Inertial Sensor Technologies—Their Role in Equine Gait Analysis, a Review

Abstract

Objective gait analysis provides valuable information about the locomotion characteristics of sound and lame horses. Due to their high accuracy and sensitivity, inertial measurement units (IMUs) have gained popularity over objective measurement techniques such as force plates and optical motion capture (OMC) systems. IMUs are wearable sensors that measure acceleration forces and angular velocities, providing the possibility of a non-invasive and continuous monitoring of horse gait during walk, trot, or canter during field conditions. The present narrative review aimed to describe the inertial sensor technologies and summarize their role in equine gait analysis. The literature was searched using general terms related to inertial sensors and their applicability, gait analysis methods, and lameness evaluation. The efficacy and performance of IMU-based methods for the assessment of normal gait, detection of lameness, analysis of horse–rider interaction, as well as the influence of sedative drugs, are discussed and compared with force plate and OMC techniques. The collected evidence indicated that IMU-based sensor systems can monitor and quantify horse locomotion with high accuracy and precision, having comparable or superior performance to objective measurement techniques. IMUs are reliable tools for the evaluation of horse–rider interactions. The observed efficacy and performance of IMU systems in equine gait analysis warrant further research in this population, with special focus on the potential implementation of novel techniques described and validated in humans.

Objective Assessment of Equine Locomotor Symmetry Using an Inertial Sensor System and Artificial Intelligence: A Comparative Study

“…This system is intended for the assessment of lameness/asymmetry and can be easily used in a clinical setting to aid in the decision-making process [ 33 , 34 ]. In this study, our aim was to compare a commercial IMU system, previously validated and widely used [ 13 , 17 , 18 , 22 , 38 , 39 ], with this new system (AI-MTS) [ 33 , 34 , 40 ] in clinically sound horses and in horses with a mild intensity lameness, under different assessment conditions, i.e., a straight line and in right and left circles, on both hard and soft surfaces.…”

“…To overcome these problems, several inertial measurement unit (IMU) systems have been developed in recent years to aid in the decision-making process, particularly in cases of mild lameness, referred lameness, evaluation of improvements after a treatment or recovery period, or when conducting clinical research studies [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Inertial Motion Capturing in Ergonomic Workplace Analysis: Assessing the Correlation between RULA, Upper-Body Posture Deviations and Musculoskeletal Discomfort

“…Innovative technologies and increasing digitalization enable new ways of collecting and utilizing data in order to derive a concrete potential for action [40]. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) make kinematic measurements in the field possible [41,42]. They provide reliable and valid recording of the postural load at the workplace [43] and, moreover, do not significantly restrict the workers in their work processes [44].…”

Development of a Device and Algorithm Research for Akhal-Teke Activity Level Analysis

“…Activity levels are differentiated based on the horse's gaits. Three-axis accelerometer data have been proven to detect animal gaits [2]. For instance, Casella et al [3] collected accelerometer data using a smartwatch application and employed novel outlier detection, feature extraction, and machine learning methods to analyze horse motion states through monitoring devices on the saddle and the rider's wrist.…”