Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2025; 38(05): A1-A12
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1811996
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Can Angular Velocity Offer a New Measure to Assess Topline Quality of Movement in Sound and Lame Horses?

Jim Richards
1   Allied Health Research Unit, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
,
Tena Ursini
2   Equine Performance and Rehabilitation Center, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
,
Hilary M. Clayton
3   Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
,
David Levine
4   Department of Physical Therapy, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
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    Background: Topline dysfunction in horses has been defined as a complex condition involving weakness, hypomobility, and generalized back pain and is strongly associated with hindlimb lameness in horses. Traditionally, spinal motion in horses has been described using displacement measurements, predominantly in the sagittal plane; however, these do not fully describe the complexity of movement which may be present in horses with topline dysfunction. This exploratory study considered the use of joint angles to assess joint excursions and joint angular velocity to assess the quality of movement in all three planes, with the latter being previously shown to offer greater sensitivity when assessing humans with and without chronic low back pain.

    Materials and Methods: Six degrees of freedom spinal motion during trot of six thoroughbred and thoroughbred cross horses (two geldings, four mares, four sound, and two with hindlimb lameness) were recorded (Vicon, UK) using marker clusters centred over the cranial thoracic, caudal thoracic, lumbar, and sacral segments, and the angles and angular velocities were calculated between segments using Visual 3D (HAS Motion, Canada).

    Results: Joint angles and angular velocity were both able to detect asymmetries with the sound horses showing more symmetrical movement patterns in all three planes; however, angular velocity showed notably greater values in the lame horses indicating decreased quality of movement/control, [Fig. 1].

    Zoom
    Fig. 1 (A) Sound horse caudal thoracic to lumbar movement during trot. (B) Lame horse caudal thoracic to lumbar movement during trot.

    Conclusion: Angular velocity yielded new information on the quality of movement in the three rotational planes and may provide more detail in the assessment of topline dysfunction and the efficacy of its management in horses.


     

    No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

    Publication History

    Article published online:
    12 September 2025

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    Zoom
    Fig. 1 (A) Sound horse caudal thoracic to lumbar movement during trot. (B) Lame horse caudal thoracic to lumbar movement during trot.