Plus-Hex CLINICAL
Figure 3 . An example of a Y-shaped harness
Y-shaped harnesses
Y-shaped harnesses ( Figure 3 ) are classed as nonrestrictive , due to the Y-shaped chest strap above the scapula [ 6 ] . However , in some studies [ 11 ] they have been shown to reduce shoulder movement by up to 10 °, while chest harnesses reduce shoulder movement by up to 8 ° [ 1 ] .
In other studies , Y-shaped and chest harnesses restricted shoulder movement at walk and trot , but with Y-shaped harnesses , the shoulder was 2.56 ° more restricted at walk , and 4.82 ° more restricted at trot , compared with collar use , which did not limit shoulder extension [ 12 ] .
Y-shaped harnesses have been deemed less restrictive than chest harnesses when worn by a dog walking in a straight line or making directional changes , but when worn by a dog manoeuvring in a tight space , the two types of harness were comparable to each other [ 11 ] .
As seen in the studies of Y-shaped harnesses , restricting scapula movement at the cranial angle and border will reduce extension of the forelimb . From the current literature , it is unclear whether an increase in the harness padding or strap width would further influence angulation , or whether a reduction would focus pressure on narrower points beneath the material [ 1 ] .
Limitations in the literature
Based on the research to date , no harness can be deemed a universal fit . Limitations of previous studies include the variety of kinematic measurements monitored , which do not always include the calculation of joint angle over the full gait cycle , as well as the range of breeds used , with potentially differing requirements and conformational bias .
So far , studies into the variance in the effects of harnesses have been limited and have not considered environmental factors or differences in breed conformation [ 2 ] , which should be considered in future studies [ 7 ] . Pulling forces have been found to have been greater in dogs wearing back-attached harnesses compared with collars [ 2 ] , which may impact on their physiological effect .
Gait parameters are altered by the use of a harness compared with the absence of a harness ; the extent is dog-specific , but when investigated it was unrelated to the specific breed , size or walking speed of the dogs . The use of a lead with a harness increases the deviation from the normal gait motion more than the use of a harness alone , but a lead is a usual requirement in the control of a dog [ 6 ] .
Volume 40 ( 1 ) • February 2025
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