Management of severely injured or neurologic horses is challenging, with ambulatory support limited to static lifts and rescue slings. The aim of this study was initial testing and adjustment of a novel computer-integrated dynamic lift system, including measuring effects of increasing weight compensation (i.e. load reduction) and time attached to the lift. This automated system was developed to improve outcomes and reduce complications in horses with ambulatory difficulties, allowing for controlled mobility and varying load carried by the horse with independent front and hind limb support. Two healthy Thoroughbred horses were studied using the Anderson rescue sling. The lift was programmed to respond to weight and movement of horses. Weight compensation (% bodyweight) was incrementally increased, for front and hind limbs, to maximum percent tolerated, based on heart/respiratory rates and behavioural scoring. The time attached to the lift was then incrementally increased at maximum tolerated weight compensation previously determined. Measures included heart/respiratory rates, behavioural scoring, muscle enzyme activity and blood flow to distal limbs. Results were analysed descriptively. Avoidance behaviour was observed at front and hind end weight compensation of 18 and 4%, respectively. Average maximum time attached to the lift was 2.25 hours. After 60 minutes, respiratory rate increased >20 breaths (b)/minute, reaching 60 b/minute in one horse and 36 b/minute in the other, with shallow breathing. Other measures remained normal. In conclusion, lift programming was successful for weight compensation and mobility during lift support. Complications included avoidance behaviour and respiratory distress at >20% weight compensation, likely caused by the Anderson rescue sling. To address these limitations, a new rehabilitation harness better suited for long-term use is under development.
Development of a rehabilitation harness to aid in recovery from musculoskeletal injuries is needed because serious complications can arise from long-term use of rescue slings. This study’s objective was to determine the anatomical structures of the horse that can bear significant weight, the potential complications that could arise if a horse is not properly supported by the harness and the % weight compensation achievable with the newly developed harness when used together with a dynamic rehabilitation lift. This dynamic lift can reduce the load the limbs carry, either withers-to-pelvis or left-to-right when used in combination with the rehabilitation harness under development. The rehabilitation harness prototype described here was made of cotton/nylon with sheepskin inserts, forming a blanket with high-strength strapping supporting the load-bearing structures of the horse. This prototype was load tested up to 600 kg, for safety, with no sign of failure. In an adult horse, the harness allowed for 40% load reduction from both front (125 of 303 kg [60% of 506 kg]) and hind (80 of 203 kg [40% of 506 kg]) legs before complications (abnormal posture) occurred. Pressure was measured to determine areas of high pressure which lead to the addition of an H-frame and a figure-eight pattern of strapping to the forelimb support reducing pressure, improving posture and achieving greater load reduction (46% [140 of 301.2 kg]). Abnormalities in respiratory rate or pattern were not observed. Future research will include testing the harness longer term (up to six weeks) with the incorporation of an air-pressurised breastplate to detect high-pressure, high-temperature, high-moisture areas, modifying the design further for improved horse-comfort reducing the risk of complications and enabling long-term use of the harness during rehabilitation.
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