using gait analysis to assess racing performance: a case study

We were asked recently to assess a 3 year old filly, who had been racing well but whose trainer felt wasn't quite living up to her full potential. There were no soundness or health issues identified by her veterinarian.

We initially assessed her using the inertial motion units to measure symmetry. She measured within normal limits in both the forelimbs and hindlimbs.

She was in fact one of the most symmetrical horses that we have ever measured! We next assessed her using high-speed video and 2D kinematic analysis. She again measured quite symmetrically comparing joint range of motion between the left and right limbs, suggesting that there were unlikely to be any underlying soundness issues.

It was when we looked closely at her stride characteristics that we were able to identify some things that may have been limiting her performance.

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