A comparison between the trot of pony and horse foals to characterize equine locomotion at young age.

The trot at 3 m/s of 24 Shetland foals ('ponies') and 24 Dutch Warmblood foals ('horses') was recorded at age 4 months on a treadmill using a modified CODA-3 apparatus to characterise equine locomotion at young age. Locomotor variables of the ponies were qualitatively and, after scaling, quantitatively compared with those of horses. Ponies made shorter strides than horses, evidenced by a shorter stance and swing duration, although their relative stance durations were similar. Neither linear nor dynamic scaling procedures could completely compensate for differences in height at the withers comparing ponies and horses. The patterns of the joint angle-time curves were similar. Ponies had a larger range of pro- and retraction, with a more protracted forelimb and a more retracted hindlimb, therefore demonstrating a more extended trot. The horses trotted with more extended elbow, stifle and tarsal joints and a more flexed hip joint, which is in accordance with the conformation for the Warmblood. The ponies moved with a stiffer trot in contrast to the more supple trot of the horses, which showed a larger maximal fetlock extension during the stance phase. In conclusion, ponies and horses move qualitatively similarly at age 4 months, but characteristic breed differences in conformation and gait quality can already be detected. Scaling methods to compensate for differences in height at the withers cannot be applied when animals move at the same velocity.