Vets might be able to detect lameness before it becomes obvious to the eye by studying specific biomarkers in a horse’s blood and joint fluid.
Specialists in equine biomechanics have discovered that changes in blood and synovial (joint) fluid biomarker data can be linked to subtle gait asymmetries caused by inflammation.
The research was presented to the 2025 Equine Science Society Symposium in Colorado by Lindsay Korac, a PhD student at the Canadian University of Guelph.
She described how the scientists took 11 horses of different ages, breeds, and weights and injected their joints with a substance (reIL-1B ) that creates joint inflammation but no outward lameness.
Then they collected joint fluid samples after certain periods post injection.
Next they used gait analysis tools, like motion capture and AI, to measure any lameness.
Increasing biomarkers
“We collected data on gait biomechanics of each horse’s movement pre-injection and six- and 12-hours post-injection using IMU sensors,” said Lindsay.
“We calculated the vertical displacement data from the sensors placed at the poll and pelvis.
“These sensors could identify the difference in vertical displacement between the forelimbs (poll sensor) and hindlimbs (pelvis sensor) to determine if the horse has an impact or push-off asymmetry.”
The research team found that none of the horses were obviously lame, but when they tested the biomarkers in blood and joint fluid it became clear that these increased as the horses became more observably uneven.
“Future studies might examine new biomarkers, extend the duration of the study, or examine the effects of therapeutic intervention on these biomarkers,” said Lindsay.
A precis of the research is available to read here.
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