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Comparison of the Loading of Leading and Trailing Forelimbs in Horses at Landing
Author(s) -
CrevierDenoix N,
Camus M,
Falala S,
Martino J,
Pauchard M,
RavaryPlumioen B,
Desquilbet L,
Denoix JM,
Chateau H,
Pourcelot P
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.1111/evj.12267_116
Subject(s) - hoof , impulse (physics) , ground reaction force , geology , geodesy , horse , mathematics , forefoot , anatomy , mechanics , physics , medicine , kinematics , paleontology , classical mechanics , quantum mechanics
The objective was to compare, using a dynamometric horseshoe ( DHS ), the longitudinal and vertical components of the reaction force and corresponding impulses in the leading and trailing forelimbs of horses landing after a jump on a competition surface. Methods Both forefeet of 3 horses were equipped with a DHS . 1000 Hz films of the right forefoot at landing were synchronized with the DHS s recordings. Within a corridor delimited on a sand arena, each horse jumped a 1.20 m (horse 1) or 1.10 m (horses 2 and 3) high fence while cantering alternatively at both leads. Data were pooled and 37 strides analyzed both for the leading ( LF ) and trailing ( TF ) forelimbs. In addition to peak forces and impulses (integral of force over time) in the hoof reference frame, the forces on the right forelimb were projected in the track reference frame to determine true retardatory ( TR ) and propulsory ( TP ) phases. Differences between LF and TF were estimated with linear regression models, using generalized estimating equations to adjust for correlated repeated measurements within each horse (for all results, P<0.0005). Results Maximal vertical force and loading rate were respectively 1.2 and 1.4 times higher on TF . TR ‐longitudinal impulse was 21 times, and TR ‐vertical impulse 8 times higher in LF , whereas TP ‐longitudinal impulse was 4 times, and TP ‐vertical impulse 2 times higher in TF . Conclusions Despite a lower maximal vertical loading, LF plays a major part in the retardatory (load‐absorption) phase, while TF is mainly involved in propulsion. Loading of anatomical structures is therefore different in both limbs, which provides insights for interpreting horses' preferred lead at landing depending on which structure is affected. Ethical Animal Research The local Animal Care and Ethics Committee advised that no formal approval was required for this study. Sources of funding: Région Basse‐Normandie, the FEDER , the Fonds Eperon and the IFCE . Competing interests: none.