Comparison of superficial digital flexor tendon loading on asphalt and sand in horses at the walk and trot

• Published in: The veterinary journal (1997) Vol. 198; no. 1; pp. e130 - e136
• Main Authors: Crevier-Denoix, N., Ravary-Plumioën, B., Vergari, C., Camus, M., Holden-Douilly, L., Falala, S., Jerbi, H., Desquilbet, L., Chateau, H., Denoix, J.-M., Pourcelot, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; biomechanics; Equine; Female; Forelimb - physiology; Gait - physiology; Ground surface; horse riding; horses; Horses - physiology; Hydrocarbons; lameness; Life Sciences; Male; Motor Activity; sand; Silicon Dioxide; Speed of sound; Superficial digital flexor tendon; Tendon force; tendons; Tendons - physiology; trotting; Superficial digital flexor tendon; Equine; Tendon force; Speed of sound; Ground surface
• ISSN: 1090-0233; 1532-2971
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.047

The incidence of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injuries is one of the highest of all equine musculoskeletal conditions. Horses with SDFT injuries commonly show no improvement of lameness on soft ground, unlike those suffering from distal bone or joint lesions. The aim of this study was to compare the SDFT loading in five horses at the walk and trot on asphalt and sand using a non-invasive ultrasonic tendon force measurement device. Three horses were equipped with the ultrasonic device, whereas the other two horses were equipped with the ultrasonic device and a dynamometric horseshoe (DHS); the DHS was used to calibrate the measured values of tendon speed of sound (SOS) converted to tendon force, while a previously established ground reaction force pattern was used to calibrate SOS measurements for the other three horses. Although the horses tended to be slower on S, maximal tendon force was higher on sand than on asphalt at the trot (+6%); there was no significant difference between the two surfaces at the walk. The duration of tendon loading was longer on S (+5%) and the area under the tendon force–time curve was larger on S (+10%) at both walk and trot. SDFT loading is significantly affected by the ground surface and the observed increase in SDFT loading on sand compared with asphalt is consistent with clinical observations in horses with SDFT injuries.