Kinematics of the equine transverse gallop

Abstract

High-speed cinematography was used in documenting linear and temporal kinematic variables of the equine transverse gallop gait. The stride characteristics of four Quarter Horse fillies were used as a model. Horses were approximately thirty months of age and had been raised and trained similarly. Horses were filmed by two cameras simultaneously (243 frames/s) while galloping under the standardized conditions of a specially constructed 1.5 m wide track. The same saddle and bridle was used on all horses, and the horses were all ridden by the same person. Velocities averaged 13.1 m/s, stride lengths 5.06 m, and stride frequencies 2.60s−1. Kinematic variables determined for 29 gallop strides (16 left lead, 13 right lead) included timings and locations for maximum and minimum vertical positions of body surface markers; timings and angular measurements for maximum and minimum absolute angles of body segments; timings, angular measurements and angular velocities for maximum and minimum relative angles between body segments. Of 211 separate kinematic variables measured and reported for the gallop stride, 131 differed significantly (p<0.05) between leading and trailing sides of the body. Stride variables determined in this study may serve as reference values for normal equine gallop motion patterns.