Very Common
Less Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Lameness, Conditions Causing, Generally
Summary
There are thousands of potential causes of equine lameness. Start with a limb with dozens of bones, many joints and even more joint pouches and capsules, tendons, tendon sheaths, check ligaments, sesamoids, bursae, muscles, ligaments, nerves and vessels.
Add to that a unique, intricate and dynamic live hoof. Mechanically, consider the dozens of levers, pulleys, and struts that make up this unique biomechanical device. Envision them all interrelated, connected to the spine through tendon and ligament and muscle, and the spine linked to both front and hind limb. Now add the limb, which is enveloped in massive muscle and is extremely difficult to penetrate with our imaging methods.
The equine limb is a miracle of engineering and is very complex.
Lameness as a science is thus very complicated. The practice of lameness evaluation is a lifelong pursuit and is an art as much as a science. Sometimes vets can reach a precise diagnosis, sometimes we cannot. Even when we do, there may be other factors that complicate the situation that we may or may not be aware of.
Add to that a unique, intricate and dynamic live hoof. Mechanically, consider the dozens of levers, pulleys, and struts that make up this unique biomechanical device. Envision them all interrelated, connected to the spine through tendon and ligament and muscle, and the spine linked to both front and hind limb. Now add the limb, which is enveloped in massive muscle and is extremely difficult to penetrate with our imaging methods.
The equine limb is a miracle of engineering and is very complex.
Lameness as a science is thus very complicated. The practice of lameness evaluation is a lifelong pursuit and is an art as much as a science. Sometimes vets can reach a precise diagnosis, sometimes we cannot. Even when we do, there may be other factors that complicate the situation that we may or may not be aware of.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Very Common
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Diagnostic Anesthesia, Nerve Blocks
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Objective Lameness Evaluation, Inertial Sensor System
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Lameness Exam
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History & Physical Exam
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Ultrasound, Generally
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Flexion Exam
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Radiography, X-ray, Affected Area
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Assess Response to Treatment
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Diagnostic Anesthesia, Joint, Tendon Sheath & Bursa Blocks
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Nuclear Scintigraphy, Bone Scan
Less Common
Rare
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
Depends on diagnosis.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
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Lameness, Chronic Front Limb
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Seems Sore in Feet, Especially on Hard Ground or Gravel
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Lameness, Generally
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Lameness, Chronic Hind Limb
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Hindquarters Seem to Fall Away or Collapse while Ridden
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Hesitant to Walk on Hard Surfaces
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Lameness, Sudden Onset Under Saddle
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Foal Lameness, 1-6 Months Old
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Single Lump or Swelling on Lower Limb or Leg
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Lameness, Recent Front Limb
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High Nail on Hoof Wall
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Lameness, Severe, Cannot Support Weight on Limb
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Lameness, Recent Hind Limb
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Bobbing Head when Trotting or at Gait
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Resists Raising, Lifting, or Bending a Limb
Less Common
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Disjointed Feeling Under Saddle
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Short-Strided in One or Both Hind Limbs
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Leads, Trouble Maintaining or Changing
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Kicks Out with a Hind Limb Under Saddle
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Difficulty Advancing Front Limb or Leg
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Carpus (Knee) Swollen
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Choppy or Short Gait, Short-Strided
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Worsening Attitude or Performance Under Saddle
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Shifting Weight from Limb to Limb, Treading
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Suddenly Stops or Resists Moving Forward Under Saddle
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Not Engaging or Collecting, Lacks Impulsion
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Limbs Seem Rigid or Stiff
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Will Not Stand for Farrier, Will Not Hold Leg Up for Long
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Will Not Stop or Roll Back Well
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Rushes through Maneuvers or around Obstacles
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Excessively Flexed, Upright Through Fetlock. Cocked Ankle (in Adult)
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Hind Hoof Slaps Down to Ground at Front Extent of Stride
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Dropped Elbow, Cannot Support Weight
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Winging In, Front Hoof Swings Inward Toward other Limb
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Hard Bump on Inside of Lower Hock
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Swelling of Multiple Lower Limbs or Legs
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Abnormal Foot or Limb Placement, at Rest
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Reduced Racing Performance
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Foal Lameness, Under 1 Month Old
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Lame with Snow, Ice or Mud Packed into Soles
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Handler Cannot Pick Up Foot, or Horse Pulls Foot Away
Rare
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Saw-Horse Stance, Hind Limbs Under & Front Limbs Forward
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Back Sore, Dips Away from Pressure with Hands
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Splints or Braces Against Pressure from Hands
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Stumbling, Seems Uncoordinated Under Saddle
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Loss of Muscle Mass, Generalized, on Top-line or Back
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Lame or Sore after Farrier Visit
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Bucking
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Resistance to Mounting
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Hind Limb and/ or Hoof Swings Outward at Walk or Trot
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Hind Hooves, Toes Worn Off or Toe Dragging
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Resists Moving Forward Under Saddle, Lazy
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Saddle Slips during Work
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Can't Seem to Move or Bend Hind Limb, Seems Locked
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Obvious Stumbling or Tripping, Even when Not Under Saddle
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Opposite Hooves Seem Different Angles, Shapes or Sizes
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Considering Horse For Purchase
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Foal or Newborn, Fetlock(s) Excessively Upright or Rolling Forward, Cocked Ankles
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Hind-End Leans or Falls to One Side, One Hind Limb Seems Weak
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Crab Walking or Uneven Tracking
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Scar on Coronet, Hairline of Hoof
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Hind Limb Bows Outward at Hock When Walking
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Cannot Seem to Get Up, Lying Down, Seems Aware
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Drags in Hand, Won't Lead Up
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Irritability, Moodiness, or Aggression Toward People
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Hypersensitive to Touch, Generally
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Accident, Horse Trapped in Trailer
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Black, Smelly & Pasty Material in Sole or Frog, Thrush
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Rough Gait at the Trot
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Abnormally Deep Cleft Between Heel Bulbs, Deep Central Groove of Frog
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Resting One Hind Limb, One Limb Cocked
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Front Limbs Spread, Wide Stance
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
Outside Resources
CREDIBLE EQUINE HEALTH INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET
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AAEP - Understanding Lameness
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The Horse.com - Horse Health Fact Sheet: Equine Lameness
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ACVS - Lameness in Horses
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Equine Podiatry - Integrating Imaging in Diagnosing Equine Lameness
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AAEP - Lameness & Performance in the Sport Horse: Dressage
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AAEP - Lameness & Performance in the Sport Horse: Show Jumping
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AAEP - Lameness & Poor Performance in the Sport Horse: Eventing
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AAEP - Lameness Exams: Evaluating the Lame Horse
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AAEP - Is He Lame or Is He Neurologic
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AAEP - Applying Acupuncture to Lameness in the Horse