DE CHIARA, MARIAELENA (2026) Advancing Equine Diagnostics: Doppler Ultrasonography of Peripheral Blood Flow and AI/Sensor-Based Gait Analysis. [Tesi di dottorato]

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Abstract

New perspectives have been introduced in the evaluation of gait alterations in horses through the use of Doppler ultrasonography and objective motion analysis systems. In particular, the assessment of blood flow in the lateral palmar digital artery (LPDA) has shown potential for monitoring both physiological conditions, such as pregnancy, and pathological states, such as lameness. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI)-based and digital systems are increasingly supporting clinical gait evaluation. The aim of this doctoral thesis was to investigate the role of Doppler ultrasonography and objective motion analysis systems in equine veterinary medicine, with four main objectives: - To evaluate peripheral blood flow changes in the LPDA during pregnancy and in the postpartum period in Italian Standardbred mares, also assessing the intra- and interobserver reproducibility of Doppler measurements between operators with different levels of experience. - To assess the relationship between Doppler parameters of the LPDA in horses affected by unilateral forelimb lameness, as well as the correlation between these parameters and the severity of lameness. - To evaluate the agreement between subjective lameness assessment by official endurance veterinarians (OEVs) and objective analysis of movement asymmetry obtained through a markerless artificial intelligence motion tracking system (AI-MTS). - To investigate the immediate effects of routine trimming and shoeing on the gait of clinically healthy horses using a non-invasive inertial motion detection system (Tendiboots™). The results showed that Doppler parameters, particularly peak systolic velocity (PSV), varied significantly during pregnancy and in lame horses, indicating alterations in peripheral blood flow likely associated with hemodynamic or behavioural changes. However, the absence of correlation between PSV and lameness severity suggests the presence of additional factors that require further investigation. The objective motion analysis using AI-MTS has demonstrated substantial agreement with subjective evaluation for severe asymmetries, but limited agreement for mild ones, highlighting the challenges in clinically detecting subtle gait abnormalities. The study on routine farriery revealed significant variations in hoof morphometry and kinematic parameters after trimming and shoeing, although the low overall impact on locomotion. These findings suggest that subtle modifications in hoof conformation can influence limb biomechanics, and non-invasive inertial motion detection system may allow to detect subtle changes in the gait of healthy horses. Overall, this thesis emphasizes the value of Doppler ultrasonography as a simple, non-invasive, and repeatable tool for evaluating equine peripheral flow, and the potential of AI-based systems and inertial motion sensors to standardize and support gait analysis. Further studies involving larger populations of healthy and lame horses will be essential to validate these tools and integrate them effectively into clinical practice.

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