Lameness in Horses
Lameness, or diminished leg and foot function, in horses, should be carefully monitored and treated. Most lameness is temporary, perhaps from a stone in the shoe or hoof sore, and the horse is able to move normally when the irritation is resolved.
Chronic lameness is an indication of deeper problems, and should not be ignored. Sometimes lameness isn’t even noticeable, but you should be sensitive and in-tune with your horse’s behavior and performance to notice any changes. When the horse doesn’t move as evenly, or makes movements that it didn’t before, this is usually an indicator of lameness.
Lameness means the horse is in pain, and thus, it should not be ridden. Examine your horse for any obvious causes of pain and treat accordingly. Sometimes even an ill-fitting saddle can cause pain and temporary lameness, so be cognizant of all equipment and elements. Overeating can sometimes cause inflammation in the front feet, a condition known as laminitis or founder, and the pain from the inflammation can cause lameness.
Oftentimes, depending on the cause of the horses lameness, the animal will have to be put down. To this end owners will do well to ensure that they have adequate equine insurance so that they can recover some of the funds they may hav spent in acquiring and taking care of the animal.
If you can’t find an obvious cause for the pain and lameness, the horse should be examined by a veterinarian immediately, as this can be an indicator of more serious health problems, such as navicular disease, which is the degeneration of the navicular bone in the foot.
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