INSTRUMENTATION AND TECHNIQUES IN LOCOMOTION AND LAMENESS

Current techniques of gait analysis are described with emphasis on the practical aspects of selecting the appropriate equipment and operatin g it successfully. Clinical (qualitative) assessment of the horse's mo vement is complemented by a quantitative analysis using a turnkey vide ographic or optoelectronic system; these are becoming increasingly use r-friendly and some of the systems are now quite reasonably priced. Fo rce plates embedded in the ground or force shoes attached to the hoof wall measure the forces between the hoof and the ground while accelero meters bonded to the hoof wall detect the accelerations associated wit h hoof movements and ground contact.