The Effects of the EquiAmiTM Training Aid on the Kinematics of the Horse at the Walk and Trot In-Hand.
Abstract: The EquiAmi Training Aid (ETA) is a popular training and rehabilitation tool, however knowledge about its effect on the equine gait is lacking. Understanding of its effects on equine kinematics, and the clinical relevance of these effects is vital to promote optimal use of training aids within training and rehabilitation programmes. Therefore, this study aimed to determine how the ETA influences horses' gait kinematics at walk and trot. Eight horses walked and trotted in-hand with and without the ETA. Optical motion capture was used to measure forelimb and hindlimb pro- and retraction angles, withers-croup angle, and stride length. Separate repeated-measures ANOVAs in each gait were used to assess the differences between gait kinematics and stride length variability with and without the ETA. The ETA did not significantly influence the horses' kinematics in walk or trot, however, individual differences in the effect of the ETA on the horses' angular and linear kinematics were found, with variation between gaits within the same horse observed. The ETA does not have the same effect on every horse, and its effect can vary within the same horse between gaits. Therefore, the individual characteristics and needs of the horse must be considered when applying training aids.
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Publication Date: 2022-01-22 PubMed ID: 35074398DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.103868Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research focuses on understanding the effect of a commonly used training tool called EquiAmi Training Aid (ETA) on the walking and trotting movements of horses. The study finds that while the ETA does not significantly alter the kinematics of horse movement in general, the impact can vary among individual horses and different gaits within the same horse.
Methodology
- In the study, data was collected from eight horses which were made to walk and trot with and without the use of ETA.
- The researchers used optical motion capture technology to measure various aspects of the horses’ movements. This included measuring the angles at which the forelimbs and hindlimbs moved forward and backward, the angle between the horse’s withers (the highest part of the back) and croup (the top of the horse’s hindquarters), and the length of each stride.
- Two ANOVA tests were conducted for each gait (walk and trot) to compare the variations in the horse’s stride length and overall kinematics when using the ETA versus not using it.
Findings
- The study found that the ETA did not have a substantial impact on the horses’ movement kinematics in either walking or trotting.
- However, there was individual variation observed in the way the ETA influenced the angular and linear kinematics of different horses. That means, the effects of ETA vary from horse to horse.
- Moreover, the effect of ETA varied within the same horse for different gaits. This means, in a single horse, the influence of ETA might be different during a walk versus during a trot.
Implications
- The study suggests that while ETA is a popular tool used in horse training and <a href="/equine-rehabilitation-guide/" title="rehabilitation programs, it does not have a universal effect on all horses or even on different gaits within the same horse.
- Therefore, customized strategies might be necessary when using such a training tool, accounting for the individual characteristics and needs of each horse.
Cite This Article
APA
Calzone S, Wilkins C, Deckers I, Nankervis K.
(2022).
The Effects of the EquiAmiTM Training Aid on the Kinematics of the Horse at the Walk and Trot In-Hand.
J Equine Vet Sci, 111, 103868.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.103868 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equestrian Performance Research Centre, Hartpury University and Hartpury College, Hartpury University, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, UK.
- Equestrian Performance Research Centre, Hartpury University and Hartpury College, Hartpury University, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, UK. Electronic address: celeste.wilkins@hartpury.ac.uk.
- Equestrian Performance Research Centre, Hartpury University and Hartpury College, Hartpury University, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, UK.
- Equestrian Performance Research Centre, Hartpury University and Hartpury College, Hartpury University, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Forelimb
- Gait
- Horse Diseases
- Horses
- Walking
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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