Circle Diameter Impacts Stride Frequency and Forelimb Stance Duration at Various Gaits in Horses

• Main Authors: Logan, A.A (Author), Nielsen, B.D (Author), Snyder, A.J (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI 2023
• Subjects: animal; Animals; asymmetry; Asymmetry; Biomechanical Phenomena; biomechanics; circular; Circular; equestrian; Equestrian; equine; Equine; exercise; Exercise; Fixed effects; forelimb; Forelimb; gait; Gait; horse; Horse; Horses; lunge; Lunge; Upper Extremity; upper limb; walking; Walking
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher; View in Scopus
• ISBN: 14248220 (ISSN)
• DOI: 10.3390/s23094232

The effects of gait and diameter have been studied independently, but rarely together in equine circular exercise studies. This study aimed to determine the impact of diameter (10-m or 15-m) at various gaits (walk, trot, and canter) on stride frequency or forelimb stance duration. Nine mature horses were outfitted with Tekscan™ Hoof Sensors on their forelimbs during circular and straight-line exercise at various gaits on a clay and sand arena surface. Statistical analysis was performed in SAS 9.4 with fixed effects of exercise type, recording, leg, and breed (PROC GLIMMIX, p < 0.05 significance). At walk (p < 0.0001) and trot (p < 0.001), stride frequency was lower during circular exercise. Stride frequency was similar between forelimbs at all gaits. At walk (p < 0.001) and canter (p = 0.01), stance duration was greatest during 10-m circle exercise. At walk (p = 0.0007), trot (p < 0.001), and canter (p < 0.0001), the inside forelimb had longer stance duration than the outside forelimb. Differences between forelimb stance durations may support asymmetrical travel while horses exercise on a circle at the walk, trot, and canter. These results demonstrate diameter and gait are important factors when evaluating forelimb kinematics during circular exercise. © 2023 by the authors.