title: Kinetics of the forelimb in horses circling on different ground surfaces at the trot.
abstract: Circling increases the expression of distal forelimb lameness in the horse, depending on rein, diameter and surface properties of the circle. However, there is limited information about the kinetics of horses trotting on circles. The aim of this study was to quantify ground reaction force (GRF) and moments in the inside and outside forelimb of horses trotting on circles and to compare the results obtained on different ground surfaces. The right front hoof of six horses was equipped with a dynamometric horseshoe, allowing the measurement of 3-dimensional GRF, moments and trajectory of the centre of pressure. The horses were lunged at slow trot (3 m/s) on right and left 4 m radius circles on asphalt and on a fibre sand surface. During circling, the inside forelimb produced a smaller peak vertical force and the stance phase was longer in comparison with the outside forelimb. Both right and left circling produced a substantial transversal force directed outwards. On a soft surface (sand fibre), the peak transversal force and moments around the longitudinal and vertical axes of the hoof were significantly decreased in comparison with a hard surface (asphalt). Sinking of the lateral or medial part of the hoof in a more compliant surface enables reallocation of part of the transversal force into a proximo-distal force, aligned with the limb axis, thus limiting extrasagittal stress on the joints.
authors: Henry
authors: H
authors: Chateau
authors: Mathieu
authors: M
authors: Camus
authors: Laurène
authors: L
authors: Holden-Douilly
authors: Sylvain
authors: S
authors: Falala
authors: Bérangère
authors: B
authors: Ravary
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Vergari
authors: Justine
authors: J
authors: Lepley
authors: Jean-Marie
authors: JM
authors: Denoix
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Pourcelot
authors: Nathalie
authors: N
authors: Crevier-Denoix
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005552:Forelimb / Q000502:physiology*; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D016474:Weight-Bearing