33rd Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Introduction
Lameness diagnosis in horses can be challenging. Alongside detection of head and pelvis vertical movement asymmetry a third parameter could help to improve diagnostic accuracy. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between head and withers movement during trotting under different circumstances in sound horses and in horses showing naturally occurring lamenesses of the forelimb.

Materials and Methods
Vertical displacement values and direction for head and withers movement were compared for fifty-five sound and fourty naturally forelimb lame horse using an IMU sensor-based gait analysis system. The horses were trotted on a straight line and on the circle on hard and soft surfaces. For lunging the horses were subdivided into inner and outer limb lame horses. Parameter relation was identified by calculating correlation and a linear regression analysis including testing for significance and standard distribution.

Results
There was a significant correlation between head and withers movement on hard surface on both reins for sound and lame horses and for lame horses trotting on straight line. Head and withers sensors mostly show ipsilateral displacement for inner leg lameness and contralateral displacement for outer leg lameness during lunging on hard or soft ground.

Discussion
A significant correlation between head and withers movement asymmetry could be found under different conditions.The typical vertical displacement occurring at head and withers found in this analysis could be useful for detecting compensatory lameness.