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Author Ratzlaff, M.H.; Wilson, P.D.; Hyde, M.L.; Balch, O.K.; Grant, B.D.
Title Relationship between locomotor forces, hoof position and joint motion during the support phase of the stride of galloping horses Type Journal Article
Year 1993 Publication Acta Anatomica Abbreviated Journal Acta Anat (Basel)
Volume 146 Issue 2-3 Pages 200-204
Keywords Animals; Equipment Design; Hoof and Claw/*physiology; Horses/*physiology; Joints/*physiology; *Locomotion; Motor Activity/*physiology; Physiology/instrumentation; *Posture; Shoes; Transducers
Abstract Three methods were used simultaneously to determine the relationships between the vertical forces exerted on the hooves and the positions of the limbs and hooves at the times of peak vertical forces from 2 horses galloping on a track straightaway. Vertical forces were recorded from an instrumented shoe, fetlock joint motion was measured with an electrogoniometer and the angles of the carpus, fetlock and hoof were determined from slow-motion films. At hoof contact, the mean angles of the carpus and fetlock were 181-182 degrees and 199-206 degrees, respectively. Peak vertical forces on the heel occurred at or near maximum extension of the carpal and fetlock joints. Peak forces on the toe occurred during flexion of the fetlock joint and at mean hoof angles of 28-31 degrees from the horizontal. The mean angles of the hoof from the horizontal at the time of heel contact were 6-7 degrees. Hoof lift occurred at mean carpal angles of 173-174 degrees and mean fetlock angles of 199-200 degrees.
Address (up) Department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6520
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0001-5180 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:8470468 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 1945
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Author Wilson, A.M.; McGuigan, M.P.; Su, A.; van Den Bogert, A.J.
Title Horses damp the spring in their step Type Journal Article
Year 2001 Publication Nature Abbreviated Journal Nature
Volume 414 Issue 6866 Pages 895-899
Keywords Animals; Biomechanics; Elasticity; Forelimb; Gait; Horses/anatomy & histology/*physiology; Leg Bones/*physiology; Locomotion; Models, Biological; Muscle Fibers/physiology; Muscle, Skeletal/anatomy & histology/*physiology; Tendons/anatomy & histology/*physiology; Vibration
Abstract The muscular work of galloping in horses is halved by storing and returning elastic strain energy in spring-like muscle-tendon units.These make the legs act like a child's pogo stick that is tuned to stretch and recoil at 2.5 strides per second. This mechanism is optimized by unique musculoskeletal adaptations: the digital flexor muscles have extremely short fibres and significant passive properties, whereas the tendons are very long and span several joints. Length change occurs by a stretching of the spring-like digital flexor tendons rather than through energetically expensive length changes in the muscle. Despite being apparently redundant for such a mechanism, the muscle fibres in the digital flexors are well developed. Here we show that the mechanical arrangement of the elastic leg permits it to vibrate at a higher frequency of 30-40 Hz that could cause fatigue damage to tendon and bone. Furthermore, we show that the digital flexor muscles have minimal ability to contribute to or regulate significantly the 2.5-Hz cycle of movement, but are ideally arranged to damp these high-frequency oscillations in the limb.
Address (up) Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK. awilson@rvc.ac.uk
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0028-0836 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:11780059 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2300
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Author Winkelmayr, B.; Peham, C.; Fruhwirth, B.; Licka, T.; Scheidl, M.
Title Evaluation of the force acting on the back of the horse with an English saddle and a side saddle at walk, trot and canter Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J Suppl
Volume Issue 36 Pages 406-410
Keywords Animals; Back/*physiology; Back Pain/etiology/veterinary; Biomechanics; Exercise Test/veterinary; Female; Gait/physiology; Horse Diseases/etiology; Horses/*physiology; Humans; Locomotion/physiology; Male; Movement/*physiology; *Physical Conditioning, Animal/instrumentation/methods/physiology; *Pressure; Weight-Bearing/*physiology
Abstract REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Force transmission under an English saddle (ES) at walk, trot and canter is commonly evaluated, but the influence of a side saddle (SS) on the equine back has not been documented. HYPOTHESIS: Force transmission under a SS, with its asymmetric construction, is different from an ES in walk, trot and canter, expressed in maximum overall force (MOF), force in the quarters of the saddle mat, and centre of pressure (COP). The biomechanics of the equine back are different under a SS compared to ES. METHODS: Thirteen horses without clinical signs of back pain ridden in an indoor riding school with both saddles were measured using an electronic saddle sensor pad. Synchronous kinematic measurements were carried out with tracing markers placed along the back in front of (withers, W) and behind the saddle (4th lumbar vertebra, L4). At least 6 motion cycles at walk, trot and canter with both saddles (ES, SS) were measured. Out of the pressure distribution the maximum overall force (MOF) and the location of the centre of pressure (COP) were calculated. RESULTS: Under the SS the centre of pressure was located to the right of the median and slightly caudal compared to the COP under the ES in all gaits. The MOF was significantly different (P<0.01) between saddles. At walk, L4 showed significantly larger (P<0.01) vertical excursions under the ES. Under the SS relative horizontal movement of W was significantly reduced (P<0.01) at trot, and at canter the transversal movement was significantly reduced (P<0.01) . In both trot and canter, no significant differences in the movement of L4 were documented. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The results demonstrate that the load under a SS creates asymmetric force transmission under the saddle, and also influences back movement. To change the load distribution on the back of horses with potential back pain and as a training variation, a combination of both riding styles is suitable.
Address (up) Department V, Clinic of Orthopaedics in Ungulates, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
Corporate Author Thesis
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Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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Notes PMID:17402456 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4007
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Author Holmstrom, M.; Drevemo, S.
Title Effects of trot quality and collection on the angular velocity in the hindlimbs of riding horses Type Journal Article
Year 1997 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J Suppl
Volume Issue 23 Pages 62-65
Keywords Animals; Femur/physiology; Gait/*physiology; Hindlimb/*physiology; Horses/*physiology; Locomotion/*physiology; Male; Movement/physiology; Statistics; Time Factors
Abstract The angular velocities of the hindlimb angles of 14 horses, including 6 Grand Prix dressage horses, 4 horses judged as good at the trot and 4 horses judged as poor, were analysed. The horse material was the same as previously used by Holmstrom (1994) in studies on conformation and trotting gaits in the Swedish Warmblood riding horse. Four consecutive strides of each horse and the corresponding pace were analysed and mean velocity curves (Xh) for each angle were calculated. Before calculation the data were filtered forwards and backwards with a Butterworth third order filter with a cut off frequency of 60 Hz. During the last 60% of the stance phase there were differences between the horses judged as good and poor at the trot in all the analysed hindlimb angles except the femur inclination. The angular velocity in the hock joint, pelvis inclination and hindlimb pendulation was larger in the good horses. The angular velocity of the hindlimb pendulation decreased with collection in the Grand Prix horses. During parts of the stance phase, there was also a gradual decrease in the femur angular velocity from trot at hand to piaffe. In the hock joint, there was no difference in angular velocity between trot at hand and passage during the last 30%. The higher compression of the hock angle and pelvic angle to the horizontal plane probably reflects a higher compression of the whole hindlimb. It probably contributes to the greater springiness in the movements of good young horses and Grand Prix dressage horses. The results from the present study confirmed the importance of storing elastic strain energy for the quality of the dressage horse gaits.
Address (up) Dept. of Anatomy and Histology, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala
Corporate Author Thesis
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Language English Summary Language Original Title
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Notes PMID:9354292 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3736
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Author Galloux, P.; Barrey, E.
Title Components of the total kinetic moment in jumping horses Type Journal Article
Year 1997 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J Suppl
Volume Issue 23 Pages 41-44
Keywords Algorithms; Animals; Exertion/*physiology; Female; Gravitation; Horses/*physiology; Kinetics; Locomotion/*physiology; Male; Models, Biological; Movement/*physiology; Video Recording
Abstract Thirty horses were filmed with a panning camera operating at 50 frames/s as they jumped over a 1.20 x 1.20 m fence. The markers of 9 joints on the horse and 7 joints on the rider were tracked in 2D with the TrackEye system. The centre of gravity and moment of inertia of each segment were calculated using a geometric algorithm and a cylindric model, respectively. The kinetic moment of each part of the horse was calculated after filtering, and resampling of data. This method showed the relative contribution of each body segment to the body overall rotation during the take-off, jump and landing phases. It was found that the trunk, hindlimbs and head-neck had the greatest influence. The coordination between the motion of the body segments allowed the horse to control its angular speed of rotation over the fence. This remained nearly constant during the airborne phase (120 +/- 5 degrees/s). During the airborne phase, the kinetic moment was constant because its value was equal to the moment of the external forces (722 +/- 125 kg x m2/s).
Address (up) Ecole Nationale d'Equitation, Terrefort, Saumur, France
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:9354287 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3797
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Author Weishaupt, M.A.; Wiestner, T.; von Peinen, K.; Waldern, N.; Roepstorff, L.; van Weeren, R.; Meyer, H.; Johnston, C.
Title Effect of head and neck position on vertical ground reaction forces and interlimb coordination in the dressage horse ridden at walk and trot on a treadmill Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J Suppl
Volume Issue 36 Pages 387-392
Keywords Animals; Biomechanics; Exercise Test/instrumentation/methods/*veterinary; Forelimb/physiology; Gait; Head/physiology; Hindlimb/physiology; Horses/*physiology; Locomotion/*physiology; Male; Neck/physiology; Physical Conditioning, Animal/methods/*physiology; Posture; Statistics, Nonparametric; Walking/*physiology
Abstract REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Little is known in quantitative terms about the influence of different head-neck positions (HNPs) on the loading pattern of the locomotor apparatus. Therefore it is difficult to predict whether a specific riding technique is beneficial for the horse or if it may increase the risk for injury. OBJECTIVE: To improve the understanding of forelimb-hindlimb balance and its underlying temporal changes in relation to different head and neck positions. METHODS: Vertical ground reaction force and time parameters of each limb were measured in 7 high level dressage horses while being ridden at walk and trot on an instrumented treadmill in 6 predetermined HNPs: HNP1 – free, unrestrained with loose reins; HNP2 – neck raised, bridge of the nose in front of the vertical; HNP3 – neck raised, bridge of the nose behind the vertical; HNP4 – neck lowered and flexed, bridge of the nose considerably behind the vertical; HNP5 – neck extremely elevated and bridge of the nose considerably in front of the vertical; HNP6 – neck and head extended forward and downward. Positions were judged by a qualified dressage judge. HNPs were assessed by comparing the data to a velocity-matched reference HNP (HNP2). Differences were tested using paired t test or Wilcoxon signed rank test (P<0.05). RESULTS: At the walk, stride duration and overreach distance increased in HNP1, but decreased in HNP3 and HNP5. Stride impulse was shifted to the forehand in HNP1 and HNP6, but shifted to the hindquarters in HNP5. At the trot, stride duration increased in HNP4 and HNP5. Overreach distance was shorter in HNP4. Stride impulse shifted to the hindquarters in HNP5. In HNP1 peak forces decreased in the forelimbs; in HNP5 peak forces increased in fore- and hindlimbs. CONCLUSIONS: HNP5 had the biggest impact on limb timing and load distribution and behaved inversely to HNP1 and HNP6. Shortening of forelimb stance duration in HNP5 increased peak forces although the percentage of stride impulse carried by the forelimbs decreased. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: An extremely high HNP affects functionality much more than an extremely low neck.
Address (up) Equine Hospital, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:17402453 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3704
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Author Pearce, G.P.; May-Davis, S.; Greaves, D.
Title Femoral asymmetry in the Thoroughbred racehorse Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Australian Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Aust Vet J
Volume 83 Issue 6 Pages 367-370
Keywords Animals; Cumulative Trauma Disorders/pathology/*veterinary; Femur/*pathology; Horse Diseases/*pathology/physiopathology; Horses; Locomotion; Physical Conditioning, Animal/*physiology
Abstract OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence of geometrical asymmetries in the macro-architecture of left and right femurs from Thoroughbred racehorses previously used in competitive training and racing in New South Wales, Australia. METHODS: Detailed postmortem measurements were made of 37 characteristics of left and right femurs from eleven Thoroughbred racehorses euthanased for reasons unrelated to the study. Measurements focused on articulating surfaces and sites of attachment of muscles and ligaments known to be associated with hindlimb locomotion. RESULTS: Five measurements were significantly larger in left compared to right femurs (P < 0.05). The regions showing significant differences between left and right limbs were proximal cranial and overhead medio-lateral widths, greater trochanter depth, depth of the fovea in the femoral head and distal inter-epicondylar width. CONCLUSION: The left-right differences in femoral morphology were associated with sites of muscle and ligament attachment known to be involved with hindlimb function in negotiating turns. These differences may be the result of selection pressure for racing performance on curved race tracks and/or adaptations related to asymmetrical loading of the outside hindlimb associated with repeated negotiation of turns on such tracks.
Address (up) Faculty of Rural Management, University of Sydney, Leeds Parade, Orange, New South Wales 2800. gpp28@cam.ac.uk
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0005-0423 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:15986917 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4036
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Author Barrey, E.; Galloux, P.
Title Analysis of the equine jumping technique by accelerometry Type Journal Article
Year 1997 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J Suppl
Volume Issue 23 Pages 45-49
Keywords *Acceleration; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Forelimb/physiology; Hindlimb/physiology; Horses/*physiology; Locomotion/*physiology; Movement/physiology; Time Factors
Abstract The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the relationships between jumping technique and dorsoventral acceleration measured at the sternum. Eight saddle horses of various jumping abilities competed on a selective experimental show jumping course including 14 obstacles. An accelerometric belt fastened onto the thorax continuously measured the dorsoventral acceleration during the course. At each jump, 11 locomotor parameters (acceleration peaks, durations and stride frequency) were obtained from the dorsoventral acceleration-time curves. The type of obstacle significantly influenced the hindlimb acceleration peak at take-off and the landing acceleration peak (P<0.01). The poor jumpers exhibited a higher mean forelimb acceleration peak at take-off, a higher forelimb/hindlimb ratio between peaks of acceleration (F/H), and a lower approach stride frequency than good jumpers. Knocking over an obstacle was significantly associated with a low hindlimb acceleration peak at take-off and a high F/H ratio (P<0.01). In order to observe the continuous changes in the frequency domain of the dorsoventral acceleration during the approach and take-off phase, a Morlet's wavelet analysis was computed for each horse jumping over a series of 3 vertical obstacles. Different patterns of time-frequency images obtained by wavelet analysis were found when the horse either knocked over a vertical obstacle or cleared it. In the latter case, the image pattern showed an instantaneous increase in stride frequency at the end of the approach phase, and a marked energy content in the middle frequency range at take-off.
Address (up) INRA Station de Genetique Quantitative et Appliquee, Groupe cheval, Jouy-en-Josas, France
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:9354288 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3796
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Author Bobbert, M.F.; Santamaria, S.
Title Contribution of the forelimbs and hindlimbs of the horse to mechanical energy changes in jumping Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication The Journal of Experimental Biology Abbreviated Journal J Exp Biol
Volume 208 Issue 2 Pages 249-260
Keywords Animals; Biomechanics; Forelimb/*physiology; Hindlimb/*physiology; Horses/*physiology; Locomotion/*physiology; Muscle, Skeletal/*physiology; Time Factors
Abstract The purpose of the present study was to gain more insight into the contribution of the forelimbs and hindlimbs of the horse to energy changes during the push-off for a jump. For this purpose, we collected kinematic data at 240 Hz from 23 5-year-old Warmbloods (average mass: 595 kg) performing free jumps over a 1.15 m high fence. From these data, we calculated the changes in mechanical energy and the changes in limb length and joint angles. The force carried by the forelimbs and the amount of energy stored was estimated from the distance between elbow and hoof, assuming that this part of the leg behaved as a linear spring. During the forelimb push, the total energy first decreased by 3.2 J kg(-1) and then increased again by 4.2 J kg(-1) to the end of the forelimb push. At the end of the forelimb push, the kinetic energy due to horizontal velocity of the centre of mass was 1.6 J kg(-1) less than at the start, while the effective energy (energy contributing to jump height) was 2.3 J kg(-1) greater. It was investigated to what extent these changes could involve passive spring-like behaviour of the forelimbs. The amount of energy stored and re-utilized in the distal tendons during the forelimb push was estimated to be on average 0.4 J kg(-1) in the trailing forelimb and 0.23 J kg(-1) in the leading forelimb. This means that a considerable amount of energy was first dissipated and subsequently regenerated by muscles, with triceps brachii probably being the most important contributor. During the hindlimb push, the muscles of the leg were primarily producing energy. The total increase in energy was 2.5 J kg(-1) and the peak power output amounted to 71 W kg(-1).
Address (up) Institute for Fundamental and Clinical Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, van der Boechorstraat 9, NL-1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. MFBobbert@fbw.vu.nl
Corporate Author Thesis
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Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-0949 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:15634844 Approved no
Call Number Serial 1895
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Author Etienne, A.S.; Maurer, R.; Seguinot, V.
Title Path integration in mammals and its interaction with visual landmarks Type Journal Article
Year 1996 Publication The Journal of Experimental Biology Abbreviated Journal J Exp Biol
Volume 199 Issue Pt 1 Pages 201-209
Keywords Animals; Cognition/physiology; Cricetinae; Gerbillinae; Humans; Locomotion/*physiology; Mammals/*physiology; Mesocricetus; Mice; Proprioception/physiology; Rats; Visual Pathways/*physiology; Visual Perception/*physiology
Abstract During locomotion, mammals update their position with respect to a fixed point of reference, such as their point of departure, by processing inertial cues, proprioceptive feedback and stored motor commands generated during locomotion. This so-called path integration system (dead reckoning) allows the animal to return to its home, or to a familiar feeding place, even when external cues are absent or novel. However, without the use of external cues, the path integration process leads to rapid accumulation of errors involving both the direction and distance of the goal. Therefore, even nocturnal species such as hamsters and mice rely more on previously learned visual references than on the path integration system when the two types of information are in conflict. Recent studies investigate the extent to which path integration and familiar visual cues cooperate to optimize the navigational performance.
Address (up) Laboratoire d'Ethologie, FPSE, Universite de Geneve, Carouge, Switzerland
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-0949 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:8576691 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2758
Permanent link to this record