VARIATIONS IN THE FORCE APPLIED TO FLEXION TESTS OF THE DISTAL LIMB OF HORSES

A pressure-sensitive device was developed to measure the force applied to flexion tests of the distal limb of horses. The mean force applied by a group of experienced clinicians was 150 N which results in a mom ent on the flexed fetlock joint of about 28.5 Nm, The coefficient of v ariation of the force applied by one experienced clinician was only ab out 12 per cent, but the coefficient of variation between clinicians w as considerably higher (20 per cent), irrespective of whether the clin icians were considered to be experienced or not. The mean force applie d by a group of women examiners (114 N) was significantly lower than t hat applied by the group of male examiners. It is concluded that the f lexion test used in the clinical examination of the locomotor system o f the horse should be better standardised.