Where art and science meet. Empowering the equine clinician’s eye by advanced quantitative gait analysis

Abstract

The horse has been domesticated by humans for the amazing capacities of its locomotor system and ever since virtually all purposes for which horses have been kept were related to this athletic potential. For many years, researchers have been studying the locomotion of horses but these studies have been limited due to the technology available. The recent introduction of reliable and portable gait analysis systems based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, which, thanks to the quick technological developments tend to become cheaper allowed for a glorious comeback of the research in equine locomotion. This comeback was also due to the realization of the low interobserver agreement (i.e., disagreement between observers when visually accessing the locomotion of horses) questioning the scientific validity of the “classic” subjective lameness perception by the clinician. In this thesis, we started with a literature review of the available scientific evidence to support modern gait analysis in horses. This is followed by a section on technical developments and validation studies for the daily application of gait analysis and ending with some chapters on the clinical application of gait analysis for studies on lameness and general locomotion. In resume, this thesis highlights the need for quantitative gait analysis in horses and provides scientific evidence for technical solutions that can be used by veterinarians and researchers.