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Johns LT, Smythe MP, Dewberry LS, Staiger EA, Allen K, Brooks SA. Digital video analysis reveals gait parameters that predict performance in the jumping test phase of three-day eventing. J Equine Vet Sci 2024; 141:105166. [PMID: 39159896 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
In international equestrian sport, visual inspections assess gait and lameness to protect the welfare of performance horses during competition. Horses competing internationally in three-day eventing must pass two mandatory inspections (pre-competition and post-cross country) before attempting the final phase: the jumping test (JT). We hypothesized that digitally quantifying objective gait parameters captured during the two mandatory inspections will identify locomotor characteristics that predict success during the jumping test. Utilizing the DeepLabCut (DLC) software package for labeling of anatomical landmarks and a custom analysis pipeline we calculated gait parameters for 194 competition horses at the trot. During the pre-competition inspection, relative trot speed was significantly associated (P = 0.0060, GLMM), and the forelimb travel trended towards significance (P =0.0800, GLMM), with achieving a clear round in the later jumping test. Post-cross country, the forelimb travel significantly predicted JT results (P = 0.0188, GLMM). As our parameters are scaled for body size, these parameters may indicate conformational characteristics for superior jumping ability and overall athletic fitness. Within each competitive effort, comparisons of the post-cross country and pre-competition observations revealed that the change in speed and duty factor were significantly different in the group that accrued jumping faults (P = 0.00376 and P = 0.02430, GLMM), perhaps capturing locomotor signs of exercise fatigue. Further work employing these approaches to better understand competition performance will encourage the use of objective measures to protect sport horse welfare, as well as provide an advantageous tool for gait evaluation in the horse.
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Affiliation(s)
- L T Johns
- University of Florida Department of Animal Sciences, 2250 Shealy Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32608
| | - M P Smythe
- University of Florida Department of Animal Sciences, 2250 Shealy Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32608
| | - L S Dewberry
- University of Florida Department of Biomedical Sciences, 1275 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32611
| | - E A Staiger
- Kingsville Department of Animal Science and Veterinary Technology, Texas A&M University, 1150 W. Engineering Ave, Kingsville, TX, 78363
| | - K Allen
- University of Florida Department of Biomedical Sciences, 1275 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32611
| | - S A Brooks
- University of Florida Department of Animal Sciences, 2250 Shealy Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32608; UF Genetics Institute/ University of Florida Department of Animal Sciences, 2033 Mowry Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32610.
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Giontella A, Silvestrelli M, Cocciolone A, Pieramati C, Sarti FM. Breeding Value Estimation Based on Morphological Evaluation of the Maremmano Horse Population through Factor Analysis. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2232. [PMID: 39123761 PMCID: PMC11310958 DOI: 10.3390/ani14152232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Morphological scoring is a common evaluation method for domestic animals. The National Association of Maremmano Breeders (ANAM) has provided a dataset containing the records of 600 horses, four metric measurements (cm) and 24 traits with a continuous evaluation scale, each one with 15 classes. Moreover, a body condition score (BCS) with five classes is included. In this study, factor analysis was conducted to create a small number of informative factors (3) obtained from these traits, and a new BLUP-AM-MT index was established. The New Estimated Breeding Value (NEBV1) of each horse was computed by adding the genetic indexes of the three factors, with each one multiplied using a coefficient indicated by ANAM. The practical feasibility of the NEBV1 was evaluated through Spearman correlations between the rankings of the NEBV1 and the rankings of the BLUP-AM-MT, estimated through the four biometric measures and the morphological score (MS) assigned to each horse by the ANAM judges. The factorial analysis was used to estimate three factors: the "Trunk Dimension", "Legs" and "Length". As the explained variance was only 32%, the model was rotated, and the heritability of the three factors were 0.51, 0.05 and 0.41, respectively. After rotation, the estimated correlations between the new NEBV1 and the biometric measures were improved. These results should encourage breeders to adopt a breeding value index that takes into consideration the factors derived from all the variables observed in the morphological evaluation of the Maremmano. In this way, breeders can use it to select the best animals for breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Giontella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine—Sportive Horse Research Center, University of Perugia, Via S. Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (M.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Maurizio Silvestrelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine—Sportive Horse Research Center, University of Perugia, Via S. Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (M.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Alessandro Cocciolone
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy; (A.C.); (F.M.S.)
| | - Camillo Pieramati
- Department of Veterinary Medicine—Sportive Horse Research Center, University of Perugia, Via S. Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (M.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Francesca Maria Sarti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy; (A.C.); (F.M.S.)
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Crecan CM, Peștean CP. Inertial Sensor Technologies-Their Role in Equine Gait Analysis, a Review. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:6301. [PMID: 37514599 PMCID: PMC10386433 DOI: 10.3390/s23146301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Objective gait analysis provides valuable information about the locomotion characteristics of sound and lame horses. Due to their high accuracy and sensitivity, inertial measurement units (IMUs) have gained popularity over objective measurement techniques such as force plates and optical motion capture (OMC) systems. IMUs are wearable sensors that measure acceleration forces and angular velocities, providing the possibility of a non-invasive and continuous monitoring of horse gait during walk, trot, or canter during field conditions. The present narrative review aimed to describe the inertial sensor technologies and summarize their role in equine gait analysis. The literature was searched using general terms related to inertial sensors and their applicability, gait analysis methods, and lameness evaluation. The efficacy and performance of IMU-based methods for the assessment of normal gait, detection of lameness, analysis of horse-rider interaction, as well as the influence of sedative drugs, are discussed and compared with force plate and OMC techniques. The collected evidence indicated that IMU-based sensor systems can monitor and quantify horse locomotion with high accuracy and precision, having comparable or superior performance to objective measurement techniques. IMUs are reliable tools for the evaluation of horse-rider interactions. The observed efficacy and performance of IMU systems in equine gait analysis warrant further research in this population, with special focus on the potential implementation of novel techniques described and validated in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Mihăiță Crecan
- University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cosmin Petru Peștean
- University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Becker K, Lewczuk D. Phenotypic correlations between jump and gaits characteristics measured by inertial measurement units in horse jumping training - preliminary results. Livest Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2022.105112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Becker K, Lewczuk D. Variability of Jump Biomechanics Between Horses of Different Age and Experience Using Commercial Inertial Measurement Unit Technology. J Equine Vet Sci 2022; 119:104146. [PMID: 36283588 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The application of commercial inertial measurement units has become popular in equestrian sports, which may help to eliminate a gap of knowledge concerning many aspects of biomechanics in training. This study employed the Seaver IMU system to measure jumping characteristics of horses with differing age-competition experience during regular training. It was hypothesized that experience level results in lower variability of jumping parameters. Twelve Warmblood horses aged 5 to 6 years with/without competition experience and 7 to 11 years with experience were investigated during regular training in 2 training centers. Consistent number of 10 successive jumps of the individual chosen course of vertical and spread obstacles (5th -15th) were analyzed and the following parameters were measured: jump height, reserve and length; taking off angle, acceleration, velocity; jump spatial shifting, energy by landing, and frequency of approach strides. Preliminary analysis confirmed comparable physiological effort in 2 training center based on heart rate, distance and duration measurements. The multifactorial analysis of variance for biomechanical data included in the statistical model the random effect of horse and fixed effects of training center, age-experience group, successive jump number, obstacle type and height. Four parameters were significantly different between the younger, inexperienced group and experienced younger and older horses: height of jump (P = .01), frequency of approach strides (P = .005), acceleration of taking off (P = .01), and energy by landing (P = .0013). Standard errors for almost all the parameters reached higher values for the youngest, inexperienced horses. Variability of jumping parameters was lower for experienced groups of horses, suggesting higher precision on obstacle courses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Becker
- Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology (Politechnika Bydgoska), Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Dorota Lewczuk
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology PAS Jastrzębiec, Magdalenka, Poland.
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Clayton HM, St George L, Sinclair J, Hobbs SJ. Characteristics of the Flight Arc in Horses Jumping Three Different Types of Fences in Olympic Competition. J Equine Vet Sci 2021; 104:103698. [PMID: 34416997 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Show jumping horses must execute fences of varying height and width, but the effect of this on jumping kinematics during the airborne phase have not been described. The aim of this study was to describe differences within- and between-horses in CM trajectory, trunk orientation and average trunk angular velocity in a group of elite horses executing three fences: vertical fence (1.60 m), spread fence (1.50 × 1.80 m), water jump (4.5 m) during an Olympic competition. Two-dimensional kinematic data (60 Hz) were collected from video cameras set perpendicular to each fence. After manual digitization, linear and angular variables related to the position and rotation of the CM and trunk were calculated. Linear fixed effects models evaluated within-group differences between fences and kinematic variables. Repeated measures correlation (rmcorr) evaluated within-horse associations between kinematic variables and fence type. Compared with the water jump, CM vertical velocity, CM peak height, and average trunk angular velocity were significantly higher (P < .05) and CM horizontal velocity was significantly lower (P < .05) for the vertical and spread fences. Peak CM height coincided approximately with the middle of the spread fence, toward the take-off for the water jump and landing for the vertical fence. The trunk was significantly more inclined at take-off for the vertical fence and significantly less inclined for the water jump at landing. Rmcorr analysis revealed that individual horses generally employ similar jumping techniques for each fence type. Findings provide original insight into the mechanical requirements for elite horses jumping different fence types.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lindsay St George
- Research Center for Applied Sport, Physical Activity and Performance, School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston.
| | - Jonathan Sinclair
- Research Center for Applied Sport, Physical Activity and Performance, School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston
| | - Sarah Jane Hobbs
- Research Center for Applied Sport, Physical Activity and Performance, School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston
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