Three-Dimensional Kinematic Motion Analysis of Shivers in Horses: A Pilot Study.
Authors: Seino Kathy K, Secord Tom, Vig Mikala, Kyllonen Sue, DeClue Audrey Jo
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Three-Dimensional Kinematic Motion Analysis of Shivers in Horses Shivers remains a poorly understood neuromuscular disorder affecting equine locomotion, and definitive diagnosis has historically relied on subjective clinical observation. Researchers from this 2019 pilot study employed three-dimensional kinematic analysis to objectively quantify movement abnormalities, comparing three affected horses against four sound controls during walk, backing, and hindlimb elevation tasks. Horses with Shivers demonstrated markedly abnormal kinematic parameters: hindlimb stance width increased to 0.39 ± 0.15 m, abduction angles reached 48.7 ± 7.52°, and hoof elevation heights were elevated at 0.77 ± 0.08 m (left) and 0.94 ± 0.11 m (right) when asked to pick up their hindlimbs—movements that normal horses executed with maintained centre of balance and symmetrical, controlled mechanics. Additionally, affected horses struggled to back in a straight line with asymmetric hoof separation and reduced stride length, whereas control horses demonstrated consistent symmetry and linear backing. For practitioners, these objective kinematic markers offer potential diagnostic value and could establish measurable baseline data for monitoring treatment efficacy across physiotherapy, farriery and veterinary interventions, though the small sample size warrants confirmation in larger cohorts before clinical implementation.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Three-dimensional kinematic motion analysis provides objective, measurable parameters for diagnosing Shivers in horses, improving consistency and reliability beyond subjective visual assessment
- •Characteristic movement patterns in Shivers include difficulty maintaining straight lines during backing, asymmetric hoof placement, and loss of balance when lifting hindlimbs—these can now be quantified for monitoring treatment response
- •This methodology could be used to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatment approaches for Shivers by tracking specific kinematic parameters over time
Key Findings
- •Horses with Shivers demonstrate significantly wider hindlimb stance (0.39 ± 0.15 m) compared to control horses during specific tasks
- •Affected horses show increased abduction angle (48.7 ± 7.52°) and exaggerated hoof elevation (0.77–0.94 m) when asked to pick up hindlimbs
- •Horses with Shivers exhibit difficulty backing in a straight line with asymmetric hoof separation and inability to maintain center of balance when lifting hindlimbs, whereas control horses perform these tasks symmetrically and with ease
- •Three-dimensional kinematic analysis can serve as an objective diagnostic tool to characterize the movement abnormalities of Shivers