Acute Lameness in Horses

By Valerie Smith, D.V.M.-Animal Clinic of Glasgow

Lameness can be subtle or obvious. It is important to observe your horse closely. Sometimes lameness is so subtle you can’t tell which leg it affected. A good rule of thumb is to remember the “Down-Sound” theory. Which means: A horse will put his head down when walking on his “sound” or “good” leg and pull his head up on his hurt leg.

The most common cause of acute lameness is abscesses or soon to be abscesses, such as puncture wounds to the foot. The hurt foot will be warm. If the other leg isn’t affected it will be cooler. Compare the two, if one is warmer, thoroughly clean the entire foot. Check for foreign bodies, soft spots, or bruising. Your veterinarian can dig out an abscess, remove foreign bodies, or determine if your horse is just bruised if you are not able to do so.

Founder or Laminitis can also cause acute lameness. The causes are overeating of grain, overeating of lush pasture, ingestion of large amounts cold water, hard roadwork, or from a uterine infection, and a few other oddities. The front feet are usually affected acutely, but all four feet can be affected. Most of the time both front feet will be warm due to inflammation of the laminae. If you suspect your horse is foundered call your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Bowed Tendons are hot, painful and swollen. Cold running water or ice should be applied for at least 20 minutes, and then the leg should be wrapped.

Fractures are also a common Problem. If you suspect a fracture call your veterinarian

Some fractures are obvious and some are not. In any case it is not a good not to idea to move the horse until a veterinarian has made an examination.

Navicular Disease can also be a cause of acute lameness; however the disease itself is not acute. The disease is like arthritis, occurring over time when the horse is worked. The lameness can show up at anytime. An X-ray will need to be taken and will aid in determining an accurate diagnosis.

Wounds and Lacerations are common causes of lameness and infection. If a tendon is cut, the leg should be immobilized. If the leg is bleeding profusely, apply a pressure wrap. Clean all wounds. If the wound is fresh, meaning less than 6 hours old, or partially fresh meaning 8-12 hours old it may be able to be sutured. If the wound is older, healing will be by secondary intention or scarring. Hydro-Therapy, which is running cold water from a hose over the affected area for 10 to 20 minutes a day will do wonders in healing wounds. Bandage with sterile bandaging material and use antibiotics if needed.

Always remember to vaccinate against tetanus yearly. All horses get scrapes and minor lacerations. Vaccinating against this disease is good management. Preventing disease is much less expensive than treating a disease. Vaccinations generally will not compromise the health of your horse and disease most certainly will.

There are other causes of acute lameness but these are the most common ones you’ll encounter. In all cases close observation of your horse is essential to determine the cause.

8-11-00

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