The Equinosis (“Lameness Locator”) is a valuable addition to the lameness evaluation toolbox.  Alongside other tools such as hoof testers, flexions, nerve blocks and visual evaluation, the Equinosis provides an objective measurement that helps put the pieces together and solve the lameness puzzle. 

The Equinosis is a body-mounted inertial sensor system that is used to detect and evaluate lameness in horses.  The system evaluates data captured from body-mounted sensors attached to the horse.  These inertial sensors consist of accelerometers that are put on the horse’s head and pelvis, and a gyroscope on the right front leg.  The sensors sample approximately 10 times faster than the human eye and analysis of the data they provide helps to determine the leg (or legs) and aspect of the stride that shows asymmetrical movement.

In addition to helping evaluate a known lameness, the Equinosis can also be beneficial in monitoring a performance horse throughout the show season.  Because the sensors measure less than a millimeter, periodical evaluation could show a slight change in the horse’s normal gait that may give you notice that they’re not feeling 100%.  This provides an opportunity to take action before a small problem potentially becomes a bigger one.