title: Comparative kinematic analysis of the leading and trailing forelimbs of horses cantering on a turf and a synthetic surface.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relationship between track surface properties and limb kinematics is poorly understood. Hoof orientation within the track surface has never been quantified under training conditions. Previously described kinematic and dynamic differences between leading and trailing forelimbs at the canter poorly correlate with epidemiological data regarding injuries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare joint kinematics and hoof orientation in the leading and trailing forelimbs of horses cantering on turf and on a synthetic surface.
  
  
  METHODS
  Noninvasive experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The right forelimb of 5 horses was equipped with markers facing the main joints while markers and a dynamometric horseshoe were placed on the hoof. The horses were filmed with 2 high-speed cameras (1000 Hz) while cantering (30 km/h). Recordings were repeated at each lead and alternated on turf and on a synthetic surface. Joint angles and angles of the hoof and limb to the track were measured from the 2-dimensional coordinates of the markers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Elbow, carpus and fetlock were more maximally flexed during swing and had a larger range of motion throughout the stride in the leading forelimb. Maximal carpal extension during stance was also larger on this limb, which had a more toe-up orientation. Comparing surfaces, the limb was more oblique at landing, the range of motion of the hoof into the surface was larger, most kinematic events were delayed and fetlock and carpus extension velocities were smaller on the synthetic surface.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The differences between limbs were more prominent than those between surfaces and the more toe-up orientation on the hoof of the leading forelimb suggests a different loading of that limb's joints and tendons. Differences between limbs may be important in the interpretation of lead changes in lame horses. While the synthetic surface appears to be less strenuous for the joints in the forelimbs, it was associated with changes in timing of the kinematic events of the stride.
authors.affiliation: Université Paris Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, USC 957 BPLC, F-94700, Maisons-Alfort, France; INRA, USC 957 BPLC, F-94700, Maisons-Alfort, France.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Crevier-Denoix
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Falala
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Holden-Douilly
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camus
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ravary-Plumioen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vergari
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Desquilbet
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Denoix
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chateau
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pourcelot
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005552:Forelimb; D005684:Gait; D006724:Hoof and Claw; D006736:Horses; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013710:Tendons
keywords: carpus; hoof orientation; horse; kinematics; lead; track