Three-dimensional carpal kinematics of trotting horses.
Abstract: Descriptions of 3D kinematics assist in understanding joint function and dysfunction, and are an essential step toward 3D inverse dynamic analysis. Objective: To measure 3D carpal joint motion during trotting. Methods: Three-dimensional trajectories of bone-fixed markers on the radius and third metacarpus of the right forelimb of 3 healthy horses were recorded at 120 Hz using a 6-camera analysis system. Joint kinematics were calculated in terms of helical angles between the 2 segments using a spatial attitude method. Results: All horses showed carpal extension and internal rotation of the metacarpus relative to the radius as the carpus assumed the close-packed position. In late stance, the carpus began a cycle of flexion that continued through midswing, accompanied by a small cycle of internal rotation. The direction of abduction/adduction varied between horses. The predominant rotational movement was flexion/extension, which showed a range of motion of 15 +/- 6 degrees in stance and 76 +/- 13 degrees in swing. Conclusions: Carpal motions were generally similar between horses with the exception of abduction/adduction. Conclusions: Knowledge of carpal joint motion should assist in understanding the pathogenesis of carpal injuries. However, it seems probable that real differences exist between individuals; therefore, further investigations of the effect of conformation on carpal motion should be performed in a much larger population of horses.
Publication Date: 2005-01-20 PubMed ID: 15656494DOI: 10.2746/0425164044848037Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research paper investigates the three-dimensional (3D) movements of the carpal joint (equivalent to the human wrist) in horses during trotting, aiming to better understand joint function and relevant injuries. The study finds notable consistency and also individual differences in these movements.
Objective and Methods
The goal of this study was to measure and understand the three-dimensional movements and kinematics of the horse’s carpal joint during trotting. The researchers:
- Used bone-fixed markers on the radius and third metacarpus of the right forelimb on three healthy horses.
- Recorded three-dimensional trajectories of these markers at a high speed (120 Hz), using a six-camera analysis system.
- Calculated the joint movements as helical angles between the two bone segments, utilizing a spatial attitude method.
Results
The results showed consistent movement patterns across the horses despite individual variations, particularly concerning abduction/adduction (lateral movement of limb). Detailed findings were as follows:
- During trotting, all the horses demonstrated carpal extension and internal rotation of the metacarpus relative to the radius as the carpus moved into a close-packed position.
- In the later stage of stance (when the horse’s foot is on the ground), the carpus started to flex, continuing this action through the mid-swing phase. This was accompanied by slight internal rotation.
- A range of motion for flexion/extension was calculated to be 15 +/- 6 degrees during stance and 76 +/- 13 degrees during swing.
- The direction of lateral movement, that is abduction (outward movement) or adduction (inward movement), varied among horses.
Conclusions
Understanding these carpal movements could provide useful insights into the cause and pathology of carpal injuries in horses. However, the study also highlighted probable disparities between individuals. This leads to the study’s recommendation that further research be conducted on a larger group of horses to investigate the impact of an individual horse’s conformation (its physical characteristics and structure) on its carpal motion.
Cite This Article
APA
Clayton HM, Sha D, Stick JA, Mullineaux DR.
(2005).
Three-dimensional carpal kinematics of trotting horses.
Equine Vet J, 36(8), 671-676.
https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044848037 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- McPhail Equine Performance Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Carpus, Animal / anatomy & histology
- Carpus, Animal / physiology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
- Imaging, Three-Dimensional / veterinary
- Locomotion / physiology
- Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
- Rotation
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Clayton HM, Hobbs SJ. A Review of Biomechanical Gait Classification with Reference to Collected Trot, Passage and Piaffe in Dressage Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2019 Oct 3;9(10).
- Stutz JC, Vidondo B, Ramseyer A, Maninchedda UE, Cruz AM. Effect of three types of horseshoes and unshod feet on selected non-podal forelimb kinematic variables measured by an extremity mounted inertial measurement unit sensor system in sound horses at the trot under conditions of treadmill and soft geotextile surface exercise.. Vet Rec Open 2018;5(1):e000237.
- Panagiotopoulou O, Rankin JW, Gatesy SM, Hutchinson JR. A preliminary case study of the effect of shoe-wearing on the biomechanics of a horse's foot.. PeerJ 2016;4:e2164.
- Vilar JM, Spadari A, Billi V, Desini V, Santana A. Biomechanics in young and adult italian standardbred trotter horses in real racing conditions.. Vet Res Commun 2008 Jun;32(5):367-76.
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