Trunk kinematics and limb movement of horses walking backwards and forwards in hand and lifting a single limb.
Authors: Jobst I D, Zsoldos R R, Licka T F
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary Whilst backward walking and single-limb lifting are established components of equine physiotherapy protocols, the biomechanical demands placed on the trunk during these exercises remained poorly characterised until now. Jobst and colleagues used high-speed video analysis of skin markers across the withers, thoracic and sacral spine in nine horses to quantify trunk kinematics during forward walking, backward walking and voluntary single-limb lifting, alongside measuring hoof trajectories and weight-bearing patterns. Backward walking produced notably greater dorsoventral range of motion and flexion through the withers-to-T16 segment compared with forward walking, yet paradoxically demonstrated reduced lateral trunk mobility during hindlimb swing; the caudal trunk (T16-sacral) showed the opposite pattern, with smaller dorsoventral movement during backward walking. Single-limb lifting demands higher hindfoot elevation than forward locomotion and creates different trunk stabilisation patterns from backward walking, particularly in the forelimb phase. These findings suggest that backward walking recruits increased lumbosacral stabilisation through a widened base of support, indicating it imposes compensatory demands rather than representing a simple reversal of forward movement—a distinction that matters for exercise prescription in rehabilitation, as the neuromotor demands and potential risk of overloading specific spinal segments will differ substantially from conventional in-hand work.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Backward walking exercises naturally increase lumbosacral stabilization and create a wider support base, making them effective for building core stability and proprioceptive awareness in horses
- •Single limb lifting exercises produce higher limb elevation than forward walking; this can be leveraged in physiotherapy programs targeting proprioceptive training and limb control
- •The altered trunk kinematics during backward walking and single limb lifting suggest these exercises engage stabilizer muscles differently than forward walking—use them strategically in rehabilitation protocols, particularly for horses needing improved balance or core strength
Key Findings
- •Dorsoventral range of motion and maximum flexion of the withers-T16-S2 segment were significantly larger during backward walking than forward walking
- •Laterolateral range of motion of the withers-T16-S2 segment was significantly smaller during hindlimb swing phase in backward walking and single limb lifting compared to forward walking
- •Dorsoventral range of motion of the T16-S2-S4 segment was significantly smaller during hindlimb stance and swing phases in backward walking versus forward walking
- •Hindhoof height during single limb lifting was significantly higher than during forward walking, with increased mediolateral distance from body midline in backward walking