Determining Objective Parameters to Assess Gait Quality in Franches-Montagnes Horses for Ground Coverage and...

Area of Science:

• Equine biomechanics
• Gait analysis
• Animal locomotion

Background:

• Ground coverage and over-tracking are crucial gait quality traits in horses, influencing stride length and hind limb movement.
• Understanding the kinematic interplay of these traits is essential for objective gait assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the complex interplay of movement patterns in ground coverage and over-tracking.
• To objectively quantify gait quality traits using 3D optical motion capture (OMC) and inertial measurement units (IMUs).

Main Methods:

• Kinematic data of 24 Franches-Montagnes stallions were collected using OMC and IMUs during a walk on a treadmill.
• Linear mixed-effect models were employed to analyze the variance explained by kinematic parameters on stride length and over-tracking distance.
• Correlation analysis was performed between kinematic parameters and expert subjective scores for external validity.

Main Results:

• Maximal forelimb retraction angle (OMC) and range of pelvis pitch (IMUs) were significant predictors of stride length and over-tracking distance.
• Pelvis pitch range explained 24% to 33% of the variance in over-tracking distance.
• Expert scores correlated significantly with fore- and hind limb protraction angles, validating the objective measurements.

Conclusions:

• Both OMC and IMUs can objectively quantify ground coverage and over-tracking in horses.
• Kinematic parameters provide valuable insights into gait quality and can be correlated with expert assessments.