Hindlimb response to tactile stimulation of the pastern and coronet

Hindlimb response to tactile stimulation of the pastern and coronet — The Fascia Guide

Key takeaways

01Lightweight chains around the pastern tripled the maximum height of the hoof flight arc
02Stimulation increased flexion in the stifle, hock, and fetlock joints but not the hip
03Increased positive work was specifically observed in the musculature that flexes the hock
04The technique may assist in rehabilitating horses with gait abnormalities like toe dragging

Tactile stimulation of the hind pasterns increases hoof clearance and joint flexion, offering a potential tool for equine rehabilitation and gait training.

Abstract

Reasons for performing study: Lightweight tactile stimulators attached to the hind pasterns increase the height of the hind hoof flight arc but details of the induced changes in swing phase kinematics and kinetics have not been investigated.

Hypotheses: Stimulators on the hind pasterns are associated with increased hindlimb joint flexions and increased positive work performed by the hip and tarsal musculature.

Materials and methods: Nine nonlame horses trotted 4 times with and without 55 g tactile stimulators loosely attached around the hind pasterns. Height of the flight arc and peak flexion angles of the hindlimb joints were measured and net positive and negative work performed across each joint during the swing phase were calculated using inverse dynamics analysis and compared across paired conditions.

Results: Speed and stride duration did not change but stimulators were associated with a reduction in hind stance duration. The flight arc was higher with stimulators due to increased flexions of the stifle, tarsal, metatarsophalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints. Positive work increased in the tarsal musculature, but not in the hip musculature, and negative work increased across the stifle, metatarsophalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints.

Potential relevance: The effects of tactile stimulation of the hind pasterns on joint motion and muscle activation may be used in physiotherapy and rehabilitation to restore or increase flexion of the hindlimb joints with the exception of the hip joint. The ability to stimulate concentric activity of the tarsal musculature may have therapeutic applications in conditions such as toe dragging.

Cite this study

APA: H M Clayton, A D White, L J Kaiser, S Nauwelaerts, M Lavagnino, & N C Stubbs (2010). Hindlimb response to tactile stimulation of the pastern and coronet. https://fasciaresearchdatabase.com/hindlimb-response-to-tactile-stimulation-of-the-pastern-and-coronet/
MLA: H M Clayton, et al. "Hindlimb response to tactile stimulation of the pastern and coronet." 2010, https://fasciaresearchdatabase.com/hindlimb-response-to-tactile-stimulation-of-the-pastern-and-coronet/.
Chicago: H M Clayton et al. 2010. "Hindlimb response to tactile stimulation of the pastern and coronet.". https://fasciaresearchdatabase.com/hindlimb-response-to-tactile-stimulation-of-the-pastern-and-coronet/