ICEEP Poster presentation – Effect of water depth on limb and back kinematics in horses walking on a water treadmill – Rachel Murray, Victoria Walker, Jack Tacey, Kathryn Nankervis, Russell Mackechnie-Guire, Julie Ellis, Richard Newton and Carolyne Tranquille
Introduction: Water treadmill (WT) locomotion has been quantified and water depth has been determined to have an effect on the kinematics of the limbs back and pelvis, but there are limited studies which asses limb and back kinematics simultaneously. Various WT protocols are used tp practice for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, quantification of the concurrent effect on the limbs and back of the horse is warranted to begin to understand water depths which may be indicated for specific cases and their needs. Determination of how alteration of water depth impacts the biomechanics of the whole horse can aid in the design of optimal WT protocols for both training and rehabilitation purposes.
The objective of the study was to quantify the effect of different water depths on the limbs and back kinematics during water treadmill locomotion.
