Locomotion as a whole is a result of the individual movements of these segments. Gait analysis is used to assess the movement of each of the individual joints and how they affect locomotion. Quantitative gait analysis assigns numerical values to motion and includes the application of kinetics and kinematics. The force plate is an example of kinetic analysis being used to assess lameness. The numerical values of the ground reaction forces are used to determine variances of gait.
Video analysis is used to assess the kinematic parameters of locomotion.
With kinematic analysis, linear parameters of movement can be measured to assess horizontal and vertical motion. Also, angular parameters can measure the degrees of movement of the joints to analyze specific joint motion. Subjective gait analysis is the most common diagnostic tool to assess lameness. This should be done prior to any physical palpation. It starts by observing the animal while it is still, looking for conformational abnormalities or abnormal stances.