ESTIMATION OF HORSE LEG MUSCLES FORCE DURING JUMPING

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to estimate horses’ leg muscle forces in jump height during jumping a spread fence of different heights. A digital camcorder was used (25 Hz) along with Ulead Studio program in order to obtain time, muscle lengths at rest, compression, extension, jump distance, and various angles in horse’s legs data. The total jump distance and time of flight for each horse were measured with a precision of 10m and 10s respectively. Biomechanical formulae have been established in order to evaluate the muscles stiffness coefficients. Three groups of leg muscles; serratus ventralis, biceps brachii, and radial carpal extensor were considered in this study and their forces were successfully estimated.