Lameness

1
Lameness

• 1) level or intensity of work
• 2) conformation and body condition - especially
  with structural defects
• 1 - feet
• 2 - joints
• 3 - muscle
• 3) most prone to lameness
• too young
• too old or worn out
• pervious injury

2

• 4) training routines
• inadequate warm-up and cool-down
• 15-20 min of intensive work
• 5) competition stress
• warning signs
• change in posture
• point foot / off to side
• leaning back or forward
• rest foot on toe

3

• performance clues
• clumsiness, tripping and gait irregularity
• rapid deceleration in turns
• rough up and down transitions
• refusals, uncooperative
• chronically uncomfortable horses
• depression
• appetite loss
• changed resting habits
• difficult in rising after rest

4

• routine check
• soft swelling
• thickening of tendons
• strain
• hard lumps on bones or joint edges
• trama or calcification
• elevated surface temperature/swelling
• strong digital pulse on pastern
• severe inflammation or infection in lower leg
• upper muscle areas
• limited freedom of movement

5

• hoof
• check for heat - toe and heel
• check shape and size
• flares, dished toe, contracted heels, unequal
  heels
• check sole for bruises
• old bruises - painless
• angle of bars - corn - internal tearing from
  uneven forces
• check for abnormal wear patterns
• chronic low level pain from shifting weight
• feet growing differently/ trimmed or set wrong

6

• subtle signs of approaching lameness
• check for sensitivity in neck, withers, shoulders
• abnormal enlargements (swelling) and hollows
  (atrophy) in muscle mass
• check back
• press on the croup
• 2/3 way from sacroiliac to tailhead
• anything abnormal on one side and not the other
• decreased performance sidedness
• attitude
• new pattern of movement

7
Treatment

• rest
• stop repeating painful activity
• minimize destructive forces
• avoid excessive painkillers

8
Preventative Measures

• icing and cold water hosing
• massage
• stable wraps
• topical preparations
• braces - astringents
• poultices
• sweats
• liniments