Effects of Jumping Phase, Leading Limb, and Arena Surface Type on Forelimb Hoof Movement.
Authors: Rohlf Christina M, Garcia Tanya C, Marsh Lyndsey J, Acutt Elizabeth V, le Jeune Sarah S, Stover Susan M
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Forelimb Hoof Movement During Jumping Across Different Arena Surfaces Excessive braking forces during the stance phase of jumping have been implicated in musculoskeletal injury, yet the contribution of arena surface properties to these forces remains poorly characterised. Rohlf and colleagues used high-speed kinematic analysis to measure solar hoof angle, displacement, velocity, and deceleration in four horses jumping a 1.1 m oxer across twelve different arenas (five dirt, seven synthetic), simultaneously recording surface impact and shear properties. The leading forelimb experienced significantly greater slide time, horizontal hoof velocity, and deceleration compared to the trailing limb—approximately 40% greater braking deceleration—indicating substantially higher loading and injury risk at this contact point during both takeoff and landing phases. Notably, neither arena surface type nor jump phase significantly influenced the magnitude of forelimb deceleration, suggesting that limb position and individual biomechanics may be more critical determinants of braking forces than the intrinsic properties of dirt versus synthetic surfaces. These findings challenge assumptions about surface-specific injury prevention in jumping and indicate that intervention strategies should prioritise addressing the biomechanical asymmetry between leading and trailing limbs rather than focusing on surface selection alone.
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Practical Takeaways
- •The leading forelimb experiences substantially greater braking forces during jumping—focus preventive management (shoeing, training modifications) on this limb which bears higher musculoskeletal injury risk
- •Arena surface type alone does not explain variation in hoof deceleration; other factors such as surface maintenance, footing depth, and firmness may be more influential than simple dirt/synthetic classification
- •High-speed kinematic analysis can identify individual horse movement patterns that surface properties alone cannot explain, supporting individualized management approaches
Key Findings
- •Leading forelimb during jump takeoff/landing exhibited significantly greater slide time, horizontal hoof velocity, and deceleration compared to trailing limb (p < 0.001), suggesting higher injury risk
- •Surface type (dirt vs synthetic) did not significantly affect hoof deceleration during braking phase despite differences in mechanical properties
- •Hoof deceleration during braking was not significantly influenced by jump phase (takeoff vs landing)