Objective determination of ground contact of equine limbs at the walk and trot: comparison between ground reaction forces, accelerometer data and kinematics

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Summary: Mutual timing relationships between hoof and fetlock joint kinematics, and objective criteria for ground contact based on accelerometry and ground reaction force measurements, were obtained for the right forelimbs and hind limbs of 4 horses at the walk and trot. Initial ground contact can be determined from accelerometer data or force plate signals, but not with sufficient accuracy from kinematics only. Prior to initial ground contact the hoof is positioned with the heels lowered in 3 of 4 horses. The change to foot flat occurs within 9 ms and can be identified unequivocally, provided that the hoof is visible and the recording equipment is sufficiently fast. Assuming that the onset of the stance phase is known, the end of the stance phase can be determined within 10% stride duration from the time at which the fetlock joint angle is identical to that at initial ground contact. Another criterion is the time at which the metacarpus or metatarsus and the first phalanx are aligned.

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