Stride frequency and stride length in horses performing treadmill endurance exercise
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Authors
Groppi, Lauren
Issue Date
2008
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Endurance riding is a demanding sport in which horses compete over distances of so-
100 miles. Completion rates vary, depending on distance, with lameness the most common
cause of failure (AERC 2003). Some studies suggest that changes in stride characteristics
may be indicative of fatigue and lameness in horses, however limited research on this topic
has been conducted. This study was performed to investigate the possible correlation
between stride characteristics and lameness by measuring stride frequency and stride length
at different stages of a treadmill endurance exercise test. We hypothesized that changes in
stride frequency and stride length would be observed with increasing fatigue (toward the end
of the exercise test). Six 2-year-old Arabian horses were videotaped while performing four
60-km endurance tests consisting of four IS-km bouts with both trotting (4 m/s) and
cantering (8 m/s). Stride frequency and stride length were measured at both gaits near the
beginning and end of each 15-km bout. No significant differences were found between the
four tests for each horse; consequently, data were combined. Stride frequency ranged from
88.3-94.0 strides/min at the trot and from 117.5-123.5 strides/min at the canter; stride length
ranged from 2.5-2.7 m at the trot and 3.9-4.1 m at the canter. There were no significant
changes in stride frequency or stride length from the first to the fourth 15-km exercise bouts
at either gait; however, within each IS-km bout stride frequency was greatest (p<0.01) and
stride length was shortest (p<0.0 1) at the initial trot measurement. In conclusion, stride
frequency and stride length were remarkably consistent over time in a 60-km exercise test.
Consequently, further evaluation of these stride characteristics as an early indicator of
lameness in competitive rides is warranted.
Description
v, 14 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo College
License
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