Does the Distance Between Ground Poles Affect Limb, Spinal and Pelvic Kinematics in Horses When Walking In-Hand?

Area of Science:

• Equine biomechanics
• Animal locomotion analysis
• Veterinary physiotherapy

Background:

• Polework is a common equine training and rehabilitation technique.
• The specific impact of pole spacing on equine locomotor kinematics is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how different pole spacings influence the limb, thoracolumbar, and pelvic kinematics of horses during in-hand walking.
• To quantify kinematic alterations in response to varying pole distances.

Main Methods:

• Eleven warmblood horses walked over five ground poles.
• Pole spacing was set at 85%, 100%, and 105% of the horses' forelimb step length.
• Kinematics of the limbs, thoracolumbar spine, and pelvis were measured.

Main Results:

• Reduced protraction-retraction range of motion (ROM) was observed at 85% pole spacing.
• Tarsal and thoracic ROM significantly increased when walking over poles, regardless of spacing.
• Shorter pole spacing (85%) led to reduced ROM at T10 in the thoracic spine.

Conclusions:

• Modest variations in pole spacing cause minor changes in equine limb and thoracolumbar kinematics during walking.
• These findings are important for optimizing the application of polework exercises in equine training and rehabilitation.