EQUIGAIT NEWS
July 2024: New open access publication on the use of Rolled Rocker shoes in Warmblood Show-Jumping Horses. (Bark, Reilly, Weller, Pfau, Sensors, https://doi.org/10.3390/s24154848)
Some highlights:
- Three-sensor EquiGait inertial measurement system used for comparing head, withers and pelvic movement.
- "Limb-by-limb" re-shoeing: pre-post shoeing movement symmetry differences were calculated after re-shoeing each of the two forelimbs, maximizing the benefit of utilizing movement symmetry measures and maximizing the sample size ("limb" as sample)
- Horses had been in Rolled Roecker shoes for at least 6 months prior to the study (we use the term "re-shoeing"). All horses participated actively in show jumping competitions of at least 1.20 m fence height.
- Movement symmetry was assessed during:
- straight line trot on hard ground
- straight line trot on soft ground
- left and right lunge in trot on soft ground
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Results:
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Withers movement indicated increased forelimb push-off with the limb with the Rolled Rocker shoe on the inside of the circle.
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Withers movement indicated reduced weight-bearing with the limb with the Rolled Rocker shoe and the ipsilateral hind limb on hard ground compared to soft ground.
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- Conclusions:
- It is important to not only investigate movement during straight line trot on a hard surface when investigating the effects of shoes, in particular when these shoes alter the 'weight bearing surface' of that shoe.
- Upper body movement symmetry measured with inertial sensors is a suitable tool for investigating "functional differences" associated with shoeing interventions.
- Measuring differences after each limb has been shod maximizes the benefit of movement symmetry analysis but will require a deviation from standard shoeing practices.
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Head over to our 'Science' section for a full list of publications.
June 2024: New open access publication on the interrelation between movement symmetry and back range of motion in Quarter horses.
Some of the findings:
Head movement asymmetry was shown to be associated with a decrease in flexion-extension and axial rotation in the sacral region and a decrease in flexion-extension in the cranial thoracic region.
Pelvic movement asymmetry was shown to be linked to a decrease in lateral bending in the lumbo-sacral region.
Surprisingly, both head and pelvic movement asymmetry were associated with increased lumbo-sacral dorsoventral range of motion.
May 2024: Another new leaflet: building on previous topics, we outline the importance of having confidence in dynamic measurements: 'evidence not just numbers'.
April 2024: Two new leaflets: one on the topic of accuracy and precision, the other on the topic of speed and its influence on gait parameters
These leaflets are part of a new 'mini-series' of information material with practical relevance for conducting equine gait analysis and to provide some insights into the benefits of using our EquiGait systems.
April 2024: New publication on gait symmetry in relation to predominant direction of training and racing in Thoroughbreds:
Based on research funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Equine Welfare research foundation with EquiGait gait analysis systems (both our wireless and our modular solution) quantitative evidence is presented that in association with the predominant direction of exercise, horses show head and pelvic movement symmetry differences.
This new scientific publication is the latest in a string of peer-reviewed publications with our EquiGait products and is another important step towards investigating how training regimens -- in this specific case the fact that horses are exclusively undertaking high speed work in one direction (clockwise vs anti-clockwise) -- influence specific aspects of movement, i.e. here the commonly used 'straight-line trotup', an essential part of every veterinary lameness examination. Put your trust in our tools and invest in a system that is advancing science yet is equally fit for purpose for aiding everyday decision-making of veterinarians as well as for allied veterinary professionals. We provide quantitative evidence that matters and goes beyond quantifying what can be seen 'by eye': advanced biomechanical parameters at your finger tips!
April 2024: Comparison leaflet with comparison table of advantages and disadvantages of IMU based gait analysis as we at Equigait see them:
Why should you utilize EquiGait gait analysis systems in your business?
Go beyond head nod and hip hike! Measure functional movement patterns relevant for health and performance!
Click here to download our leaflet!
February 1st 2024: Announcing participation in two exciting events
This year, EquiGait will be present at two exciting continuing professional development events, one in May and one in November.
BEVA "objective lameness course", May 23rd 2024, Slimbridge, UK
Thilo Pfau will be joining other experts in the field of objective gait analysis at Slimbridge Wetland Centre (GL7 7BT) and B&W Equine Hospital for a morning of lectures followed by an afternoon of practical demonstrations. Kevin Keegan will present about the Equinosis system, Maarten Oosterlinck from Belgium will lecture about pros, cons and pitfalls, and Giorgio Ricardi will speak about blocks and treatment. In the afternoon, Nadine Ogden from B&W Equine will work with us on cases, giving everybody the opportunity to work with different lameness systems.
EGAS meeting, November 15th 2024, Utrecht, NL
The Equine Gait Analysis Society (EGAS) is a relatively new group with the aim of providing Veterinarians with the necessary skills and knowledge for handling objective gait analysis data in the context of clinical lameness examinations. I will be joining the 2024 'annual event' in Utrecht with a presentation about our progress in assessing back movement as well as for a 'wetlab' on the use of EquiGait gait analysis tools.
More information about EGAS here
Please do contact us with any queries you may have:
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