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In horses, hip hike asymmetry, i.e. left–right difference in hip upwards movement during hind limb protraction in trot, is a crucial lameness sign. Vertical hip movements are complex, influenced by both pelvic roll and pelvic vertical motion. Veterinarians find it challenging to identify low-grade lameness, and knowledge of normal variation is a prerequisite for discerning abnormalities. This study, which included 100 clinically sound Warmblood horses, aimed to describe normal variation in pelvic roll stride patterns. Data were collected during straight-line trot in hand using optical motion capture. Stride-segmented pelvic roll data, normalised with respect to time (0–100% of the stride) and amplitude (± 0.5 of horse average stride range of motion), were modelled as a linear combination of sine and cosine curves. A sine curve with one period per stride and a cosine curve with three periods per stride explained the largest proportions of roll motion: model estimate 0.335 (p < 0.01) and 0.138 (p < 0.01), respectively. Using finite mixture models, the horses could be separated into three groups sharing common pelvic roll characteristics. In conclusion, pelvic roll motion in trot follows a similar basic pattern in most horses, yet there is significant individual variation in the relative prominence of the most characteristic features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The horse frequently shows idiopathic primary lymphoedema or secondary lymphoedema following trauma or infection to its limbs. Lymphoedema develops if the balance between the amount of lymphatic fluid and capacity of lymphatic transport is disturbed. Scintigraphy appears to be the only in vivo technique to evaluate lymphatic transport capacity. The aim of this study was to develop an evaluation technique to determine the lymph flow in the hindlimb of the horse. This technique might show potential to extend the possibilities for investigating disorders of the lymphatic system in equine extremities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]