Kinematic symmetry index: a method for quantifying the horse locomotion symmetry using kinematic data.

The research article discusses a method that helps to quantify the symmetry of a horse’s locomotion, particularly in trotting, and distinguish sound horses from those with lameness issues.

Assessment Method

• The research utilized a 3D kinematic analysis system to observe and record the limb joint movements of both sound and lame horses.
• They compared the movements of the left and right corresponding joints of the horses and quantified the differences using an inter-correlation method.
• The aforementioned inter-correlation method was applied to figure out the symmetry indices of vertical displacements and angle-time diagrams of the joints for each horse.

Method Sensitivity Evaluation

• To test the accuracy and sensitivity of the method, the obtained symmetry indices from afflicted horses suffering from three primary types of lameness (which are front limb lameness, rear limb lameness, and symmetrical bilateral lameness) were compared with the symmetry indices calculated for a reference group of clinically healthy horses.

Findings and Implication

• The research showed that the symmetry indices calculated with the method were sensitive enough to distinguish between varying degrees of lameness.
• Additionally, apart from symmetrical bilateral lameness, the derived indices also enabled the determination of which of the front or back limbs were lame.
• This research’s findings can have potential uses in both research and clinical fields whose focus is horse locomotion and lameness issues.