– Misc Quad Info

Centre of Gravity (COG)
– On all four legs usually the COG lies just closer towards the front limbs

– Ball park for most quads is 55% of their weight is on their front limbs and 45% is on their hind limbs.
– For a quad to be stable when standing on three feet, its COG must lay within the triangle formed by these feet.

– when rearing or standing on their back legs, the COG must be directly over the hind feet for stability.

Horses & long necked quads
– spine is fused like an arch in the middle, it provides stablity to support all their weight… and unfortunately for them.. means we can sit on them.
– will adjust their head position to change their centre of gravity
– lifting their head will move their COG towards their hind legs
– lowering their head will move their COG towards their front legs
– moving there head away from the leg they want to lift helps them to do so by changing their COG.
– trainers pull back and up on the reigns to prevent the horse from kicking with their back legs
– when standing, usually rest one of their back legs
Gaits – Summary (for better in depth gait info go here http://vanat.cvm.umn.edu/gaits/index.html)

Symmetrical – walk, trot, pace
Asymmetrical – canter, slow gallop, fast gallop(transverse), springing gallop(rotary)

Gallop

Transverse – single suspension
– There is only one moment in the traverse gait when all limbs are off the ground.
– Although horses have been known to rotary gallop, traverse is the usual.
– The hind limb foot falls are spaced in the same order as the fore limbs. See below

1. Suspended
2. Back Left -> Back Right
3. Front Left->Front Right

or if you change the lead limb

1. Suspended
2. Back Right -> Back Left
3. Front Right->Front Left

Rotary – double suspension
– There are two moments in the rotary gallop when all limbs are off the ground.
– This is an extremely fatiguing gate with little agility
– Usually only seen in the fastest and lightest of quads. Cheetahs, greyhounds and rodents etc.
– The hind limb foot falls are spaced in opposite order as the fore limbs. See below

1. Suspended
2. Back Left -> Back Right
3. Suspended
4. Front Right->Front Left

or if you change the lead limb

1. Suspended
2. Back Right-> Back Left
3. Suspended
4. Front Left->Front Right

 

THEORYSETUP METHOD ANIM TECH