Healthy Movement MOT
What is assessed?
The Healthy Movement MOT looks at five key areas of your dog's body: standing posture, walking pattern, ease of movement, fascial mobility
Together, these can reveal subtle changes in how your dog is using their body.
This links closely with the concept of Silent Pain — dogs can be remarkably good at adapting to discomfort, often changing the way they stand or move long before we see an obvious limp.
A regular Healthy Movement MOT gives us a baseline for your dog, making it easier to recognise when something has changed, monitor small concerns and identify when veterinary investigation may be needed.
Know what's normal. Notice what's changed.
What is Silent Pain?
Silent Pain is chronic, hidden soft-tissue discomfort in pets that is invisible on standard diagnostic imaging. It affects soft tissues, muscles, and fascia, creating a continuous drain on an animal's health.
Consequences of Silent Pain
Pets often mask discomfort by staying active, as movement temporarily dampens the sensation of pain. This exacerbates the underlying condition which can result in costly veterinary treatment further down the line.
What can be done about it?
Early detection means the issue can be addressed while it is still small and hopefully less expensive. The aim is for a happier, more mobile dog for longer.
The Stand
How your dog stands can tell us a surprising amount about how they are using their body. When a dog is comfortable and well balanced, their posture should look relaxed, symmetrical and natural for their breed and conformation.
- From the side, I look for the front paws sitting naturally beneath the shoulders, with the hocks relatively perpendicular to the ground.
- The head should be centred and looking forwards, rather than consistently held to one side, unusually high or unusually low.
- I also look at the dog's back, looking for changes such as rounding, dipping or an altered posture that might suggest the dog is adapting the way they hold themselves.
- From the front and behind, I look at symmetry and weight distribution. Ideally, the paws should be placed fairly evenly rather than one limb repeatedly positioned forwards, backwards or out to the side. Weight should appear comfortably distributed across all four limbs.
- The elbows should sit naturally alongside the body rather than being persistently held or rotated outwards.
What interests me is a posture that is repeatedly adopted, a noticeable difference between the two sides, or a change from what is normal for that particular dog.
Know what's normal. Notice what's changed.
The Walk
The walk is the slowest gait pattern — with three paws are always on the ground to support the body. Each foot lifts in turn, following a regular sequence.
From the side, we want to see free movement through the shoulders, a relaxed and relatively level back, and the hind legs stepping well underneath the body. The hind feet should naturally track towards the footprints left by the front feet.
From the front and behind, the dog should move in a reasonably straight line, without consistently swinging a leg outwards, crossing the limbs or shifting their body to one side.
The paws matter too. Each foot should lift cleanly from the ground without the toes dragging or scuffing.
Small changes in the way a dog walks can sometimes be one of the first clues that they are compensating somewhere in their body.
Know what's normal. Notice what's changed.
Movement
Every dog moves a little differently, but healthy movement should generally look smooth, balanced and comfortable.
One of the most useful things you can do as an owner is become familiar with what is normal for your dog. Small changes in the way they walk can sometimes appear before more obvious signs of discomfort.
Know what's normal. Notice what's changed.
At a comfortable walking pace, your dog should appear relaxed and move with a regular rhythm.
Look at the whole dog rather than concentrating on one leg.
Ideally, you want to see:
- Smooth, free movement without obvious stiffness or hesitation
- Similar stride length on the left and right
- Free movement through the shoulders
- Hind legs stepping underneath the body rather than being left behind
- A relatively level, relaxed back
- Straight movement rather than consistently drifting or twisting
- Paws clearing the ground without persistent scuffing or dragging
- A consistent rhythm without an obvious change of pace on one particular limb
The overall impression should be that movement looks easy and effortless.
Know what's normal. Notice what's changed.
Fascia
Fascia is a continuous network of connective tissue that runs throughout your dog's body. It surrounds and connects muscles, bones, joints, nerves and organs, helping everything work together as your dog moves.
Think of it a little like a soft, flexible body suit beneath the skin. When it is healthy, the different layers of tissue can glide smoothly over one another, allowing the body to move freely and comfortably.
What does healthy fascia feel like?
Healthy fascia should feel soft, supple and mobile, allowing the skin and tissues beneath it to move freely.
During a Silent Pain MOT, I'm looking for symmetry and mobility and whether the tissues feel similar across different areas of the body.
I'm particularly interested in changes from what I would expect to feel, rather than any single finding in isolation.
What happens when fascia becomes restricted?
Fascia can become less mobile for many reasons, including injury, repetitive movement, changes in activity, ageing or compensation elsewhere in the body.
Instead of the tissues gliding freely, an area may feel tight, less mobile or different from the surrounding tissue.
Because fascia forms a continuous network throughout the body, a restriction in one area doesn't necessarily mean that area is the original source of a problem. It may be part of the way the dog has adapted to something happening elsewhere.
Know what's normal. Notice what's changed.
Muscle
Healthy muscles help your dog move freely, comfortably and efficiently. During the Healthy Movement MOT, I gently assess the muscles for three key things: tension, trigger points and balance.
Muscle tension: Muscles should feel relatively soft and supple when they're at rest. Areas that feel unusually tight or guarded can sometimes develop when a dog is overusing a muscle or compensating for another part of their body.
Trigger points: Trigger points are small, localised areas of increased tension within a muscle that may be sensitive when touched. Their location and how your dog responds can provide useful information about how their body is coping.
Muscle balance: I compare corresponding muscle groups on each side of the body. I'm looking for differences in muscle size, tone and symmetry. If one side is noticeably more or less developed, it may suggest your dog has been using their body unevenly.
Dogs are very good at adapting. If an area becomes uncomfortable, they may shift their weight or alter their movement to protect it. Over time, some muscles can end up working harder while others are used less, creating changes in muscle tension and balance.
A change in muscle health doesn't automatically mean your dog is in pain. It's the overall pattern that helps tell the story.
Know what's normal. Notice what's changed.
Understand your Assessment
🟢 Healthy Today
No obvious changes or compensations noted today
🟡 Monitor
A subtle change was noted today. Working with an appropriate canine professional to monitor this is recommended.
🔴 Further Assessment Recommended
A more significant change or compensation was noted. A veterinary assessment is recommended.
The Silent Pain Promise
I won't tell you your dog is in pain from a five -minute screen.
I will help you recognise subtle changes that may be worth investigating.
My aim is to educate, not alarm, so you leave feeling more confident about your dog's movement.