Embedded Files
Definitions:
Definitions:
Gait: the way in which an animal moves to relocate (walk, trot, canter, etc.)
Lameness: an alteration in gait, often due to pain (1)
What does this look like?
What does this look like?
Lameness can present in many different ways. The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) developed a scale to determine the degree of lameness a horse may be showing (1):
Lameness can present through different behaviors, including but not limited to (2, 3, 4):
Head nodding
Ears back
Rushing in the gait
Breaking gait (either to go slower or faster)
Stumbling
Rearing
Bucking
Refusal
Why does this happen?
Why does this happen?
Pain/Discomfort
Lameness is mostly caused by some kind of pain, affecting the horse's movement (1, 13, 14).
Sometimes, the issue is a simple overdue hoof trimming. Other times, the problem may be deeper and more difficult to treat.
Body Structure (Conformation)
Not all horses are built the same, and definitely, not all horses have the ideal body structure.
Sometimes, a horse might have been born in a way that prevents it from moving like other horses (5). This is ok as long its quality of life isn't affected.
How can we help?
How can we help?
Poor body condition score has been linked with lameness.
Giving your horse a proper diet is essential to keep the body moving.
Give access to 24/7 forage to encourage gut health and maximize nutrient intake (6, 7, 8, 9)
Horses are designed to travel long distances throughout the day (10, 11), so stall housing goes against their nature.
Being cooped up increases the chances of the horse showing extreme excitement on turnout (galloping, bucking, rearing, etc) (12). Allowing more access to roam and graze will minimize that reaction and thus their risk of injury.
Lameness can be caused by pain in the body, including in the hoof.
When the hoof is overgrown, has laminitis, or something else, it may become sore to walk on, causing lameness (13, 14).
Ensure your horse is on a regular schedule to keep the hooves at the right length and angles.
Because lameness is often a sign of pain, a vet may be needed to evaluate the horse and determine the cause of the pain.
Trained handlers can perform a flexion test to see if the pain is originating from a specific joint on a leg (1).
Diagnostic imaging can be helpful in finding the reason for pain (1, 3).
Following an injury, getting back into training can be difficult. It is important not to rush the process.
Exercise that focuses on working the correct muscles around the injury will be crucial for success (15, 16).
Ground poles and incline/decline walks are great starts!
Poor exercise can also cause lameness when the wrong muscles are being worked (3, 4).
Sources:
Sources:
Lameness exams: Evaluating the lame horse. AAEP. (2022). https://aaep.org/horsehealth/lameness-exams-evaluating-lame-horse
Dyson, S., Berger, J. M., Ellis, A. D., & Mullard, J. (2018, June 19). Behavioral observations and comparisons of nonlame horses and lame horses before and after resolution of lameness by diagnostic analgesia. Journal of Veterinary Behavior. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787818300170
Dyson, S. (2015). Evaluation of poor performance in competition horses: A musculoskeletal perspective. part 1: Clinical assessment. Equine Veterinary Education, 28(5), 284–293. https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.12426
Dyson, S. (2017, March 16). Equine performance and equitation science: Clinical issues. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159117300722?via%3Dihub
Merridale-Punter, M. S., Wiethoelter, A. K., El-Hage, C. M., & Hitchens, P. L. (2022). Prevalence and factors associated with working equid lameness in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Animals, 12(22), 3100. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12223100
Ermers, C., McGilchrist, N., Fenner, K., Wilson, B., & McGreevy, P. (2023). The fibre requirements of horses and the consequences and causes of failure to meet them. Animals, 13(8), 1414. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13081414
Duncan, P. (1980). Time-Budgets of Camargue Horses Ii. Time-Budgets of Adult Horses and Weaned Sub-Adults. Behaviour, 72(1-2), 26-48. https://doi.org/10.1163/156853980X00023
Boyd, L. E., Carbonaro, D. A., & Houpt, K. A. (2003, October 2). The 24-hour time budget of Przewalski Horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0168159188900986
Elia, J. B., Erb, H. N., & Houpt, K. A. (2010, September 24). Motivation for hay: Effects of a pelleted diet on behavior and physiology of horses. Physiology & Behavior. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938410003380
Hampson, B. A., de Laat, M. A., Mills, P. C., & Pollitt, C. C. (2010). Distances travelled by feral horses in 'outback' Australia. Equine veterinary journal. Supplement, (38), 582–586. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00203.x
Boyd, L. E., Carbonaro, D. A., & Houpt, K. A. (2003, October 2). The 24-hour time budget of Przewalski Horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0168159188900986
Freire, R., Buckley, P., & Cooper, J. J. (2009). Effects of different forms of exercise on post inhibitory rebound and unwanted behaviour in stabled horses. Equine veterinary journal, 41(5), 487–492. https://doi.org/10.2746/095777309x383883
Clarke, E. J., Gillen, A., Turlo, A., & Peffers, M. J. (2021). An evaluation of current preventative measures used in equine practice to maintain distal forelimb functionality: A Mini Review. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.758970
Patterson-Kane, J. C., Karikoski, N. P., & McGowan, C. M. (2018). Paradigm shifts in understanding equine laminitis. The Veterinary Journal, 231, 33–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.11.011
Bailey, J., Redpath, A., Hallowell, G., & Bowen, M. (2022, November). An objective study into the effects of an incline on naturally occurring lameness in horses. Veterinary medicine and science. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9677417/
Atalaia, T., Prazeres, J., Abrantes, J., & Clayton, H. M. (2021). Equine rehabilitation: A scoping review of the literature. Animals, 11(6), 1508. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061508
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse