Evaluation of postural sway in horses standing on balance pads of varying densities and limb placement

Balance and stability are relevant biomechanical components of overall health and athletic performance. Proprioceptive balance pads are frequently used in equine rehabilitation programs to improve postural stability. To compare the center of pressure (COP) variables in horses standing on varying proprioceptive balance pad densities and configurations. Controlled clinical trial. Ten healthy horses were used to collect the center of pressure displacement parameters (area, craniocaudal sway, mediolateral sway, and velocity) during quiet stance on force platforms without proprioceptive balance pads and during randomly selected variations in pad densities and limb configurations. COP outcome variables were statistically analyzed using a linear mixed model, followed by Dunnett and Tukey adjusted pairwise comparisons. Medium-density pads in all four limbs induced the greatest COP area displacement, craniocaudal sway, and COP velocity. Soft-density pads in all four limbs resulted in the greatest mediolateral sway. Overall, standing all four limbs on pads regardless of the density produced greater COP variables than placing either forelimbs or hindlimbs on pads. All four limbs placed on medium, soft, and firm-density pads, and forelimbs placed on medium and firm-density pads were statistically different from baseline (no pads). Material properties from different brands and pad shapes may have different results. The findings of this research can inform the development of more effective rehabilitation protocols for postural control training in horses. • Postural training, including the use of proprioceptive balance pads, is frequently used in humans and horses to improve postural stability and control. • Medium-density pads promoted greater postural instability compared to soft and firm-density pads. • Pads placed on all four limbs induced higher levels of postural instability, followed by pads placed on the forelimbs and then on the hindlimbs.