High-speed videography was used to generate angle-time and angle-angle diagrams to
provide the basis for a better subjective and objective understanding of the locomotor
function of the horse. Intra- and interlimb coordination patterns were analyzed in
a group of ten clinically sound racing Thoroughbreds. For lateral video recording,
reflective markers were glued over the axis of rotation of the fore- and hindlimb
joints of the ten horses. All horses were filmed simultaneously from both sides (right
and left). Means and standard deviations were calculated for the minimum, the maximum
and the range of motion values for the angle excursions of each joint. Angle-time
and angle-angle diagrams were highly repeatable over the eight to nine strides videotaped
for each horse and showed a very characteristic shape with minor variations between
individual horses. When comparing right versus left sides, horses exhibited varying
levels of significant asymmetry.
Keywords
Gait analysis - high-speed videography - angle-angle diagram - equine locomotion
