Information on Horse Flexion Tests

You want to be sure that your horse or the horse you are about to buy is healthy. You especially want to know that its legs and joints are in good condition. The flexion test administered by a veterinarian will help you find out if you horse has healthy limbs.

  1. Function

    • A flexion test is a procedure that helps determine if a horse has any problems flexing or moving its limbs. The flexion test is done by taking the horse's leg (one leg at a time), lifting the leg and bending it in specific spots. You may bend the foot, the knee or the shoulder, or some combination of the joints. Once the limb is flexed or bent as far as is comfortable for the horse, it is held in this position for approximately one minute. Once the limb is released, you trot the horse and look for any irregularities in the gait.

    Timing

    • The most common time to have a flexion test performed is when you are contemplating buying a new horse. It is routinely done by a veterinarian to be sure that the horse has no problems in its extremities. The sale is not completed until the results of the test have been formalized.

    History

    • In one way or another, flexion tests have been done on horses since prehistory. If a Roman wanted to buy a horse, he might grab a leg and flex it to make sure that there is no problem with the mobility. The test was formalized in the early 1920s in Sweden. At that time flexion tests were carefully timed, and the results of the test were compared to an X-ray study.

    Considerations

    • A flexion test is not difficult to perform. An experienced horse person, one who is not afraid to grab a leg, can do the test. You must develop the feel of extending the limb without overly stretching it and must standardize for how long you keep it flexed. The real problem is analyzing the results and deciding whether the horse has a problem in its gait after the test is performed. Unless you are very good with horses, a veterinarian should perform the procedure.

    Expert Insight

    • There is a wide variety of opinions as to the value of the flexion test in horses. Many veterinarians, including Dr. Hiltrud Strasser, feel that the test has value if applied correctly. Many other vets and horse lovers and owners, including equestrian and racer Stacey Kimmel-Smith, say the test gives false results as often good ones.