The walk and trot at hand and at driving of five Andalusian Purebred stallions were studied by a 2D semiautomatic analysis system. Linear, temporal and angular variables from the right fore and hind limbs were obtained by using a 2D kinematic analysis system. In order to identify significant differences between handled and driving gaits, a paired Student t-test was performed. The swing period and the stride lengths of both fore and hind limbs and the overreach distance were lower at driving. Stride durations and Retraction-Protraction angle values in the hind limbs at trot did not differ under different conditions but scapular values at walk and trot, fore fetlock variables at trot and some of the stifle and tarsus parameters at walk and trot were modified by the use of the vehicle. It may be assumed that at fixed speeds driving horses try to maintain the stride duration of their natural gaits. horse / walk / trot / driving / kinematics Résumé-Le pas et le trot chez le cheval à l'attelage : adaptation cinématique des allures naturelles. Le pas et le trot à la main et à l'attelage de cinq étalons Andalous ont été étudiés à l'aide d'un système d'analyse semi-automatique du mouvement en 2 dimensions. Des variables linéaires, temporelles et d'angles des membres antérieur et postérieur droits ont été obtenues en utilisant la méthode cinématique en 2D. Afin d'identifier les différences significatives entre les allures à la main et les allures à l'attelage un test de Student apparié a été mis en oeuvre. La période de balancement et la longueur des foulées des membres antérieur et postérieur et la distance entre deux posers successifs des pieds avant et arrière (overreach distance) étaient inférieures lorsque les animaux étaient menés à l'attelage. La durée des foulées et les valeurs des angles de Rétraction-Protraction pour les membres postérieurs au trot n'ont pas différé dans ces conditions, en revanche, les valeurs obtenues pour les omoplates chez le cheval au pas et au trot, les variables du boulet au trot et certains paramètres du grasset et du tarse à la main et au trot ont été modifiés lors de l'utilisation de la voiture attelée. On peut supposer qu'à vitesse constante les chevaux à l'attelage essayent de maintenir la durée des foulées au niveau de celle de leurs allures naturelles. cheval / pas / trot / attelage / cinématique

Although the jumping characteristics of agility dogs have been examined in recent years, there is currently a lack of data related to the suspension phase. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the biomechanics of the suspension phase of the agility jump and to analyze the kinematic differences in dogs with different jumping abilities. Two groups of dogs of the same height category (large dogs) competing at different skill levels and assessed as excellent jumpers (n = 4) and less-skilled jumpers (n = 3), respectively, were analyzed and statistically compared. Excellent jumpers showed longer and faster jumps with flatter jump trajectories than less-skilled jumpers. In less-skilled jumpers, the distance in front of the hurdle was notably greater than the distance behind it, while the difference between these two distances was less in excellent jumpers. Length and duration of the jump, maximal height of the jumping trajectory, take-off and landing distances to the hurdle, time of occurrence of maximal jump height, and time of change in back orientation essentially defines the suspension phase of the agility jump. This study presents preliminary evidence that the kinematic characteristics of hurdle clearance are different in excellent jumper dogs and in less-skilled jumper dogs.

Nose work with military working dogs (MWDs) in warmer-than-usual areas has led us to look for new tools to reduce both heat stress and the risk of heat stroke. One of the different strategies to manage heat stress is the use of cooling vests, such as those used in humans. The aim was to assess three cooling conditions (using two different cooling vests during exercise and the non-use of such garments) by measuring core body temperature, systemic blood pressure and pulse rate before and after the exercise (moment: four measurement times) in military dogs of the I Military Police Battalion (in Valencia, Spain). All dogs were evaluated under all three conditions during the three days of the study. Significant differences were observed between condition, moment, and the interaction of these two factors, in relation to core body temperature and pulse rate. Therefore, the use of an evaporative cooling vest may further be useful as a routine thermal control and conditioning measure in MWDs.

In the field of canine rehabilitation, knowledge of muscle function in the therapeutic exercises prescribed is needed by physical therapists and veterinary surgeons. To gain insight into the function of longissimus dorsi (LD) and gluteus medius (GM) muscles in dogs, five Greyhounds performing leash walking and trotting on the ground flat, up (+7%), and downhill (−7%) were studied by surface electromyography, and the mean and maximum activity was compared. For the same incline, the surface electromyography (sEMG) of LD was higher (p < 0.05) at the trot than at the walk. In LD muscle, trotting uphill showed significantly higher maximum activity than any other exercise. A change of +7% incline or −7% decline affected (increased or decreased, respectively) the mean sEMG of the LD and GM muscles of dogs walking or trotting on the ground. When combined, the influence of gait and incline on electromyographic activity was analyzed, and walking at certain inclines showed no difference with trotting at certain inclines. Walking and trotting up and downhill added separate therapeutic value to flat motion. The results of the present study might contribute to a better understanding of the function of LD and GM muscles in dogs, this being especially useful for the field of canine rehabilitation.

Although significant progress has been made in recent years regarding jumping biomechanics of agility dogs, there is still a lack of data on the specific biomechanical pattern of the jump. The main objective of the present study was to describe the biomechanic variables involved in the jumping pattern of agility dogs, analyzing both intra- and inter-individual variability. Eleven agility dogs were analyzed while jumping over a 60-cm hurdle. Results of low or acceptable and similar intra and inter-individual coefficients of variation obtained in variables such as percentage of take-off and landing distances, percentages of take-off and landing durations, maximum jump height, jump height at the hurdle and percentage duration to maximum jump height, may indicate these variables as components of a general biomechanical pattern of jumping in agility dogs. Low or acceptable and consistent intra- and inter-individual variation observed in variables such as percentage of take-off and landing distances, percentages of take-off and landing durations, maximum jump height, jump height at the hurdle, and percentage duration to maximum jump height suggests that these variables could represent key elements of a general biomechanical jumping pattern in agility dogs. This stability, maintained across multiple jumps by the same dog and across different dogs, highlights their potential as reliable indicators of a shared biomechanical framework for jumping. Lower intra-individual than interindividual coefficients of variation obtained in most of the angular variables, jump distance, jump duration and speed, take-off, and landing distances, and jump heights at take-off and at landing indicate these variables as related with the individual technique of each animal. All of this data can be used in the design of training plans as well as when monitoring the progress of canine athletes.

Actualmente, el método de observación directa se utiliza para evaluar el movimiento de los caballos; sin embargo, este método es limitado dado que es totalmente subjetivo y muchos detalles de la funcionalidad del sistema músculo-esquelético no pueden ser detectados y evaluados, debido a que no son perceptibles a simple vista. El principal objetivo de este estudio fue desarrollar un modelo matemático que permita calcular, graficar y simular el movimiento angular, en dos dimensiones, de algunas articulaciones de los caballos. El aparato locomotor del caballo fue modelado como un sistema mecánico de cuerpos rígidos articulados por 15 juntas simples. La solución matemática del mecanismo se hizo desde el punto de vista del pasivo de la cinemática inversa (plana); se construyeron 15 ecuaciones de cadena, asociando los segmentos corporales del sistema en movimiento con la base inercial, y fue utilizado el método de optimización matemática basada en el cálculo de los mínimos cuadrados.En este estudio se obtuvieron las curvas cinemáticas de las principales articulaciones, las trayectorias (altura) de los marcadores sobre las bandas coronarias trasera y delantera (cascos) y una simulación del sistema mecánico. Esta herramienta elimina la subjetividad y permite a los veterinarios observar, evaluar (cualitativa y cuantitativamente), diagnosticar e investigar sobre diferentes fenómenos de la marcha de los caballos.