In vivo and analytical studies of forces and moments in equine long bones

A study to evaluate the in vivo forces acting on equine long bones is described. Results for the maximum axial forces and bending moments are presented for the radius, metacarpus, tibia, and metatarsus. The forces and bending moments are obtained by combining in vivo strain gage readings and a mathematical model for the mechanics of the bones. Comparisons of equine activities including standing, walking, trotting, and getting up after the anesthetic indicate that one activity does not always produce the highest loads in all of the bones examined. However, for the cases considered here, recovery from the anesthetic produced the largest compressive forces in the metacarpus and the tibia. Also, large tensile forces were found during the foot-up positions during standing and trotting.