If the foot creates a depression or a divot in the ground, the surface should be considered soft.  Soft preset surfaces = loose sand, grass/turf, soft/deep, mud, soft synthetic, soft (generic). 

Following viewing the initial baseline straight evaluation, repeat the trial to confirm stability of lameness measurements! 

1. When beginning an evaluation, it is advised to perform two straight line trials one after the other to confirm results, and, if lameness present, a stable lameness. 
2. Horses fresh out of a stall or off of a trailer may not always show a stable lameness on the first evaluation.  
3. There is also a small window of expected trial-to-trial variability. However, significantly different results between two trials are indicative of an unstable lameness. 
4. If two trials back to back do not yield similar results in limb, timing, and amplitude, it is recommended to exercise the horse, such as lunging, for a few minutes and evaluate again. 

the graphical representations of the trial data.

the variability of the lameness measure (Diff Max Head, Diff Min Head, Diff Max Pelvis, Diff Min Pelvis) from stride to stride over the course of a single data collection trial. Stride-by-stride variability is assessed in the Lameness Locator® report by comparing the standard deviation to the absolute value of the mean for that measure. If the standard deviation is significantly greater than the mean (currently this is arbitrarily set at 120% of the mean), the confidence in, or strength of evidence for, lameness (in limb, amplitude and/or timing) is reduced.