Localization of the cutaneus trunci muscle reflex in horses.

Objective: To determine the magnitude and location of skin movement attributable to the cutaneus trunci muscle reflex in response to localized stimulation of the skin of the dorsolateral aspect of the thoracic wall in horses.

Animals: 8 horses.

Procedures: A grid of 56 reflective markers was applied to the lateral aspect of the body wall of each horse; markers were placed at 10-cm intervals in 7 rows and 8 columns.

Investigation of forelimb hoof wall strains and hoof shape in unshod horses exercised on a treadmill at various speeds and gaits.

Objective: To investigate forelimb hoof wall strains and shape changes in unshod horses undergoing regular moderate exercise on a treadmill at selected speeds and gaits.

Animals: 6 horses of various body types.

Procedures: Each horse was exercised on a treadmill (walking, trotting, and cantering, with or without galloping at 12.

Moment arms of the human neck muscles in flexion, bending and rotation.

There is a paucity of data available for the moment arms of the muscles of the human neck. The objective of the present study was to measure the moment arms of the major cervical spine muscles in vitro. Experiments were performed on five fresh-frozen human head-neck specimens using a custom-designed robotic spine testing apparatus.

Mechanical loading of the distal end of the third metacarpal bone in horses during walking and trotting.

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.

Influence of muscle-tendon wrapping on calculations of joint reaction forces in the equine distal forelimb.

The equine distal forelimb is a common location of injuries related to mechanical overload. In this study, a two-dimensional model of the musculoskeletal system of the region was developed and applied to kinematic and kinetic data from walking and trotting horses. The forces in major tendons and joint reaction forces were calculated.