Abstract
Reasons for performing study: Mechanical characterisation of the high speed gallop has significant importance for animal welfare and basic biology. Kinematic parameters such as the velocity of each foot at contact can inform theories of why animals gallop, and supplant epidemiological investigation into the mechanisms of musculoskeletal injury.
Objective: To determine the velocity at which the fore and hind hooves of elite galloping horses impact the surface.
Methods: High speed videography was used to measure the horizontal and vertical velocity of the hoof immediately prior to impact, and the subsequent sink (vertical) and slip (horizontal) distances travelled by the hoof into the surface. Horse speed ranged from 11–19 m/s. In total 170 forelimb and 168 hindlimb foot falls from 89 horses were analysed.
Results: Horizontal and vertical hoof velocity increased with speed (P
| Translated title of the contribution | High speed field kinematics of foot contact in elite galloping horses in training |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Pages (from-to) | 216 - 222 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Equine Veterinary Journal |
| Volume | 43 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2011 |