Gait Abnormalities: What the Research Says
Evidence from 24 peer-reviewed studies
What Professionals Should Know
- •Shoe effects on gait are real but highly variable—current research cannot provide universal recommendations; individual horse assessment remains essential for farriery decisions.
- •Be cautious about extrapolating findings from published studies to your own horses, as most research uses non-lame horses and single breeds that may not match your client population.
- •Document your own horses' responses to shoeing changes systematically; industry-wide standardization in measurement methods is needed before research can reliably guide practice.
- •Use gait analysis and heart rate recovery (not resting heart rate) as practical field tools to monitor if individual horses and donkeys are being overloaded
- •Multiple assessment methods—physiological, biochemical, and biomechanical—should be combined to establish safe, evidence-based load limits for working equids
- •Standardized load-carrying capacity guidelines are currently lacking and urgently needed for working equids in developing countries to improve welfare outcomes
- •Objective gait analysis tools and wearable technology are available but underused in practice—consider adopting these methods to move beyond subjective visual assessment which has proven unreliable
- •Current equine movement research has significant sample size and standardization issues that limit real-world application; look for multi-center studies with larger datasets when evaluating evidence
- •There is a clear research gap in intervention studies—evidence-based protocols for treating gait problems and optimizing performance through rehabilitation are lacking, so clinicians must rely on traditional methods until better data emerges
- •Ground reaction force measurement is a validated non-invasive tool for objective assessment of lameness in cats, filling a gap in feline orthopaedic diagnostics
- •Pressure-sensitive walkways with proper acclimatisation protocols can reliably measure gait parameters in cats to differentiate sound from diseased locomotion
- •This technique enables objective monitoring of treatment responses in feline orthopaedic cases, improving clinical decision-making beyond radiographic findings alone
- •You can now use affordable commercial sensors to objectively track your horse's movement patterns and limb loads during training without specialized equipment or veterinary visits
- •Individual horses show different loading asymmetries at the same speeds—use sensor data to customize training intensity rather than applying one-size-fits-all protocols
- •Monitor gait and load changes across gaits and speeds in your own training program to identify early signs of abnormal loading that could lead to injury before lameness appears
- •Use the 24-behavior RHpE during warm-up to identify horses at risk of cross-country failure; a score ≥7 suggests 59% failure rate and warrants further veterinary investigation before competition
- •Higher RHpE scores correlate with worse dressage performance and final placings, so systematic assessment can inform both welfare decisions and competitive expectations
- •The RHpE is a repeatable, practical tool for detecting subtle musculoskeletal pain early, enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment to improve both welfare and performance outcomes
- •Lameness detection algorithms must account for breed-specific baseline motion patterns; Icelandic horses' naturally smaller vertical movements could mask subtle lameness signs requiring adjusted thresholds for this breed
- •Understanding the temporal relationship between body segment motion and limb events provides objective reference data for evaluating gait abnormalities in different gaits and breeds
- •Breed selection affects baseline kinematic signatures—practitioners evaluating sport horses should recognize that smaller range of motion in Icelandic horses is normal variation, not necessarily pathological
- •Quantitative gait analysis systems offer more reliable, documented evidence for lameness workups compared to visual assessment alone, improving communication with clients and other practitioners
- •Objective gait metrics help eliminate observer bias and provide baseline measurements for tracking progression or response to treatment
- •Consider integrating gait analysis technology into routine lameness evaluations to strengthen clinical decision-making and documentation
- •Always assess ridden horses for lameness and gait abnormalities, as nearly 2/3 showed problems only when ridden—in-hand assessment alone will miss significant issues affecting performance and welfare
- •Check saddle tree point fit carefully and ensure riders sit in the middle of the saddle rather than towards the back; these factors directly correlate with horse pain and discomfort
- •Reconsider use of crank cavesson nosebands in favour of standard cavessons or no noseband, as they are associated with higher pain indicators independent of actual mouth opening restriction
- •Improved rider skill reliably produces measurable improvements in gait quality, supporting investment in rider training and education
- •RHpE scores alone may not capture how rider skill influences horse movement; assessment should include objective gait evaluation alongside pain ethogram scoring
- •Rider technique can modulate how pain behaviours are expressed—a horse's pain indicators may vary depending on who is riding, so serial assessments should use consistent riders when diagnosing musculoskeletal issues
- •Visual assessment of back motion alone is unreliable when comparing evaluations between different practitioners—consider using multiple raters or objective methods when making clinical decisions
- •Current lack of standardized, objective back mobility assessment tools means practitioners should be aware of significant variation in subjective evaluations
- •Quantitative gait analysis may improve diagnostic consistency compared to visual assessment alone, though clinical feasibility varies
- •The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram is a practical tool for identifying musculoskeletal pain in working horses; an RHpE score of 8 or higher warrants veterinary evaluation even when lameness appears subtle
- •Owner/rider perception of horse comfort is unreliable—over 70% of horses in this 'comfortable' sample showed detectable lameness, emphasizing the need for objective assessment methods
- •Rider skill significantly influences pain expression; investment in rider training may improve both horse welfare outcomes and the reliability of pain assessments during ridden work
- •Professional saddle fit assessment should be performed several times per year, particularly when work intensity changes, as back dimensions adapt significantly over seasons
- •Horses presenting with gait abnormalities or back asymmetry may have compromised ability to develop favorable back dimension changes and warrant targeted management
- •Maintaining consistent or increased work intensity while managing bodyweight and seasonality supports positive changes in thoracolumbar dimensions
- •Check saddle fit more frequently than annually—well-fitted saddles require regular assessment to maintain proper fit and prevent lameness
- •Recognize that saddle slip and poorly fitted saddles are directly linked to lameness and gait problems; educate horse owners about this critical connection
- •Poor saddle fit causes rider back pain through altered biomechanics (stiff canter, reduced stride phase)—investing in proper saddle fit protects both horse and rider health
- •Saddle slip should be investigated as a potential indicator of hindlimb or concurrent forelimb lameness rather than assuming only saddle fit or rider issues are responsible
- •When addressing saddle slip, clinically assess the horse's gait (particularly in canter) and hindlimb function alongside evaluating saddle fit and rider alignment
- •Many lame horses in the general sports population go unrecognized; saddle slip may be an important clinical sign prompting lameness investigation
- •Selle Francais breeders should implement genetic testing for PSSM1 and FFS mutations before breeding decisions to reduce foal losses and treatment costs
- •DMRT3 genotyping can inform breeding for specific gait characteristics in sport horses
- •The low prevalence of these mutations in Selle Francais suggests the breed has relatively good genetic health status for these specific disorders
- •Suspect odontoid fracture in horses presenting with reluctance to move the neck, dullness, and gait abnormalities; radiography is essential for confirmation
- •Conservative management can be effective in milder cases where the animal retains peripheral pain sensation, similar to human surgical practice
- •Treatment must be individualized based on fracture severity, neurological status, intended use, and owner resources; optimal outcomes require decompression, alignment, and stabilization
- •IMU technology offers a practical, portable alternative to expensive force plates and motion capture systems for objective lameness evaluation in field settings.
- •Continuous monitoring capability of wearable IMUs allows detection of subtle gait changes and early lameness that may not be apparent during ridden assessment.
- •IMU-based systems can provide objective data on horse-rider biomechanics and the effects of medications, supporting evidence-based management decisions.
- •Obese horses carry excess workload burden from adipose tissue alone, requiring adjusted training and conditioning protocols
- •Excess weight directly impacts gait mechanics and arthritis risk—body condition management is preventive orthopedic care
- •Challenge clients and competition judges on aesthetic preferences for adiposity; educate on performance and welfare costs of overweight athletic animals
- •Multiple veterinary delegates should evaluate horses for competition clearance, as individual assessments show poor inter-observer reliability that could lead to inconsistent decisions
- •Quantitative gait analysis can provide objective support to subjective fit-to-compete judgements and may improve decision consistency at competitions
- •Video recording of veterinary inspections improves consistency of individual assessor decisions over time, suggesting standardization of documentation methods
- •Genetic factors including DMRT3 contribute to gait characteristics in specialized gaited breeds beyond selective breeding alone
- •Understanding genetic basis of gaits may inform breeding decisions for gait quality and consistency in specialized breeds like Colombian paso horses
- •Practitioners should be aware that gait variation has both genetic and environmental components when evaluating performance
- •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
- •IMU-based systems can objectively classify gaits with >91% accuracy in real clinical settings, potentially improving objective lameness assessment beyond visual evaluation
- •Veterinarians using these systems need only ~110 labeled reference cases to train effective models, making implementation practical for clinical adoption
- •Automated gait identification during examination allows consistent comparison of vertical displacement symmetry across different horses and populations
- •This technology could enable objective lameness assessment in the field and across varied gaits, reducing reliance on subjective visual evaluation by veterinarians
- •The self-contained design with onboard data storage eliminates the limitations of force plates (which cannot record successive strides) and previous prototypes that required tethering or external equipment
- •The 5-10% measurement accuracy suggests the device is ready for in vivo testing on live horses and could become a practical diagnostic tool for lameness evaluation
Key Research Findings
46 studies identified examining horseshoe effects on equine kinetics and kinematics with highly variable outcomes and limited consensus across unrelated studies.
Most studies compared modified shoe designs to unshod or standard open-heel shoes using non-lame horses with force platforms, pressure plates, and videography as primary measurement tools.
Significant methodological limitations identified including small sample sizes, single breed populations, lack of randomization, and outcome measures unique to individual studies limiting comparability.
Major knowledge gaps exist regarding bilateral limb data collection, effects of conformation, hoof morphology, and health status on shoeing outcomes.
Approximately 112 million working equids in developing countries are at risk, with many associated with brick kilns and overloading-related welfare issues
Gait symmetry and stride parameter analysis are reliable markers for assessing loading capacity and adaptations to load
Heart rate recovery post-work is a superior indicator of load-carrying capacity compared to absolute heart rate values
Oxidative stress, plasma lactate, serum creatine kinase, and salivary cortisol are biochemical indicators that can assess loading ability in working equids
Observational research dominated the field at 42.9% of studies from 1978-2018, with subjective evaluation remaining the primary method despite evidence of unreliability
Wearable technology accounts for 13.5% of studies, indicating established but underutilized potential in equine gait analysis
17.8% of studies identified transferability limitations, with restricted sample size as a major underlying contributor
10.4% of studies called for advances in intervention research across clinical, rehabilitative exercise, and performance/training areas
12 studies evaluated ground reaction force measurements in cats using pressure sensitive walkways
Forelimb peak vertical force was greater than hindlimb peak vertical force in sound cats during walking
Peak vertical force in hindlimb was greater in cats than in dogs
Evidence Base
Horseshoe effects on equine gait-A systematic scoping review.
Aoun, Takawira, Lopez (2025) — Veterinary surgery : VS
Quantifying the Impact of Mounted Load Carrying on Equids: A Review.
Bukhari Syed S U H, McElligott Alan G, Parkes Rebecca S V (2021) — Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Research trends in equine movement analysis, future opportunities and potential barriers in the digital age: A scoping review from 1978 to 2018.
Egan, Brama, McGrath (2020) — Equine veterinary journal
Systematic review of ground reaction force measurements in cats.
Schnabl E, Bockstahler B (2015) — Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Applying Multi-Purpose Commercial Inertial Sensors for Monitoring Equine Locomotion in Equestrian Training
C. Fercher, Julia Bartsch, Steffen Kluge et al. (2024) — Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
Application of a Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to horses competing at 5‐star three‐day‐events: Comparison with performance
Dyson S., Ellis A. D. (2022) — Equine Veterinary Education
Timing of Vertical Head, Withers and Pelvis Movements Relative to the Footfalls in Different Equine Gaits and Breeds.
Rhodin, Smit, Persson-Sjodin et al. (2022) — Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Visual lameness assessment in comparison to quantitative gait analysis data in horses.
Hardeman Aagje M, Egenvall Agneta, Serra Bragança Filipe M et al. (2022) — Equine veterinary journal
Gait abnormalities and ridden horse behaviour in a convenience sample of the United Kingdom ridden sports horse and leisure horse population
Dyson S., Routh J., Bondi A. et al. (2022) — Equine Veterinary Education
The influence of rider skill on ridden horse behaviour, assessed using the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram, and gait quality
Dyson S., Martin C., Bondi A. et al. (2022) — Equine Veterinary Education
Rater agreement for assessment of equine back mobility at walk and trot compared to quantitative gait analysis.
Spoormakers T J P, Graat E A M, Serra Bragança F M et al. (2021) — PloS one
Application of a Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram and Its Relationship with Gait in a Convenience Sample of 60 Riding Horses.
Dyson Sue, Pollard Danica (2020) — Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
A longitudinal study of back dimension changes over 1 year in sports horses.
Greve Line, Dyson Sue (2015) — Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Saddle fit and management: An investigation of the association with equine thoracolumbar asymmetries, horse and rider health.
Greve L, Dyson S (2015) — Equine veterinary journal
The interrelationship of lameness, saddle slip and back shape in the general sports horse population.
Greve L, Dyson S J (2014) — Equine veterinary journal
Profiling of genetic markers useful for breeding decision in Selle Francais horse.
Ayad Abdelhanine, Besseboua Omar, Aissanou Sofiane et al. (2022) — Journal of equine veterinary science
Fractures of the cervical vertebral odontoid in four horses and one pony.
Vos N J, Pollock P J, Harty M et al. (2008) — The Veterinary record
Inertial Sensor Technologies-Their Role in Equine Gait Analysis, a Review.
Crecan, Peștean (2023) — Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
Impacts of Adiposity on Exercise Performance in Horses.
Pratt-Phillips Shannon, Munjizun Ahmad (2023) — Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Subjective and objective evaluations of horses for fit-to-compete or unfit-to-compete judgement.
Bragança F M Serra, Brommer H, van den Belt A J M et al. (2020) — Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Show 4 more references
Correction: Selection on the Colombian paso horse's gaits has produced kinematic differences partly explained by the DMRT3 gene.
Novoa-Bravo Miguel, Jäderkvist Fegraeus Kim, Rhodin Marie et al. (2019) — PloS one
EquiMoves: A Wireless Networked Inertial Measurement System for Objective Examination of Horse Gait
S. Bosch, F. S. Bragança, M. Marin-Perianu et al. (2018) — Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
End-to-End Horse Gait Classification in Uncontrolled Environments Using Inertial Sensors
Mahaut Gérard, S. Hanne-Poujade, Guillaume Dubois et al. (2025) — IEEE Access
An Instrumented Equine Shoe for Kinetic Gait Analysis
Alanna Devolin, Ifaz T Haider, Olivia Kenny et al. (2023) — 2023 IEEE Biomedical Circuits and Systems Conference (BioCAS)