Equine Lameness Evaluation

Wireless Inertial Sensor-based Evaluation

Although traditional lameness evaluation relies on individual subjective examination, there are several methods of objective examination available. Most of these methods, such as force plate evaluation and camera-based kinematic evaluation on a treadmill, are usually only relevant in a research laboratory setting. Here at Burwash Equine Services in Calgary, Alberta, we have recently started incorporating wireless inertial sensor-based evaluation into our standard lameness examinations, using the Equinosis Lameness Locator system. To my knowledge, there are only eight of these systems in use in Canada at this time.

The need for objective lameness evaluation was highlighted in a recent research study that investigated the reliability of subjective lameness evaluation and found that it depends entirely on the severity of the lameness. When evaluating a consistent lameness at a trot in a straight line (AAEP grades of >1.5), experienced equine veterinarians agreed in 93 percent of cases. However, for inconsistent lameness (AAEP grades of <1.5), the same veterinarians only agreed in 62 percent of cases. After a full lameness evaluation, these veterinarians agreed on whether or not the horse was lame and which limb was the primary source of lameness in only 52 percent of cases.

The Equinosis Lameness Locator system utilizes three wireless inertial sensors that are placed on the horse at the beginning of the exam: one on the horse’s head, another on the centre of the pelvis, and a third on the right front pastern. Instrumentation of the horse is quick, easy, and noninvasive. The sensors send data to a tablet computer for immediate analysis, and supply a one page report that summarizes the difference in head and pelvic movements which correspond to lameness in a certain limb.