The force and contact stress on the navicular bone during trot locomotion in sound horses and horses with navicular disease.
Abstract: Mechanical overload due to poor conformation or shoeing has been suggested to contribute to the development of navicular disease. While studies have determined the compressive force exerted on the navicular bone in normal horses, this has not been reported for horses with navicular disease. Also, the force has not been converted to stress by correction for contact area. In this study we developed a technique for the determination of the contact area between the deep digital flexor tendon and the navicular bone in vivo, and used a forceplate system to determine the force and stress on the bone at trot in 6 normal and eight diseased horses. The mean +/- s.d. peak force and peak stress were 5.62+/-1.45 N/kg and 2.74+/-0.76 MPa for the normal group and 6.97+/-1.50 N/kg and 3.07+/-0.55 MPa for the navicular disease group. The peak force and peak stress were similar for both groups but the force and stress in the horses with navicular disease were approximately double control group values early in the stance phase. This was due to a higher force in the deep digital flexor tendon, which was attributed to a contraction of the deep digital flexor muscle in early stance in an attempt to unload the heels.
Publication Date: 2001-03-27 PubMed ID: 11266065DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2001.tb00594.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
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.
The research article investigates the mechanical stress and force acting on a particular bone (the navicular bone) in horses while trotting, specifically comparing healthy horses with those suffering from navicular diseases.
Objective and Scope of the Study
- The primary objective of this study was to ascertain the amount of stress and force experienced by the navicular bone in a horse’s foot during their normal trot movement. The research was focused on comparing the results between healthy horses and those suffering from navicular disease, a common condition within the equine population associated with lameness.
- The researchers developed a method to determine the contact area between the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and the navicular bone. This information was vital for calculating the force exerted on the bone and subsequently converting it to stress.
Methodology
- The study made use of a dynamic forceplate system to record the force and stress on the bone while the horse was trotting. The system required the horses to trot over a specialized plate that could accurately measure and record the necessary data.
- The study had a total of 14 participants, with six representing the control (normal) group and eight the navicular disease group.
Key Findings
- The mean peak force recorded for the normal and unhealthy group were 5.62 N/kg and 6.97 N/kg, respectively, while the stress was found to be 2.74 MPa and 3.07 MPa, revised.
- While the peak force and stress were similar for both groups, the horses with navicular disease had approximately double the force and stress early in the stance phase compared to the control group. This increase was due to a higher force in the DDFT, possibly resulting from a contraction of the deep digital flexor muscle in early stance aimed at unloading the heels.
Implications
- The results obtained in this study contribute new data to the understanding of navicular disease in horses. If the disease is brought on by a mechanical overload due to either poor conformation or shoeing, strategies can be developed for early intervention, which may include adapted shoeing techniques or new approaches to equine physical therapy.
- This study also proposes a reliable methodology for in vivo determination of the contact area between a tendon and bone, which can be beneficial for future studies related to biomechanics in horses or other animals.
Cite This Article
APA
Wilson AM, McGuigan MP, Fouracre L, MacMahon L.
(2001).
The force and contact stress on the navicular bone during trot locomotion in sound horses and horses with navicular disease.
Equine Vet J, 33(2), 159-165.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2001.tb00594.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Basic Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Case-Control Studies
- Foot Diseases / physiopathology
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Forelimb
- Gait / physiology
- Hoof and Claw / physiology
- Hoof and Claw / physiopathology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses / physiology
- Sesamoid Bones / physiology
- Sesamoid Bones / physiopathology
- Stress, Mechanical
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Seery S, Gardiner J, Bates KT, Pinchbeck G, Clegg P, Ireland JL, Milner PI. Changes in pressure distribution of the solar surface after a single trimming event are associated with external hoof measurements in the equine fore foot. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1255-1264.
- Zalig V, Vengust M, Blagus R, Berner D, Sandow C, Hanna A, Miklavcic M. The difference in radiographic findings in the distal limbs of working Lipizzan horses, used for dressage or driving. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1393325.
- Poochipakorn C, Sanigavatee K, Wonghanchao T, Huangsaksri O, Chanda M. Strategic palmar trimming before conventional shoeing shows potential for managing underrun heels in horses. F1000Res 2023;12:1504.
- Fuss FK. Joint Stress Analysis of the Navicular Bone of the Horse and Its Implications for Navicular Disease. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024 Jan 17;11(1).
- McParland TJ, Horne CR, Robertson JB, Schnabel LV, Nelson NC. Alterations to the synovial invaginations of the navicular bone are associated with pathology of both the navicular apparatus and distal interphalangeal joint when evaluated using high field MRI. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2023 Jan;64(1):9-17.
- Chanda M, Puangthong C, Pathomsakulwong W, Apichaimongkonkun T, Leklub J. Modified Z-bar shoe eliminates occasional frog bruising accompanying Z-bar shoeing for navicular syndrome management in underrun-heeled horses. J Equine Sci 2021 Jun;32(2):55-60.
- Osborn ML, Cornille JL, Blas-Machado U, Uhl EW. The equine navicular apparatus as a premier enthesis organ: Functional implications. Vet Surg 2021 May;50(4):713-728.
- Nauwelaerts S, Hobbs SJ, Back W. A horse's locomotor signature: COP path determined by the individual limb. PLoS One 2017;12(2):e0167477.
- Merritt JS, Davies HM, Burvill C, Pandy MG. Influence of muscle-tendon wrapping on calculations of joint reaction forces in the equine distal forelimb. J Biomed Biotechnol 2008;2008:165730.
- Bentley VA, Sample SJ, Livesey MA, Scollay MC, Radtke CL, Frank JD, Kalscheur VL, Muir P. Morphologic changes associated with functional adaptation of the navicular bone of horses. J Anat 2007 Nov;211(5):662-72.
- Brown NA, Pandy MG, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW. Force- and moment-generating capacities of muscles in the distal forelimb of the horse. J Anat 2003 Jul;203(1):101-13.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
