Lameness in Your Horse

Lameness in a horse is one of the most common health problems seen in horses. Two of the most common causes of horse lameness are called laminitis (inflammation of the laminae of the foot) and navicular syndrome (inflammation or degeneration of the navicular bone or its surrounding tissue). By learning about these conditions you can catch them earlier and therefore prevent further damage.

When dealing with lameness in a horse, you have to be observant. Often horse lameness is temporary and goes away with just rest. Other times the lameness can be quite severe and further veterinary care is needed.

Lameness is often seen when the horse is trotting. If your horse is lame, you will notice a different gait to the horse. There are several signs to watch out for when dealing with a suspected lame horse.

Signs of lameness include - trotting unevenly, a reluctance to bear weight on a leg, throwing the head when trotting, and a reluctance to move.

If you notice any of these signs you should contact your veterinarian immediately, and don't ride your horse. While you may be able to tell which leg is affecting the horse, the veterinarian can identify the exact location that is causing the problem.

The veterinarian will most likely start the examination with observing the horse trotting. After that he (or she) will usually start at the foot of the lame leg and work his way up the leg to pinpoint the location of the pain.

When looking at the feet, they look for many possible causes of lameness. It could be as simple as an incorrect shoe, or more complicated such as navicular syndrome or laminitis.

They will feel the hoof for any signs of heat, pain or swelling. Also, uneven wear on the hoof is another sign that there is a problem.

As they work their way up the leg, they feel for any areas of heat or swelling. They also palpate the tendon and joint areas for any signs of pain.

The two most common sources of lameness originate in the foot. Laminitis is an inflammation of the hoof wall, usually caused by an improper diet or an infection. A diet too high in grain can cause laminitis as can a diet of grass under stress (grass becomes stressed when it is over gazed or when it has insufficient moisture such as in times of drought). Also, an infection somewhere else on the horse's body could cause laminitis to develop in the foot.

Navicular syndrome, the other most common cause of lameness in horses, also affects the foot. The navicular bone is located at the back of the foot and is an area of tendon and ligament attachment. Being an area where a lot of motion happens, even the slightest inflammation can cause the horse to be lame.

By knowing what signs to look for in your horse you'll be able to detect lameness early. The best treatment is always prevention. By feeding your horse a nutritious diet and seeing a farrier and vet on a regular basis you can prevent most forms of horse lameness.

Until next time,

Teia