| Summary: | ABSTRACT: Surface electromyography (sEMG) is widely used to evaluate muscle activity during equine locomotion. This study investigated the average RMS values of four muscles (triceps brachii, tensor fasciae latae, gluteus medius, and biceps femoris) in five horses during walking (1.8 m/s), trotting (4.0 m/s), and galloping (7.0 m/s) on a treadmill. Significant differences in muscle activation were observed across gaits (P < 0.01), with progressively increasing values from walking to galloping. Distinct activation patterns were identified for each muscle, reflecting their specific biomechanical roles. Propulsion-related muscles (TB, GM, and BF) showed the highest activation during galloping, while TFL displayed stability between walking and trotting but increased significantly during galloping. Additionally, a bilateral analysis revealed significant asymmetry in RMS values, with higher activation on the left side for TB, GM, and BF during walking and BF during trotting (P < 0.05). These findings emphasized the influence of gait type and bilateral differences on muscle demand, providing valuable insights for developing training programs, complementary clinical assessments of locomotor limbs and lameness, and strategies for preventing injuries in sports horses.
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