Lameness (equine)

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Lameness in horses and other equidae is a term used to refer to any number of conditions where the animal fails to travel in a regular and sound manner on all four feet. There are many causes of lameness, but they can be broadly grouped into the following categories:
  • Laminitis or other inflammatory diseases of the hoof
  • Injury to bone, muscle, tendons or ligaments, ranging from pulled muscles to broken bones.
  • Complications of inflammation or stocking up related to overwork
  • Injury induced by compensation for strain or pain in other parts of the body, particularly the back
  • Neurological disorders, such as Wobbler's syndrome
  • Swelling and inflammation linked to infection, such as cellulitis or thrush.
  • Hoof problems, including injury, disease and poor farrier work
  • Diseases affecting connective tissue, such as Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis and HYPP
  • Conformation defect leading to stress or injury, such as cow-hocked or sickle-hocked conformation.

    • Diagnosing and treating lameness

    Lameness severity is evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5, with higher numbers indicating a more significant degree of impairment. A 1 rating suggests a horse with a minor gait defecit, a 5 is "broken-legged" lame, indicating that the horse will not put weight on the affected leg. Initial assessment may include a visual check for outward injuries such as cuts or swelling, observation of a horse as it travels at different gaits, particularly the walk and trot. Flexion tests may also be performed, and hooves will be checked for signs of injury. In some cases radiographs may be taken. Treatment varies depending on the condition diagnosed, but at a minimum includes rest, appropriate medication and other supportive therapies. Consultation with a veterinarian is generally recommended, even for mild cases, as some types of mild lameness may worsen if not properly diagnosed and treated.

    Types of lameness

    There are dozens of different types of lameness in horses. In addition, many conditions sometimes, though not always, have lameness as a symptom. Finally, there are a number of permanent blemishes that indicate that a horse has been lame in the past or has been subjected to strain that may lead to lameness in the future. These assorted conditions include:
  • Bog spavin
  • Bone spavin
  • Bowed tendon
  • Curb
  • Laminitis
  • Navicular Disease
  • Osselets
  • {Ringbone]
  • Sesamoiditis
  • Sidebone
  • Splints, usually a blemish after the acute period
  • Stringhalt
  • Windpuffs
    • Conditions of the leg that are purely blemishes and are not linked to lameness include:
  • Shoe boil


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