Effect of Ground and Raised Poles on Kinematics of the Walk.

Walking over poles is a commonly employed training and rehabilitation tool and it is crucial to understand its effect on equine locomotion, particularly joint range of motion (ROM). The study aimed to compare the effect of ground poles (GP) and raised poles (RP) on limb kinematics and poll, wither and pelvic ROM at walk. It was hypothesized that walking over poles would increase joint ROM but have no effect on poll, wither and pelvic ROM compared to no poles (NP). Forty-one horses were walked in-hand over NP, GP (10 cm) and RP (26 cm) in a crossover design. Limb kinematics were determined via two-dimensional motion capture (240 Hz). Poll, wither, tubera sacrale, and left/right tuber coxae ROM were determined by inertial motion units (100 Hz). Multivariable mixed effects linear regression analyses were carried out. Walking over poles increased limb joint ROM, through increased swing flexion, compared to NP. There was a greater effect over RP compared to GP. Significant reductions in craniocaudal ROM of the wither, tuber coxae and tuber sacrale were observed over GP and RP. Mediolateral ROM of tuber coxae and tuber sacrale increased over GP and RP and was greatest over RP. Wither ROM was increased over RP only. Set-up and height of the poles used here may not extrapolate to other scenarios. Walking over poles appears to be effective at increasing joint ROM via an increase in mid swing flexion, without vertical excursion of the trunk, compared to normal locomotion, which supports the use of poles for rehabilitation.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in the Proximal Metacarpal Region of 359 Horses and Proximal Metatarsal Region of 64 Horses Acquired Under Standing Sedation.

Standing magnetic resonance (MR) images of proximal metacarpal/metatarsal regions are increasingly being acquired. This study aimed at describing ranges of abnormalities detected in sport/racehorses, using retrospective evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reports from horses with lameness isolated to proximal metacarpal/metatarsal regions with images acquired standing. It was hypothesized that MRI features are different between metacarpal and metatarsal regions and between horses doing different sports. Reports from 359 forelimbs and 64 hindlimbs were included. Palmar/plantar metacarpal/metatarsal bone injury and suspensory desmopathy, which often occurred concurrently, were most frequently reported. Third metacarpal abnormalities were more likely at palmar/medial locations, including cortical (86.4%) and trabecular (38.2%) pathology with frequent thickening, irregularity, and periosteal/endosteal abnormalities. Fluid signal was reported in cortical (38.7%) and trabecular (22.6%) bone. Medial intermetacarpal articulation abnormalities were more frequently reported (52.5%) than lateral. Suspensory ligament pathology was reported in 83.8% forelimbs, frequently with cortical (74.1%) or trabecular (32.9%) pathology. Tarsal-joint abnormalities were significantly more likely than carpal-joint abnormalities. Third metatarsal cortical (57.8%) and trabecular (20.3%) pathology was most frequently plantar, but significantly more likely to be dorsal than forelimbs. Metatarsal fluid signal was significantly less likely than metacarpal. Lateral intermetatarsal articulation pathology (23.4%) was more frequent than medial; medial was significantly more likely in forelimbs. Suspensory ligament abnormalities were reported in 64.1% hindlimbs, 39.1% having concurrent cortical pathology. Metacarpal fluid signal was significantly more likely in endurance/racehorses than dressage/show jumping horses. Dressage was overrepresented in hindlimb suspensory origin pathology. These findings indicate different pathology patterns between forelimb/hindlimb and between different sports and may be useful for MRI interpretation.