Lameness is a sign that there is something wrong with the structure of function of one or more legs of a horse. When a horse is lame, it will favor one or more feel / legs, not allowing it to touch the ground or limping on it to aviod placing its full weight on it.
Lameness is a sign that there is something wrong with the structure or function of one or more legs of a horse. When a horse is lame it will favor one or more feet / legs, not allowing it to touch the ground or limping on it and avioding placing its full weight on it.
Lameness is most readily seen at a trot. The horse's head will bob up and down indicating a sore foot or leg. Lameness can be caused by numerous factors. The cause of lameness can be detected by swelling and heat in the foot or on the leg of the horse. If your horse is limping, it is important that you find out what the cause of the limp is so that you may remedy the situation before it gets worse.
Lameness may be broken down into several main categories consisting of:
Lameness is usually seen in the forelegs. This is because they support 60-65% of the weight of a horse. The injury can occur from the shoulder down. A lameness in the hind legs is uncommon. If a horse does develop a hind leg lameness, the injury is usually in the hock or stifle areas.
This is seen when the horse has its weight on the injured leg. The most common injuries are to the bone or motor neurons.
This is seen when the horse is moving. The lameness is caused by changes in the joint capsules, muscle and tendons.
The horse appears lame on the leg when it is standing or moving.
This is a secondary lameness. If you have watched a lame horse, you will notice that the horse will shift its weight to other parts of the injured leg or a leg on the opposite side of the body. By trying to reduce the pressure on the injury, the horse can stress another leg or a sound portion of the injured leg. This causes a second injury.
| Author Lachlan Bell was born and raised in Chinchilla, Queensland, Australia. His love for horses began at an early age, and he was a member of the local pony club since the age of 6. He has been breaking and training horses for over 10 years. |