The Effect of Two Maintenance Procedures on an Equine Arena Surface in Relation to Motion of the Hoof and Metacarpophalangeal Joint by Laura-Anne Dagg A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the requirements for the degree of MSc (by Research) at the University of Central Lancashire September 2012 Declaration Declaration Student Declaration Concurrent registration for two or more academic awards *I declare that while registered as a candidate for the research degree, I have not been a registered candidate or enrolled student for another award of the University or other academic or professional institution _________________________________________________________________________ Material submitted for another award *I declare that no material contained in the thesis has been used in any other submission for an academic award and is solely my own work _________________________________________________________________________ Signature of Candidate Type of Award - MSc by Research School - Sports, Tourism, and the Outdoors i Abstract Abstract Maintenance procedures are reported to affect surface properties. The majority of work regarding surfaces in relation to performance and welfare is currently race track specific. The study aimed to investigate limb and hoof movement on a synthetic arena surface following two different commonly used preparations (harrowing and rolling). Nine horses were recorded using infrared cameras and retro-reflective markers, in walk, trot and canter, on two surface preparations in a cross-over design. Hoof range of motion (ROM) and displacement as well as metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) extension and third metacarpal (MCIII) inclination were analysed using ANOVA. Surface hardness and traction were also measured. Speed was monitored using a marker on the sternum. No difference was found between maintenance treatments for speed, hoof ROM or hoof displacement. Results showed significantly greater (P<.05) MCPJ extension at mid-stance following harrowing and significantly (P<.05) greater MCIII adduction at impact following harrowing, when gait was grouped. Hardness and traction were statistically similar on both treatments. Alterations to the surface cushion that do not significantly alter hardness and traction appear to be sufficient to produce subtle changes in stride characteristics. The difference in MCIII adduction shows that foot placement in the frontal plane changed, but the support that the surface gave the hoof did not. Greater MCPJ extension on the harrowed surface was unexpected and post hoc analysis identified that the position of the sternum marker relative to the planted foot was further ahead at mid-stance. A greater percentage of bodyweight on the forelimbs would produce greater extension. ii Table of Contents Table of Contents Declaration ............................................................................................................................... ii Abstract ................................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents .................................................................................................................... iv List of Plates .......................................................................................................................... viii List of Figures .......................................................................................................................... ix List of Tables ........................................................................................................................... xi Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................ xii Chapter One - Literature Review. ........................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 The interaction between the horse and the surface ..................................................... 3 1.1.1 The movement of the horse ................................................................................... 3 1.1.2 Primary and secondary impact ............................................................................... 3 1.1.3 Support .................................................................................................................... 4 1.1.4 Break over and swing .............................................................................................. 4 1.2 Dynamic ability of the distal limb .................................................................................. 5 1.2.1 Adaptive Hypertrophy ............................................................................................. 5 1.2.2 Foot bearing ............................................................................................................ 5 1.2.3 The metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) .................................................................. 6 1.3 Arena characteristics ...................................................................................................... 8 1.3.1 Surfaces ................................................................................................................... 8 1.3.2 Substrate materials ................................................................................................. 8 1.3.3 Woodchip ................................................................................................................ 8 1.3.4 Rubber ..................................................................................................................... 9 1.3.5 Sand ......................................................................................................................... 9 1.3.6 Wax ....................................................................................................................... 10 vi Table of Contents 1.3.7 Fibre ...................................................................................................................... 11 1.3.8 Moisture content .................................................................................................. 11 1.4 Mechanical surface properties .................................................................................... 12 1.4.1. Hardness .............................................................................................................. 12 1.4.2 Shear strength ....................................................................................................... 12 1.4.3 Surface maintenance ............................................................................................ 13 1.4.4 Maintenance research .......................................................................................... 13 1.5 Biomechanical Analysis ................................................................................................ 15 1.5.1 Motion Capture ..................................................................................................... 15 1.5.2 Motion analysis ..................................................................................................... 15 1.5.3 Marker movement ................................................................................................ 15 1.5.4 Bone pinning ......................................................................................................... 16 1.5.5 2D and 3D analysis ................................................................................................ 16 1.6 Aims and Objectives ..................................................................................................... 18 Chapter Two – Equipment Validation .................................................................................. 20 2.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 20 2.1 Marker Type ................................................................................................................. 20 2.2 Marker configuration ................................................................................................... 22 2.3 Camera set up .............................................................................................................. 23 Chapter Three - Pilot study ................................................................................................... 25 3.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 25 3.1 The Test Track .............................................................................................................. 25 3.2 Habituation to the equipment and test track .............................................................. 26 3.3 Camera setup ............................................................................................................... 26 3.4 Anatomical Markers ..................................................................................................... 28 3.5 Arena Treatment .......................................................................................................... 28 3.6 Filming procedure ........................................................................................................ 29 vi Table of Contents 3.7 Sample size ................................................................................................................... 29 Chapter Four - Investigation of treatment effects ............................................................... 30 4.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 30 4.1 Camera setup ............................................................................................................... 30 4.2 Anatomical Markers ..................................................................................................... 30 4.3 Arena Treatment .......................................................................................................... 31 4.4 Filming procedure ........................................................................................................ 31 4.5 Mechanical surface properties .................................................................................... 32 4.5.1 Hardness measurements ...................................................................................... 32 4.5.2 Torque measurements .......................................................................................... 33 4.5.3 Moisture Content .................................................................................................. 34 4.6 Data processing ............................................................................................................ 34 4.6.1 Stage one- Limb modelling.................................................................................... 34 4.6.2 Stage two – Individual static measurements ........................................................ 35 4.6.3 Stage three – Identification of events ................................................................... 36 4.6.4 Stage four – Extracting values ............................................................................... 37 4.7 Statistical analysis ........................................................................................................ 41 Chapter Five - Results ............................................................................................................ 42 5.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 42 5.1 Validation of the 3D marker set ................................................................................... 43 5.2 Distal limb and hoof movement between two different surface preparations .......... 45 5.2.1 Hoof rotation and displacement ........................................................................... 47 5.2.2 MCPJ Rotations ..................................................................................................... 49 5.3 Mechanical surface properties .................................................................................... 52 5.3.1 Hardness ............................................................................................................... 52 5.3.2 Traction ................................................................................................................. 55 5.3.3 Moisture content .................................................................................................. 57 vi Table of Contents 5.3.4 Climatic conditions ................................................................................................ 57 5.4 Correlations between mechanical surface properties and kinematic results ............. 58 5.4.1 Hardness correlations ........................................................................................... 58 5.4.2 Shear strength correlations .................................................................................. 59 5.4.3 MCIII inclination correlated with MCPJ extension ................................................ 60 5.5 Summary of main results ............................................................................................. 62 Chapter Six – Discussion ........................................................................................................ 63 6.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 63 6.1 The effect of maintenance treatments on equine kinematics .................................... 64 6.1.1 Rotation and displacement of the hoof ................................................................ 64 6.1.2 Extension of the MCPJ and MCIII inclination ........................................................ 68 6.2 Mechanical surface property results ........................................................................... 72 6.3 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 77 Chapter Seven – References ................................................................................................. 79 Appendix A – Study Ethical Consent ......................................................................................... I Appendix B –Risk Assessments ................................................................................................ X Appendix C – Study Registration .......................................................................................... XXV Appendix D – Rider Consent Form ..................................................................................... XXXII Appendix E – Manufacturers Surface Recommendations .............................................. XXXVII Appendix F – Standard Operating Procedures ...................................................................... XLI vi List of Plates List of Plates Plate 2.1 Marker Type 21 Plate 2.2 Full Marker Set 23 Plate 2.3 Optoelectronic Calibration Wand and Frame 24 Plate 3.1 Calibrated Filming Zone 27 Plate 3.2 Arena Surface Maintenance Equipment 28 Plate 4.1 Data Collection Trial 32 Plate 4.2 Clegg Impact Testing Device 32 Plate 4.3 Torque Wrench 33 Plate 4.4 Data Analysis in Qualysis Track Manager 34 Plate 4.5 Static Image in Visual3D 35 Plate 4.6 Event Identification in Visual3D 36 Plate 6.1 MCIII adduction comparison 71 viii List of Figures List of Figures Figure 3.1 Component Layers of the Test Tack 25 Figure 3.2 Data Collection Setup 27 Figure 3.3 Treatment Application 29 Figure 4.1 Surface Testing Grid 33 Figure 4.2 Track Co-Ordinate System 37 Figure 4.3 Sign Conventions for Rotation of the Hoof and MCIII 38 Figure 4.4 Sign Convention for MCPJ Flexion and Extension 38 Figure 4.5 Hoof Rotation and Displacement Graphs from Visual3D 39 Figure 4.6 MCIII Inclination and MCPJ Extension Graphs from Visual3D 40 Figure 5.1 2D vs. 3D MCPJ Extension 44 Figure 5.2 Hoof Rotation ROM Impact to Mid-Stance 47 Figure 5.3 Hoof Rotation ROM Mid-Stance to Toe Off 47 Figure 5.4 MCPJ Extension Mid-Stance 49 Figure 5.5 MCPJ Extension Mid-Stance for All Gaits 49 Figure 5.6 MCIII Inclination in Roll at Impact 50 Figure 5.7 MCIII Inclination in Roll at Impact for All Gaits 50 Figure 5.8 MCIII Inclination in Pitch for All Gaits 51 Figure 5.9 MCIII Inclination in Yaw for All Gaits 51 Figure 5.10 Mean Surface Hardness Readings 52 Figure 5.11 Hardness vs. Data Collection Day 52 Figure 5.12 Mean Hardness on Selected Test Area 54 Figure 5.13 Mean Surface Torque Readings 55 Figure 5.14 Mean Torque on Selected Test Area 56 Figure 5.15 Surface Moisture Contest 57 Figure 5.16 Correlation for MCPJ Extension and Hardness 58 Figure 5.17 Correlation for MCIII Inclination and Hardness 59 ix List of Figures Figure 5.18 Correlation for MCPJ Extension and Torque 59 Figure 5.19 Correlation for MCIII Inclination and Torque 60 Figure 5.20 Correlation for MCIII Inclination (Roll) and MCPJ Extension 60 Figure 5.21 Correlation for MCIII Inclination (Pitch) and MCPJ Extension 61 x
Description: