CAC Gait Analysis and Locomotion Assessment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct footfall sequence during a normal four-beat walk in horses?
- Left hind, left fore, right hind, right fore (Correct answer)
- Left fore, right hind, right fore, left hind
- Right fore, left fore, right hind, left hind
- Left hind, right fore, right hind, left fore
Correct answer: Left hind, left fore, right hind, right fore
The normal equine walk follows a four-beat lateral sequence: left hind, left fore, right hind, right fore, creating a 1-2-3-4 rhythm.
Question 2: Which phase of the gait cycle is defined as the period when the limb is in contact with the ground and bearing weight?
- Swing phase
- Stance phase (Correct answer)
- Float phase
- Propulsion phase
Correct answer: Stance phase
The stance phase is defined as the period when the hoof or paw is in contact with the ground and the limb bears the animal's weight.
Question 3: In veterinary chiropractic assessment, what does a unilateral head bob during trotting in a dog most likely indicate?
- Cervical vertebral subluxation
- Forelimb lameness on the side the head drops toward (Correct answer)
- Hindlimb lameness on the opposite side
- Normal compensatory cervical movement
Correct answer: Forelimb lameness on the side the head drops toward
During trotting, the head drops when the sound limb strikes the ground, meaning the head rises when the lame forelimb is loaded, minimizing weight-bearing on the painful limb.
Question 4: Which term describes a shortened forward reach of a limb during locomotion, commonly associated with pain or restricted joint mobility?
- Hypermetria
- Reduced cranial phase of the stride (Correct answer)
- Spastic ataxia
- Lateral circumduction
Correct answer: Reduced cranial phase of the stride
A reduced cranial phase indicates the animal is limiting forward limb reach, typically due to pain or restricted joint range of motion in the forelimb or cervicothoracic region.
Question 5: What is the primary goal of gait analysis in veterinary chiropractic practice?
- To determine the need for pharmaceutical intervention
- To identify movement asymmetries and compensatory patterns indicative of subluxation or musculoskeletal dysfunction (Correct answer)
- To establish a baseline for surgical planning
- To measure cardiovascular fitness during exercise
Correct answer: To identify movement asymmetries and compensatory patterns indicative of subluxation or musculoskeletal dysfunction
Gait analysis in veterinary chiropractic identifies movement asymmetries, compensatory patterns, and altered locomotion that may indicate vertebral subluxation complex or musculoskeletal dysfunction.
Question 6: During a normal equine trot, which limbs move as a diagonal pair?
- Left fore and left hind (ipsilateral pair)
- Left fore and right hind (diagonal pair) (Correct answer)
- Both forelimbs together
- Both hindlimbs together
Correct answer: Left fore and right hind (diagonal pair)
The trot is a two-beat diagonal gait where the left fore and right hind move together as one pair, and the right fore and left hind move together as the other diagonal pair.
Question 7: Which static stance observation is most relevant to detecting a thoracolumbar subluxation in horses?
- Abnormal ear position or head tilt
- Asymmetrical hindlimb hoof placement or persistent weight-shifting (Correct answer)
- Irregular nostril flaring at rest
- Changes in coat texture over the back
Correct answer: Asymmetrical hindlimb hoof placement or persistent weight-shifting
Asymmetrical hoof placement and hindlimb weight-shifting during static stance suggest pain or dysfunction in the thoracolumbar region, as the horse attempts to unload the affected area.
CAC Gait Analysis and Locomotion Assessment 1
What is the correct footfall sequence during a normal four-beat walk in horses?