A pressure plate study on fore and hindlimb loading and the association with hoof contact area in sound ponies at the walk and trot

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.08.016Get rights and content

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between fore- and hind-hoof contact area and limb loading. Data from a previous study on forelimb loading and symmetry were compared with data on hindlimb kinetics, and the fore- and hind-hoof contact area at the walk and trot was evaluated. Five sound ponies, selected for symmetrical feet, were walked and trotted over a pressure plate embedded in a custom-made runway. The hindlimb peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) were found to be significantly lower than in the forelimb, whereas their high symmetry ratios (>95%) did not show a significant difference from forelimb data. Hindlimb PVF in ponies was found to be slightly higher when compared to data reported for horses even though the ponies moved at a similar or lower relative velocity. The contact area had low intra-individual variability and was significantly smaller in the hind- than in the fore-hooves. A larger contact area was significantly associated with lower peak vertical pressure (PVP) but higher PVF and VI. No significant differences between left and right sides were found for contact area or loading variables.

Pressure plate measurements demonstrated a significant association between hoof contact area and limb loading, in addition to intrinsic differences between fore and hindlimb locomotor function. The pressure plate provides the clinician with a tool to quantify simultaneously contralateral differences in hoof contact area and limb loading.

Introduction

Visual gait evaluation is inherently subjective and prone to bias about the known history or treatment (Arkell et al., 2006, Back et al., 2009), with much depending on the experience of the clinician (Keegan et al., 1998). Moreover, the ability of clinicians to perceive lameness based on asymmetrical movement is limited (Parkes et al., 2009) and mild asymmetry may only be apparent when riding the horse (Dyson, 2009).

Evaluation of hindlimb lameness is considered to be more difficult and less consistent than forelimb lameness (Peham et al., 2001, Stashak, 2002, Ross, 2003b). This may be explained by the fact that the proximal joints of the hindlimb offer more opportunities for load damping during the stance phase compared to the forelimb (Buchner, 2001). Another contributing factor is that hindlimb pain may be less accentuated as a lower percentage of the bodyweight (BW) is carried by the hindlimbs than the forelimbs (Merkens et al., 1986, Merkens et al., 1993).

Scientific research on hindlimb locomotion has been predominantly kinematic (Back et al., 1995, Kramer et al., 2000, Kramer et al., 2004, Khumsap et al., 2004, Church et al., 2009), while kinetic evaluation of hindlimb loading is less frequently reported (Merkens et al., 1986, Merkens et al., 1993, Khumsap et al., 2001, Ishihara et al., 2009). In this era of evidence-based medicine, it is worth exploring the use of a pressure plate as a clinical tool for equine hindlimb gait evaluation, as described for the forelimb by Oosterlinck et al. (2010b). Moreover, pressure plates with high spatial resolution allow easy recording of hoof contact area (Rogers and Back, 2003, Rogers and Back, 2007), presenting a valuable alternative to visually (Parks, 2003), photographically (Kane et al., 1998) or radiographically (Kummer et al., 2004) derived measurements of hoof angles and dimensions routinely used in the evaluation of hoof balance and conformation.

In contrast to static measurements of solar width and circumference using flexible tape (Arabian et al., 2001), pressure plate-derived hoof contact area can be measured during locomotion. Variations in the external shape of the equine hoof capsule have a cascade of effects on limb mechanics (McClinchey et al., 2003). However, studies on the association between hoof contact area, directly representing the hoof-ground interface, and limb loading at the walk and at trot are lacking.

The aim of the study reported here was to evaluate the association between fore- and hind-hoof contact area and limb loading variables in sound ponies. For this purpose, previously reported pressure plate data on forelimb loading and symmetry (Oosterlinck et al., 2010b) were compared with data on hindlimb kinetics, and the fore and hind-hoof contact area at the walk and trot were evaluated.

It was hypothesised that fore and hindlimb pressure plate data in ponies would present similar relationships to those reported in earlier force plate studies in horses (Merkens et al., 1986, Merkens et al., 1993) and ponies (Barr et al., 1995) and that hoof contact area would not present a significant association with mass-normalised loading variables.

Section snippets

Materials and methods

The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University (EC 2007/108).

Curve pattern

The vertical ground reaction force curves at walk (1.3 ± 0.2 m/s) showed a biphasic pattern, with the first peak often being slightly greater than the second peak and a dip at midstance (Fig. 1). At trot (2.7 ± 0.4 m/s), a smoothly shaped curve pattern with one maximum was seen (Fig. 2). Vertical ground reaction curves of the left and right hindlimb were very similar for every pony at both gaits.

Limb loading variables

Mean left and right fore and hindlimb PVP, PVF, VI and ST at walk and at trot are summarised in Table 1.

Curve pattern

The curves of the vertical ground reaction force of every individual pony were similar to those reported in force plate studies in horses (Merkens et al., 1986, Merkens et al., 1993) and showed a high degree of left–right symmetry, similar to that reported in the forelimb (Oosterlinck et al., 2010b).

Limb loading variables

In agreement with force plate studies in horses (Merkens et al., 1986, Merkens et al., 1993), pressure plate hindlimb PVF and VI data in our ponies were slightly more variable and significantly

Conclusions

This pressure plate study permitted adequate calculation of high symmetry ratios in the hindlimbs of sound ponies, similar to forelimb values and force plate data in Warmblood horses, with absolute loading values significantly lower than the previously reported forelimb data. However, as in the forelimb, absolute values of mass-normalised PVF and VI in the hindlimb of sound ponies exceeded those of Warmblood horses moving at a similar or even higher relative velocity. The results demonstrated

Conflict of interest statement

None of the authors of this paper has a financial or personal relationship with other people or organisations that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.

Acknowledgements

The authors are most grateful to Dr. IR. At Hof (University of Groningen) for his expert advice and critical review of the manuscript. This research was partly made possible through a grant of ‘The Institute for Innovation through Science and Technology in Flanders, Belgium’ (Innovation Study 060752).

References (49)

  • W. Back et al.

    Kinematic differences between the distal portions of the forelimbs and hindlimbs of horses at trot

    American Journal of Veterinary Research

    (1995)
  • W. Back et al.

    Are kinematics of the walk related to the locomotion of a Warmblood horse at the trot?

    Veterinary Quarterly

    (1996)
  • W. Back et al.

    A comparison between the trot of pony and horse foals to characterize equine locomotion at young age

    Equine Veterinary Journal Suppl.

    (1999)
  • W. Back et al.

    The use of force plate measurements to titrate the dosage of a new COX-2 inhibitor in lame horses

    Equine Veterinary Journal

    (2009)
  • A.R. Barr et al.

    Parameters of forelimb ground reaction force in 48 normal ponies

    Veterinary Record

    (1995)
  • A.A. Biewener

    Allometry of quadrupedal locomotion: the scaling of duty factor, bone curvature and limb orientation to body size

    The Journal of Experimental Biology

    (1983)
  • H.H.F. Buchner

    Gait adaptation in lameness

  • S.C. Budsberg et al.

    Evaluation of limb symmetry indices, using ground reaction forces in healthy dogs

    American Journal of Veterinary Research

    (1993)
  • J.F. Burn et al.

    Quantification of hoof deformation using optical motion capture

    Equine Veterinary Journal Suppl.

    (2001)
  • E.E. Church et al.

    Evaluation of discriminant analysis based on dorsoventral symmetry indices to quantify hindlimb lameness during over ground locomotion in the horse

    Equine Veterinary Journal

    (2009)
  • C.M. Colles

    A technique for assessing hoof function in the horse

    Equine Veterinary Journal

    (1989)
  • B.J. Ducro et al.

    Influence of foot conformation on duration of competitive life in a Dutch Warmblood horse population

    Equine Veterinary Journal

    (2009)
  • S.J. Dyson

    The clinician’s eye view of hindlimb lameness in the horse: technology and cognitive evaluation

    Equine Veterinary Journal

    (2009)
  • A.L. Hof

    Scaled energetics of locomotion

  • Cited by (35)

    • Dynamic evaluation of toe–heel and medio-lateral load distribution and hoof landing patterns in sound, unshod Standardbred horses with toed-in, toed-out and normal hoof conformation

      2021, Veterinary Journal
      Citation Excerpt :

      Horses were classified by a consensus evaluation by two experienced clinicians as ‘normal, toed-in or toed-out’ based on a dorsal view on both forelimbs with the horse standing squarely; no measurements were performed. As described previously (Oosterlinck et al., 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015; Van de Water et al., 2016), each horse was warmed up for 5 min and then led over a pressure plate (Footscan 3D 2m-system, RSscan International; 126 Hz; active measuring surface 1.95 m × 0.32 m; spatial resolution 2.6 sensors/cm2) by an experienced handler without interfering with the horse’s head motion or velocity. The pressure plate was inserted between high-density polyethylene plates in a 20 m × 2 m long track and covered by a 5 mm thick rubber mat with a shore hardness of 65 ± 5.

    • Effects of squared-toe or perimeter-fit horseshoes on quality of movement and gait kinematics of the western pleasure horse

      2018, Professional Animal Scientist
      Citation Excerpt :

      Increased load on the thoracic limb may impose strain on the leg and increase risk of lameness (Moyer and Anderson, 1975). A perimeter-fit, round-toe shoe increases the ground surface area, allowing absorption and dissipation of energy throughout the entire digit and hoof capsule, and decreases loading pressure at the toe (Oosterlinck et al., 2011). Therefore, our objective was to quantify gait quality and characteristics of the western pleasure horse shod with a squared-toe aluminum shoe (ST) in comparison with a perimeter-fit aluminum shoe (PF) on the thoracic digit.

    • Preliminary Evaluation of Toe-Heel and Mediolateral Hoof Balance at the Walk in Sound Horses With Toed-In Hoof Conformation

      2015, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
      Citation Excerpt :

      Because of the sampling or data collection in this study was not invasive, nor harmful for the participating animals, institutional ethics committee approval was not deemed necessary by the committees chairperson. The horses were walked over a pressure plate embedded between high-density polyethylene plates on a 20 × 2 m concrete walkway and covered with a 5-mm rubber mat, as described previously [15,16]. The pressure plate consists of 16,384 force-sensitive resistors in an active measuring surface of 1.95 × 0.32 m (2.6 sensors/cm2) (Footscan 3D 2m-system; RSscan International, Paal, Belgium) and connected to a portable computer equipped with the Gait Scientific software version 7 (RSscan International, Paal, Belgium).

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text