A method for fatigue testing of equine McIII subchondral bone under a simulated fast workout training programme

Abstract

Methods McIII subchondral bone specimens (n = 12) of racehorses were harvested from left and right medial condyles. A novel fatigue loading protocol was developed based upon a standard sequence of gaits during a typical fast workout protocol. This loading pattern, or loading loop, was repeated until the failure of the specimen. Results The mean ± standard deviation for all specimens for total time‐to‐failure was 76,393 ± 64,243 s (equivalent to 18.3 ± 15.7 fast workouts). Ten of twelve specimens withstood at least one complete loop equivalent to a fast workout. All specimens failed during simulated gallop loading. Main limitations The resting time between loops was much shorter than in vivo ..