In vivo transmission of impact shock waves in the distal forelimb of the horse

Abstract

Summary There is a high prevalence of lameness among Standardbred trotters, most commonly caused by noninfectious joint diseases, mainly related to training and competition. In this context, impact‐related shock waves transmitted through the skeleton and joints have been proposed to be one important factor in the development of osteoarthritis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the characteristic pattern of the events immediately following first contact, with a focus on the in vivo transmission of impact shock waves in the distal forelimb. Two horses were trotted by hand over a force plate. Recordings of 3‐D kinematics of the distal forelimb were carried out by use of a 240 Hz video system. Tri‐axial accelerometer data were collected from a bone‐mounted accelerometer on the midlateral side of the third metacarpal bone (McIII) and from another accelerometer attached to the lateral side of the hoof. Force plate and accelerometer data were sampled at 4.8 kHz using a 16‐bit A/D‐converter, synchronised with the kinematic data. The results indicate that the time lapse of the horizontal retardation of the hoof is an important factor in the attenuation of the impact. A shorter period of hoof braking showed higher amplitudes in the longitudinal retardation of McIII and a more rapid oscillation. This makes all parameters that affect the horizontal hoof braking potentially important to the orthopaedic health of the horse.

Synthetic shoes attenuate hoof impact in the trotting warmblood horse

“…The variability in maximum amplitude in the three main directions is large, which is in accordance with the findings of Burn et al and Gustås et al 13,21 The intra-individual variability was smaller than the interindividual variability, while horizontal decelerations (the maximal horizontal force on the hoof owing to friction) show more variability than vertical decelerations. Even though we used only 12 horses and six trials per horse, it was still possible to show a significant difference between the shoeing conditions.…”

“…A similar relationship has been suggested for performance horses 1,11 . The vibrations generated in the horse's limb during each impact are transmitted proximally and attenuated during this process [12][13][14][15] . The relative contribution of the different structures in the horse's lower limb to the reduction of these impact vibrations has not yet been clarified.…”

Discrimination of two equine racing surfaces based on forelimb dynamic and hoof kinematic variables at the canter

“…Provided that the range and acquisition frequency of the accelerometers are adapted to the studied phenomenon, this technique is relevant, since concussion and high frequency vibrations have been incriminated as a risk factor for damage to subchondral bone and joints (Radin et al, 1973;Serink et al, 1977;Gustås et al, 2001). However, accelerometers are not adapted to quantify the forces applied under the horse's hoof during the loading phase of support, although these forces, especially the peak vertical forces and the corresponding load rates, are likely to be the most critical factors contributing to musculoskeletal injuries (Cheney et al, 1973).…”

Mechanical behavior and quantitative morphology of the equine laminar junction

“…1a;LJ). It is important in absorbing the shock of hoof impact with the ground and transmitting force between the skeleton and ground (Gustås et al, 2001). It is also important to the equine industry because of its susceptibility to a disease called laminitis, which has numerous causes and can have debilitating effects on the animal (Pollitt, 1998).…”