![lame horse lame horse](https://www.scarsdalevets.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/equine-manage-lame-horse.png)
Behavioural issues during performance such as refusing fences, bucking, rearing, etc.Discomfort during grooming or pressure on the back.Your horse may have a painful back and sacroiliac region if they exhibit: Back and Sacroiliac Painīack and sacroiliac pain can cause movement abnormalities and behavioural issues. The lame leg may not come forward underneath the horse’s body or extend out as far behind the body as much as the non-painful leg. Like front-end lameness, horses will often show differences in their range of motion when lame in the hind legs. Horses that are lame in behind will drop the hip on the sore side slightly more than the non-painful side and may produce odd-looking movement patterns in their hind limb joints to compensate for painful areas. An uneven rise and fall of the hips and buttock.Hind end lameness can be subtle, with most horse owners noticing that something is “off” without being able to put their finger on the source. Any hitching or unevenness can indicate pain.
![lame horse lame horse](https://pawsandclawsvet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/235151.jpg)
![lame horse lame horse](https://www.neogen.com/globalassets/legacy-blog-photos/previous-blog/previous-blog-photos/uploads/2017/10/2017-oct-27-horse-lameness-small-150x150.jpg)
![lame horse lame horse](http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/63/16319518-31ad-5b7a-a27c-1f92c569b007/16319518-31ad-5b7a-a27c-1f92c569b007.image.jpg)
Horses should move their limbs evenly and smoothly during a gait cycle. If a horse has a sore muscle or painful joint, it will likely exhibit a reduced range of motion, referring to how far a limb can move with little pain in a gait cycle. If you are only able to trot your horse on a circle, make sure you are looking at their gait in both directions, as they could be lame on both limbs. When trotting your horse on a circle or straight line, pay attention to when they lift and lower their head. Horses will raise their head when they step on a sore limb to reduce pressure on that limb and lower it when they step with the non-painful limb. When stepping on a painful limb, most horses will use the placement of their head to try to alleviate pressure on that limb. When looking to see if a horse is lame in front, look for two features of the gait: Front end lameness produces the classic “limp” one would expect to see with a painful limb. Most lameness can be separated into the following categories:įront leg lameness is the easiest to see with even the untrained eye. Less commonly, non-painful lameness can also occur from neurological dysfunction. Lameness is usually caused by pain in the muscles, tendons, bones, ligaments, or joints. Lameness is not a disease itself but is a clinical sign that can be caused by pain, restrained movement or neuromuscular dysfunction. Types of LamenessĪccording to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, lameness is defined as an abnormality of a horse’s gait or stance. If you purchase the horse, lameness exams can indicate what may become an issue in the future. Identifying possible lameness in a horse you are interested in purchasing allows you to determine if you would like to proceed with the purchase. Lameness evaluations are also a crucial part of pre-purchase exams. Further diagnostic tests may be needed if these assessments are not sufficient.
#LAME HORSE HOW TO#
This is a common issue that requires assessment by a veterinarian to determine the cause and best course of action.Ĭommon causes of lameness include strain or injury, acute or chronic laminitis, genetic traits, infection, metabolic issues, or neural disorders.Ī timely lameness exam can identify the underlying cause and how to manage it to relieve pain and support longevity.Ī lameness exam typically involves discussing the horse’s history, observing the horse at rest and in motion, performing flexion tests and using hoof testers to identify sources of pain. Lameness is a general term that refers to a horse with an abnormal gait or stance.