Convolutional neural network for early detection of lameness and irregularity in horses using an IMU sensor

Fuente: arXiv
Salvato in:
Dettagli Bibliografici
Autori principali: Savoini, Benoît, Bertolaccini, Jonathan, Montavon, Stéphane, Deriaz, Michel
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
Soggetti:
Accesso online:
Tags: Aggiungi Tag
Nessun Tag, puoi essere il primo ad aggiungerne!!
_version_ 1866909540775100416
author Savoini, Benoît
Bertolaccini, Jonathan
Montavon, Stéphane
Deriaz, Michel
author_facet Savoini, Benoît
Bertolaccini, Jonathan
Montavon, Stéphane
Deriaz, Michel
contents Lameness and gait irregularities are significant concerns in equine health management, affecting performance, welfare, and economic value. Traditional observational methods rely on subjective expert assessments, which can lead to inconsistencies in detecting subtle or early-stage lameness. While AI-based approaches have emerged, many require multiple sensors, force plates, or video systems, making them costly and impractical for field deployment. In this applied research study, we present a stride-level classification system that utilizes a single inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D CNN) to objectively differentiate between sound and lame horses, with a primary focus on the trot gait. The proposed system was tested under real-world conditions, achieving a 90% session-level accuracy with no false positives, demonstrating its robustness for practical applications. By employing a single, non-intrusive, and readily available sensor, our approach significantly reduces the complexity and cost of hardware requirements while maintaining high classification performance. These results highlight the potential of our CNN-based method as a field-tested, scalable solution for automated lameness detection. By enabling early diagnosis, this system offers a valuable tool for preventing minor gait irregularities from developing into severe conditions, ultimately contributing to improved equine welfare and performance in veterinary and equestrian practice.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2503_13578
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Convolutional neural network for early detection of lameness and irregularity in horses using an IMU sensor
Savoini, Benoît
Bertolaccini, Jonathan
Montavon, Stéphane
Deriaz, Michel
Signal Processing
Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
Lameness and gait irregularities are significant concerns in equine health management, affecting performance, welfare, and economic value. Traditional observational methods rely on subjective expert assessments, which can lead to inconsistencies in detecting subtle or early-stage lameness. While AI-based approaches have emerged, many require multiple sensors, force plates, or video systems, making them costly and impractical for field deployment. In this applied research study, we present a stride-level classification system that utilizes a single inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D CNN) to objectively differentiate between sound and lame horses, with a primary focus on the trot gait. The proposed system was tested under real-world conditions, achieving a 90% session-level accuracy with no false positives, demonstrating its robustness for practical applications. By employing a single, non-intrusive, and readily available sensor, our approach significantly reduces the complexity and cost of hardware requirements while maintaining high classification performance. These results highlight the potential of our CNN-based method as a field-tested, scalable solution for automated lameness detection. By enabling early diagnosis, this system offers a valuable tool for preventing minor gait irregularities from developing into severe conditions, ultimately contributing to improved equine welfare and performance in veterinary and equestrian practice.
title Convolutional neural network for early detection of lameness and irregularity in horses using an IMU sensor
topic Signal Processing
Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.13578