Lameness in Horses: Recognise, Treat and Prevent Pain

The saying ‘no foot no horse’ highlights the crucial role of a healthy hoof in a horse’s soundness, but lameness can stem from anywhere below the knee or hock. Understanding the causes, signs, and management of lameness helps owners maintain their horse’s wellbeing and performance.

How to Spot Lameness in Your Horse

Lameness in horses ranges from obvious to subtle, with possible fluctuations leading to intermittent symptoms. Observation combined with hands-on examination is key.

1. Visual Inspection: Look for wounds, swelling, or lumps on legs and feet. Note any asymmetry or abnormal stance.
2. Physical Palpation: Feel legs and hooves for heat, pain, swelling, or digital pulse elevation, which can indicate inflammation especially in the hoof capsule.
3. Clinical Signs: Signs include reluctance to bear weight, uneven gait, shortened stride, or a laminitic stance where the horse shifts weight unusually. Some horses mask pain, so vigilance is essential.
4. Consider Common Conditions: For example, a severe hoof abscess can cause intense, sudden lameness similar to fracture but improves rapidly after drainage. Avoid premature conclusions.

Trotting Up: Examining Gait and Movement

After initial checks, if the horse is willing, a trot up on a level, firm surface such as concrete or road is performed. This helps reveal irregularities of gait and limb loading.

1. Walk the horse out, turn, and walk back to observe natural movement.
2. Trot the horse away and back, repeating as needed. Experienced eyes look for uneven weight bearing, shortened stride, or limb favouring.
3. Observe movement on tight circles or while lunging on different surfaces (hard and soft) to elicit subtle or intermittent lameness.
4. Note that multiple limbs can be affected simultaneously, complicating assessment.

When to Call Your Vet

Some lameness issues can be addressed by knowledgeable owners, while others require veterinary diagnosis and treatment.

• Minor conditions like hoof abscesses can be managed with poulticing, shoe removal by a farrier, and careful monitoring.
• Minor knocks may respond to rest, cold hosing, bandaging, and anti-inflammatory medicines.
• However, if lameness is persistent, worsening, or the cause unclear, a vet’s involvement is critical for accurate diagnosis to prevent further harm.
• Improper management without diagnosis, such as premature turnout or continued work on a delicate tendon injury, may cause serious complications.

Veterinary examination includes detailed history, repeat visual and palpation checks, and trot up. Where uncertainty remains, the vet may prescribe a trial of rest and anti-inflammatory medication to gauge improvement.

Advanced Clinical Investigations

If lameness continues after rest or diagnosis is unclear, referral to a veterinary clinic for a lameness work-up is advised. These clinics are equipped with:

• Concrete walkways and lunging arenas with various surfaces
• Advanced imaging: X-rays and MRI scans
• Nerve blocking techniques to localise pain

Nerve Blocking: Administration of local anaesthetic to specific joints or areas helps pinpoint the affected site by observing improved gait after blocking.

Imaging: X-rays may reveal arthritis or bone abnormalities but must be interpreted with clinical signs. MRI can detect soft tissue and subtle joint lesions otherwise invisible.

Treatment of Lameness

Treatment depends wholly on the underlying cause diagnosed. Pain relief is often required alongside specific therapies:

• Anti-inflammatories to reduce pain and swelling
• Rest and controlled exercise programmes
• Farriery adjustments for hoof imbalances
• Veterinary interventions such as joint injections or surgery when needed

Early diagnosis promotes better prognosis and can prevent progression to chronic issues.

Preventing Lameness: Responsible Horse Ownership

While some lameness cases are unavoidable, preventative care can minimise risks:

• Ensure horses are physically fit for their intended workload and follow gradual conditioning programmes after breaks or holidays.
• Provide varied terrain for exercise to strengthen different muscle and joint groups safely.
• Regularly pick out feet and inspect legs for cuts, swelling, or heat.
• Partner with a knowledgeable farrier to maintain appropriate shoeing tailored to foot conformation and activity type.
• Avoid excessive work on unsuitable surfaces such as hard roads or deep mud which stress joints and soft tissues.
• Maintain excellent hygiene in stabling and turnout areas.
• Learn to recognise subtle behavioural changes and seek advice promptly rather than ignoring early signs.

Responsible horse care includes preventive strategies and understanding when veterinary intervention is warranted to keep your horse sound and comfortable.

For more information on horse care and welfare, visit the horses for sale page to find suitable breeds or resources.