EponaMind

10/07/2025

Body Rotations in the Walk – Horses and Humans

In horses, rotational motion is often readily observed in areas such as the hips, trunk (or barrel), shoulders, and head. In contrast, the patterns of movement in human locomotion are generally less visually apparent but similar rotational motions are present.

When walking, human arms should swing naturally without any conscious effort. In normal gait cycles, the walk can be considered a diagonal gait meaning as the left front leg moves forward the right arm moves forward and vice versa. This arm swing is not an isolated movement—it is a passive result of the rotation occurring within the core of the body. During normal gait, the core rotates, and that rotational force is what drives the natural swing of the arms.

Although it may appear that the torso remains static while walking forward, there is, in fact, significant internal rotation happening. The abdominal core is divided into two functional sections: the upper and lower abdominal core. The upper abdominal core controls the rotation of the upper torso, including the thoracic spine and chest, while the lower abdominal core is responsible for rotating the pelvis and lumbar spine.
These two sections move independently but in a coordinated manner during walking. For example, when stepping forward with the left foot, the right side of the upper torso rotates counterclockwise, while the right side of the lower torso rotates clockwise. This creates opposing rotational forces—one in the thoracic spine and one in the pelvis.

Visually, these opposing rotations tend to cancel each other out, which is why the rotational movement of the core is not always obvious during walking. However, this internal rotation still generates observable effects: as the upper torso rotates counterclockwise, it passively drives the left arm forward. Meanwhile, the pelvis rotates in the opposite direction to support the forward motion of the left leg. The coordinated movement of both core sections creates the appearance of simple forward motion, but it is underpinned by complex, rotational mechanics that facilitate natural arm swing.

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08/07/2025

The Walk: The Foundational Gait

The walk is often referred to as the master gait—and for good reason. It is a complex and highly coordinated movement that serves as the foundation for all other gaits.

In earlier discussions, I focused on certain elements of the walk cycle, such as the "tripod" phase. This second installment shifts attention to the lateral dynamics of the gait—specifically, the movement of the croup, withers, and head. Future posts will delve deeper into the physics and anatomical mechanisms that underpin the walk.

For anyone involved in training or riding, a clear understanding of the walk cycle is essential. The timing and sequence of footfalls directly influence the horse’s entire frame and balance.

One particularly interesting anatomical detail is that horses lack clavicles. Unlike humans, whose arms are anchored by a bony shoulder girdle, a horse’s front limbs are connected to the thorax solely through muscular attachments. While the term “suspended” is commonly used to describe this arrangement, it doesn’t fully capture the dynamic and load-bearing role these muscles play in locomotion.

➡️ Check out the previous video on this topis here: https://youtu.be/gOSVgbfMm-k

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26/06/2025

Quadrupeds at Walk: What Elephants, Mice, and Horses Have in Common - PART 1

One of the most fascinating aspects of nature is the underlying biomechanical consistency observed across species. Despite their differences in size and form, quadrupedal mammals—such as elephants, mice, and horses—share remarkably similar walk patterns.

The walk is a highly stable, energy-efficient gait. Among mammals, the quadrupedal walk follows a consistent sequence: it is classified as a symmetrical gait, meaning each limb moves independently but in a coordinated, mirrored pattern. Conventionally, the sequence begins with the right hind limb, followed by the right front, then the left hind, and finally the left front—before repeating in a continuous cycle.

A key characteristic of this gait is that three limbs remain in contact with the ground at any given time during the cycle. This phase—often referred to as the tetrapodal or tripod support phase—creates a triangular base that stabilizes the animal's center of mass (COM). However, understanding quadrupedal locomotion involves more than analyzing footfall patterns. During the walk, the COM of the animal traces a sinusoidal-like trajectory in both the sagittal (forward–backward and up–down) and transverse (side-to-side) planes. While it's convenient to refer to this as a "sine wave," in reality, the motion is more complex—a cyclical waveform with higher-order harmonics. In technical terms, a pure sine wave contains a single frequency. But natural motion is rarely so simple. It includes additional oscillations and subtle variations, making the actual trajectory a superposition of multiple harmonics. These nuances reflect the complexity of real-world biomechanics. To maintain stability during locomotion, quadrupeds must coordinate limb movements such that the COM remains within the triangular base of support formed by the three grounded limbs. This requires constant monitoring and adjustment by the nervous system. In a statically stable walk, the projection of the COM onto the ground stays within this support triangle at all times. Notably, lateral barrel motion—the side-to-side sway of the torso—is not merely incidental. It plays an important role in keeping the COM aligned over the base of support, enhancing gait stability. In this way, even seemingly subtle movements contribute meaningfully to the overall balance and efficiency of quadrupedal walking.

To be continued…

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25/06/2025

Excessive heel length can exacerbate pre-existing limb deformities, making appropriate heel management essential. In this case, this mini horse is young and free of metabolic issues, so reducing heel height is both appropriate and beneficial.

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17/06/2025

A new webinar with Dr. Zachary W. Davis PhD is now live!

"Sensing vs. Seeing: Structure and Function of the Mammalian Visual System"

View the full webinar at the link below:
https://eponamind.thinkific.com/

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13/06/2025

New FREE webinar by John Craig on taking excellent photos and radiographs of the equine hoof! He's been working on this stuff for 25 years! Learn what even practicing veterinarians don't know!

Join Dr. John Craig, PhD in this exclusive course to master the art of equine hoof imaging. Learn the techniques to capture accurate images and measurements, in

13/06/2025

Additional Factors Influencing Hoof Wear:

1. Soil Properties:
The type of ground surface significantly impacts hoof wear. Softer surfaces generally reduce the risk of excessive hoof abrasion, whereas more abrasive or coarse terrain can accelerate hoof wear.

2. Moisture Content:
Moisture levels in the soil and surrounding environment also play a crucial role. Typically, hooves exhibit less wear in moist conditions, as the increased hydration tends to reduce abrasion.

3. Soil Depth and Compaction:
The soil depth and compaction influence how forces are distributed through the hoof and associated soft tissues and bones. During mid-stance, compact ground provides different loading characteristics compared to deeper, less compact soils. It affects both hoof wear and stress upon soft tissues and bones.

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12/06/2025

Here is a snippet from our latest blog!

Read the whole blog at: https://www.eponamind.com/blog/the-bright-eyes-syndrome/

On Thinking, Bias, and the Brain: Lessons from a Cartoon Devil

Some time ago, I watched an episode of Taz-Mania, a cartoon centered around Taz—the wild, disheveled, and chaotic Tasmanian devil—and his remarkably composed family. Taz grunts and spins like a whirlwind, embodying pure, unfiltered energy. In contrast, his father is calm, articulate, and fond of golf. His mother is impeccably organized and domestic, while his siblings, Molly and Jake, are precociously accomplished. In this particular episode, human researchers arrive to study Tasmanian devils. Despite the evident functionality of the family, they inexplicably select Taz as the representative specimen, affectionately naming him “Bright Eyes,” while completely overlooking the rest of the family.

This episode, while humorous, also serves as a striking example of flawed reasoning and anthropocentric bias. It reflects the tendency of humans to misinterpret data through a narrow lens, often confirming preconceived notions rather than engaging in critical evaluation.

08/06/2025

The Complexities of Hoof Wear and Loading Issues - Part 3 Continued...

Bianca has a short back and a sprung ribcage, with a natural downhill build. Consequently, she tends to carry more weight on her forehand, placing considerable strain on her front limbs. Conditioning a horse with these structural tendencies requires consistent, patient, and thoughtful work, as Bianca has more difficulty than average in engaging and elevating through her shoulder sling. Because equine biomechanics operate as an interconnected system, this lack of natural elevation in her forehand directly affects her ability to generate propulsion from the hindquarters. When the forehand is restricted, it compromises engagement from the hind end. It is crucial not to restrict or block any horse—particularly those with this type of conformation. Bianca’s intercostal muscles must remain free to expand and function correctly, emphasizing that this is not simply a hind-to-forehand issue. Additionally, horses with her build often present with weaker front hooves due to improper loading.

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05/06/2025

The Complexities of Hoof Wear and Loading Issues - Part 3

Monte has a long back, a prominent wither, and relatively straight stifles. His neck is set high, and he possesses the strength and power to engage effectively from the hindquarters. Despite some conformational imperfections, his limbs do not exhibit significant loading issues. His short pasterns contribute to reduced stress on the fetlock joints, promoting long-term soundness. When ridden correctly and conditioned appropriately, horses with Monte’s conformation generally maintain soundness and functionality. Monte is one of my adoptees and had a demanding career as a hunter-jumper. I’ve had the privilege of owning him for the past 10 years. Monte turned 25 this May and continues to be ridden.

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Yerke, a Friesian, presents with conformation and movement patterns that differ significantly from those of Thoroughbreds or Warmbloods. His locomotion—including the shape of the pedal bone—reflects these breed-specific differences. The manner in which Friesians accelerate or decelerate is heavily influenced by both their conformation and their fitness levels. Regardless of breed, it is essential that all horses engage their core correctly to minimize undue stress on their hooves and limbs.

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Arvana is built slightly downhill, though he benefits from short pasterns. However, his challenges with engaging his hindquarters are largely human-induced. He has a significant gelding scar and a surgically cut left patellar ligament, introducing instability into his locomotion and adversely affecting his front hooves.

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It is essential to approach each horse with a comprehensive assessment strategy that includes:

Evaluation of locomotion, both in-hand and at liberty.

Assessment of hoof conformation and load distribution.

Consideration of breed-specific characteristics, including conformation and movement tendencies.

Evaluation of the horse’s living environment to identify potential factors affecting health and performance.

Understanding of basic equine nutrition, to support overall soundness and well-being.

Assessment of tack fit and suitability, ensuring no interference with natural movement.

Routine dental care, as dental issues can affect balance and biomechanics.

Analysis of the horse’s ridden work, to identify training or rider-related issues that may affect movement and soundness.

Etc.. Believe it or not there is even more to it!

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04/06/2025

So I just got 180 cc of blood drawn in preparation for my PRP injection in an hour. My blood is being prepared to become potent platelet rich plasma. I am eating food prior the injection. Not gourmet but it will do for now!

30/05/2025

To crack or not to crack – how to handle hoof cracks

There are different types hoof cracks this post is addressing relatively benign cracks and not cracks due to white line disease or laminitis. It is also advisable to have a radiograph before and after trimming to see if the crack was reduced (note there are superficial cracks that are not deep at all and are cosmetic problem). It is crucial to balance the hooves correctly so that there is less undue mechanical stress placed at the hoof. The hoof capsule needs to be under the boney column. The hoof wall is designed to fight cracks, it has a very complex hierarchical structure which is designed to fight cracks. New research that cracks do not propagate in a straight line but are deflected by tubules. Before anything is done on the wall to reduce cracks, one has to consider the trimming and understand the incredible design of the wall.


This post focuses on relatively benign hoof cracks, and does not address cracks associated with more serious conditions such as white line disease or laminitis.
When evaluating hoof cracks, it is advisable to obtain radiographs both before and after trimming. This helps determine whether the crack has been effectively reduced and provides insight into its depth and structural significance. Many superficial cracks are purely cosmetic and do not compromise the integrity of the hoof. Proper hoof balance is critical to minimizing mechanical stress and promoting overall hoof health. Ideally, the hoof capsule should align under the bony column to provide optimal support. The hoof wall is an incredibly sophisticated structure, designed to resist crack formation. Recent research shows that cracks in the hoof wall do not propagate in a straight line; instead, they are deflected by the tubular architecture of the wall, which adds to its resilience.
Before attempting any interventions to reduce or repair cracks in the hoof wall, it is essential to carefully assess the trimming and appreciate the remarkable natural design of the hoof.

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