Modeling equine race surface vertical mechanical behaviors in a musculoskeletal modeling environment

Modelling the effect of race surface and racehorse limb parameters on in silico fetlock motion and propensity for injury

“…Thus, frequent harrowing is recommended during training and racing sessions to reduce the likelihood that horses will impact a consolidated surface. Previously observed dirt surfaces had deep, less stiff cushion layers compared with synthetic surfaces with shallow, more stiff cushions . However, the effect and relative magnitude of changes in upper layer stiffness and depth on distal limb motion remains unknown.…”

“…In the current study, virtual race surfaces were designed to reproduce the range of observed mechanics of measured, harrowed and consolidated, dirt and synthetic race surfaces . Changes in race surface parameters altered the mechanics and ground reaction forces applied to the hoof by the race surface . Baseline simulations were performed using a fixed set of limb parameters from experimental data .…”

“…Changes in race surface parameters altered the mechanics and ground reaction forces applied to the hoof by the race surface . Baseline simulations were performed using a fixed set of limb parameters from experimental data . Individual parameters within the limb and race surface, including stiffness (linear) and depth of the upper layer of the surface (commonly referred to as the cushion by industry professionals), horizontal friction, tendon and ligament stiffnesses and fetlock position at heel strike, were modulated to determine their individual effect and relative magnitude on distal limb motions, particularly the fetlock and the hoof (Table ).…”

“…Race surface mechanical testing curves (force, displacement) have an initial linear region, followed by a nonlinear region at greater depths. Thus, a series of simulations were performed to model 25 combinations of upper layer linear stiffness (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 MN/m) and depth (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 cm) laid on top of a series of four observed lower layers, with nonlinear stiffness (representative of harrowed and consolidated, dirt and synthetic surfaces) .…”

Diagnostic approach to catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses

“…Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory at the University of California-Davis and a diverse group of veterinary specialists in equine orthopedics, bone pathology, biomechanics, and epidemiology for more "in-depth" analysis of these injuries has greatly enhanced our program and led to breakthrough scientific information over the past 25 years. [1][2][3]7,10,13,[17][18][19][20][21]23,26,27,[31][32][33][34]36,37,39,[41][42][43] This research has improved the understanding of the clinical signs, etiopathogenesis, and risk factors associated with catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses. The 2 most important concepts that were identified during the course of our postmortem program were that injuries occur at consistent locations and in characteristic configurations for each specific bone, and that preexisting pathologic conditions commonly precede catastrophic injury.…”