title: The effect of two preparation procedures on an equine arena surface in relation to motion of the hoof and metacarpophalangeal joint.
abstract: A link between surface characteristics and injury has been identified in equine disciplines. Maintenance procedures are reported to affect surface characteristics and could influence horse movement. The study investigated limb and hoof movement on a synthetic surface following two different preparations (harrowing and rolling). Nine horses were recorded using infrared cameras and retro-reflective markers at walk, trot and canter on two surface preparations in a cross-over design. Hoof rotation and displacement, metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) extension and third metacarpal (McIII) inclination (roll, pitch and yaw) were analysed using a general linear model. Surface hardness and traction were also measured. No differences in hoof rotations or hoof displacements were found between preparations. However, following harrowing, greater (P<0.05) MCPJ extension at mid-stance and greater (P<0.05) McIII adduction at impact was found when gait was grouped. Hardness and traction were statistically similar for both preparations. Alteration to the surface cushion appears to be sufficient to produce subtle changes in stride characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB1 1PT, England, UK. Electronic address: alison.northrop@anglia.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Alison J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Northrop
authors.affiliation: Myerscough College, St Michaels Road, Bilsborrow, Preston, Lancashire PR3 0RY, England, UK.
authors.forename: Laura-Anne
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Dagg
authors.affiliation: Myerscough College, St Michaels Road, Bilsborrow, Preston, Lancashire PR3 0RY, England, UK.
authors.forename: Jaime H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Myerscough College, St Michaels Road, Bilsborrow, Preston, Lancashire PR3 0RY, England, UK.
authors.forename: Charlotte V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Brigden
authors.affiliation: Myerscough College, St Michaels Road, Bilsborrow, Preston, Lancashire PR3 0RY, England, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.affiliation: Myerscough College, St Michaels Road, Bilsborrow, Preston, Lancashire PR3 0RY, England, UK.
authors.forename: Emma L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Blundell
authors.affiliation: University of Maine, Mechanical Engineering, 5711 Boardman Hall, Orono, ME, USA.
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.affiliation: University of Central Lancashire, Centre for Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2HE, England, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hobbs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005552:Forelimb; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006724:Hoof and Claw / Q000502:physiology*; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Equine; Kinematics; Surface preparation