28th Annual Student Research Conference
Effects of Weight Load on Horse Stride Length
Kylee O. Short
Dr. Kelly Walter, Faculty Mentor
Eight Quarter horses were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design to determine effects of weight load on stride length. Treatment was randomly assigned, and consisted of horses carrying 0%, 10%, 20% or 30% of their body weight. Horses were saddled and lead weights placed into saddlebags to reach desired weight load. Horses were trotted in hand in a straight line. The recording frame was 5 m (camera installed 10 m away from the center), preceded by a warm-up distance of 3 m and followed by an additional 3 m. Video data will be used to analyze stride length, maximum knee height, maximum hock height, maximum and minimum joint angles and to calculate range of motion using the EquineTec software program. Further research must be conducted to improve the safety of application of the 20% and 30% weight loads in order to continue and complete data collection.
Keywords: Equine, Stride Length, Extension, Joint Angles, Maximum Knee Height, Range of Motion
Topic(s):Agricultural Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 1-2
Location: GEO-SUB
Time: 3:30