Using the Sleip® Motion Analysis System in Lameness Exams at Oakhurst Equine Veterinary Services

Diagnosing lameness often requires identifying movement changes that are subtle, inconsistent, or masked by compensation. At Oakhurst Equine Veterinary Services, we can incorporate the Sleip® Motion Analysis System into our lameness evaluations to provide an additional, objective layer of assessment—without attaching sensors or equipment to the horse.

Sleip allows us to analyze how a horse moves using advanced video-based technology, supporting more informed diagnostic and treatment decisions.

What Is the Sleip® Motion Analysis System?

Sleip is a camera-based equine gait analysis system that evaluates a horse’s movement using high-speed video and artificial intelligence. By capturing and analyzing motion as the horse travels naturally, Sleip detects asymmetries and movement patterns that may be difficult to appreciate consistently with the human eye alone.

A fun inspirational photo with credits I believe to Tod Marks Photography. This photo was sent to us by a client years ago when we stood Grindstone here at Oakhurst. Lead horse is Grinding Speed, a gelding by the 1996 Kentucky Derby winner Grindstone, who was known for his success in timber racing after a modest career in flat racing. He was the National Steeplechase Association's 2015 timber champion. 

Because Sleip does not require wearable sensors, horses can be evaluated with minimal disruption to their normal movement, making it particularly useful for subtle or performance-related lameness concerns.

Why Oakhurst May Use Sleip in Lameness Evaluations

Lameness is rarely straightforward. Horses may show:

Raging Tiger by Giant’s Causeway, out of Shandra Smiles, by Cahill Road stands at Oakhurst . Built by bloodlines, with undeniable presence and measured by movement, his offspring are destined to make their mark.

• Mild or intermittent gait changes
• Bilateral or multi-limb involvement
• Compensatory movement patterns
• Performance decline without overt head bob or hip hike

Sleip provides objective, repeatable data that helps us

• Confirm clinical impressions
• Identify subtle asymmetries
• Compare movement before and after diagnostic blocks
• Track changes over time

At Oakhurst, Sleip is used to enhance—not replace—hands-on examination, clinical experience, and diagnostic imaging.

Benefits of Sleip for Horses, Owners, and Referring Veterinarians

• No Wearables Required
• Because Sleip relies on video analysis, horses are evaluated without sensors, cables, or attachments.
• Objective Movement Analysis
• Sleip helps quantify movement asymmetry, reducing subjectivity in complex cases.
• Improved Diagnostic Confidence
• Objective data can help guide diagnostic anesthesia, imaging decisions, and treatment planning.
• Monitoring Progress Over Time
• Repeated evaluations allow us to assess response to treatment, rehabilitation, farriery changes, or conditioning programs.
• Clear Visual Reporting
• Sleip-generated visuals help owners and referring veterinarians better understand findings and clinical recommendations.

What to Expect During a Sleip-Assisted Lameness Exam

Coordination, balance, and trust—skills that matter in every discipline. Stephenie from our Oakhurst team and her trusty mount enjoying some mounted archery practice.

Sleip is integrated into a comprehensive lameness workup and may include:

• Video analysis of the horse moving in hand at the walk and trot
• Evaluation on different surfaces when appropriate
• Reassessment following diagnostic nerve blocks
• Follow-up exams to track improvement or progression

The process is non-invasive, efficient, and well tolerated, even for young or sensitive horses.

Sleip as One Part of a Comprehensive Lameness Approach

While Sleip provides valuable objective data, it is only one component of a thorough lameness evaluation at Oakhurst. Each case may also include:

• Detailed orthopedic and physical examination
• Flexion testing
• Diagnostic anesthesia
• Digital radiography and ultrasound
• Collaboration with farriers, trainers, and rehabilitation teams

Our focus is always on understanding the whole horse, not just the data.

Advanced Lameness Diagnostics at Oakhurst

Oakhurst Equine Veterinary Services is committed to combining clinical expertise, advanced diagnostics, and thoughtful case management. Incorporating camera-based motion analysis systems like Sleip allows us to deliver more precise, evidence-informed lameness care—especially in subtle or complex cases.

Not sure what’s limiting your horse’s performance or comfort? Early evaluation can make a difference.

Schedule an Equine Lameness Evaluation with Oakhurst Contact Us

Interested in the technology we use? Learn more about Sleip objective gait analysis on their website. https://sleip.com/technology