Three-Dimensional Kinematic Motion Analysis of Shivers in Horses: A Pilot Study.

The research article discusses a pilot study that explores using three-dimensional kinematic motion analysis as an objective diagnostic tool for discerning the movement disorder known as Shivers in horses.

Objective of the Study

• The main goal of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of three-dimensional kinematic motion analysis as an accurate test for diagnosing Shivers in horses—a movement disorder characterized by jerk-like muscle contractions. The researchers aimed to identify the abnormalities in movement patterns of horses afflicted with this condition and compare them to normal horses.

Methodology

• The study was conducted by comparing the kinematic parameters—quantities that define an object’s motion—of three horses diagnosed with Shivers and a control group of four healthy horses.
• The horses’ motions were tracked and analyzed during different activities, which included walking, backing up, and lifting hind limbs.

Key Findings

• A multitude of differences in parameters was observed between the Shivers-affected and normal horses.
• The most noticeable changes were seen when horses were asked to lift their hind limbs. The horses with Shivers exhibited a broader hind limb stance, an increased abduction angle and a noticeable elevation in their hooves.
• While control horses could easily move backward in a straight line with symmetric hoof separation and maintain their center of weight when lifting their hind limbs, Shivers horses struggled with these tasks. They backed more slowly, with a shorter stride and asymmetric hoof separation. They also had difficulty maintaining their center of balance when lifting their hindlimbs.

Implications of the Study

• The results of this study offer substantial insight into the movement disorder of Shivers in horses. Not only does it advance our understanding of how Shivers affects locomotion in horses, but it also proves the potential of three-dimensional kinematic motion analysis as a diagnostic tool for the disorder.
• Such characteristics identified in Shivers horses’ motion could be used as criteria to assess the effectiveness of various treatments for the condition.