Signs and Symptoms of Lameness in Horses

Lameness in horses usually refers to an issue in the foot or leg. While lameness itself is not a disease, it is usually a manifestation of pain caused by some other health problem including degeneration, infection or trauma. Horses that experience lameness will almost always display signs and symptoms that help experienced horse owners and veterinarians pinpoint the problem and eventually resolve the issue.

  1. What Is Lameness?

    • Lameness is defined by a change in the stance, gait or movement of a horse due to some sort of dysfunction in the legs, back or neck. Lameness itself is not a disease, but rather a manifestation of pain from another health issue. Some of the most common causes of lameness in horses include degenerative diseases, metabolic issues, infections, inflammations and trauma.

    Visible Symptoms

    • Sometimes when a horse is lame, there will be clear and visible evidence. Lameness may cause swelling, a reduction in tissue, fluid buildup or a lump. Examine the legs for symmetry. If the parts of two different legs that are normally similar appear different, the asymmetry may indicate lameness. When a lame horse is in motion, the animal's gait will be visibly affected. Depending on when the lame leg is on or off the ground, the horse's head will bob up or down much more so than is normal in a sound animal. Short, stiff strides or a horse that constantly stumbles, both indicate lameness.

    Checking for Subtle Signs of Lameness

    • A horse might not always display obvious symptoms of lameness. Other signs include heat in the lame leg or a change in texture under the skin. Additionally, heat in the foot may indicate lameness caused by injury or infection. One sign that might not be noticed until a specific spot is probed, is the horse's pain response. If lameness is suspected in the joints, tendons or ligaments, the leg should be taken through its full range of motion. If the horse has a reaction as if in pain, that is a sign of lameness.

    Diseases That Cause Lameness

    • There are some common health issues that cause lameness. Laminitis -- also known as founder -- is a disease that affects the feet, that is extremely painful for the horse. It usually occurs when the horse is allowed to overeat. Navicular disease is another problem that affects the foot that causes the degeneration of a bone in the hoof.