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Conference abstract - Peer-reviewed, 2012

Evaluation of the motion pattern of horses with induced lameness during lunging

Rhodin, Marie; Roepstorff, Lars; Egenvall, Agneta

Abstract

Lunging is often used at lameness examinations since the circular path affects the loading of the limbs. During lunging the movement of sound horses become naturally asymmetric. Compensatory lameness mechanisms have not been studied at lunging. Vertical head and pelvic movements were measured, with accelerometers, in ten horses with induced fore- and hind limb lameness, to study circle-dependant asymmetries and compensatory asymmetries at lunging. The differences between maximum and minimum vertical position, between left and right limbs, for the head and pelvis were compared. Mixed models were constructed to study the effect of lunging direction and compensatory mechanisms between fore- and hind limb, on the induced lameness. Degree of asymmetry increased at lunging for the inner hind limb. When inducing fore limb lameness a contralateral hind limb effect was found and when hind limb lameness was induced a compensatory ipsilateral forelimb effect was seen.

Published in

Title: Abstract book, 7th International conference on Canine and Equine Locomotion
Publisher: 7th International conference on Canine and Equine Locomotion

Conference

7th International conference on Canine and Equine Locomotion