Alienor Bardin

Citation

Thesis Title
Predicting horse limb responses to surface variations with a 3D musculoskeletal model

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Thoroughbred racehorses are often affected by musculoskeletal injuries and modified surface properties could reduce this risk. Ms Bardin created a preliminary 3D musculoskeletal model of the whole equine forelimb to determine the effects of soft and hard perturbation (changes in surface hardness) on the limb response and to assess when the response occurs. In response to the hard perturbation, the proximal limb spring was more compliant, evidenced by increased shoulder flexion and the elbow and carpal joints were more flexed in the intervening swing phase. In response to the soft perturbation, more coffin joint flexion was observed during both the perturbed and the following stance phases. The preliminary model allowed the observation and study of the forelimb reaction to hardness perturbation through the joint excursions and tendon and ligament strains.

Supervisors
Dr Bob Colborne
Dr Liqiong Tang
Professor Chris Rogers
Dr Luca Panizzi