the distal spring, that extends from the elbow to the foot.
  • Each spring operates differently, with the distal spring altering its length by a range of 106-128 mm during a gallop, while the proximal spring changes by just 9-15 mm.

Testing of Muscle Contraction In Relation To Limb Compliance

  • The study also looked at the range of muscle contraction on limb compliance, through conducting a series of experiments.
  • Results suggested there was little scope for muscle contraction to adjust limb compliance, indicating adequate flexibility and elasticity in the horse’s stance.

Understanding Limb Force and MCP Joint Angle

  • The study tested the correlation between the limb force and the Metacarpo-phalangeal (MCP) joint angle.
  • This analysis showed a linear relationship, not significantly influenced by the activation of the digital flexor muscle.

Examining Vertical Ground-Reaction Force During a Trot

  • The researchers evaluated the relationship between the MCP joint angle and the vertical ground-reaction force during a trot and gallop.
  • Using this relationship, they predicted the force exerted by the horse’s forelimb during a 12 m/s gallop on a treadmill.
  • The results revealed values of 12.79 N kg(-1) body mass (BM) for the leading forelimb and 15.23 N kg(-1) BM for the non-leading forelimb, providing insights into the sheer force that a horse can exert during a gallop.

Cite This Article

APA
McGuigan MP, Wilson AM. (2003). The effect of gait and digital flexor muscle activation on limb compliance in the forelimb of the horse Equus caballus. J Exp Biol, 206(Pt 8), 1325-1336. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.00254

Publication

The Journal of experimental biology
ISSN: 0022-0949
NlmUniqueID: 0243705
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 206
Issue: Pt 8
Pages: 1325-1336

Researcher Affiliations

McGuigan, M Polly
  • Structure and Motion Laboratory, Veterinary Basic Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK. m.p.mcguigan@leeds.ac.uk
Wilson, Alan M

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Biomechanical Phenomena
    • Forelimb / anatomy & histology
    • Forelimb / physiology
    • Gait / physiology
    • Horses / anatomy & histology
    • Horses / physiology
    • In Vitro Techniques
    • Muscle Contraction / physiology
    • Running

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