Development of a grading system for visually assessing equine quality of movement

A series of three studies were conducted to develop an outcome measure for equine quality of movement during in-hand assessment of horses undergoing routine care, performance management or rehabilitation. In the first study, 10 expert equine physiotherapists completed a modified Delphi process to select anchor and grading words for scoring movement quality. Key features were identified and refined into directives to guide scoring. In the second study, two focus groups suggested measurement parameters and processes to improve standardisation, focusing on balancing principles of measurement with clinical practicality. The final study pilot tested the parameters, processes, and assessment forms while refining the directives, to transform the movements into a battery of 30 standardised movement tests. Each movement test has a unique directive, with the new scoring system using a paired word and numeric grade (0-5) along with comments to justify the score, linked to key features from the directive. The resultant Equine Quality of Movement Score is simple to use in the field pending reliability and validity trials. • A standardised outcome measure is needed for grading quality of movement in horses. (84) • Expert input has shaped a paired word and number scoring system. (65) • Key features of quality of movement were refined into directives to guide scoring. (83) • Converting experts’ observational expertise into precise language was challenging. (82) • Pilot testing refined the new outcome measure preparing it for reliability testing. (83)