Compensatory Load Redistribution in Forelimb and Hindlimb Lameness

摘要

At the walk, in unilateral forelimb and hindlimb lameness, reduced loading of the lame limb is primarily compensated by concurrently loaded limbs. At the trot, the horse's attempt to cope with weight-bearing forelimb lameness causes a reduction of stride impulse and its redistribution to the contralateral forelimb and diagonal hindlimb without producing an equivalent, compensatory increase of peak vertical forces in these limbs. In hindlimb lameness, impulse redistribution is limited to the contralateral hindlimb without compensatory increase in peak vertical forces.