[ 36 horseillustrated.com|october 2019 ]
often come up with a treatment plan that is
most likely to result in a horse that is lame-
ness-free (and as soon as possible).
But it’s more than that. Knowing “exactly”
what the problem is a powerful and important
psychological motivator. Knowing what’s going
on with a horse gives a sense of control to an
emotionally unsettling situation. The horse has a
problem, but with knowledge, veterinarians and
owners become empowered to do something.Trying to define the precise reason for
a horse’s lameness is a good goal, but
unfortunately, it’s one that’s not always
possible. In spite of careful observations and
extensive diagnostic work, and even with the
advances in diagnostics and therapeutics that
have occurred over the past several decades—
ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, scintigraphy, et
cetera—there are still lame horses that defy an
accurate diagnosis.
There are also those that in spite of a precise
diagnosis don’t respond well to treatment.
What’s an owner to do? We’ll break down a
lameness exam and go step-by-step through
the procedure and the costs.Cost LeveL 1:
tHe PHYsICAL eXAM
Initially, the horse is examined from a distance
for things like how he holds his leg(s), abnormal
bumps or swellings, his attitude, and other hints
that might indicate the source of the problem.
Next, the horse is usually examined up close.
The leg is poked, bent, hoof-tested, prodded,
moved, et cetera, in a variety of ways to see
if there’s a response that might indicate pain
(with emphasis on the “might”).
Many times—probably more than 50 percent
of the time—careful examination is all that’s
needed in order to determine the source of
the lameness, or at least to give a good idea if
there’s a serious problem.First steps include having the leg examined, hoof-tested, et cetera.
About 50 percent of the time, the cause of lameness can be
detected at this step.
gina cioliYour vet
will want to
watch the
horse move,
either on
the longe
or under
saddle.
konstantin tronin/shutterstock