The effects of water and speed on limb kinematics in horses walking on a water treadmill

Abstract

This study aimed to describe limb kinematics of horses walking on a dry treadmill (DT) and water treadmill (WT) at increasing belt speeds. Limb angle variables of twelve owner sound Warmblood horses were collected on a DT and WT (water height: 30 cm) at five different speeds (0.9-1.2 m/s), using four IMU sensors (EquiMoves®, 200 Hz) attached to the mid-lateral aspect of all metacarpal/metatarsal bones. Maximal front limb (FL) and hind limb (HL) protraction, retraction and sagittal range of motion (ROM) angles were calculated, as well as maximal FL and HL abduction, adduction and coronal ROM angles. Linear mixed-effects models were used to test the effects of water and speed. Significance was set at P