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