| Abstract: | High-speed cinematography was used in documenting linear and temporal kinematic variables of the equine transverse gallop gait. The stride characteristics of four Quarter Horse fillies were used as a model. Horses were approximately thirty months of age and had been raised and trained similarly. Horses were filmed by two cameras simultaneously (243 frames/s) while galloping under the standardized conditions of a specially constructed 1.5 m wide track. The same saddle and bridle was used on all horses, and the horses were all ridden by the same person. Velocities averaged 13.1 m/s, stride lengths 5.06 m, and stride frequencies 2.60s?1. Kinematic variables determined for 29 gallop strides (16 left lead, 13 right lead) included timings and locations for maximum and minimum vertical positions of body surface markers; timings and angular measurements for maximum and minimum absolute angles of body segments; timings, angular measurements and angular velocities for maximum and minimum relative angles between body segments. Of 211 separate kinematic variables measured and reported for the gallop stride, 131 differed significantly (p<0.05) between leading and trailing sides of the body. Stride variables determined in this study may serve as reference values for normal equine gallop motion patterns. |
