Skeletal forelimb measurements and hoof spread in relation to asymmetry in the bilateral forelimb of horses

Equine Veterinary Journal - Tập 41 Số 3 - Trang 238-241 - 2009
Gabriel H. Wilson1, K. C. McDonald1, Mark O’Connell2
1Hartpury College, University of the West of England, Gloucestershire GL19 3BE
2University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK

Tóm tắt

Summary Reasons for performing study: Research has highlighted a high frequency of skeletal asymmetries in horses. In addition, research into hoof asymmetries has shown that within a bilateral pair, the hoof with the smaller angle is often subjected to greater loading. There has been limited attention paid to understanding compensatory mechanisms for skeletal asymmetries in the horse; the dynamic structure of the hoof could potentially be acting in a compensatory capacity. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between morphometry of forelimb segments and hoof spread and their incidence of asymmetry. Methods: Ten bilateral measurements of the hoof and forelimb were taken from 34 leisure horses. The relationship between hoof spread and forelimb segment measurements were analysed using a generalised linear model (GLM). Results: In relation to left hoof spread, the GLM identified significant negative relationships with left side measurements (third metacarpal length, elbow height), and significant positive relationships with right side measurements (fetlock height, third metacarpal length, elbow height). In relation to right hoof spread, the GLM identified significant negative relationship with left elbow height, and significant positive relationships with right side measurements (fetlock height, point of shoulder). The difference between the number of horses larger to the left or to the right was found to be significant for point of shoulder height (X2= 4.8, P<0.05), and highly significant for heel height (X2= 9.53, P<0.01) and the third metacarpal length (X2= 7.26, P<0.01). Conclusions and clinical relevance: The study demonstrated considerable asymmetry in left‐right morphometry of the equine limb. The fact that measurements of hoof spread were significantly associated with limb segment measurements could possibly indicate that an interaction exists. Any asymmetry in hoof spread measurements may suggest unequal loading of the limbs, which in turn may contribute to injuries and reduced performance.

Từ khóa


Tài liệu tham khảo

10.2746/0425164044864507

10.2106/00004623-199904000-00010

10.1111/j.2042-3306.1985.tb02501.x

Diggle P.J., 2002, The Analysis of Longitudinal Data, 10.1093/oso/9780198524847.001.0001

Dobson A.J., 2002, An Introduction to Generalised Linear Models

10.1111/j.2006.0906-7590.04596.x

Hardin J.W., 2003, Generalized Estimating Equations

Goel A., 1997, Joint movements in minor limb length discrepancy: A pilot study, Am. J. Orthop., 26, 852

McDonald K.andDumbell L.(2008)The relationship between fluctuating asymmetry and performance in event horsesIn:6th International Conference on Equine Locomotion Book of Abstracts.p60.

10.1038/370185a0

10.2746/042516406776563242

10.1177/107110070302400310

10.1111/j.0006-341X.2001.00120.x

10.2746/042516406X159070

10.1097/01.blo.0000119460.33630.6d

10.1002/1097-0258(20000715)19:13<1771::AID-SIM485>3.0.CO;2-P

Thông tin
Thông tin xuất bản

Equine Veterinary Journal

Tập 41 Số 3

238-241

Thông tin tác giả