Distal limb wraps produce gait- and material-dependent post-exercise changes in stride timing and limb kinematics in horses.

BACKGROUND: Distal limb wraps are widely used during equine exercise, but their effects on post-exercise kinematics and movement symmetry remain poorly defined. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: To determine whether elastic and fleece distal limb wraps alter temporal stride variables, distal limb kinematics, and axial movement symmetry after standardised round-pen exercise. METHODS: Six adult horses completed a prospective crossover study with three conditions: no wraps, elastic wraps, and fleece wraps. Wraps were applied bilaterally to all distal limbs at an initial pressure of 20 mmHg. After 20 minutes of free round-pen exercise, kinematic data were collected on a 50 m sandy track using seven inertial measurement units. RESULTS: During walk, wrap condition affected mean duty factor (P=0.041), left forelimb stance duration (P=0.022), and right forelimb retraction (P=0.015). Fleece wraps increased left forelimb stance duration by 0.043 s (95% CI 0.008-0.079; P=0.027) and mean duty factor by 1.14 percentage points (P=0.045) versus no wraps. Elastic wraps increased right forelimb retraction magnitude by 3.27° versus no wraps (95% CI 0.50-6.04; P=0.031). During trot, elastic wraps increased mean duty factor by 5.71 percentage points versus no wraps (P=0.040) and reduced left forelimb swing duration by 0.032 s versus fleece wraps (P=0.018). Axial movement symmetry was unchanged. CONCLUSION: Distal limb wraps produced gait- and material-dependent post-exercise changes in selected temporal and distal limb kinematic variables, particularly during walk, without consistent changes in axial movement symmetry.