Investigations of the reliability of observational gait analysis for the assessment of lameness in horses

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to assess the reliability of a numerical rating scale (NRS) and a verbal rating scale (VRS) for the assessment of lameness in horses and to determine whether they can be used interchangeably. Sixteen independent observers graded the severity of lameness in 20 videotaped horses, and the agreement between and within observers, correlation and bias were determined for each scale. The observers agreed with each other in 56 per cent of the observations with the NRS and in 60 per cent of the observations with the VRS, and the associated Kendall coefficient of concordance was high. Similar trends were evident in the agreement between two observations by each observer. The correlation between and within observers was high for both scales. There were no significant differences (bias) among the observers' mean scores when using either scale. There was a significant correlation between the lameness scores attributed when using the two scales, but the differences between the scores when plotted against their overall mean were unacceptable for clinical purposes. The results indicate that the NRS and VRS are only moderately reliable when used to assess lameness severity in the horse, and that they should not be used interchangeably.

Rater Agreement on Gait Assessment during Neurologic Examination of Horses

“…Previous studies into agreement on assessment of lameness on the 6‐point scale8, 40, 41 have a poorer agreement because they are video‐based. In a study of objective kinematic assessment of ataxic horses,15 poor agreement between live and video scoring was attributed to the different conditions for live compared to video assessment; however, our results suggest that it was more likely caused by poor live agreement and low test–retest reliability.…”

Accuracy and precision of hind limb foot contact timings of horses determined using a pelvis-mounted inertial measurement unit

“…Objective gait analysis in horses aims to promote an evidence-based clinical decision making process by overcoming limitations associated with subjective visual gait assessment such as bias and disagreement (Keegan et al, 1998(Keegan et al, , 2010Arkell et al, 2006;Fuller et al, 2006;Hewetson et al, 2006). Since equine lameness presents one of the most common health problems to the equine community (U.S. Dept.…”

Head and pelvic movement asymmetries at trot in riding horses in training and perceived as free from lameness by the owner

“…Diseases causing subtle lameness may hence persist and develop into chronicity before overt clinical signs of lameness are developed. The weaknesses of visual assessment in horses with mild to moderate lameness have been described in numerous studies and comprise low inter-rater agreement among clinicians, expectation bias and inaccuracy [4–7]. Therefore early, precise and accurate recognition of lameness with biomechanical methods has been the focus of research in recent decades.…”