Development of a rehabilitation harness to aid in recovery from musculoskeletal injuries is needed because serious complications can arise from long-term use of rescue slings. This study’s objective was to determine the anatomical structures of the horse that can bear significant weight, the potential complications that could arise if a horse is not properly supported by the harness and the % weight compensation achievable with the newly developed harness when used together with a dynamic rehabilitation lift. This dynamic lift can reduce the load the limbs carry, either withers-to-pelvis or left-to-right when used in combination with the rehabilitation harness under development. The rehabilitation harness prototype described here was made of cotton/nylon with sheepskin inserts, forming a blanket with high-strength strapping supporting the load-bearing structures of the horse. This prototype was load tested up to 600 kg, for safety, with no sign of failure. In an adult horse, the harness allowed for 40% load reduction from both front (125 of 303 kg [60% of 506 kg]) and hind (80 of 203 kg [40% of 506 kg]) legs before complications (abnormal posture) occurred. Pressure was measured to determine areas of high pressure which lead to the addition of an H-frame and a figure-eight pattern of strapping to the forelimb support reducing pressure, improving posture and achieving greater load reduction (46% [140 of 301.2 kg]). Abnormalities in respiratory rate or pattern were not observed. Future research will include testing the harness longer term (up to six weeks) with the incorporation of an air-pressurised breastplate to detect high-pressure, high-temperature, high-moisture areas, modifying the design further for improved horse-comfort reducing the risk of complications and enabling long-term use of the harness during rehabilitation.
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Development of a novel harness system to aid in rehabilitation of horses
S.L. Steinke Related information
1Biomedical Engineering, WCVM, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada.
2Large Animal Clinical Science, WCVM, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada.
*Corresponding author: sls329@mail. usask. ca
, L.J. Belgrave Related information2Large Animal Clinical Science, WCVM, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada.
*Corresponding author: sls329@mail.
2Large Animal Clinical Science, WCVM, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada.
, J.B. Montgomery Related information1Biomedical Engineering, WCVM, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada.
2Large Animal Clinical Science, WCVM, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada.
2Large Animal Clinical Science, WCVM, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada.
Comparative Exercise Physiology: 15
(5)- Pages: 385 - 391
Published Online: August 27, 2019
2023 Journal Impact Factor
0.9
source: Journal Impact Factor 2023™ from Clarivate™
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