The Effect of Tungsten Road Nails on Upper Body Movement Asymmetry in Horses Trotting on Tarmac.

This research explores the effects of using tungsten road nails on the movement asymmetry of horses’ upper body when trotting on tarmac, noting a minor increase in weight-bearing and propulsion provided by the hindlimb with a laterally placed road nail.

Objective of the Research

• The researchers aimed to gain a better understanding of how the use of tungsten road nails, a horse shoeing tool, affects the mechanics of a horse’s movement, specifically when trotting on tarmac.
• The study’s primary focus was to measure vertical movement asymmetry before and after the application of laterally positioned road nails to the hooves of the horse’s forelimb and hindlimb.

Methodology

• The study made use of an interventions approach, focusing on the lateral heel road nail placement’s influence on weight bearing and propulsion among a sample of 10 horses.
• Wireless inertial measurement units were used to measure vertical movement asymmetry.
• Difference between the horses’ head and pelvic movement asymmetry post and pre nail placement were measured and compared to a zero value (representing no change) with a one-sample t-test.

Results

• The study found a more significant negative left-to-right tuber coxae movement amplitude difference after applying a road nail to the left hindlimb, suggesting more right than left tuber coxae movement amplitude.
• However, it was observed that no movement asymmetries at the poll, withers, or sacrum were detected after the nail placement.
• Results from the examination of pelvic movement indicates that after the application of a laterally placed road nail, a slightly higher increase in weight bearing and propulsion of the hindlimb was observed, compared to the contralateral hindlimb.

Implications and Further Research

• The findings suggest that road nails can alter the mechanics of a horse’s movement to a small extent when trotting on tarmac, impacting weight distribution and propulsion of the animal.
• Further research is required to investigate parameters related to slip and grip at the hoof level and understand the long-term effects of such minor changes in movement asymmetry.