Differences between Breeds (Dutch Warmblood vs Andalusian Purebred) in Forelimb Kinematics

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare some kinematic characteristics of horses of two different breeds, Dutch Warmbood (DWB) and Andalusian purebred (PRE), that shows differences in kinematics by simple visual inspection, above all in their forelimbs. Fourteen adult horses (5 DWB and 9 PRE) were recorded at the trot using a conventional videocamera (frame rate 1/25) from a lateral view. Basic stride parameters were calculated (speed, stride length, stride duration), joints angles of the right front limb (Maximum, Minimum, Angular Range of Motion), and the moments of maximal extension (P_MAX) and flexion (P_MIN), expressed as a percentage of the stride duration in each joint. Student's T tests were used to compare means of analyzed parameters between breeds. Velocities in both groups were similar (4.08 ± 0.25, 3.75 ± 0.51 m/s). Stride length, overtracking length and stride duration were lower in PRE than in DWB. The angular parameters that showed the greatest differences between breeds were those of the elbow, carpus and protraction-retraction angles: the minimum angles and the angular range of motion were greater in the elbow and carpus in PRE than in DWB horses.