Equine Biomechanics: Central Pattern Generators

By: Nestor Imberti Posted: 16/06/2023

Regarding the subject of Equine Biomechanics, we will now present the third and last article, where we will get a profound insight into how equine neural circuits operate and influence locomotor movements.

The first article reviews all aspects related to equine locomotion and the second one, the different horse gaits.

Now we will go into detail about Central Pattern Generators and how they work.

Basic Notions

Central Pattern Generators (CPGs) are neural circuits that automatically produce rhythmic activation of muscles that control the limbs. In the case of horses, CPGs are the ones that govern motor patterns such as walking, trotting and cantering.

The locomotor movements of a horse are present in the neural circuits of his brain from birth.

The hind and front limbs are linked by diagonal connections. In each gait, the limbs move in a specific rhythmic pattern, but in all gaits there is a diagonal synchronization of the limbs.

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