Biomechanics & Movement Analysis Flashcards
7 cards from real ECC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Biomechanics & Movement Analysis flashcards as text
Which anatomical feature makes the horse's thoracolumbar spine inherently more resistant to lateral bending compared to a human lumbar spine?
Answer: Longer spinous processes and overlapping articular facets oriented to limit lateral motion
Tall overlapping spinous processes and facet joint orientation in the equine thoracolumbar spine mechanically restrict lateral flexion, providing stability at the cost of mobility.
A horse that consistently drifts toward the rail when ridden on a right-hand circle most likely has restricted motion in which direction at the thoracolumbar junction?
Answer: Right lateral flexion
Drifting outward on a right circle indicates the horse cannot adequately bend right through the thoracolumbar region, so it straightens and drifts to the outside.
The 'kissing spines' condition (impingement of dorsal spinous processes) most commonly affects which spinal region in sport horses?
Answer: T13–T18 thoracic vertebrae
Kissing spines most frequently occur at T13–T18, where spinous processes are tallest and closest together, particularly in horses with tight backs or poor topline development.
What is the biomechanical significance of the horse's 'back-up' reflex (dorsoventral spinal flexion response to skin stimulation)?
Answer: It tests segmental mobility and neurological integrity of the thoracolumbar spine
The spinal flexion response (ventroflexion to skin stimulation) is used clinically to assess segmental mobility and the integrity of afferent-efferent spinal reflex arcs in the thoracolumbar spine.
During the rising trot, the rider's biomechanical contribution to equine back motion is best described as:
Answer: Reducing peak dorsal forces on the thoracolumbar spine by unloading every other stride
Rising trot halves the number of consecutive dorsal compressive loading cycles on the horse's back, reducing cumulative fatigue and impact on the thoracolumbar spine.
In equine movement analysis, what does a reduced 'flight arc' of the forelimb during the swing phase most commonly indicate?
Answer: Restricted shoulder protraction or pain limiting limb elevation
A low flight arc (toe-dragging or reduced limb elevation) typically reflects pain or restriction at the shoulder, elbow, or coffin joint limiting the arc of limb protraction.
The concept of 'throughness' (Durchlässigkeit) in equine biomechanics describes:
Answer: Unobstructed transmission of energy and neural signals from hindquarters through a supple back to the forehand and contact
Throughness refers to the unimpeded flow of impulsive energy from the hindquarters forward through a relaxed, swinging back to a soft, accepting contact — requiring mobility at every spinal segment.