The use of H(orse) INDEX: A method of analysing the ground reaction force patterns of lame and normal gaited horses at the walk

The amplitudes, impulses and times of occurrence of a number of selected peaks in the ground reaction force tracings of 17 horses with various clinical histories were compared with those of 20 horses used to establish values for the 'standard' Dutch Warmblood horse. The resulting factors were combined, using different weighting factors, into indices characterising each limb. The symmetry between the loading of the forelimbs and the hindlimbs was used to calculate amplitude and peak-time symmetry indices. Limb and symmetry indices were combined in one H(orse) INDEX. This method of quantifying the ground reaction force pattern, together with appropriate graphic display of the tracings, was useful in clinical evaluation of force plate measurements.