Marquis Equis

The Marquis Équis is a CKG system developed and marketed by Marquis (and distributed by Equestrian Select in the UK). It is a wireless system that involves wrapping exercise bandages embedded with sensors around the horse's legs.

These sensors are connected to a portable computer by wireless technology similar to that used in car remote central locking systems. As the horse moves about the sensors relay data back to the computer where it is analysed by sophisticated computer. The result is a simple chart that shows a vet or trainer any abnormalities in the movement of a horse's limbs

What information can Marquis Équis provide?
The CKG system developed by Marquis incorporates advanced computer analysis software. This not only provides a graphical display of the forces experienced by the horse's leg but also analyses the data to produce a graphical indication of any gait problems suffered by the horse. This information is represented on a drawing of a horse with arrows indicating the problem movements.

Advantages
The Marquis Équis system developed by Marquis brings three key advantages to the equine world. Firstly it enables detailed, highly sensitive measurements to be made of the horse's limb movements in any environment or situation. Secondly, it does this in a small, portable package and last, but perhaps most importantly, it is easy to use. With a little training, any vet or trainer can use this technique to not only diagnose gait problems but also enhance its performance.

The Scientific Development of the Marquis Supergrip
The new Marquis Supergrip hoof boot was developed using the CKG technique to ensure that the boot in no way affects the movement of the horse's legs. The break-over point, the stride length and the gliding/stopping characteristics were all analysed in clinical studies covering a wide range of situations and environments.

After years of research involving biomechanics and veterinary science, the chart on the left shows just how good the new Marquis Supergrip is.

The bottom graph shows the excessive slipping and juddering of the hoof fitted with iron horse shoes. The accelerations reach over 750 m/s2, more than twice that of a bare hoof.

Comparing the natural bare foot hoof (top graph) and the middle graph shows just how good Supergrip is - the forces and duration of the glide are exactly aligned, both staying within 300 m/s2.