Motion capture is frequently used over ground in equine locomotion science to study kinematics. Determination of gait events (hoof-on/off and stance) without force plates is essential to cut the data into strides. The lack of comparative evidence emphasise the need to compare existing algorithms and use robust and validated algorithms. It is the objective of this study to compare accuracy (bias) and precision (SD) for five published human and equine motion capture foot-on/off and stance phase detection algorithms during walk. Six horses were walked over 8 seamlessly embedded force plates surrounded by a 12-camera infrared motion capture system. The algorithms were based on horizontal or vertical velocity displacement and velocity of the hoof relative to the centre of mass movement or fetlock angle and velocity or displacement of the hoof. Horizontal hoof velocity relative to the centre of mass generally provides the most accurate and precise results in walk.