Ground reaction forces of elite dressage horses in collected trot and passage

•In collected trot, Lusitano horses have lower vertical impulses in the forelimbs and hind limbs than Dutch Warmbloods.•In ‘passage’, there are higher vertical impulses than in collected trot, providing greater elevation of the centre of mass.•The forelimb:hind limb vertical force distribution deter...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The veterinary journal (1997) 2017-03, Vol.221, p.30-33
Main Authors: Clayton, H.M., Schamhardt, H.C., Hobbs, S.J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biomechanical Phenomena
Dressage
Equine
Forelimb - physiology
Gait
Ground reaction force
Hindlimb - physiology
Horses - physiology
Locomotion - physiology
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Summary:•In collected trot, Lusitano horses have lower vertical impulses in the forelimbs and hind limbs than Dutch Warmbloods.•In ‘passage’, there are higher vertical impulses than in collected trot, providing greater elevation of the centre of mass.•The forelimb:hind limb vertical force distribution determines the position of the centre of pressure.•Horses are thought to adjust force magnitudes in order to control moments around the centre of mass. In this study, sagittal plane ground reaction forces (GRFs) in ridden elite dressage horses performing ‘collected trot’ and in ‘passage’ over ground were determined. In-ground force plates captured GRF data from four Dutch Warmblood and four Lusitano horses ridden by their trainers. At least three stance phases were analysed for forelimbs and hind limbs per horse. The variables extracted were vertical and longitudinal (braking, propulsive) force maxima, their times of occurrence and the respective impulses for forelimbs and hind limbs. Lusitanos had lower vertical impulses than Dutch Warmbloods in collected trot. Across all horses, passage had larger vertical impulses than collected trot in the forelimbs and hind limbs. Propulsive impulse increased in the hind limbs in passage. Prolonged stance durations in passage contributed to higher vertical impulses that are needed to increase the vertical excursions of the centre of mass.
ISSN:1090-0233
1532-2971
DOI:10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.01.016