Equine Lower Leg Acceleration and Shock Impact Poe 1

Liberty High School

Equine Lower Leg Acceleration and Shock Impact

Senior Portfolio

Kellyn Poe

Research and Development

Mr. Ledgerwood
Equine Lower Leg Acceleration and Shock Impact Poe 2

Kellyn Poe

Mr. Ledgerwood

Research & Development

November 8, 2017

Equine Lower Leg Acceleration and Shock Impact

Abstract

Force exerted on the skeletal structure, tendons and ligaments within the horse's

leg causes stress that can lead to lower leg lameness. These common lameness

problems caused by excess strain on the lower leg structure includes; coffin joint

arthritis, bowed tendons, injury to suspensory ligaments, ringbone, navicular disease

and splints. The front legs of the horse carry approximately 60 percent of the weight of

the horse and are constantly subject to lameness with approximately 95 percent of

lameness occurring from the knee down. In my research and testing, I hope to seek a

connection between acceleration and the impact the horse’s leg is absorbing. To gather

data, an accelerometer will be attached to the lower leg of the horse. Measurements of

acceleration at the walk, trot and canter will be graphed and compared to determine

which gait is exerting the highest amount of shock on the limb. Acceleration can be

related to shock impact, as a higher acceleration will mean the foot is hitting the ground

with a stronger impact.

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Equine gait analysis is an extensive field that can be used for a number of

different things. Uses for gait analysis include evaluating lameness issues in horses,

monitor joint function within the lower leg, evaluate motion in the lower leg, used as a

performance enhancing technique in high performance horses, and accurately monitor

healing progress in injured horses. Diagnosing lameness is very objective with opinions

varying between veterinarians, and by using a gait analysis program you can look at

things from a scientific standpoint and not based merely on opinion. Biomechanics

encompasses the study of the mechanical laws relating to the movement or structure of

living organisms. An understanding of the basic biomechanics of the horse is crucial in

being able to accurately use gait analysis information.

High shock impact in horses can lead to many problems for them. Of these problems

include coffin joint arthritis, bowed tendons, injury to suspensory ligaments, ringbone,

navicular disease and splints. This is only a small sample of lameness issues that can

occur within the lower front legs of the horse, but these lamenesses are all caused by

overwork and excess strain and concussion. Lameness in horses is an umbrella term

that includes anything from an injury to an illness in the horse that interferes with their

ability to perform at their top capability.

To really understand these lameness problems, it is helpful to have some understanding

about the basic structures within the hose leg and the hoof. Within the leg, it is important

to focus on the three main joints; the fetlock joint, pastern joint and the coffin joint. The

fetlock joint connects the cannon bone to the pastern bone. This particular joint is

hinged which means it allows flexion and extension with minimal rotation.The fetlock
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joint is the site of nearly 50% of lower leg injuries, especially in racehorses. The pastern

joint is located between the short and long pastern bone, and has minimal movement in

the joint. Together, the fetlock and pastern joints are responsible for all the shock

absorption of the legs. They distribute force among the bones, tendons and ligaments of

the leg. The last joint within the lower leg is the coffin joint. The coffin joint is located

within the hoof between the lower pastern bone and the coffin bone. This joint typically

goes unnoticed until problems occur. The common problem being arthritis, which is

caused by inflammation in the joint. Arthritis is the leading cause in premature

retirement of performance horses.

Just as important to the joints within the lower leg are the structures within the

hoof that help in the shock absorption process. The laminae span between the surface

of the coffin bone and the inner hoof wall. They suspend the horse's skeleton and attach

the structures within the hoof capsule. The laminae serve as a major shock absorber

during motion of the horse. Next is the sole of the hoof which is the first line of defense

between the horse and the ground. The sole serves as the first surface of impact during

movement, which is why it is crucial to have the horse’s feet properly trimmed, so this

surface is level and at the correct angle. The angles of the hoof should match both the

angle of the pastern and the shoulder. The last hoof structure is the digital cushion. The

digital cushion is a wedge shaped fatty mass located under the deep digital flexor

tendon and above the frog. It is a major component of the circulation of the horse and of

shock dissipation within the hoof.

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The last of the major structures in the leg are the tendons and ligaments.

Tendons connect muscle to bone and ligaments connect bone to bone. There are four

major ligaments within the lower front leg; the proximal suspensory, suspensory

ligament, superficial distal suspensory and extensor branch of the suspensory ligament.

The function of the suspensory ligament is more complex than simply acting as a

passive connector between two bones, as the traditional concept of a ligament

describes. Its principal role is to prevent excessive extension of the fetlock joint. It also

acts in the capture and release of kinetic energy and in the dynamic support of the limb

during athletic performance. Both ligaments and tendons have a rubber band like fiber

makeup that has some stretch to it. When a tendon or ligament suffers from a tear and

is not given proper rest and time to heal, the fibrous structures will regrow in all

directions instead of in one direction like the previous tissue. The new regrowth

resembles a criss cross weave pattern and no longer stretches like the pre injury tendon

or ligament. If it does not heal properly, there is a much higher chance of reinjury

occuring. Tendon and ligament injuries are not a definite career ender of all horses, if

given the months of stall rest necessary to heal completely before work begins again.

Coffin joint arthritis is the inflammation of the cartilage in the coffin joint, causing

lameness that alters the overall gait of the horse. When you get deterioration,

inflammation or a lack or a loss of the cartilage in the coffin joint between the third

phalanx and the second phalan, a pretty profound lameness can occur which has

potential to greatly alter the horses gait. Due to the location within the hoof capsule and

the constant stress that is put on the coffin joint, coffin joint arthritis is very difficult to
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treat. Bowed tendons, another common lameness of the horse is caused by excessive

strain on the tendons. Bowed tendons require the horse time off to heal or you run the

risk of tearing a tendon. Bowed tendons in horses is a condition in which the tendons

become torn or damaged, and then heal in a way that makes them curve outward, like a

bow. This greatly affects the horse’s ability to walk and function in a normal and

pain-free manner. Causes of a bowed tendon include ruptured, pulled or strained

tendons, working on unlevel land or overworking the horse. Bowed tendons occur along

the cannon bone of the front legs. Similarly to bowed tendons is injury to suspensory

ligaments. There are four main suspensory ligaments within the lower leg and a tear in

a suspensory has the potential to end a horse's athletic career quite quickly, if not

properly treated. Suspensory ligament injuries are a common cause of lameness in the

horse, particularly athletic horses and those involved in competitive events. Often these

injuries are chronic and have a high probability of recurrence, which makes them a

significant concern for horse owners. The main role of the suspensory ligaments are to

prevent excessive extension of the fetlock joint and to capture and release kinetic

energy and provide the structural support within the lower leg. Next is ringbone, a

series of bony growths along the coronet of the hoof. Ringbone is caused by extensive

stress on the pastern joint, and stress on the pastern joint is mainly due to concussion.

Repetitive stress on the feet can lead to ringbone. Jumpers that hit the ground hard

after an obstacle, barrel horses that put torque on their limbs with sharp turns, and

horses that work on pavement, such as carriage or cart horses, might develop the

condition more readily than others. Navicular disease is the inflammation or

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degeneration of the navicular bone and its surrounding tissues. This is caused by

damage to the bone, commonly caused by concussion and conformation defect, being

upright pasterns.The primary function of the navicular bone is to provide a gliding

surface at the point where the deep digital flexor tendon changes angle; the tendon

courses down the back of the cannon bone and bends around the back of the fetlock,

between the proximal sesamoid bones, then makes a sharper bend over the navicular

bone, and attaches on the bottom of the coffin bone. Many different problems can lead

to pain in the caudal heel area, including inflammation to the ligaments, problems in the

flexor surface of the bone or flexor tendon itself, and problems within the navicular

bone. These problems are more common in performance horses, and in general are

the most common cause of chronic forelimb lameness in horses. Navicular disease is

chronic and over time, the bone will degenerate and in radiographs will appear to have

a spotty and almost web like look. Some treatment options are available, such as

injections into the navicular area to stimulate bone regrowth. However, horses suffering

from navicular disease will always have issues with it. Lastly is splints which occur in

the lower leg and are caused by direct blow, concussion, poor conformation or improper

shoeing. This only begins to describe lower leg lameness possibilities, as there are so

many potential injuries within the lower limbs of the horse.

For the purpose of the experiment performed, the focus was the left front leg

when lunging in a counterclockwise circle, with the left leg on the inside. An

accelerometer was attached to the cannon bone area of the leg and then the horse was

lunged at a walk, trot and canter while recording measurements. Acceleration was
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measured in the x, y and z directions. The focus was on the Y direction in particular

because up and down acceleration would be the best tell of impact with the ground. As

seen in the graphs below, a negative acceleration in the Y direction means that the

force and acceleration of the leg coming downward was greater than that of the leg

moving upwards.
Equine Lower Leg Acceleration and Shock Impact Poe 9

Average Walk Acceleration:

X= -0.1713

Y= -1.0912

Z= 0.0539
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Average Trot Acceleration:

X= -0.2521

Y= -1.2948

Z= 0.2265
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Average Canter Acceleration:

X= -1.5833

Y= -7.9201
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Z= -2.6254

To answer the essential question; yes, a horse's gait increases stress and force

exerted on the skeletal structures of the front leg. The leg targeted in my data collection

was the left front leg, which was on the inside of the circle when lunging. For X, Y and Z

measurements, the X represents forward and backward motion, Y is up and down and

X is side to side motion. At the walk, a four beat gait, the average acceleration for both

X and Z is relatively close to zero while Y has an acceleration of -1.0912. The direction

of acceleration I was most interested in was the Y acceleration, Up and Down.

Comparing the trot to the walk, the X and Z acceleration was once again relatively close

to zero, while Y acceleration was -1.2948. Although slightly greater than the walk, this

change wasn’t significant. The greatest change occured from trot to canter in the Y

acceleration. At a canter, up-down acceleration was -7.9201, this was significant as the

downward force of the stride was strong. This can be explained by the three beats of

the canter, with the left front taking most of the impact of the front end of the horse.

Since the up down acceleration is greatest at the canter, it can be concluded that the

leg is absorbing the most amount of shock at the canter. The footfall pattern at the

canter is inside front, followed by outside front and lastly the two hind feet coming up

together. Since lunging occurred with the accelerometer on the inside leg, the majority

of the impact at the canter was on the targeted and recorded leg. The front legs carry

approximately sixty percent of the horses total weight and with the left front absorbing

all initial impact with the ground, it is reasonable to understand the significantly higher

negative acceleration.
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In performance horses in particular, a lot of focus is put on the type of ground

horses are worked on and the quality of the arena footing. If working horses on hard or

unlevel ground, the chances of a lower leg injury occurring are much higher.

Measurements for this experiment in particular were taken on three to four inches of

tilled sand. If this were to have been on tilled dirt or a clay combination footing, the

impact with the ground would have been even harsher as the footing underneath would

offer little to no give to the horses weight.

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Works Cited

“"Are there any new treatments available for arthritis of the coffin joint?".” Three Oaks

Equine Veterinary Services, 14 Jan. 2014,

threeoaksequine.com/are-there-any-new-treatments-available-for-arthritis-of-the-

coffin-joint/.

“Navicular Disease in Horses - Musculoskeletal System.” Merck Veterinary Manual,

www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/lameness-in-horses/navicula

r-disease-in-horses​.

“Ringbone in Horses.” TheHorse.com,

www.thehorse.com/articles/26843/ringbone-in-horses​.

“Suspensory Ligament Injuries: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment.” Horse Journals,

28 Sept. 2017, ​www.horsejournals.com/suspensory-ligament-injuries-advances-

Diagnosis-and-treatment.

Thompson, Carol J., "Sensor Placement Effects Acceleration Data for Monitoring

Equine Activity" (2017). Theses and Dissertations in Animal Science. 139.

http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscidiss/139

Wageningen University, - Resource Ecology Group. “Animal Behavior Analysis with

GPS and 3D Accelerometer.” ​Etrack Project Eu​, Wageningen University, -

Resource Ecology Group.