EquiMoves: A Wireless Networked Inertial Measurement System for Objective Examination of Horse Gait
Authors: S. Bosch, F. S. Bragança, M. Marin-Perianu, R. Marin-Perianu, B. V. D. Zwaag, J. Voskamp, W. Back, R. V. Weeren, P. Havinga
Journal: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
Summary
# EquiMoves: Wireless Motion Capture for Objective Gait Assessment Objective quantification of equine gait remains challenging in clinical practice, limiting the precision with which veterinarians can diagnose lameness and monitor rehabilitation. Researchers developed and validated EquiMoves, a system of up to eight synchronised wireless inertial measurement units (IMUs) worn on the horse's body to capture three-dimensional movement data during all gaits, with validation performed against gold-standard optical motion capture across sagittal (flexion/extension), coronal (lateral/medial), and trunk symmetry parameters. Sagittal plane measurements demonstrated excellent agreement with optical systems (±2.3° limits of agreement), whilst coronal plane data showed greater variability (−8.8 to 8.1°), likely reflecting limitations in the optical reference system rather than IMU performance. Critically, the system detected trunk asymmetry at the withers and sacrum with sub-2 mm repeatability and less than 1 mm bias, making it sensitive enough to track clinically meaningful changes in gait symmetry over time. For equine practitioners, EquiMoves offers a portable, field-deployable alternative to laboratory motion capture that can objectively quantify gait abnormalities and symmetry—providing measurable data to guide lameness investigations, validate shoeing and rehabilitation interventions, and establish baseline metrics for performance horses.
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Practical Takeaways
- •EquiMoves offers a portable, wireless alternative to stationary optical systems for objective lameness assessment and gait analysis in field settings
- •The system's high reproducibility (sub-1 mm bias) makes it suitable for tracking subtle changes in symmetry over time or between treatments
- •Sagittal plane measurements are highly accurate; clinicians can confidently use this system to quantify protraction, retraction, and stride length asymmetries
Key Findings
- •EquiMoves wireless inertial measurement system achieves sagittal kinematic agreement within ±2.3 degrees compared to optical motion capture
- •Upper-body symmetry measurements show agreement within ±5 mm with bias less than 1 mm, enabling reliable detection of motion asymmetry
- •System can simultaneously analyze up to eight synchronized wireless sensors for limb and upper-body movements across various gait modes
- •Coronal kinematic results show wider limits of agreement (−8.8 to 8.1 degrees), likely due to optical system limitations rather than EquiMoves measurement error