Editorial Type:
Biomechanics

Comparison of limb loading and movement of Icelandic horses while tölting and trotting at equal speeds

Nina M. Waldern Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.

Search for other papers by Nina M. Waldern in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
 Dr Med Vet, PhD
,
Thomas Wiestner Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.

Search for other papers by Thomas Wiestner in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
 EL ING HTL
,
Lea C. Ramseier Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.

Search for other papers by Lea C. Ramseier in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
 Dr Med Vet
, and
Michael A. Weishaupt Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.

Search for other papers by Michael A. Weishaupt in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
 Dr Med Vet, PhD
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.76.12.1031
Volume/Issue:
Volume 76: Issue 12
Online Publication Date:
01 Dec 2015
Restricted access
Sign In Reprints and Permissions Purchase Article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To compare gait mechanics and limb loading in Icelandic horses tölting and trotting at equal speeds and estimate their impact on orthopedic health.

ANIMALS 12 orthopedically normal Icelandic horses.

PROCEDURES Kinetic and kinematic gait variables were simultaneously recorded as each horse was ridden at a tölt and trot on an instrumented treadmill at 3.4 m/s and 3.9 m/s. Differences between gaits were tested via 1-factor repeated-measures ANOVA.

RESULTS Horses had a higher stride rate and lower stride impulses at a tölt than at a trot. For forelimbs at a tölt, shorter relative stance duration resulted in higher peak vertical force (Fzpeak). Conversely, for hind limbs, longer relative stance duration resulted in lower Fzpeak. The higher head-neck position at a tölt versus trot caused no weight shift to the hind limbs, but a higher forehoof flight arc and lower proretraction movement were identified. Stance durations for forelimbs were briefer than for hind limbs at a tölt, and the inverse was observed at a trot. Minimal height of the horse's trunk at the point of Fzpeak of the respective limb suggested a spring-like mechanism for all limbs at a tölt. Hind limb measurements revealed no evidence of increased collection. Stride-to-stride limb timing varied more at a tölt than at a trot. At a trot, horses had brief or no suspension phases and a slightly 4-beated footfall rhythm was common. Post hoc energetic estimations revealed that tölting at the measured speeds was less advantageous than trotting.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE High forelimb action in Icelandic horses and higher head-neck position at a tölt were associated with more restricted limb proretraction, higher Fzpeak, and faster force onset than at a trot. The impact of these differences on orthopedic health needs to be investigated more in detail.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To compare gait mechanics and limb loading in Icelandic horses tölting and trotting at equal speeds and estimate their impact on orthopedic health.

ANIMALS 12 orthopedically normal Icelandic horses.

PROCEDURES Kinetic and kinematic gait variables were simultaneously recorded as each horse was ridden at a tölt and trot on an instrumented treadmill at 3.4 m/s and 3.9 m/s. Differences between gaits were tested via 1-factor repeated-measures ANOVA.

RESULTS Horses had a higher stride rate and lower stride impulses at a tölt than at a trot. For forelimbs at a tölt, shorter relative stance duration resulted in higher peak vertical force (Fzpeak). Conversely, for hind limbs, longer relative stance duration resulted in lower Fzpeak. The higher head-neck position at a tölt versus trot caused no weight shift to the hind limbs, but a higher forehoof flight arc and lower proretraction movement were identified. Stance durations for forelimbs were briefer than for hind limbs at a tölt, and the inverse was observed at a trot. Minimal height of the horse's trunk at the point of Fzpeak of the respective limb suggested a spring-like mechanism for all limbs at a tölt. Hind limb measurements revealed no evidence of increased collection. Stride-to-stride limb timing varied more at a tölt than at a trot. At a trot, horses had brief or no suspension phases and a slightly 4-beated footfall rhythm was common. Post hoc energetic estimations revealed that tölting at the measured speeds was less advantageous than trotting.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE High forelimb action in Icelandic horses and higher head-neck position at a tölt were associated with more restricted limb proretraction, higher Fzpeak, and faster force onset than at a trot. The impact of these differences on orthopedic health needs to be investigated more in detail.

Contributor Notes

Dr. Ramseier's present address is Equine Department, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.

Address correspondence to Dr. Weishaupt (mweishaupt@vetclinics.uzh.ch).
Cover American Journal of Veterinary Research
American Journal of Veterinary Research
Publication Date:
01 Dec 2015

  • 1. Barrey E., Gaits and interlimb coordination. In: Back W, Clayton HM, eds. Equine locomotion. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier, 2013;85–98.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 2. Zips S, Peham C, Scheidl M, et al., Motion pattern of the toelt of Icelandic horses at different speeds. Equine Vet J Suppl 200;(33): 109–111.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 3. Rumpler B, Riha A, Licka T, et al. Influence of shoes with different weights on the motion of the limbs in Icelandic horses during toelt at different speeds. Equine Vet J Suppl 2010;(38): 451–454.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 4. Nicodemus MC, Clayton HM. Temporal variables of four-beat, stepping gaits of gaited horses. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2003; 80: 133–142.

  • 5. Robilliard JJ, Pfau T, Wilson AM. Gait characterisation and classification in horses. J Exp Biol 2007; 210: 187–197.

  • 6. Biknevicius AR, Mullineaux DR, Clayton HM. Locomotor mechanics of the tölt in Icelandic horses. Am J Vet Res 2006; 67: 1505–1510.

  • 7. Biknevicius AR, Mullineaux DR, Clayton HM. Ground reaction forces and limb function in tolting Icelandic horses. Equine Vet J 2004;36: 743–747

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 8. Waldern NM, Wiestner T, Ramseier LC, et al., Effects of shoeing on limb movement and ground reaction forces in Icelandic horses at walk, tolt and trot. Vet J 2013; 198 (suppl 1): e103–e108.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 9. Weishaupt MA, Waldern NM, Amport C, et al., Effects of shoeing on intra- and inter-limb coordination and movement consistency in Icelandic horses at walk, tolt and trot. Vet J 2013;198, (suppl 1):e109–e113.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 10. Feldmann A, Rostock A., Sattelung und zäumung. In: Feldmann A, Rostock A, eds. Islandpferde reitlehr. Bonn, Germany: Thenee Druck AG, 1986;32–41.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 11. Harman J. Tack and saddle fit. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1999; 15: 247–261.

  • 12. Weishaupt MA, Hogg HP, Wiestner T, et al., Instrumented treadmill for measuring vertical ground reaction forces in horses. Am J Vet Res 2002; 63: 520–527.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 13. Holmström M, Fredricson I, Drevemo S. Biokinematic effects of collection on the trotting gaits in the elite dressage horse. Equine Vet J 1995; 27: 281–287.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 14. Clayton HM. Comparison of the stride kinematics of the collected, working, medium and extended trot in horses. Equine Vet J 1994; 26: 230–234.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 15. Weishaupt MA, Wiestner T, Hogg HP, et al., Vertical ground reaction force-time histories of sound warmblood horses trotting on a treadmill. Vet J 2004; 168: 304–311.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 16. Weishaupt MA, Hogg HP, Auer JA, et al., Velocity-dependent changes of time, force and spatial parameters in warmblood horses walking and trotting on a treadmill. Equine Vet J Suppl 2010;(38): 530–537.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 17. Biknevicius AR, Reilly SM. Correlation of symmetrical gaits and whole body mechanics: debunking myths in locomotor biodynamics. J Exp Zool A Comp Exp Biol 2006; 305: 923–934.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 18. von Peinen K, Wiestner T, Bogisch S, et al., Relationship between the forces acting on the horse's back and the movements of rider and horse while walking on a treadmill. Equine Vet J 2009; 41: 285–291.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 19. Alexander RM, Maloiy GMO, Hunter B, et al., Mechanical stresses in fast locomotion of buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and elephant (Loxodonta africana). J Zool 1979; 189: 135–144.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 20. Witte TH, Knill K, Wilson AM. Determination of peak vertical ground reaction force from duty factor in the horse (Equus caballus). J Exp Biol 2004; 207: 3639–3648.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 21. Weishaupt MA, Wiestner T, von Peinen K, et al., Effect of head and neck position on vertical ground reaction forces and interlimb coordination in the dressage horse ridden at walk and trot on a treadmill. Equine Vet J Suppl 2006;(36)387–392.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 22. Waldern NM, Wiestner T, von Peinen K, et al., Influence of different head-neck positions on vertical ground reaction forces, linear and time parameters in the unridden horse walking and trotting on a treadmill. Equine Vet J 2009; 41: 268–273.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 23. Buchner HH, Obermuller S, Scheidl M. Body centre of mass movement in the sound horse. Vet J 2000; 160: 225–234.

  • 24. Feldmann A, Rostock A., Tölt. In: Feldmann A, Rostock A, eds. Islandpferde reitlehre. Bonn, Germany: Thenee Druck AG, 1986;249–271.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 25. Weishaupt MA, Bystrom A, von Peinen K, et al., Kinetics and kinematics of the passage. Equine Vet J 2009; 41: 263–267.

  • 26. Egenvall A, Byström A, Weishaupt MA, et al., Horse-rider interaction. In: Back W, Clayton HM, eds. Equine locomotion. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier, 2013;341–368.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 27. McMahon TA, Valiant G, Frederick EC. Groucho running. J Appl Physiol 1987; 62: 2326–2337.

  • 28. Ramseier LC, Waldern NM, Wiestner T, et al., Saddle pressure distributions of three saddles used in Icelandic horses and their effects on ground reaction forces, limb movements and rider positions at walk and tölt. Vet J 2013; 198 (suppl 1): e81–e87.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 29. Hof AL. Scaling gait data to body size. Gait Posture 1996; 4: 222–223.

  • 30. Dutto DJ, Hoyt DF, Wickler SJ. Ground reaction forces during level, incline, and decline trotting. Comp Integr Biol 2002; 42: 1223.

  • 31. Bogisch S, Geser-von Peinen K, Wiestner T, et al., Influence of velocity on horse and rider movement and resulting saddle forces at walk and trot. Comp Exerc Physiol 2014; 10: 23–32.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 32. Andersson LS, Larhammar M, Memic F, et al., Mutations in DMRT3 affect locomotion in horses and spinal circuit function in mice. Nature 2012; 488: 642–646.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 33. Kram R, Taylor CR. Energetics of running—a new perspective. Nature 1990; 346: 265–267.

  • 34. Bertram JE. Gait as solution, but what is the problem? Exploring cost, economy and compromise in locomotion. Vet J 2013; 198 (suppl 1): e3–e8.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 35. Wickler SJ, Hoyt DF, Cogger EA, et al., The energetics of the trot-gallop transition. J Exp Biol 2003; 206: 1557–1564.

  • 36. Ingolfsdottir IB. Training im Gelände - Sich die Natur zu Nutze machen. Eidfaxi 2013; 4: 70–75.

  • 37. Rhodin M, Gomez Alvarez CB, Bystrom A, et al., The effect of different head and neck positions on the caudal back and hindlimb kinematics in the elite dressage horse at trot. Equine Vet J 2009; 41: 274–279.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 38. Gómez Alvarez CB, Rhodin M, Bobbert MF, et al., The effect of head and neck position on the thoracolumbar kinematics in the unridden horse. Equine Vet J Suppl 2006;(36): 445–451.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 39. Axelsson M, Bjornsdottir S, Eksell P, et al., Risk factors associated with hindlimb lameness and degenerative joint disease in the distal tarsus of Icelandic horses. Equine Vet J 2001; 33: 84–90.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 40. Schwörer-Haag A, Haag T., Die Erfolgstreppe. In: Schwörer-Haag A, Haag T, eds. Islandpferde besser reiten und richtig ausbilden. Stuttgart, Germany: Franckh-Kosmos, 2003;95–115.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

Advertisement