Biomechanics

Biomechanics is the study of movement and the mechanisms by which movement is produced. It is a process used to determine the underlying causes of gait abnormalities. There are various factors that influence gait abnormalities such as: conformation (functional anatomy), Myology, discipline ergonomics (rider & tack), shoeing, footing, and pain which causes compensatory posture and movement. Equipometry and Gait Analysis provide processes to discern the issues related to functional anatomy.

Equipometry is the objective measure of conformation of defined skeletal points. The points are used to measure bone segment lengths and the demarcation of critical angles. Segment lengths and angles predispose the range of motion, thus an underlying asymmetry or misalignments can cause uneven movement, many Osteo diseases and/or lameness.

Gait Analysis is a process to evaluate the locomotion ability by studying the gait characteristics with consideration of objective & subjective conformation and rhythm, tempo and speed.

15 Characteristics:

• Stride
• Stance phase
• Foot strike
• Advance placement
• Stride length
• Swing phase
• Breakover
• Advance lift-off
• Lateral distance
• Suspension phase
• Toe-off
• Protraction
• Diagonal distance
• Overlap
• Retraction