MOVEMENT

Question 1

Why analyse locomotion

Answer 1

Evaluate what is normal /abnormal 
Assess gait patterns 
Identify gait adaptations
Performance indicators 
Welfare indicators

Question 2

What is a gait

Answer 2

Are specific patterns of the footfalls during locomotion
Change with speed
Strides take place within a gait

Question 3

What are the different types of gait

Answer 3

Walk
Trot
Canter
Gallop

Question 4

Characteristic of walk

Answer 4

4 beat
Symmetric
Never >3 or <2 limbs weight bearing at one time
Centre of gravity always between a triangle of weight bearing feet

Question 5

Characteristics of trot

Answer 5

2 beat
Symmetric
Diagonal gait
Body supported alternatively by left and right diagonal pairs
Period of suspense between successive stance phases

Question 6

Characteristic of canter

Answer 6

3 beat 
Asymmetric 
Rocking horse motion :
- RH RF+LH LF
- LH LF+RH RF
One movement of suspension

Question 7

Characteristics of gallop

Answer 7

Fast, 4 bea
Asymmetric
Horses usually lead with their inside leg around a turn - called lead leg
Moment of suspension - normally 1 per cycle however 2 with cheetahs and grey hounds per cycle

Question 8

What are the 3 types f gallop

Answer 8

Transverse
Rotary
Counter- rotary

Question 9

Describe transverse gallop

Answer 9

LH RH. LF. RF - 1 moment of suspension

Question 10

When is transverse gallop used

Answer 10

Dogs at low speed
Horses ( odd-toed ungulates )
Cattle(large even-toed ungulates )

Question 11

Describe rotary gallop

Answer 11

RH LH. LF. RF

2 moments of suspension

Question 12

When is rotary gallop used

Answer 12

All cats
Dogs at high speed
Gazelle, antelope ( small even-toed ungulates )
Running rodents

Question 13

Describe counter- rotary gallop

Answer 13

The opposite of rotary

I.e. anticlockwise foot falls

Question 14

When is counter-rotary gallop used

Answer 14

Greyhounds on the track, since they race anti-clockwise

Question 15

Why change gait

Answer 15

Physical necessity
Metabolic advantages - optimal speed for each gait at which energy cost is minimal
Mechanical advantages - reduced bone strain

Question 16

What are the 2 types of neurological basis for limb coordination

Answer 16

Sensation

Motor response to stimuli

Question 17

Sensation

Answer 17

Vision
Vestibular system (inner ear)- balance orientation
Mechanoreceptors (touch)
Nociceptors (pain)
Propriocceptors ( body position)

Question 18

what is the motor response to stimuli include

Answer 18

Nervous system - voluntary and involuntary control, reflex’s
Central pattern generators - generaterhythmic motor patterns (inc respiration )
Brain stem
Cerebellum- balance
Constant monitoring of muscle length and tension

Question 19

What is responsible for producing different gaits

Answer 19

Motor response to stimuli-

Central pattern generators

Question 20

What monitors muscle length and tension

Answer 20

Muscle spindles and blogging tendon organs

Question 21

Give example of equine adaptations for locomotion

Answer 21

Increased stride length - elongation of distal limb
Minimised mass of limb - reduced number of bones in limb, muscles positioned proximally
Conservation of energy- long tendons
Relatively rigid spine - large gut , large body mass

Question 22

Examples of canine adaptations for locomotion

Answer 22

Elongation of limbs - mass proximal
Digitigrade - need claws for catching prey and assist with grip
Flexible back - increases stride length
Tail- assists with balance when out of balance

Question 23

How can locomotion be assessed

Answer 23

Visually

Analysis equipment - e.g. high speed treadmills, video cameras, data analysis soft ware

Question 24

What are the clinical consequences of the species adaptations for locomotion

Answer 24

Low safety margins in bones and tendons- equines often experience fractures and tendon trains.
Little soft tissue covering distal limbs - pot wound fracture healing and to absorb impact loads causes Joint injuries/ osteoarthritis