Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-14T15:15:18.219Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Forelimb kinematics of the flat walk and fox trot of the Missouri Fox Trotter

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2010

M C Nicodemus  and
K Slater
M C Nicodemus*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Box 9815, Mississippi State, MS39762, USA
K Slater
Affiliation:
Marek Veterinary Clinics, 763 W. Main, Bellville, TX77418, USA
*
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

While temporal variable measurements have assisted in objectively defining and distinguishing between four-beat stepping gaits performed by gaited horses, kinematic research describing joint motion of the gaited horse is limited. The objective of this study was to measure the temporal variables and the forelimb kinematics of the flat walk and fox trot of the Missouri Fox Trotter (MFT) to provide a more comprehensive description of these gaits and to assist in distinguishing between them. Reflective markers placed along the lateral aspect of the right forelimb and the zygomatic process of the temporal bone were tracked at 60 Hz as eight MFTs were ridden at a flat walk and fox trot for ten strides. Student's paired t-tests were performed to compare means of analysed parameters between gaits on finding that the fox trot was a faster stepping gait (fox trot velocity: 3.17 ± 0.03 m s− 1, flat walk velocity: 1.75 ± 0.06 m s− 1) with a shorter stride duration (fox trot: 0.63 ± 0.03 s, flat walk: 1.17 ± 0.06 s) and greater stride frequency (fox trot: 1.59 ± 0.09 strides s− 1, flat walk: 0.09 ± 0.04 strides s− 1) than the flat walk (P < 0.05). Both gaits were performed with similar stride length (fox trot: 2.0 ± 0.03 m, flat walk: 1.95 ± 0.05 m), but the fox trot had an irregular rhythm with diagonal couplets (diagonal advanced placement: 0.10 ± 0.01 s, lateral advanced placement: 0.23 ± 0.02 s). Vertical head excursions, protraction/retraction angles and joint angle-time curves for the shoulder, elbow, carpus and forelimb fetlock were similar between gaits. Shoulder peak flexion of the fox trot occurred later in the stride (fox trot: 38 ± 5%, flat walk: 20 ± 3%; P < 0.05), but the timing of the other peak flexion and extension joint angles were similar between gaits. The fox trotting carpus flexed more (fox trot: 136 ± 3°, flat walk: 147 ± 4°) than the carpus of the flat walk (P < 0.05), but the other peak flexion and extension joint angles were comparable between gaits. Measured temporal and kinematic variables assisted in defining the fox trot and flat walk and differences between variables can be applied in distinguishing between the two gaits.

Keywords

Missouri Fox Trotterflat walkfox trotkinematics
Type
Research Paper
Information
Comparative Exercise Physiology , Volume 6 , Issue 4 , November 2009 , pp. 149 - 156
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Hildebrand, M (1965). Symmetrical gaits of horses. Nature 150: 701–708.Google ScholarPubMed
2 Nicodemus, MC and Clayton, HC (2003). Temporal variables of four-beat, stepping gaits of gaited horses. Applied Animal Behavioral Science 80: 133–142.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3 Nicodemus, MC and Clayton, HM (2001). Temporal variables of the Paso Fino stepping gaits. Proceedings of the 17th Equine Nutrition and Physiology Symposium, May 31–June 2, 2001. Champaign, IL: Equine Nutrition and Physiology Society, pp. 242–247.Google Scholar
4 Clayton, HM (1995). Comparison of the stride kinematics of the collected, medium and extended walks in horses. American Journal of Veterinary Research 56: 849–852.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5 Clayton, HM and Bradbury, JW (1995). Temporal characteristics of the fox trot, a symmetrical equine gait. Applied Animal Behavioral Science 42: 153–159.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6 Nicodemus, MC and Holt, KM (2006). Two-dimensional kinematics of the flat walking Tennessee Walking Horse yearling. Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology 3: 101–108.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7 Cano, MR, Vivo, J, Miro, F, Morales, JL and Galisteo, AM (2001). Kinematic characteristics of Andalusian, Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses: a comparative study. Research in Veterinary Science 71: 147–153.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8 Galisteo, AM, Vivo, J, Cano, MR, Morales, JL, Miro, F and Arguera, E (1997). Differences between breeds (Dutch Warmblood vs. Andalusian Purebred) in forelimb kinematics. Journal of Equine Science 8: 43–47.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9 Galisteo, AM, Morales, JL, Cano, MR, Miro, F, Arguera, E and Vivo, J (2001). Inter-breed differences in equine forelimb kinematics at the walk. Journal of Veterinary Medicine. 48: 277–285.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10 United States Department of Agriculture (2004). Horse Protection Training Material. Riverdale, MD: Animal & Plant Health Inspection Services, pp. 9–12, 23–25, 31–37.Google Scholar
11 Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association (2008). Official Rules, Standards & Policies, pp. 8, 16, 33–34, 98–106.Google Scholar
12 Back, W, van den Bogert, AJ, van Weeren, PR, Bruin, G and Barneveld, A (1993). Quantification of the locomotion of Dutch Warmblood foals. Acta Anatomica 146: 141–147.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13 Nicodemus, MC and Booker, JE (2006). Two-dimensional kinematics of the jog and lope of the stock breed western pleasure horse. Equine Comparative & Exercise Physiology 4: 59–70.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14 Back, W, Schamhardt, HC and Barneveld, A (1996). Are kinematics of the walk related to the locomotion of a warmblood horse at the trot? Veterinary Quarterly Supplement 18: S71–S76.Google Scholar
15 Abdel-Azis, YI and Karara, HM (1971). Direct linear transformation from computer coordinates into object coordinates in close-range photogrammetry. In: Proceedings of the ASPUI Symposium on Close-range Photogrammetry. Falls Church, VA: American Society of Photogrammetry Publications, pp. 1–19.Google Scholar
16 Nicodemus, MC, Lanovaz, JL and Clayton, HM (2000). The effect of velocity on temporal variables of the equine walk. In: Lidner, A (ed.) Conference on Equine Sports Medicine and Science: The Elite Show Jumper. Dortmund: Lensing Druck, pp. 155.Google Scholar
17 Nicodemus, MC (2005). Step mechanics for increasing velocity in the 4-beat stepping toelt. Proceedings of the Nineteenth Equine Science Society Symposium, Tucson, AZ, May 31–June 3, 2005, pp. 381–386.Google Scholar
18 Zips, S, Peham, C, Scheidl, M, Licka, T and Girtler, D (2001). Motion pattern of toelt of Icelandic horses at different speeds. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 33: 109–111.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
19 Nicodemus, MC, Holt, KM and Swartz, K (2002). The relationship between velocity and temporal variables of the flat shod running walk. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 34: 340–344.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
20 Biknevicius, AR, Mullineaux, DR and Clayton, HM (2006). Locomotor mechanics of the toelt in Icelandic horses. American Journal of Veterinary Research 67: 1505–1510.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
21 Nicodemus, MC and Beranger, J (2009). Temporal variables of the Marsh Tacky intermediate gait. Journal of Animal Science Supplement 87: 243.Google Scholar
22 Khumsap, S, Clayton, HM, Lanovaz, JL and Bouchey, M (2002). Effect of walking velocity on forelimb kinematics and kinetics. Equine Veterinary Journal 34: 325–329.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
23 Robert, C, Valette, JP, Pourcelot, P, Audigie, F and Denoix, JM (2002). Effects of trotting speed on muscle activity and kinematics of saddlehorses. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 34: 295–301.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
24 Hodson, EF, Clayton, HM and Lanovaz, JL (2000). The forelimb in walking horses: 1. Kinematics and ground reaction forces. Equine Veterinary Journal 32: 287–294.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
25 Van Weeren, PR, van den Bogert, AJ and Barneveld, A (1992). Correction models for skin displacement in equine kinematic gait analysis. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 12: 178–192.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
26 Barrey, E, Galloux, P, Valette, JP, Auvinet, B and Wolter, R (1993). Stride characteristics of overground versus treadmill locomotion in the saddle horse. Acta Anatomica 146: 90–94.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
27 Buchner, HH, Savelberg, HH, Schamhardt, HC, Merkens, HW and Barneveld, A (1994). Kinematics of treadmill versus overground locomotion in horses. Veterinary Quarterly Supplement 16: 87–90.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
28 Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan, MM, Barneveld, A and Schamhardt, HC (1996). Comparisons between track and treadmill: effects of weight on workload and locomotion. American Association of Equine Practitioners 42nd Annual Convention Proceedings, Denver, CO, USA, December 8–11, 1996. Lexington, KY: American Association of Equine Practitioners, pp. 87–89.Google Scholar