Resume

Horse Weigh Horse Walker Research Project, resume by Jane Tomkinson from the research of Dr Bob Colborne, PhD. Department of Anatomy, Bristol University, Dr David Marlin, PhD. BSc., and Paul Farrington, B.Vet.Med.,MRCVS.

Date of Resume - 1st November 2006.

Most equine motion research has been carried on horses walking and trotting in a straight line or on treadmills, and only a handful of studies have looked at the limb motions in horses turning on a circle.

It is widely recognised that signs of lameness are exacerbated in horses exercised on a circle as shown in research documents written by various specialist equine researchers. (Swanson, Wright, Dyson and Chateau)

With our research project, the recordings of the forces between the hoof hitting the ground was measured by using a force plate to calculate the three directions of vertical, longitudinal and transverse. (height, length and width). Using specially designed software the turning motion of the horse’s limb could then be calculated by measuring the pressure of the hoof hitting the ground. This showed that large horizontal twisting movements would create large stresses on the ligaments holding the bones together whereas small movements would be minor.

Placement of the hoof relative to the trunk has a large effect on these movements affecting the stresses on the ligaments. It has been shown that horses turning in a sharp left/right circle place their forefoot in a less protracted position at landing causing more stress on the weight baring side of the horse’s legs.

Our method was to look at three horses aged between 3, 5 and 12, and record the turning moments around the hoof on a 7 m radius circle and on a 5 m radius circle and also walking in a straight line.

It was also demonstrated by the software calculations that the tighter the turn the more impact on the hind hooves.

This study has demonstrated that the construction of the Oval Horse Walker allows the ligaments of the horse to have more of a restorative motion after completing a turn thus lessening the impact of stresses on the limbs whereas if the horse is always turning on the circle (Round Horse Walker) there is no chance for the ligaments to resume their natural stance which will in turn cause more wear and tear on the ligaments and bones.

It was also discussed that the floor surface of the horse walker would have an effect on the horses legs.

Any surface that would hold the hoof and impede rotation would impact a higher stress to the joints i.e. loose rubber or any other soft surfaces (any non-uniform surface would also affect the impact on the horses ligaments). Therefore the surface used should allow free twisting of the hoof, i.e. Kraiburg rubber bricks or mats.