Your horse’s soundness matters no matter whether you ride for competition or pleasure. Unfortunately, lameness is a frustrating issue equines and their owners can face. Our equine veterinarian at Cedarbrook Veterinary Care understands how disruptive lameness can be, which is why we provide advanced diagnostics, treatment, and ongoing rehabilitation to help your horse get back on track. This blog article will cover how to recognize the signs of equine lameness and how it’s treated.
What Causes Lameness in Horses?
Equine lameness refers to an abnormal gait or stance caused by pain, mechanical dysfunction, or neurological issues. Lameness may appear suddenly after trauma or develop gradually due to overuse or underlying conditions. Lameness can affect any part of the limb, from the hoof to the shoulder, and often requires thorough investigation to diagnose accurately. Some of the more common causes of equine lameness include:
- Hoof Problems: Abscesses, bruises, laminitis, and poor trimming can all lead to altered movement.
- Joint Issues: Arthritis, joint inflammation, or bone chips can cause intermittent or progressive lameness.
- Tendon or Ligament Injuries: Strains and tears are especially common in performance horses.
- Muscle or Nerve Damage: Less obvious at first, these issues can affect coordination and cause chronic gait abnormalities.
- Conformational Defects or Poor Saddle Fit: Structural imbalances can lead to compensatory stress and pain.
How Will I Know if My Horse is Lame?
Catching lameness early often leads to better treatment outcomes. Signs may be subtle, especially in the early stages, but indicators of equine lameness include:
- A noticeable limp or favoring of one leg
- Uneven stride
- “Head bobbing” or “head nodding” at the trot
- Reluctance to move forward or perform usual tasks
- Swelling or heat in joints or limbs
- Shortened steps or stiffness after rest
- Behavioral changes under saddle
If you notice any of these signs, schedule a lameness evaluation with an equine veterinarian before the condition worsens.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Equine Lameness
A horse lameness consultation with an equine veterinarian, especially with a new vet, will likely start with a detailed history. The vet will want to understand your horse’s workload, living conditions, and health history. They will perform a physical exam on your horse to assess movement, response to flexion, and palpate potentially affected areas.
Diagnostic nerve and joint blocks may be suggested in some cases to localize the source of pain by temporarily numbing specific areas. When further insight is needed, the vet will perform equine radiographs, ultrasound, or other imaging techniques.
Once a diagnosis of lameness is made, your horse’s veterinarian will discuss treatment options. Lameness treatments may require medication, joint injections, surgery, acupuncture, or targeted exercise programs. Most lame equines benefit from rehabilitation therapies alongside other treatments. With this progressive approach, many horses heal well from their lameness.
Treating Equine Lameness in Snohomish, WA
Lameness doesn’t have to be the end of your horse’s performance or comfort. Cedarbrook Veterinary Care diagnoses and treats equine lameness in horses from Snohomish, Monroe, Woodinville, Duvall, and neighboring Washington areas. Concerned your horse might be lame or not performing at their best? Schedule an equine lameness evaluation with Cedarbrook Veterinary Care.