FORCE PLATE STUDIES OF EQUINE BIOMECHANICS

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 37  (11) , 1251-1255
Abstract
A survey of force plate measurements on the horse at the walk, trot, canter and at rest is described. Attempts are made to understand the biomechanics of gait, the effects of fatigue and the prelame condition and to explore the force plate as a clinical instrument. Measurements on the horse at rest reveal the forces associated with the beating of the heart which propagate through the legs to the plate. If a differential measurement is made (i.e., the force on 1 front leg is subtracted from the force on the other front leg), feedback forces by which the animal stays erect can be observed. This is the 1st observation of these forces that may have clinical significance in evaluating the neurologic or sensor state of an animal, e.g., in studying involuntary tremors of muscular activity, as well as understanding of sensory reactive input subsequent to any degree of insult upon the extremity. The force plate may evolve into an important diagnostic tool.

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