gait and biomechanics

Question 1

walk

Answer 1

-4 beat diagonal gait in eight phases
-second half is mirror image of first half
-no suspensory phase
-at least 1 fore and 1 hind foot on ground
-2 foot alternates between ipsilateral and contralateral sides

Question 2

Trot

Answer 2

-2 beat diagonal gait
-2 suspensory phases per cycle
-no head bobbing so good for lameness assessment

Question 3

Pace

Answer 3

-ipsilateral limbs together rather than diagonal
-prevents interference of feet
-roll back from side to side

Question 4

Canter

Answer 4

-3 beat
-8 phase with 1 suspension phase
-2 feet land together but other 2 land independent of each other
-unequal with leading limb more powerful
-inspiration occur in suspension phase

Question 5

Gallop

Answer 5

-horses use transverse gallop
-8 phase with 1 suspension phase
-unequal gait
-4 beats
-only 1 or 2 feet on the ground

Question 6

jumping

Answer 6

• Not a gait as such (except sometimes in cats) but a
  common movement
• Launch from behind with both hind legs together
• Land on front legs one at a time, which produces high strain on first leg to land