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Diagnosing Lameness
http://www.horsemanshiphorsetrainingtips.com/articles/235/1/Diagnosing-Lameness
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By None Specified
Published on 05/8/2006
 

Methods to help diagnose lameness.

Methods to Help Diagnose Lameness

Observe the horse at rest.
The stance position can indicate where lameness is. Watch for the horse doing any of the following:

  • Pointing of the front foot indicates pain in the limb, usually in the heel area.
  • Pushing back with weight on heels indicates pain in the toe area.
  • Hind limbs cramped under the body if both front legs are affected.
  • Shifting of weight from one leg to another if both front and hind feet are affected.

Observe the horse in motion.
Note that gait and how the horse carries its head. Observe the horse walking and trotting directly away from and towards you, as well as from the side.
  • Lame in one FRONT leg
    - Head nods or sinks as the sound leg strikes the ground.
    - Head raises sharply as the animal flinches when the lame leg strikes the ground.
  • Lame in one HIND leg
    - Hip sinks as the sound leg strikes the ground.
    - Hip raises sharply as the unsound or lame leg strikes the ground.
  • Lame in both FRONT legs
    - Stiff, stilted action (pottery gait)
    - Short stride
    - Appears stiff in the shoulders
    - Head is carried high without nodding
    - Hind feet carried further under the body
  • Lame in both HIND legs
    - Short stride
    - Awkward gait
    - Lowered head
    - Front feet raised higher than rear feet
    - Difficult or impossible to back

Note the progession of lameness.
You may want to lunge the horse in both directions to pbserve this.
  • Warms out (progressively sounder) - may indicate navicular, arthritis, bursitis and so on.
  • Progressively becomes lamer with use - may indicate tendons, ligaments and so on.

Examine the leg closely.
Use palpations and manipulation of joints
  • Start with the foot. Clean it out and check it. Progress upward.
  • Compare suspected limb and foot with sound one(s).
  • Look and palpate for:
    - Cracks in the hoof or coronet or in the cleft of the frog
    - Wounds
    - Swelling
    - Pain
    - Heat
    - Irregular Pulse

    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.