Inertial measurement unit sensors and gait analysis technology are revolutionizing equine lameness detection, enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment of pain before clinical signs become obvious.
Sensor-based lameness detection addresses one of the most fundamental welfare challenges in equine medicine: horses are stoic animals that continue working despite significant pain, and human visual lameness assessment has been shown to have poor inter-observer reliability for subtle cases. By providing objective, quantified assessment below the threshold of human visual detection, these systems identify horses experiencing pain earlier in the progression of their condition. Earlier diagnosis enables earlier treatment, preventing the chronic welfare burden of prolonged, unrecognized pain. The ability to monitor gait symmetry longitudinally creates an objective welfare record that informs treatment decisions and provides evidence for welfare improvement following intervention.