Vet’s 2025 Guide to Lameness in Horses – by Dr Duncan Houston 🐎
In this article
🏇 Vet’s 2025 Guide to Lameness in Horses
By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc
1. What Is Lameness?
Lameness is an abnormal gait or stance caused by pain, mechanical dysfunction, or neurologic issues affecting the limbs, neck, back, or trunk. It’s the leading cause of performance loss in horses :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
2. How to Spot It
- Look for head nods, shortened stride (“hip hike”), reluctance to bear weight or move forward :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
- Observe at walk, trot, and canter on both hard and soft surfaces :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
3. Common Causes
- Musculoskeletal pain: tendon, ligament, joint, bone
- Trauma: fractures, soft tissue injuries
- Infection: abscesses or joint infections :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
- Mechanical issues: hoof imbalance, conformational abnormalities :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
- Neurologic: Wobbler, EPM, stringhalt :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
4. The Lameness Exam Step‑by‑Step
- Medical history: onset, severity, response to rest/NSAIDs :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
- Standing exam: palpate joints/tendons, hoop-tester hoof pressures, look for swelling :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
- Motion evaluation: in-hand and lunged on multiple surfaces :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
- Flexion tests: stress joint or soft-tissue to localize pain :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
- Diagnostic nerve/joint blocks: confirm lameness source.
- Imaging: radiographs, ultrasound, MRI, scintigraphy as needed.
5. Treatment Modalities
- Rest & rehab: stall rest, hand-walking, physiotherapy :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
- NSAIDs: reduce pain and inflammation.
- Corrective shoeing/trimming: rebalance forces, manage hoof-related problems :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
- Joint therapies: injections (steroids, lubrication), shockwave, bisphosphonates for bone spavin :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
- Soft tissue treatments: tendon splits, ligament desmotomies, neurectomies :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
- Surgery: fracture repair, arthrodesis for joint fusion.
6. Rehabilitation & Return to Work
Rehab is tailored—start gradual walk, progress to trot, strengthen musculature and proprioception, reimage as needed. Long-term exercise supports healing and prevents re-injury :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
7. Prevention Strategies
- Regular vet/farrier checks and balanced trimming.
- Correct fitting tack and consistent conditioning.
- Safe environments to reduce trauma risks.
- Proactive joint care—supplements, early therapy.
8. Ask A Vet Integration 🩺
Through Ask A Vet you receive:
- Remote gait analysis via video for early referral decisions.
- Support with hoof test feedback, flexion findings, and pain scoring.
- Guided rehab programs, physiotherapy exercises, and timeline tracking.
- Monitoring of treatment effectiveness—pain scores, performance goals.
Download the Ask A Vet app today to prevent, diagnose, and recover from lameness with expert support—keeping your horse sound and strong in 2025 and beyond! ❤️
9. Summary Table
| Aspect | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Causes | Pain, mechanical, neurological |
| Signs | Head nod, shortened stride, weight shift |
| Exam | Palpation, motion, flexions, blocks, imaging |
| Treatment | Rest, meds, shoeing, injections, surgery |
| Rehab | Gradual return, strength training, monitoring |
| Prevention | Fit tack, trim feet, safe work, early care |
10. Final Thoughts
Lameness is a complex, multi‑factorial challenge, but with a structured exam, accurate diagnosis, and individualized care, many horses return to full function. Combining field veterinary expertise with Ask A Vet’s telehealth tools ensures timely intervention, effective rehab, and proactive management—promising soundness and performance longevity in 2025 and beyond. 🏇❤️
