Vertical pelvic movement asymmetry and lameness location in ipsilateral combined forelimb and hindlimb lameness cases.

Background: Compensatory vertical head and pelvis movement asymmetry may occur in trotting horses with a primary cause of lameness in one end of the body due to the weight shifting between limbs, leading to apparent combined forelimb and hindlimb lameness (CFHL). Little is known about CFHL patterns observed with body-mounted inertial sensors (BMIS) and regardless of their underlying mechanisms, compensatory and secondary lameness may complicate the definitive identification of the primary causes of lameness.

Objective: Determine associations between vertical pelvic movement asymmetry and location of primary lameness in ipsilateral CFHL cases where hindlimb lameness is solely impact or push-off type.