Vertical movement symmetry of the withers in horses with induced forelimb and hindlimb lameness at trot

Rhodin, Marie; Persson‐Sjodin, Emma; Egenvall, Agneta; Bragança, F. M. Serra; Pfau, Thilo; Roepstorff, L.; Weishaupt, Michael A; Thomsen, Maj Halling; Weeren, P.R. van; Hernlund, Elin

doi:10.1111/evj.12844

Cited by 60 publications

(78 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…We assume that the vertical movement of the sternum can be influenced by both hind-and forelimbs. It has been shown that asymmetric movement of the pelvis translates to asymmetric movement of the wither on the contralateral side due to compensatory mechanisms [29]. On the other hand, SD min could also reflect asymmetric vertical loading of the forelimbs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Functional Rider and Horse Asymmetries on Saddle Force Distribution During Stance and in Sitting Trot

Gunst

Dittmann

Arpagaus

et al. 2019

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

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Asymmetric forces exerted on the horse's back during riding are assumed to have a negative effect on rider-horse interaction and health of the horse. Visualized on a saddle pressure mat they are initially blamed on a non-fitting saddle. The contribution of horse and rider to an asymmetric loading pattern, however, is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of horse and rider asymmetries during stance and in sitting trot on the force distribution on the horse's back using a saddle pressure mat and motion capture analysis simultaneously. Data of 80 horse-rider pairs (HRP) were collected and analyzed using linear (mixed) models to determine the influence of rider and horse variables on asymmetric force distribution. Both, rider and horse variables revealed significant relationships to asymmetric saddle force distribution (P<0.001). During sitting trot, the collapse of the rider in one hip increased the force on the contralateral side and the tilt of the rider's upper body to one side led to more force on the same side of the pressure mat. Analyzing different subsets of data revealed that rider posture as well as horse movements and conformation can cause an asymmetric loading pattern. Since neither horse nor rider movement can be assessed independently during riding, the interpretation of an asymmetric force distribution on the saddle pressure mat remains challenging and all contributing factors (horse, rider, saddle) need to be considered.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Functional Rider and Horse Asymmetries on Saddle Force Distribution During Stance and in Sitting Trot

Gunst

Dittmann

Arpagaus

et al. 2019

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

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show abstract

“…Several studies have focused on non-pathological sources of asymmetry at trot [ 1 , 18 – 19 ], in which the vertical excursions of head, withers and/or pelvis are commonly used for symmetry evaluation. Withers symmetry has been shown to be the most direct indication of asymmetry in the forelimbs that is least prone to confounding influences [ 20 ]. However, the walk has been largely neglected and relatively little is known about inherent asymmetries in this gait.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomechanical findings in horses showing asymmetrical vertical excursions of the withers at walk

et al. 2018

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The walk and trot are inherently symmetrical gaits, making them potentially suitable for the detection of left-right asymmetries. The aims of this study were to describe asymmetrical vertical excursions of the withers at walk in non-lame high-level dressage horses and to seek associations between these asymmetric movements and other kinematic variables and vertical ground reaction forces (vGRFs). Seven dressage horses, judged clinically as being sound, walked unridden and unrestrained on a treadmill with an integrated force measuring system (480 Hz), from which spatiotemporal and vGRF variables were extracted. Markers were tracked by 12 infrared cameras (240 Hz). The vertical position of the sixth thoracic vertebra (T6), limb protraction and retraction distances throughout stance, and global limb lengths were determined. Contralateral trial-mean differences were calculated, including difference in T6 minimum vertical position between contralateral steps (T6minDiff). Mixed models were used to study associations between symmetry parameters. Trial-mean T6minDiff ranged between 0.3–23 mm. Of the seven horses, five consistently dropped the withers more in early left forelimb stance, one was fairly symmetrical, and one dropped the withers more in early right forelimb stance. Comparisons between contralateral limbs showed the following associations. The forelimb that was retracted when T6min was lowest showed greater retraction at toe-off (1 mm increase predicted 0.17 mm T6minDiff increase) and shorter stance duration (1 ms decrease predicted 0.3 mm T6minDiff increase). The hind limb that was in midstance when T6min was lowest showed a greater range of motion during the stance phase (1 mm increase in protraction or retraction predicted 0.2 mm T6minDiff increase). The haunches were displaced away from the side of the forelimb that was protracted when T6min was lowest (1 mm lateral shift predicted 0.07 mm T6minDiff increase). Forelimb and hind limb vGRF parameters were non-significant. Asymmetry of vertical withers movement in horses assessed as being sound at trot was related to a complex pattern of asymmetries in spatiotemporal variables throughout the stride cycle rather than to vertical load redistribution between the forelimbs. This suggests that the asymmetry may be due to inherent laterality rather than weight-bearing lameness.

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“…That pattern is also found in many (not all) clinically hind limb lame horses [ 6 , 13 ]. The opposite-sided changes in PDmin and PDmax found here suggest that horses move mechanically differently immediately after being fitted with an orthotic lift–an artificial lengthening of one of the hind limbs–compared to an induced (painful) lameness [ 14 ] or indeed differently to common patterns seen in naturally asymmetrical horses [ 29 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ‘law of sides’ [ 13 ] relates a concurrent ipsilateral head and pelvic asymmetry to an increased likelihood of a primary hind limb lameness and a contralateral asymmetry to a primary forelimb lameness. Adding measurement of withers movement asymmetry into a gait assessment has shown good discriminative potential between induced forelimb lameness (head and withers movement asymmetry same-sided) and induced hind limb lameness (head and withers movement asymmetry of opposite direction) [ 14 ]. Synchronous measurement of head, withers and pelvic movement hence appears to be a workable compromise between in-field applicability (measurement with cameras or inertial measurement units rather than direct measurement of force with force platforms) and providing sufficiently accurate and precise measurements [ 15 , 16 ] allowing insights into the fundamental mechanics related to force asymmetry in lame horses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of a unilateral hind limb orthotic lift on upper body movement symmetry in the trotting horse

Vertz¹,

Deblanc²,

Rhodin³

et al. 2018

PLoS ONE

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In trotting horses, movement asymmetry is associated with ground reaction force asymmetry. In humans, limb length differences influence contralateral force production. Here we investigate whether horses, in immediate reaction to limb length changes, show movement asymmetry adaptations consistent with reported force differences. Aim of this study was to quantify pelvic and compensatory head and withers movement asymmetry as a function of limb length changes after application of orthotic lifts. In this experimental study movement asymmetry of eleven trotting horses was calculated from vertical displacement of poll, withers, sacrum and left and right tuber coxae with inertial sensors. Horses were assessed in-hand under 5 conditions (all with hind limb boots): without orthotic lifts, and with a 15mm or 30mm orthotic lift applied to the left hind or right hind. A linear mixed model investigated the influence of orthotic lift condition (P<0.05, pairwise posthoc Bonferroni correction). Pelvic movement asymmetry showed increased pelvic downward movement during stance of the shorter limb and increased pelvic upward movement during and after stance of the longer limb (P<0.001) with asymmetry changes of 3-7mm (4-10mm) for 15mm (30mm) lifts. Hip hike (tuber coxae movement asymmetry) was unaffected (P = 0.348). Head and withers movement asymmetry were affected less consistently (2 of 3 respectively 1 of 3 head or withers parameters). The small sample size of the study reduced generalizability, no direct force measurements were conducted and only immediate effects of orthotic lifts were assessed with no re-assessments days or weeks after. Conclusions about mechanical consequences (weight bearing, pushoff) are based on published movement-force associations. Pelvic movement asymmetry with an artificial change in limb length through application of an orthotic lift indicates increased weight support with the shorter limb and increased pushoff with the longer limb. This may be of relevance for the management of horses with different hoof shapes between contralateral limbs, for example some chronically lame horse.

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Vertical movement symmetry of the withers in horses with induced forelimb and hindlimb lameness at trot

Cited by 60 publications

References 21 publications

Influence of Functional Rider and Horse Asymmetries on Saddle Force Distribution During Stance and in Sitting Trot

Influence of Functional Rider and Horse Asymmetries on Saddle Force Distribution During Stance and in Sitting Trot

Biomechanical findings in horses showing asymmetrical vertical excursions of the withers at walk

Effect of a unilateral hind limb orthotic lift on upper body movement symmetry in the trotting horse

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