ABSTRACT
A stride can be broken down into two phases: a stance (weight-bearing) phase during which the limb is in contact with the ground and supports the weight of the horse, and a swing (non-weight-bearing) phase (1.4) during which the limb is undergoing a forward displacement (retraction and protraction) to prepare for the following stride. Using a vertical line as a reference, the sequential positions of the limb can subsequently be considered as cranial (closer to the head), intermediate (closer to the vertical line) or caudal (closer to the tail). Therefore, the stance phase is composed of three parts: the cranial part (load absorption phase), the mid-stance phase with full weight bearing of the limb and the caudal part or propulsion phase pushing the horse’s body forward. During the swing phase, the limb is displaced forward (cranially) like a pendulum. All the joints flex during the first (caudal) part (retraction phase) of the swing phase and present a maximal flexion during the mid-swing phase. Then the joints extend during the last (cranial) part of the swing phase or protraction of the limb, preparing for landing and initiating the following stride.
