Treadmill for equine locomotion analysis.

This research article discusses the development and utilization of a treadmill for studying horse movement, and evaluates its effectiveness as a research tool in gauging equine mobility and locomotion.

Research Equipment

• The study revolves around a specially-designed treadmill for horses. The treadmill comes equipped with an endless belt driven by a hydraulic motor. The belt’s movement speed ranges up to 14 meters per second and can reverse direction.
• The treadmill’s construction also includes a flat support system made from steel-concrete under the belt. The belt itself comprises a steel base, a rubber belt glued on top, and a surface covered with a layer of coir matting.
• The coir matting serves a specific purpose, simulating the conditions of an ordinary track by allowing the horse’s hooves to slide slightly forward upon landing.
• To accommodate different movement conditions, the treadway can tilt up to a 10-degree incline longitudinally and a 7.5-degree inclination transversely.
• To guarantee the safety of the horses and reduce the risk of injury, an emergency stop system is incorporated into the treadmill’s design.

Analysis and Findings

• According to the research, horses were able to adapt well to exercising on the treadmill, even without any prior experience.
• The research establishes a positive correlation between a horse’s gait repeatability on a traditional racetrack and the treadmill. This implies that the treadmill is an effective simulating mechanism which ensures the authenticity of the test results.
• However, observations illustrated that in one instance, a horse’s strides were significantly shorter on the treadmill compared to on the racetrack. Despite this minor discrepancy, the treadmill’s efficacy as a research instrument in the study of equine locomotion was not undermined.