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Use of a stand-alone pressure plate for the objective evaluation of forelimb symmetry in sound ponies at walk and trot.
Abstract: Subtle lameness in horses may be difficult to diagnose and methods to evaluate lameness objectively are useful when equine clinicians fail to reach a consensus. The aim of this study was to determine whether equine pressure plate measurements are repeatable when used to calculate forelimb loading (peak vertical pressure [PVP], peak vertical force [PVF], vertical impulse [VI]) and symmetry ratios, and to establish if these data are similar to the 'gold standard' force plate values. Since plate dimensions are relatively small, ponies were used to enable recordings to be taken from both forelimbs in one trial. Five sound ponies were walked and trotted over a pressure plate which was embedded in a custom-made runway. For each pony, five valid trials were recorded during two different days. A trial was considered valid if complete prints of both fore hooves were recorded consecutively and if velocity was within a preset range. The PVP, PVF and VI values showed an acceptable variability (CV 95%) and showed a low variability (CV < 5%). The stand-alone pressure plate permitted adequate registration of forelimb PVF, VI and limb symmetry with a high level of precision in sound ponies.
2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2009-02-13 PubMed ID: 19217810DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.12.012Google 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.
This study investigated the accuracy and reliability of a pressure plate for detecting subtle lameness in ponies by comparing the equine pressure plate measurements with the ‘gold standard’ force plate values. The results showed that pressure plates are an effective tool for registering forelimb pressure and movement symmetry in healthy ponies.
Research Goals
- The primary objective of the research was to discern if pressure plate measurements could consistently register forelimb loading and symmetry ratios in ponies.
- The researchers sought to compare these measurements with the ‘gold standard’ force plate values to ascertain the pressure plate’s accuracy.
Methodology
- This study involved five healthy ponies, who had to walk and trot over a pressure plate embedded in a specially constructed runway.
- Researchers recorded five valid trials per pony across two different days. For a trial to be valid, prints of both front hooves should have been recorded consecutively at a specified velocity range.
- The researchers specifically evaluated peak vertical pressure (PVP), peak vertical force (PVF), and vertical impulse (VI).
Results
- The PVF, PVP, and VI values displayed acceptable variability, with a Coefficient of Variation (CV) not exceeding 16%. The PVF was similar to previous force plate data.
- The symmetry ratios seemed to be high and showed lower variability, with a CV less than 5%.
- Ultimately, the study indicated that the stand-alone pressure plate provided accurate and precise registration of forelimb pressure and movement symmetry in healthy ponies.
Implications
- This research underlines the importance of the pressure plate as a potentially useful tool for diagnosing subtle lameness in horses, an ailment often hard to detect visually by equine clinicians.
- The use of pressure plates could augment subjective visual evaluation methods, thereby leading to more objective and accurate lameness diagnosis in equines.
Cite This Article
APA
Oosterlinck M, Pille F, Back W, Dewulf J, Gasthuys F.
(2009).
Use of a stand-alone pressure plate for the objective evaluation of forelimb symmetry in sound ponies at walk and trot.
Vet J, 183(3), 305-309.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.12.012 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. Maarten.Oosterlinck@ugent.be
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Female
- Forelimb
- Gait / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Pressure
- Walking / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Crecan CM, Morar IA, Lupsan AF, Repciuc CC, Rus MA, Pestean CP. Development of a Novel Approach for Detection of Equine Lameness Based on Inertial Sensors: A Preliminary Study. Sensors (Basel) 2022 Sep 19;22(18).
- Hoffmann JR, Geburek F, Hagen J, Büttner K, Cruz AM, Röcken M. Bilateral Change in Vertical Hoof Force Distribution in Horses with Unilateral Forelimb Lameness before and after Successful Diagnostic Anaesthesia. Animals (Basel) 2022 Sep 19;12(18).
- Liu X, Kui H, Qian Z, Ren L. Hoof Pressure Distribution Pattern of Blue Sheep During Walking on Different Slopes: A Subject-Specific Analysis. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:633509.
- Broeckx SY, Martens AM, Bertone AL, Van Brantegem L, Duchateau L, Van Hecke L, Dumoulin M, Oosterlinck M, Chiers K, Hussein H, Pille F, Spaas JH. The use of equine chondrogenic-induced mesenchymal stem cells as a treatment for osteoarthritis: A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept study. Equine Vet J 2019 Nov;51(6):787-794.
- Pitti L, Oosterlinck M, Díaz-Bertrana ML, Carrillo JM, Rubio M, Sopena J, Santana A, Vilar JM. Assessment of static posturography and pedobarography for the detection of unilateral forelimb lameness in ponies. BMC Vet Res 2018 May 2;14(1):151.
- Carrillo JM, Manera ME, Rubio M, Sopena J, Santana A, Vilar JM. Posturography and dynamic pedobarography in lame dogs with elbow dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament rupture. BMC Vet Res 2018 Mar 24;14(1):108.
- Faramarzi B, Nguyen A, Dong F. Changes in hoof kinetics and kinematics at walk in response to hoof trimming: pressure plate assessment. J Vet Sci 2018 Jul 31;19(4):557-562.
- Nauwelaerts S, Hobbs SJ, Back W. A horse's locomotor signature: COP path determined by the individual limb. PLoS One 2017;12(2):e0167477.
- Gorissen BMC, Wolschrijn CF, Serra Bragança FM, Geerts AAJ, Leenders WOJL, Back W, van Weeren PR. The development of locomotor kinetics in the foal and the effect of osteochondrosis. Equine Vet J 2017 Jul;49(4):467-474.
- van de Water E, Oosterlinck M, Dumoulin M, Korthagen NM, van Weeren PR, van den Broek J, Everts H, Pille F, van Doorn DA. The preventive effects of two nutraceuticals on experimentally induced acute synovitis. Equine Vet J 2017 Jul;49(4):532-538.
- Bertholle CP, Meijer E, Back W, Stegeman A, van Weeren PR, van Nes A. A longitudinal study on the performance of in vivo methods to determine the osteochondrotic status of young pigs. BMC Vet Res 2016 Mar 24;12:62.
- Meijer E, Oosterlinck M, van Nes A, Back W, van der Staay FJ. Pressure mat analysis of naturally occurring lameness in young pigs after weaning. BMC Vet Res 2014 Aug 20;10:193.
- Meijer E, Bertholle CP, Oosterlinck M, van der Staay FJ, Back W, van Nes A. Pressure mat analysis of the longitudinal development of pig locomotion in growing pigs after weaning. BMC Vet Res 2014 Feb 6;10:37.
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