Kinetic examination of initial hoof contact, load distribution and break-over in the forelimbs of horses walking and trotting on a treadmill using the HoofTM System (Tekscan®)

Abstract

ZusammenfassungDie kinetische Bewegungsanalyse dient beim Pferd u.a. dazu, die Beurteilung von Hufkorrekturmaßnahmen mit technischen Mitteln zu verbessern. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde gezeigt, dass derartige Untersuchungen mit dem hier getesteten, relativ kostengünstigen Hoof TM -System (Tekscan ® ) zur Ermittlung der Druckverteilung unter der Hufsohle nicht nur wissenschaftlich, sondern auch unter Klinikbedingungen möglich sind. Außerdem wurde mit dieser Methode die Fußung, die Belastung und der Abrollvorgang der Vordergliedmaßen von 10 Pferden auf dem Laufband untersucht. Bei den überwiegend zeheneng gestellten Gliedmaßen der Probanden dieser Studie traten erwartungsgemäß am häufigsten die laterale Fußung, eine stärkere Belastung der lateralen Hufhälfte und ein Abrollen über die laterale Zehe auf. Eine nicht geringe Anzahl von Gliedmaßen entsprach allerdings in Bezug auf die Interaktionen zwischen speziellen Gliedmaßen-bzw. Zehenstellungen und Hufformen einerseits mit der Fußung und der Belastung andererseits nicht den überlieferten Erwartungen. Deshalb ist zusätz-lich zu der Erfassung der Gliedmaßenkonformation eine individuelle Ganganalyse, z.B. zur Optimierung der Hufbalance, erforderlich. Die auf historischen Beobachtungen beruhende Fußungstheorie, die auch heute noch einen basalen Stellenwert im Rahmen der Hufzubereitung hat, wurde durch die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Studie mit moderner Technik als weiterhin bedeutsam bestätigt.Schlüsselwörter: Bewegungsanalyse / Kinetik / Hufsensor / Hufkorrektur / Fußungstheorie / Pferd Kinetic examination of initial hoof contact, load distribution and break-over in the forelimbs of horses walking and trotting on a treadmill using the Hoof TM System (Tekscan ® )Kinetic analysis of equine gait is used, among other purposes, as a technical means to aid in the clinical assessment of the effects of hoof trimming. The current study shows that the relatively low-priced Hoof TM System (Tekscan ® ) for hoof pressure measurement allows such investigations not only for scientific purposes, but also in clinical conditions. Additionally, initial hoof contact, load distribution and break-over of the fore hooves of 10 horses on the treadmill were analyzed with this technique. The limbs, which mostly had a toe-in conformation, showed predominantly, as expected, lateral landing, higher loading of the lateral aspect of the hoof and lateral break-over. However, a certain number of limbs showed motion and loading patterns that were not expected based on traditional interpretations of the effects of hoof and distal limb conformation. Therefore, gait analysis should be performed on an individual basis in this type of animals, for example for optimising hoof balance. The theory of dynamic hoof balance (Fußungstheorie), which is empirically based but still is fundamental for practical hoof trimming today, was confirmed by the results of the present study.

Hoof kinetic patterns differ between sound and laminitic horses

“…However, in laminitic horses, relative vertical force and vertical impulse were higher in the heel region than in other regions, while in the control group, relative vertical force and vertical impulse were the highest in the toe region. These results agree with the findings in standing horses with severe laminitis, 8 which showed that the percentage of vertical force under the heel and toe was 61% and 39% respectively. Similarly, in obese ponies, which may be suffering from subclinical stages of laminitis, the load in the heel region was higher than that in the toe region 13 .…”

“…This might explain the difference in the distribution pattern of forces in these two studies, as the gait can change the distribution of forces 14 . Our finding is in agreement with two previous studies that indicated greater load in the cranial half of the hoof while walking in unshod horses 8 and higher peak vertical force in the cranial half of the hoof than in the caudal half in sound shod horses 15 …”

“…A detailed knowledge of the load distribution pattern within different hoof regions in horses with laminitis will help the equine practitioners to optimise the supportive therapy. The Hoof ™ System has been successfully used to evaluate the load distribution within the hoof in shod and unshod horses, and to study the effect of different horseshoes at different ground properties 8‐10 . However, no kinetic measurements have been performed to assess the load distribution in the laminitic hoof so far.…”

Effect of different flooring types on pressure distribution under the bovine claw – an ex vivo study

“…It has frequently been used in equine research and was recommended for scientific and clinical application by Lange et al [17]. As some authors stated a lack of accuracy in using this piezoresistive foil sensors [19, 21, 31], most equine studies were confined to relative comparisons [14, 15, 17]. However, by use of an appropriate calibration under trial conditions and expected loads, an adequate accuracy could be obtained with this sensors [19–21].…”

“…Especially after proper calibration the piezoelectric sensors showed a reliable accuracy [20, 21]. The system was tested and recommended for scientific and clinical application by Lange et al [17]. …”