Abstract
Asymmetry in forelimb dorsal hoof wall angles, termed unevenness, is associated with forelimb gait asymmetries, but compensatory mechanisms and out of plane ground reaction forces (GRFs) due to unevenness have yet to be documented. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effects of fore hoof unevenness on contralateral fore and hind limb force vectors patterns, in both sagittal and frontal planes. A group of n = 34 riding horses were classified into four groups: hoof angle difference of more than 1.5 degrees (UNEVEN; n = 27), including higher left fore (HIGH-LF; n = 12), higher right fore (HIGH-RF; n = 15), and hoof angle difference of less than 1.5 degrees (EVEN; n = 7). Three dimensional ground reaction forces GRFs were collected during trotting. GRF summary vectors representing the magnitude (VecMag) and angular direction (VecAng) of the entire stance phase in the sagittal and the frontal plane were calculated. The effects of unevenness on GRF production were explored using linear regression, repeated measures ANOVA and statistical parametric mapping (SPM) with significance at (P<0.05). In all uneven groups, increasing unevenness affected sagittal VecAng values in the forelimbs, with more propulsive GRF in the high hoof. In the HIGH-RF group, medial GRFs were also found in the high RF hoof compared to lateral GRFs in the low LF hoof (RF VecAng: 0.97±1.64 (deg); LF VecAng: -0.64±1.19 (deg); P<0.05). In both HIGH groups, compensatory associations to increasing unevenness were only found in the RH, but also a significantly greater lateral VecAng was found in the LH (P<0.05) compared to the RH limb. No significant differences (P>0.05) were found between hindlimb pairs in the EVEN group. Unbalanced sagittal and increased frontal plane GRFs in uneven horses suggest that they have greater locomotory challenges, as the equine musculoskeletal system is not constructed to withstand movement and loading in the frontal plane as effectively as it is in the sagittal plane.
Highlights
Structural and functional asymmetries between the left and right sides of the body are a part of the normal biological variation
As the presentation of unevenness may be important to orthopaedic health and the compensatory mechanisms used by uneven footed horses are currently unknown, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of limb specific and directionally-biased fore hoof unevenness on contralateral fore and hind limb force vectors patterns, in both sagittal and frontal planes
We developed the following hypotheses: Sagittal plane force vector patterns in the forelimbs would be influenced by the degree of asymmetry of the fore hooves, based on the findings of a difference in vertical and longitudinal forelimb ground reaction forces (GRFs) in uneven footed horses [6]
Summary
Structural and functional asymmetries between the left and right sides of the body are a part of the normal biological variation. The functional consequences of unevenness are reported to be similar to sub-clinical lameness results, as asymmetrical peak vertical forces are evident between forelimbs [6]. Maintaining dynamic equilibrium through a stride must be a factor in determining the load distribution patterns between limbs [13]. This involves balancing the forces between the limbs and may include forces outside of the sagittal plane that play a role in general locomotor stability of the complete musculoskeletal system (i.e. limbs, neck and back), as is described in hexapedal runners [14]. If hindlimb force patterns produced by uneven footed horses do vary due to preferential or morphological differences, compensation must still allow equilibrium to be achieved in order to maintain a symmetrical and regular gait pattern
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