difference in kinematics of horses walking, trotting and cantering on a flat and banked 10 m circle

Reasons for performing study: Locomotion adaptation mechanisms have been observed in horses, but little information is available in relation to banked and nonbanked curve locomotion, which might be important to optimise training environments. Objectives: To determine if adaptation mechanisms in hors...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Equine veterinary journal 2011-11, Vol.43 (6), p.686-694
Main Authors: Hobbs, S.J, Licka, T, Polman, R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Physiological - physiology
analysis of variance
Animals
Biomechanical Phenomena
cameras
centripetal force
circle
cross-over studies
curve
gait
Gait - physiology
head
horse
horses
Horses - physiology
kinematics
limb inclination
locomotion
Locomotion - physiology
metacarpus
metatarsus
phalanges
posture
trotting
walking
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Summary:Reasons for performing study: Locomotion adaptation mechanisms have been observed in horses, but little information is available in relation to banked and nonbanked curve locomotion, which might be important to optimise training environments. Objectives: To determine if adaptation mechanisms in horses existed when moving on a banked compared to a flat curve and whether adaptation was similar in different gaits. Methods: Eight infrared cameras were positioned on the outside of a 10 m lungeing circle and calibrated. Retroreflective markers were used to define left and right metacarpus (McIII) and proximal phalanges (P1), metatarsus (MtIII), head and sacrum. Data were recorded at 308 Hz from 6 horses lunged at walk, trot and canter on a flat and 10° banked circle in a crossover design. Measurements extracted were speed, stride length, McIII inclination, MtIII inclination, relative body inclination and duty factor. Data were smoothed with a fourth order Butterworth filter with 30 Hz cut-off. ANOVA was used to determine differences between conditions and limbs. Results: Adaptation mechanisms were influenced by gait. At canter inside forelimb duty factor was significantly longer (P
ISSN:0425-1644
2042-3306
DOI:10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00334.x