Hoof sensor system for objective lameness diagnosis in horses

This project presents a wearable hoof sensing system for objective lameness assessment in horses, based on magnetic sensing of hoof deformation during gait. The device combines compact magnetic elements and a hoof-mounted sensor module, complemented by inertial sensing to characterise movement.

As the horse moves, natural hoof deformation under load produces measurable variations in the magnetic field. These signals are processed to generate quantitative indicators of load distribution and gait asymmetry, aligned with gait phases through motion data.

The system is non-invasive, lightweight and portable, designed to operate in real clinical and field conditions without the need for force plates, optical motion capture or specialised infrastructure. A companion digital application supports device setup and data visualisation.