Methods of mapping and measuring an animal’s gait have found an application in equestrian and cynological sports. One of the key elements of diagnosing a dog or horse’s gait is an assessment of movement range in individual joints. Digital image registration, frame-by-frame analysis of all phases (steps) enables researchers to pinpoint abnormalities in the way an animal moves. Goniometry, the measurement of angles between bones connected by joints, assumes values for intervals defined for species and anatomic structures. Properly functioning joints allow an animal to shift its weight onto individual body parts without any effort. A proper gait not only testifies that an animal has good utility value for sports, but is also a key economic aspect taken under consideration when evaluating animals for breeding purposes.
