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What Effect Does Medium and Extended Trot Have on the Kinematics of the Forelimb in Dressage Horses?
Author(s) -
Walker V.A.,
Tranquille C.A.,
Dyson S.J.,
Newton R.,
Murray R.C.
Publication year - 2015
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.12486_27
Subject(s) - fetlock , forelimb , medicine , lameness , ligament , metacarpus , elbow , expansive , orthodontics , mathematics , anatomy , surgery , physics , compressive strength , thermodynamics
Reasons for performing study Metacarpophalangeal joint hyperextension overload is increasingly being recognised in dressage horses and, like forelimb suspensory ligament injury, tends to be seen in horses with extravagant trot steps. However, there is limited understanding of the effects of different paces within the trot on forelimb movement, therefore it is difficult to advise rationally on prevention or management of these types of injury. Objectives To compare forelimb kinematics of collected and medium or extended trot in dressage horses. Study design Prospective study. Methods Twenty mixed‐breed dressage horses (age 9 ± 4 years; height 168 ± 6 cm; weight 600 ± 63 kg; median competition level = advanced medium) were tested at collected and medium/extended trot (age and training level dependent) in a straight line on an artificial surface ridden by their own rider at sitting trot. Four strides of each pace were recorded using high speed motion capture (240 Hz). Markers were placed on the horses' forelimbs at predetermined anatomical sites. Fetlock, carpus, elbow and shoulder angles were derived at midstance. Descriptive statistics and mixed effect multilevel regression analyses were performed on the data. Results Fetlock extension angle was significantly increased at medium compared with collected trot (coefficient: 5.70; CI 2.58–8.82; P<0.01) and extended compared with collected trot (coefficient: 8.59; CI 5.16–12.02; P<0.01). Fetlock extension angle was significantly increased when carpus extension angle (coefficient: 0.61; CI = 0.4–0.82; P<0.01) and shoulder flexion angle were increased (coefficient: 0.18; CI 0.01–0.33; P<0.05). Conclusions Fetlock extension increased when the horses performed lengthened trot paces, more in extended than medium trot. The loading of the carpus and shoulder were related to fetlock extension, suggesting that lengthened paces affect the loading of the entire forelimb. Lengthened paces may be contraindicated in horses with fetlock hyperextension or suspensory ligament injury; they may be a potential risk factor for these injuries. Interaction with the surface could also have a role that could be further investigated. Ethical animal research: The study was approved by the Animal Health Trust ethical review committee. Owners gave informed consent for their horses' inclusion in the study. Sources of funding: Elise Pilkington Charitable Trust, Dr Wilfrid Bechtolsheimer, British Dressage. Competing interests: None declared.