Immobilisation of a large animal for imaging purposes

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Szyszkowski, W. | Cai, Wei

Affiliations: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 5A9

Note: [] Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Abstract: The mobility of a horse in the standing position with its hooves fixed to the ground is investigated to assist designing a minimally obstructing system for restraining large animals. The horse is modelled as a mechanical linkage driven by muscle forces. The linkage's configuration patterns, active joints and the forces associated with motion initiation are studied by reducing it to a mechanism with a low number of degrees of freedom. A restraint system blocking the motion of active joints with ropes is proposed as an alternative to massive mechanical devices restraining the whole body. The system has been verified experimentally on a sheep.

Keywords: standing horse, mobility, joint restraints, breaking force

DOI: 10.1080/11762320902867818

Journal: Applied Bionics and Biomechanics, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 143-151, 2010