How to tell if your horse is experiencing lameness.

Understanding why and even if your horse is lame can be as confusing as
understanding the mechanics of your vehicle when you’re not a mechanic. Fortunately, with your car or truck you can hire a mechanic to fix the problem; usually by replacing or repairing the parts. Lameness in your horse is much more complicated than that because we can’t replace the parts, repairing is often difficult and even more difficult is figuring out what’s wrong in the first place - and
sometimes we blame the horse’s behavior’s when it’s really a lameness or painissue.

There is definitely a difference between a sound horse and a lame horse, but often it is difficult to make that determination – especially if we’re competing on that horse, we’re unable to gain the insight we might be able to if we’re on the ground watching that horse work.

When we apply the term “soundness” to a horse we’re saying that within the musculoskeletal system, all the bones and joints are in correct alignment and function as intended. Whether the horse is in motion or standing still, there is equal distribution of weight, equal bone pressure, and equal strain
on all supporting ligaments, tendons and muscles at any given time. A horse is not considered sound when there is any discomfort (pain), injury or a conformation defect causing them the inability to perform at the level for which they are intended. This also includes the muscles within the back which are often disregarded but can have long term effects.

Here are some of the simple indicators you can use to determine your horse’s
soundness:

Change in your horse’s behavior such as bucking, rearing , humping, bolting,not stopping as hard or as straight as it used to, heavy on the forehand or dropping its shoulder in a turn may all be signs that your horse is experiencing soundness issues.After eliminating saddle fit as a cause, these behaviors are often reactions to pain. As a generalized presumption; bucking and rearing are often considered a behavior problem but as responsible horse owners we must ask the question “Is this a pain related behavior?”
Trying to push them past these behaviors because we think they’re just “acting up” can cause the lameness to worsen. Without a proper diagnosis and continued use of the horse by trying to modify or control the behavior through the use of drugs, harsher bits, spurs, a riding crop or “getting after the horse” you increase the chances of the issue worsening. And not only can the pain increase and injury worsen but the behavior may become a psychological one.In any of these occurrences, have your horse looked at. When you’re not feeling well or you have an injury, how would you react to someone telling you to “do it anyway”?

A change in performance level is anotherstrong indicator that something may be bothering your horse. If you’re a barrel racer and your horse all of a sudden doesn’t get in the ground or starts turning too wide, when in the past she had always been successful on her turns, there’s likely a physical reason for it. Possible stifle soreness that won’t allow her to get far enough under her could be the reason, or soreness in the hocks. Either of these can be serious and should be addressed immediately before they worsen.

If you’re a jumper and your horse always clears 120, but after the second day of a four or five day show starts knocking rails, you may have an issue with soreness orfitness level. Repetitive movement can take its toll on any athlete, and fitness
level or endurance is important to maintain the level of performance. After eliminating any injuries or pain, increasing the horse’s endurance level may be the answer.  You won’t know this until you’ve eliminated other physical ailments, but increasing your athlete’s overall fitness level can improve
your results during competition.

Paying close attention to your horse’s gait can also give you some indication there’s a problem. Have someone walk and trot your horse down a long smooth surface like a barn alleyway and watch for things like:

Compensating – does your horse look as though there’s some compensatory movement? A right hock issue may cause shortness in the left front. Compensating this way is a common issue in horses.

Load Bearing – is your horse leaving one leg on the ground longer than the others? When we as people have a sore lower limb, we limp. The same is true for a horse and a vet can help you make this determination.

Having a qualified veterinarian perform a flexion test (lameness exam)of the upper and lower limbs on a long straight hard surface may provide some answers. These tests are often money well spent as they are often key to determining the problem.

As the owner of a rehabilitation and training centre for horses, I see many issues come through the door and the most successful rehabilitation happens when the injury is accurately diagnosed and a suitable program is created that will enable healing. Stall rest may be the best answer in some cases, but often slow controlled movement without the weight of a rider that gradually increases over time can build the strength in supporting tissue around the injury or weak area and resolve the issue and prevent it from becoming worse.
It can be difficult for the horse owner to see an issue, but paying attention to behavior, performance and gait changes are a good start indetermining if there is something going on with your equine athlete. Being proactive in making the determination can also save you money and time; aswell as your horse’s health.