Motion Analysis

With the steady further development of microelectromechanical systems, nowadays, it is possible to measure various specific kinematics of riders with inertial sensors. The aim of the study was to quantify the rider's posture on the horse with a full-body inertial measurement system (Xsens MVN) under field conditions. Ten high-level riders from the German National Equestrian Federation participated in this study. The measurements were performed in sitting trot (ST) in an indoor riding hall.

Objective—To validate an equine inertial measurement unit (IMU) system rigidly attached to a hoof against a 3-D optical kinematics system in horses during walking and trotting.

Animals—5 clinically normal horses.

Procedures—5 swing phases of the hooves of the right forelimb and hind limb were collected via both 3-D optical and IMU systems from 5 horses during walking and trotting. Linear and angular positions, velocities, and accelerations were compared between the 2 systems.

Reasons for performing study: Postural balance can be quantified using stabilographic variables derived from force plate data that describe movements of the horse's centre of pressure (COP) in the horizontal plane. Most force plates are not large enough to accommodate all 4 limbs of a standing horse, so the study was designed to assess whether representative stabilographic data could be collected from the forelimbs or hindlimbs.

Objective: To determine whether stabilographic data from either the forelimbs or the hindlimbs were representative of data for the total body.

Reason for performing study: By study of the translocation and deformation of equine menisci throughout the range of motion, it may be possible to identify potential mechanical factors in the pathogenesis of injury to the cranial horn of the medial meniscus.

Objective: To quantitatively document meniscal translocation and deformation using radiographic and MR imaging, and to evaluate for potential variation between the medial and lateral menisci.