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Equine Lameness · Lameness signs & symptoms · Lameness diagnosis · Lameness treatment · Lameness related articles
Because horse lameness has so many potential causes, and because it is influenced by conformation, nutrition, and activity, it can be hard to diagnose properly. Normally, veterinarians begin by asking questions:
- How old is the horse?
- What is the horse used for?
- How long has the horse been lame?
- What was the horse doing when the lameness began?
- Has the lameness gotten worse or better?
- Is the horse on any medications?
- How and when was the horse shod?
- Has the horse been ill or have any horses in the barn been ill?
- What vaccinations has the horse had?
With this information the veterinarian can perform a physical exam and look for heat, swelling, pain, and throbbing pulses. Your horse may be asked to lunge at a walk, trot, and cantor. Your horse will be examined traveling in a straight line and in a circle. The veterinarian will test for hoof pain, and palpate the joints, spine, and muscles. If the problem is not obvious, the veterinarian may block the nerves. Lameness exams can include different forms of diagnostic imaging: X-rays, ultrasounds, thermal imaging, MRI and CT scans. The X-rays outline bones and identity bone chips, but are not useful for diagnosing soft tissue injuries. Ultrasound identifies soft tissue injuries but does not help diagnosing bone problems. MRI shows joint surfaces and soft tissues, such as tendons and ligaments. Thermal imaging identifies areas of inflammation. CT scans show all tissues, including bone.
Husbandry and vaccine practices that decrease illness help prevent lameness. For example, provide about 1 lb of forage per 100 lbs body weight per day. Make changes in feed gradually over 2-3 weeks. Limit sweetfeeds. Supplement with vegetable oil (corn, canola, or soy) at the rate of 1/8 to 1 cup once or twice a day to provide energy rather than using sweetfeeds for energy. Store grain in containers that horses cannot access. Have the teeth floated to keep them aligned normally. Prevent repetitive motion, including stall weaving. Have an exercise routine with time for adequate warm up and cool down. Don’t exercise a horse too strenuously one day a week with no exercise the other 6 days. Climb into the saddle without pulling with all your weight against the saddle horn. These will all help prevent lameness in your horse.
Vaccines to prevent horse lameness: Vaccines can help prevent illnesses leading to lameness caused by loss of balance (ataxia) or stiff limbs. For example, vaccinate to help prevent infection from the herpes virus that causes rhinopneumonitis (rhino). Vaccinate with West Nile Virus Innovator to help prevent infection from West Nile Virus (WNV). Use tetanus toxoid and antitoxin vaccines.
Fly Repellents to prevent horse lameness:: Protect your horse from disease-carrying flying insects such as horn flies, stable flies, house flies, gnats, and mosquitoes. Use fly spray and ointment, such as and Flys-Off Repellent Ointment.
Hoof Supplements to prevent horse lameness:: Strengthen hooves by supplementing with products recognized as beneficial. For example, Horseshoer’s Secret, which contains biotin, zinc, copper, complete proteins, and Omega 3 fatty acids, is endorsed by the American Farrier’s Association. Missing Link Equine is also an excellent supplement and is high in Omega 3 fatty acids.
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Chondroprotectives to prevent horse lameness:: Chondroprotective supplements support normal joint cartilage and joint (synovial) fluid. Research with racehorses has shown that those on chondroprotectives before injury have less severe joint injuries than those not on chondroprotectives. Joints that allow the greatest movement and suffer the greatest concussive forces are most likely to develop pain, swelling, arthritis. In a horse, these are the joints below the carpus and hock because that is where most concussive forces are dissipated. These joints are protected with a cartilage layer over the ends of the bones, a fibrous capsule that encloses the joint and holds in joint fluid. Joint fluid (synovial fluid) keeps bones lubricated and limits concussive force. Synovial fluid is made within the joint by cells lining the inner capsule, the synoviocytes. Synovial fluid is rather like sewing machine oil—very light yet able to dissipate pressure and heat. There is no blood within the joint.
Glucosamine and chondroitin found in joint supplements help build normal, resilient cartilage that absorbs shock like a mattress. Glucosamine and chondroitin help synoviocytes secrete thick, slick synovial fluid. Joint supplements are available as prescription injectable medications and over-the-counter oral supplements. Adequan (Rx) and Legend (Rx) are injectable. Cosequin Equine Powder Concentrate and Synovi products are over-the-counter oral supplements.
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The articles here were answered by a variety of pharmacists and veterinarians
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