The information, ideas and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the United States Department of Agriculture.

Breed Affects Ground Reaction Measures

Force plate measurements are commonly used to evaluate lameness in saddle horses. This experimental study was designed to determine if breed differences influence ground reaction forces measured in sound and lame warmbloods and Quarter Horses.

Peak vertical force as a percent of body weight was measured for 61 sound and lame warmbloods and Quarter Horses at the trot using a force plate. Sound warmbloods loaded front and hind limbs at 118 percent and 96 percent of body weight, respectively; and sound Quarter Horses at 101 percent and 92 percent respectively. At similar grades of lameness, warmbloods still loaded affected limbs at a higher percentage of body weight than Quarter Horses, but the data predict that at higher grades of lameness, heavier warmbloods unload their limbs more than Quarter Horses. The authors conclude that breed differences need to be taken into account when absolute values of ground reaction forces are used to evaluate lameness.

—Back I et al. JEVS 2007;27:123-129.

SDF Tendon Injuries Linked to Fatigue

Injury to the superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendon during high speed exercise remains one of the most common injuries to the racing Thoroughbred. This investigation explored the relative contributions of the superficial and deep digital flexor (DDF) tendons and their associated muscles in supporting the lower limb during the walk, trot and canter. Tendon and muscle…