How AI Detects Lameness in Horses Before It’s Too Late

Last updated: July 9, 2025

By: Miles HenryFact Checked

Save Money with Early Intervention

AI is reshaping equine care by detecting lameness early, before it becomes visibly obvious or financially devastating. Whether you’re managing one horse or a full racing stable, today’s AI tools help preserve soundness, improve performance, and reduce treatment costs. After years in racing, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges of diagnosing subtle lameness. Like many owners, I’ve faced the frustration of a horse being ‘just not quite right,’ leading to multiple vet visits and differing opinions—a gap that AI is now stepping in to fill..

📈 Lameness costs U.S. horse owners over $1 billion annually, with 66% attributed to lost use. While elite athletes like Justify succeed with top-tier management, most horses don’t benefit from ready access to vets and professional trainers. AI now offers everyday owners access to early detection technology, helping prevent costly treatments and extend a horse’s sound career.

How AI Lameness Detection Works

AI tools analyze a horse’s gait using video (computer vision) or wearable sensors (inertial measurement units). These systems meticulously compare leg movements, frame-by-frame or millisecond-by-millisecond, detecting subtle asymmetries and changes in stride quality—often invisible to the human eye. This technology’s efficacy is further supported by preliminary research into AI for lameness detection in horses. For example, some lameness issues, like early onset of navicular syndrome, may appear only as subtle gait changes. Learn more about navicular syndrome in horses.

• Video-Based AI: Tracks anatomical landmarks using smartphone cameras (e.g., Sleip, Focus Horse).
• Sensor-Based AI: Captures movement data through accelerometers and gyroscopes (e.g., StrideSafe, Lameness Locator). Research also demonstrates how IMUs and AI can predict crucial kinetic parameters like ground reaction forces, vital for comprehensive lameness assessment.

Smartphone-based systems, like Focus Horse, offer an accessible way to analyze gait. Watch the video below for an in-depth explanation.

How to Use AI Detection

Using AI for lameness detection is simpler than you might think—and you don’t need to be a tech expert to start. Most systems follow a 4-step process:

1. Capture data: Record a video at walk/trot (for video tools) or attach sensors to your horse (for sensor-based tools).
2. Upload: Send the data to the AI platform, usually via an app on your smartphone.
3. Review the report: The system highlights stride asymmetries or subtle limb changes.
4. Consult your vet: Discuss the findings with your veterinarian before making decisions or changing your horse’s program.

💡 Tip: Each platform may vary slightly, but the basic steps are similar. Always check the tool’s guidelines for best recording angles, surfaces, and lighting.

Why AI Lameness Detection Matters

Early intervention is critical in managing equine performance and preventing costly breakdowns. AI tools offer owners a way to identify subtle issues before they escalate, saving money and extending a horse’s sound career.

• 💸 Economic Impact: Lameness leads to over $1 billion in annual losses for U.S. horse owners, with 66% attributed to lost use.
• ✅ Cost Savings: AI-driven early detection may save $5,000–$20,000 per horse by avoiding extensive diagnostics, treatments, and downtime (based on user case studies from Sleip and Focus Horse).
• 🧠 Performance & Soundness: Early detection improves soundness and training continuity, especially for performance horses. In flat racing, musculoskeletal injuries occur in up to 18.8 per 1,000 starts, with many exhibiting early gait asymmetries before breakdown.

Beyond the economic impact, individual owners often grapple with the elusive nature of lameness. I’ve certainly been there: a horse not moving quite right, followed by conflicting diagnoses from the vet and even the chiropractor. That kind of frustrating reality screams for objective data, and it’s precisely what AI tools deliver, helping us cut through subjective assessments to pinpoint those subtle issues far more accurately.

For a compelling visual demonstration, see how Sleip’s AI detects subtle gait changes in this 49-second video.

Top AI Tools for Equine Lameness: A Comprehensive Comparison

Choosing the best AI tool for your horse depends on your needs, budget, and desired features. The table below provides a comprehensive overview, comparing leading AI-powered lameness detection systems across key aspects like type, features, cost, accuracy, and compatibility.

Tool	Type	Key Features	Best For	Best For Single-Horse Owners	Est. Cost	Reported Accuracy	Compatibility / Notes
Sleip	Smartphone App (Markerless AI)	Markerless AI, stride asymmetry reports, PDF exports	Vets, trainers, multiple horses	Less ideal (higher cost)	$170/month (~$340/year for 2 months)	100% forelimb sensitivity (Sleip, 2024)	iOS (iPhone 8+, iOS 15+)
Focus Horse	Smartphone App (Markerless AI)	Gait at walk/trot/canter, hoof health scoring	Budget-friendly, periodic checks	Ideal (low cost, pay-per-use)	$53/analysis (~$106/year for 2 analyses)	~95% est. (Focus Horse, 2024)	iOS (iOS 14.0+), iPadOS
StrideSafe	Track-Based Sensor System	Post-race screening, real-time alerts	Racing tracks	Not available	Included at partnered tracks	98% (racehorses) (StrideSafe, 2024)	Proprietary sensors; not for individuals
Lameness Locator	Sensor System	Pelvis/head motion tracking	Vet clinics	Not practical (vet-focused)	$5,000–$10,000 one-time	~90% (Equinosis)	Proprietary sensors; vet-only
Motion Pro	Smartphone App (Markerless AI)	Tendon rehab tracking, not diagnostic	Rehab-focused owners	Limited (rehab only)	Contact for pricing	N/A	iOS/Android, no sensors
Vet Exam	Hands-on Assessment	Palpation, flexion tests	Complex cases	Standard option	$400–$1,000/year	Varies	No hardware needed

Choosing the Right AI Tool for Your Horse

Most horse owners don’t need to monitor gait daily—just occasionally when something feels off, which is my situation. After 25 years in racing, I’ve learned that catching subtle lameness early can save thousands of dollars. For single-horse owners like me, budget-friendly tools like Focus Horse offer strong value at $53 per session, ideal for occasional checks.

Smartphone-based systems, like Focus Horse, offer an accessible way to analyze gait. Watch the video below for an in-depth explanation.

A Closer Look at Sleip

Sleip was developed as a precision tool for veterinary diagnostics, but now also offers a version for other equine professionals—such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, farriers, and trainers. While Sleip is offered as a business tool, individual horse owners can access it via invitation from a vet, physiotherapist, or trainer. These professionals can invite owners to film horses using a limited version of the app, enabling high-quality remote support, especially when horses are in different locations.

While the veterinary version includes features for clinical diagnostics, the monitoring version uses the same core asymmetry data—creating a shared language across the team.

As Elin Hernlund, DVM, PhD, biomechanical researcher and Chief Medical Officer at Sleip, explains:

“It’s incredibly difficult to describe exactly what you see in a horse’s gait. Sleip’s objective data and video documentation help bridge that gap, making referrals to the vet clearer and more actionable.”

This objectivity and collaborative approach are what set Sleip apart in the AI lameness detection market.

📋 AI Lameness Detection Checklist

🧠 Readiness & Fit

✅ Is the tool validated in peer-reviewed studies or used by veterinary clinics?
✅ Is it appropriate for your horse’s discipline (e.g., racing, sporthorse, recreational)?
✅ Will the tool help with what you care about—diagnosis, rehab tracking, or prevention?

📱 Technology & Usability

✅ Is this a video-based tool, sensor-based, or hybrid?
✅ Do I need to buy or lease sensors, or is a smartphone enough?
✅ Will a standard smartphone (e.g., iPhone or Android) work?
✅ Are there specific recording requirements—distance, surface, lighting, frame rate?
✅ How hard is it to capture a usable video (do I need help, or can I do it solo)?
✅ Is there a learning curve, or is the system beginner-friendly?

💰 Cost & Commitment

✅ Is the pricing model a subscription, pay-per-use, or one-time purchase?
✅ Is the cost sustainable for occasional or regular use?
✅ Are there extra fees for reports, storage, or vet consultations?

🔒 Data Ownership & Integration

✅ Do I retain control over my horse’s data (local vs. cloud storage)?
✅ Can I export results (PDFs, reports, data files)?
✅ Does the system integrate with my vet’s tools or allow remote consultation?

🧑‍⚕️ Veterinary Collaboration

✅ Will my vet accept or understand the data from this tool?
✅ Does the provider offer vet consultation as part of the package?

Download a printable version → Checklist PDF

📎 Notes

• 📌 Some apps are iOS-only (e.g., Sleip), so confirm device compatibility.
• 📌 Tools like StrideSafe require wearable sensors—setup may vary by stable.
• 📌 Low-budget users may prefer tools like Focus Horse, which charge per report.

Ethical and Practical Considerations

As AI tools become more accessible in equine care, it’s essential to use them responsibly. While these systems offer powerful insights, they must be applied thoughtfully—especially when it comes to health, ethics, and data privacy.

• ✅ Use responsibly: Limit AI assessments to Grade 0–2 lameness (mild or subclinical) during walk/trot evaluations.
• 🔐 Protect your data: Confirm how your horse’s videos and reports are stored—cloud privacy policies vary by provider.
• 👨‍⚕️ AI ≠ a vet: Use AI as a decision-support tool, not a replacement for clinical diagnosis.
• 📢 Be transparent: Always disclose AI use during pre-purchase exams, insurance evaluations, or sales negotiations.

Bottom line: When used correctly and transparently, AI can be a valuable addition to your lameness management toolbox—but it should always complement, not replace, veterinary expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Future Trends in AI in Horse Health and Fitness

You’re right, that’s a more encompassing and accurate title. It reflects the broader application of AI beyond just lameness detection, extending into overall well-being and performance optimization.

The field of AI in equine health and fitness is constantly evolving, promising even more sophisticated tools for proactive care and performance enhancement. Here are a few trends and advancements we can expect:

• Deeper Veterinary Software Integration: We’ll likely see AI tools communicate more seamlessly with existing veterinary practice management software, streamlining data sharing and patient recordkeeping. This means a more unified approach to your horse’s health records.
• More Predictive Analytics: Beyond just detecting current lameness, AI could become even better at predicting future injury risks based on subtle gait changes over time, allowing for truly proactive intervention before an issue becomes serious.
• Expanded Breed-Specific Models: As data sets grow, AI models will likely become more refined and tailored to the unique gaits, conformation, and performance predispositions of specific horse breeds, leading to even more accurate and personalized analyses.
• Real-time Wearable Feedback: Imagine lightweight, non-invasive wearables that provide real-time alerts or feedback to riders and trainers, helping them adjust training immediately to optimize performance and prevent potential issues.
• Nutrition and Training Optimization: AI could analyze dietary intake, exercise routines, and individual physiological responses to recommend personalized nutrition plans and training schedules for peak health and athletic performance.

These advancements will continue to make AI an indispensable tool for maintaining equine health, optimizing fitness, and enhancing overall well-being.

Final Thoughts

AI is here—and it’s changing how we care for horses. Whether you’re screening a future star or maintaining a veteran athlete, AI can help you catch problems early, reduce treatment costs, and extend your horse’s sound career. AI-powered lameness detection saves money, improves performance, and protects your horse’s long-term welfare. From Sleip’s easy-to-use app to StrideSafe’s real-time alerts, these tools bring equine care into the future.

This guide shows how AI tools like Sleip, StrideSafe, and Focus Horse are changing how owners catch lameness early—saving thousands and improving performance. Whether you train a barn of contenders or own just one ex-racer, AI-backed analysis can catch issues before they turn into layoffs or losses. Use the cost comparison, filming checklist, and tool selector to get started—because every stride counts.

Imagine catching subtle lameness in your racehorse before it costs you a season—or a $10,000 vet bill. In 2025, AI-powered lameness detection systems like Sleip and StrideSafe are transforming how owners, trainers, and veterinarians evaluate, train, and treat horses.

After 25 years in racing, I once missed lameness in a claiming prospect. The result? A five-figure veterinary setback. AI could have changed that outcome. This guide explains how AI detects lameness, compares top tools, and shows how you can use them to protect your horses—before it’s too late.

Glossary of AI Equine Lameness Terms

• AI (Artificial Intelligence): The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems, enabling them to learn, reason, and solve problems like analyzing complex data patterns in horse gait.
• Computer Vision: A field of Artificial Intelligence that enables computers to “see,” interpret, and understand visual information from images or videos, used in lameness detection to track a horse’s movements.
• Gait Analysis: The systematic study of animal locomotion, focusing on how a horse moves, including stride length, rhythm, and symmetry, to identify abnormalities.
• Ground Reaction Forces (GRF): The forces exerted by the ground on a horse’s body as it moves. These kinetic parameters are crucial for understanding the load on limbs and can indicate lameness.
• IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit): A small electronic device that measures and reports a body’s velocity, orientation, and gravitational forces. In horses, these sensors (containing accelerometers and gyroscopes) are attached to specific body parts to collect movement data.
• Kinetic Parameters: Measurements related to the forces that cause motion. In gait analysis, this includes ground reaction forces and moments acting on joints.
• Markerless AI: An AI system that performs analysis (e.g., gait analysis) without requiring physical markers or sensors to be attached to the subject. It uses advanced computer vision to identify anatomical landmarks directly from video footage.
• Stride Asymmetry: An unevenness or imbalance in the movement patterns of a horse’s limbs during a stride cycle. This is a key indicator of lameness, as horses often alter their movement to compensate for pain.

Resources

• Sleip Accuracy Study (2024)
• StrideSafe Science & Research (2024)
• AI for Lameness Detection in Horses – A Preliminary Study (ResearchGate)
• Prediction of continuous and discrete kinetic parameters in horses from inertial measurement units data using recurrent artificial neural networks (Scientific Reports/DOI)
• Validation of Alogo Move Pro: A GPS-Based Inertial Measurement Unit for the Objective Examination of Gait and Jumping in Horses (PubMed)
• USDA Equine Study (1998)
• Focus Horse AI-Based Equestrian Analysis (2024)
• Musculoskeletal injuries in flat racing (PMC10931299)
• SleipAI markerless lameness detection study (PubMed)