From guesswork to clarity: Surface, gait and line of travel reveal different aspects of equine quality of movement.
- abphysio
- Jul 27
- 3 min read
How the Equine Quality of Movement Score (EQoMS) brings structure to equine movement assessment.
The problem is that we may see movement dysfunction, but we can’t always measure it. Imagine being able to specifically track a horse’s improvements or setbacks over a course of therapy, without needing expensive gait analysis equipment. As equine clinicians, many of the horses we see present with subtle movement dysfunction, only discernible under certain conditions, rather than overt lameness. Yet, we’ve lacked the tools to monitor movement systematically. While advanced technologies like instrumented gait analysis exist, they’re not always accessible in the field, which leaves clinicians relying on subjective observation and a pinch of guesswork. To bridge the gap between subjective impressions and instrumented systems, I set about creating a standardised, battery of in-hand movement tests that would help us evaluate equine quality of movement in a consistent and reliable way in the field.
How We Developed a Practical Solution
The research that led to the Equine Quality of Movement Score (EQoMS) was divided into several steps. We began with a literature review, followed by a survey to identify the most commonly used movements for visual assessment [you can read the blog about the survey results here].
The next step was a Delphi study. What is a Delphi Study? The Delphi process uses repeated rounds of surveys to refine ideas and build agreement among experts. We recruited 10 experienced equine physiotherapists to participate in three rounds of Delphi surveys. The full journal article is available here: Development of a grading system for visually assessing equine quality of movement.
Finding the Right Words
Their first task was to select anchor wording for the scoring system.
“Quality of Movement” was chosen and became the foundation for the 1–5 grading scale.
Research suggests that pairing numbers with descriptive terms makes a scoring system easier to use. After several rounds of discussion, the following terms were chosen, with 88% agreement:
What Features Really Matter?
How do we measure quality of movement in horses? Because horse can’t talk, we have to become expert at interpreting their body language and observing their movement. But what are the most important features to observe for each gait, surface and line of travel?
The experts were asked to refine a list of 147 possible movement features—everything from limb tracking and head movement to hoof clearance and co-ordination.
This list was narrowed to the key features, with any item reaching >75% agreement being retained.
The experts reworded these key features into directives (concise reminders of what to look for during each specific movement test). For example, for walk on a small circle on a firm surface, the directive reminds the assessor to note:
Comfort, consistent head position, even spinal lateral flexion on circle line, horizontal and vertical balance, limb tracking and placement, step length, symmetry between left and right rein.
These directives were deliberately written using positive language, focusing on the features we want to see present, rather than a checklist of faults.
Each test—walk, trot, step back, hindleg crossover, straight lines, circles, firm and soft surfaces, and gait transitions—now has its own directive. When performed and scored together, they form the Equine Quality of Movement Score (EQoMS). To find out more about the full directives for each movement test sign up to the EQoMS online training program.
Why Directives Are So Important
If you’re familiar with dressage, you know how directives guide scoring. In dressage tests, they distill complex knowledge into concise phrases, helping judges focus on what matters most in each movement.
The same principle applies here. Observing equine movement is highly complex, and clinicians draw on a vast amount of knowledge. Directives act as mental prompts, ensuring consistency without overwhelming the assessor.
Of course, they’re not exhaustive. Some terms, like “co-ordination”, are shorthand for multiple elements. Striking the right balance between conciseness and meaning was one of the biggest challenges.
This is partly addressed in the EQoMS training program, which clarifies key terminology, such as the difference between limb tracking (viewed from the front) and tracking up (viewed from the side).
The EQoMS is a simple, reliable tool for in the field. Consisting of 30 in-hand movement tests the EQoMS combines: Quantitative scoring (a simple 1–5 scale), and Qualitative comments (to capture subtle nuances).
It allows you to:
Track changes in a horse’s movement over time.
Communicate more clearly with owners and vets. &
Make evidence-based decisions about treatment efficacy.
Ultimately, this helps clinicians like you deliver better outcomes for equine athletes.
Ready to Sharpen Your Eye?
👉 Sign up to the EQoMS online training program today to bring more clarity, consistency, and confidence to your movement assessments.
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