Effect of speed and water depth on limb and back kinematics in Thoroughbred horses walking on a water treadmill.
Authors: Nankervis K J, Tranquille C A, Chojnacka K, Tacey J B, Deckers I, Newton J R, Murray R C
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
Water treadmill exercise is increasingly used for conditioning and rehabilitation, yet the specific kinematic changes produced at varying speeds and water depths have lacked systematic investigation in Thoroughbreds. Nankervis and colleagues used multi-modal motion analysis—including 3D video assessment of limb joints, motion-capture of spinal segments from T6 to S3, and inertial sensors tracking head and pelvic movement—to evaluate six Thoroughbreds walking at four speeds (2.8–6.0 km/h) across three water depths (dry, metacarpophalangeal joint level, and carpal level). Speed and water depth together amplified joint flexion in the metacarpal, carpal and tarsal joints, whilst water depth alone significantly increased metatarsophalangeal flexion; crucially, thoracolumbar spinal extension-flexion ROM between T10 and L3 increased only when speed and depth were combined, suggesting that shallow water alone provides insufficient stimulus for meaningful spinal mobilisation. Hindlimb protraction increased with speed independently, whereas hindlimb retraction and substantial poll and pelvic displacement amplified only under combined speed-depth conditions. For practitioners, these findings indicate that rehabilitation protocols seeking to enhance spinal flexibility or hindlimb engagement should employ moderate-to-faster speeds with water at carpal depth rather than relying on shallow water or slow speeds in isolation, whilst dry treadmill work offers less dynamic spinal stimulus—evidence that can refine prescription decisions for horses returning from injury or requiring targeted conditioning.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Water treadmill exercise at varying depths and speeds can be precisely modulated to target specific joint flexion angles and spinal movements for training and rehabilitation goals
- •Deeper water with increased speed produces the greatest changes in thoracolumbar flexion and pelvic movement, useful for conditioning or rehabilitation of the back and hindquarters
- •Metacarpophalangeal and carpal joint flexion respond more to combined speed and depth, while metatarsophalangeal flexion responds primarily to depth alone—allowing selective targeting of forelimb or hindlimb mechanics
Key Findings
- •Peak metacarpophalangeal, carpal and tarsal joint flexion increased with speed and water depth combined (P=0.001)
- •Thoracolumbar flexion-extension ROM between T10 and L3 increased with speed and water depth combined (P=0.001)
- •Hindlimb protraction increased with speed alone (P=0.001) while retraction increased with speed and water depth combined (P=0.001)
- •Pelvic dorsoventral displacements (tubera coxae and sacrum) increased with speed and water depth combined (P=0.001)