Gait and Stride Analysis
Abstract
This initial study was to investigate the effect of Cyclo-Ssage Equine Massage system on horses with injury or stiffness, and to show the benefits of using the Cyclo-Ssage System for warm up prior to training or performance, using a Legria HV40 video recorder and Dartfish analysis software. 3 Horses were filmed before and after application of the Cyclo-ssage rug. The video software captures the horses in walk, trot and canter then using the Dartfish software we were able to measure the stride length of each gait and identify any changes that the Cyclo-Ssage System has made to the horses gait and which represents increased or decreased movement in each stride. This study was done in a Dressage arena on rubber and silica sand surface. After application of the Cyclo-Ssage System the horses showed positive changes in their movement, each horse displayed increased extension in each gait
Introduction
The aim of this study was to measure the effectiveness of the Cyclo-ssage System on the bio-mechanics of the horse. Each horse had a previous injury affecting its way of going. The method of this study was to use a video camera to record each horse in the three gaits and Dartfish Analysis software to measure the stride after each recording.
What is Dartfish analysis?
Dartfish analysis is the most powerful video analysis tool in equine sports today. Dartfish software allows for video replay and has advanced measurement tools to identify changes in the horses’ movement and condition. It allows for accurate visual and technical feedback of a horses stride and movement.
Methodology
3 working event horses were selected for this study. Each horse was selected according to the following criteria.
• 3 event horses with past injury affecting its way of going.
• 3 event horses suffering muscle soreness & trauma
In this study 3 horses known to have previous injury and stiffness were imaged prior to the Cyclo-ssage System being applied to show their normal stride patterns & length. The same three horses then had the Cyclo-ssage System applied for 15 minutes at maximum level. The aim of this was to increase the blood flow promoted by the Cyclo-ssage System to improve the condition of the muscles and to show effective warm up of muscles prior to exercise, in effect increasing the extension of the limbs and improving movement.
All three horses were ridden in a rubber surface school. The horses were ridden for 15 minutes each; during this time they were filmed while working in all three gaits, Walk, Trot and Canter. Each horse was ridden and filmed before Cyclo-Ssage System application; the same three horses were then filmed after Cyclo-Ssage application. Each video was separated into sections reflecting the three gaits and individually analysed using the Dartfish stride length measurement tools.
All horse’s were handled and imaged according to the protocols and procedures set out by Human and Equine Ltd.
Results
CASE 1: You should be so Lucky (YSBSL)
6 yr old thoroughbred X Connemara
16’hh - 1* Eventer
Injury: Tight spot on the right side in neck resulting in a shortened stride in front to the left.
Work load: Worked six times a week.
YSBSL was filmed pre Cyclo-ssage Equine Massage system application.
Measurement of the stride length of the fore limbs and leading hind limb are in meters.
Walk:
Left Fore Stride length = 1.98m
Right Fore Stride length = 1.97m
Hind stride Length = 2.06m
Trot:
Left Fore Stride Length = 2.19m
Right Fore Stride Length = 2.20m
Hind Stride Length = 2.37m
Canter:
Left Fore Stride Length = 2.62m
Right Fore stride Length = 2.67m
Canter Stride Length = 2.9m
Post 15 minute Cyclo–ssage Equine Massage system application.
Walk:
Left Fore Stride length = 2.03m An increase in stride length of 0.05m
Right Fore Stride length = 2.07m An increase in stride length of 0.10m
Hind Stride Length = 2.18m An increase in stride length of 0.12m
Trot:
Left Fore Stride Length = 2.33m An increase in stride length of 0.24m
Right Fore Stride Length = 2.39m An increase in stride length of 0.19m
Hind Stride Length = 2.58m An increase in stride length of 0.21m
Canter:
Left Fore Stride Length = 2.80m An increase in stride length of 0.18m
Right Fore stride Length = 2.78m An increase in stride length of 0.11m
Canter Stride Length = 3.02m An increase in stride length of 0.07m
CASE 2: Future Indulgence
4 yr old Trac’ X thoroughbred
17’2 hh
Pre- novice Eventer
Injury – Scarring on the left hind pastern from a previous wound infection at 2yr s old.
Work load: Worked 5 times weekly
Future Indulgence was filmed pre Cyclo-ssage Equine Massage System application.
Walk:
Left Fore Stride length = 2.05m
Right Fore Stride length = 2.04m
Hind Stride Length = 2.01m
Trot:
Left Fore Stride Length = 2.28m
Right Fore Stride Length = 2.28m
Hind Stride Length = 2.33m
Canter:
Left Fore Stride Length = 2.68m
Right Fore stride Length = 2.68m
Canter Stride Length = 2.85m
Post Cyclo-Ssage Equine Massage System application
Walk:
Left Fore Stride length = 2.10m An increase in stride length of 0.05m
Right Fore Stride length = 2.10m An increase in stride length of 0.06m
Hind Stride Length = 2.11m An increase in stride length of 0.10m
Trot:
Left Fore Stride Length = 2.43m An increase in stride length of 0.15m
Right Fore Stride Length = 2.48m An increase in stride length of 0.20m
Hind Stride Length = 2.48m An increase in stride length of 0.16m
Canter:
Left Fore Stride Length = 2.80m An increase in stride length of 0.12m
Right Fore stride Length = 2.79m An increase in stride length of 0.12m
Canter Stride Length = 2.89m An increase in stride length of 0.04m
CASE 3: Supple Jack
16yr old New Zealand thoroughbred
16’2 hh
Advanced Eventer
Injury: – Stiff behind. In season 4, injury to the Proximal Suspensory.
Has just returned to work after a year off.
Is stiff in the right fore shoulder area and right hind.
Crabs from right to left hind to take the weight off the left hind.
Work load: Worked 6 times weekly
Supple Jack was filmed pre Cyclo-ssage Equine Massage system application.
Walk:
Left Fore Stride length = 1.81m
Right Fore Stride length = 1.80m
Hind Stride Length = 1.98m
Trot:
Left Fore Stride Length = 2.10m
Right Fore Stride Length = 2.08m
Hind Stride Length = 2.10m
Canter:
Left Fore Stride Length = 2.39m
Right Fore stride Length = 2.41m
Canter Stride Length = 2.57m
Post Cyclo-Ssage Equine Massage System application
Walk:
Left Fore Stride length = 1.90m An increase in stride length of 0.09m
Right Fore Stride length = 1.87m An increase in stride length of 0.07m
Hind Stride Length = 2.05m An increase in stride length of 0.07m
Trot:
Left Fore Stride Length = 2.37m An increase in stride length of 0.27m
Right Fore Stride Length = 2.38m An increase in stride length of 0.30m
Hind Stride Length = 2.41m An increase of stride length of 0.30m
Canter:
Left Fore Stride Length = 2.65m An increase in stride length of 0.26m
Right Fore stride Length = 2.65m An increase in stride length of 0.24m
Canter Stride Length = 2.86m An increase in stride length of 0.29m
Results summary
Improvements
Increases in stride length between the pre Cyclo-Ssage assessment and post
Cyclo-Ssage assessment for each of the gaits are listed below.
Case1 Case2 Case3 Total Increase Average
Increase
WALK Rgt fore 0.05 0.66 0.07 0.18 0.06
Left fore 0.10 0.05 0.09 0.24 0.08
Hind 0.12 0.10 0.07 0.29 0.10
TROT Rgt fore 0.14 0.20 0.03 0.37 0.12
Left fore 0.19 0.15 0.27 0.61 0.20
Hind 0.21 0.15 0.31 0.67 0.22
CANTER Rgt fore 0.18 0.11 0.24 0.53 0.18
Left fore 0.11 0.12 0.26 0.49 0.16
Hind 0.07 0.04 0.29 0.40 0.13
The average percentage increase in each gait is shown below. The percentage increase was calculated by comparing the initial stride length against the stride length after application of the Cyclo-ssage Pro Equine Massage System.
Total Average % Increase Ave % Increase
WALK Rgt fore 5.82 1.94 3.09% 4.05%
Left fore 5.83 1.94 4.12%
Hind 6.05 2.02 4.95%
TROT Rgt fore 6.55 2.18 5.50% 8.10%
Left fore 6.57 2.19 9.13%
Hind 6.80 2.27 9.69%
CANTER Rgt fore 7.71 2.57 7.00% 5.95%
Left fore 7.74 2.58 6.20%
Hind 8.37 2.79 4.66%
Conclusion
It was observed and recorded that the three horses showed an increase in their stride length following application of the Equine Cyclo-Ssage Pro Massage system. In walk the average increase was 4.05%, in Trot the average increase was 8.10% and in Canter the average increase was 5.95%. In addition to each horse showing an increase in stride movement the rider observed that each horse felt looser than before the system was applied, this would support the manufacturer’s claims that it relaxes and loosens up the muscles after application and prior to exercise.
Whilst it was not the purpose of this study to investigate the effects of the Cyclo-Ssage Pro Equine Massage System rug on the injuries of the horses, it was also observed by the rider that the horses were looser, more symmetrical in their balance, calm and relaxed during exercise and remained relaxed after exercise was finished.
Along with the increased stride length [post Pro Equine Massage System] it was recorded that there was improved symmetry in left to right stride patterns.
The positive results shown in this study indicate that the Equine Pro Equine Massage System would be a beneficial piece of equipment for warming up horses prior to exercise and competition. Further studies involving larger numbers of horses and covering a longer period of time would be recommended to further validate the findings of this study. |
