Objective Evaluation of Lameness in the Field Using Body-mounted Inertial Sensors

Subjective evaluation of the horse in motion is the standard of practice for evaluation of lameness. Techniques for subjective evaluation are learned and developed by experience. Methods used by practitioners vary and are dependent on the type of horse and activity being evaluated. Vertical movement of the head and pelvis, pelvic rotation (‘hip hikes’ and ‘hip dips’), gluteal muscle action, certain behaviours under certain activities, like not being able to take the right lead at a canter; all of these and more have been described and are used. Frequently examiners know by experience only, perhaps without being able to precisely describe exactly why.

With such variability in subjective technique it is understandable that even experienced practitioners can disagree on which limb or limbs are affected, the severity of lameness, and whether lameness is improved or not after treatment or blocking. Experienced clinicians may be more consistent at detecting mild to moderate lameness, but agreement between experienced clinicians is not significantly better than between less experienced ones, especially with hindlimb lameness (Keegan et al. 2010) or when lameness is mild (Keegan et al. 1998; Fuller et al. 2006). Prior assumption of a block being performed during a lameness evaluation can bias clinicians (Arkell et al. 2006). [...]