EMG and Biomechanical Analysis of the Equine Gait

Dear Colleagues,

Equestrianism is popular worldwide, with millions of horses and riders participating in competitive horse sports and noncompetitive leisure riding. Understanding how the horse moves and the ways in which the musculoskeletal system supports locomotion is essential to enabling the evaluation of equine performance, assessing the impact of pain, disease, and injury on function, optimising training programmes, and analysing the impact of the rider on the horse. This Special Issue aims to showcase emerging research investigating how equine muscle functions and which factors influence muscular activity using electromyography (EMG). Additionally, we are eager to discuss advances in equine biomechanics, as well as how each of these can be applied to inform horse management and training practices.

We welcome potential authors to submit original manuscripts, research, or review papers that relate to any aspects of the following topics: the evaluation of equine muscle activity, pathology and fatigue; the assessment of biomechanics in horses, including emerging methods, protocols and technology used to evaluate equine muscle or gait; the evaluation of equine performance; rehabilitation, sport or training utilising EMG and/or biomechanics; and the dynamic biomechanical relationship between horses and riders and its impact on horse movement.

We are equally eager to publish evidence-based studies that increase our existing knowledge and understanding of the use of EMG in horses, including recruitment and engagement of muscles during locomotion, or studies that increase our understanding of how horses move. Potential submissions could discuss factors that influence horse movement, how horses respond to the challenges presented during modern management, and the stress and the impact of disease, pain, and injury. Applied studies that evaluate the impact of the demands of equestrian sport, training, the impact of disease, pain, injury, and environmental challenges to the horse, or which consider the influence of tack, equipment, or the rider on the horse, are welcome. Experimental studies must use objective measurement to ensure the reliable and valid evaluation of outcomes.

Dr. Jane M. Williams
Dr. Russell Mackechnie-Guire
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• sport horse
• racehorse
• equine performance
• muscle
• training
• fitness
• fatigue
• gait analysis
• lameness
• performance analysis
• electromyography