Relationships between fore‐ and hindlimb ground reaction force and hoof deceleration patterns in trotting horses

Abstract

Summary Reasons for performing study: The transmission of shockwaves following hoof impact is proposed to be one major source of stress to the limb. In the forelimb, there are indications that the period of horizontal deceleration of the hoof is related to the attenuation of shockwaves. In the hindlimb, information about the hoof deceleration has been lacking. Objective: To compare hoof deceleration patterns between the fore‐ and hindlimbs. Methods: Seven Standardbreds were trotted by hand over a force plate covered with sand, with triaxial accelerometers mounted on the fore and hind hooves. Variables representative of decelerations (first 2 main vertical deceleration peaks; characteristic minimum and maximum values in the craniocaudal deceleration; hoof braking time) and ground reaction forces (vertical loading rates; maximum and the following local minimum of the craniocaudal force) of the initial part of the stance phase, and the differences between individual fore‐ and hindlimb time and amplitude variables were used for statistical analyses. Results: Force plate data showed significantly greater vertical loading rate (mean ± s.d. 6.5 ± 5.9 N/sec) and horizontal loads (190.4 ± 110.2 N) in the forelimb than the hindlimb, but the parameters from accelerometer data showed no significant differences. Conclusions: No significant difference was found in the hoof deceleration, but the deceleration curves displayed a common pattern that described in detail the kinematics of the fore and hind hooves during the initial period of hoof braking. Potential relevance: These results contribute to further knowledge about the characteristics of these potential risk factors in the development of subchondral bone damage in the horse. Further studies are required on the influence of hoof braking pattern at higher speed, different shoeing and ground surfaces with different properties.

Accelerometric and dynamometric measurements of the impact shock of the equine forelimb and hindlimb at high speed trot on six different tracks – preliminary study in one horse

“…It was not possible to demonstrate a difference between FL and HL, neither for Fz_Imp nor Az_Imp. This confirms results from a previous study at slower speed, where only the vertical loading rate was found significantly larger in the forelimbs (Gustas et al 2004).…”

“…However, accelerometric studies comparing surfaces in trotters at high speed are very few and do not include measurement of surfaces' hardness (Chateau et al 2009). Furthermore, although hindlimb lamenesses are frequent in trotters, there are only limited data, at slow trot only, comparing the impact shock in the forelimbs and hindlimbs (Gustas et al 2004). It is generally admitted that the forces exerted on the hoof at impact are relatively low because only the mass of the distal digit participates to the collision.…”

Does ‘hacking’ surface type affect equine forelimb foot placement, movement symmetry or hoof impact deceleration during ridden walk and trot exercise?

“…Like others who have utilised hoof‐mounted accelerometers, we have reported high levels of within horse variation regarding vibration parameters . In order to minimise the within horse variation, the accelerometer was not removed between trials in this study.…”

Anatomical transverse magnetic resonance imaging study of ligaments in palmar surface of metacarpus in Miniature donkey: identification of a new ligament

“…However, the load at the stance phase in Thoroughbred racehorses was recorded as 120% of the body weight during trot [11], 120-150% of the body weight during canter [19] and 170% of the body weight during gallop [15]. During walking, trotting and galloping, the forelimbs bear more weight than the hindlimbs [10].…”