Lecture 10: Biomechanics & Gaits of the HorseChapter 6

Function is to contract – twitch◦ Neurotransmitter –Acetylcholine (ACh)

Actin & myosin

Due to an accumulation of waste products in cells.

1. CO22. Heat3. Lactic acid4. Decreased energy – glucose – ATP

Abnormality where there is constant contraction and disorientation of function.

Clostridium tetanae

Stride is the distance between successive imprints of the same foot.

Stride stance is the weight bearing phase.

Stride suspension is the non-weight bearing phase.

Normal foot fall

Winging in – toe out/ splay-footed.

Paddling – toe in/ pigeon-toed.

1. Walk – four beat gait – lateral

2. Trot – two beat gait – diagonal

3. Canter – three beat gait – lead with the unpaired fore; also a diagonal

4. Gallop – four beat gait – diagonal breaks into single

Diagonals Two beat Suspension

Three beat One diagonal Suspension Lead

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MAw61kegd8

Four beat No pairs suspension

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scZbaTTAbCM&index=2&list=PLmllHxxWPzfyOmu_Y9dUJ7Oge0qifSUNz

Diagonal Trot

Slowly, it will be broken into a walk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7C3uqTl98w (with jumping/backing)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoB6FFP7a84https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2jBYugBFvc

http://www.gaitedhorses.net/Articles/Rack/RackingGait.shtml

Two beat Lateral gait Suspension

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dzz_--8Nj4

American Saddlebred Horse

Four beat; almost pace Back land first Lateral No overstep

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmGP0yYw-58 (All 5 gaits SB)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCR_OJyAvcI

Four beat Fast, vertical Lateral One Foot contact No overstride

Four beat Lateral Overstep/overstride Head nod

Four beat diagonal Trot behind Walk front Rolling motion Front first

Four beat Very rapid steps Slow forward speed Very smooth Paso llano, sobreandando Paso Fino, Corto, Largo, (trocha)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N_KtKEQUmE

5-gaited◦ Tolt◦ Flying Pace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV9P0w8vZi8

Scalping – toe of the front hits above coronary of back

Cross firing – interference of opposite feet in pacers.

Forging – toe of hind foot strikes sole of forefoot

Overreaching – toe of hind foot strikes front, frequently heel bulb

Brushing – the striding foot strikes the supporting leg.◦ Front with front◦ Hind with hind

Paddling – pigeon-toed.

Winding – plaiting crossing over the front legs.

Pounding – excessive weight coming down onthe foot.