Objective: To assess the net mechanical load on the distal end of the third metacarpal bone in horses during walking and trotting.
Animals: 3 Quarter Horses and 1 Thoroughbred.
Procedures: Surface strains measured on the left third metacarpal bone of the Thorough-bred were used with a subject-specific model to calculate loading (axial compression, bending, and torsion) of the structure during walking and trotting.