How to Identify Lameness in a Horse

Lameness in horses can be relatively harmless, as in a case where a horse has been recently shod, or severe, as in a case of founder. Recognizing when a horse isn't moving as he usually does is important in diagnosing lameness.

Instructions

  1. Recognize Lameness

    • 1

      Keep hooves clean. By picking out the hoof on a regular basis, you can insure that no rocks or other objects have wedged themselves in the frog. This will also keep manure and mud from keeping the sole of the foot too soft. By picking them regularly, you'll notice cracks, bruises, overgrown hooves or thrush.

    • 2

      Spot lameness in the front legs while the horse is walking or trotting. You'll notice the horse bobs its head as it walks along.

    • 3

      Spot lameness in the back legs while the horse is walking or trotting. Much like a human limp, the horse will favor the strong leg by supporting more weight with it. He will likely dip down more than usual on the healthy leg as he bears more weight on it.

    Treat Lameness

    • 4

      Give the horse some time off. He may have injured the sole of his foot when stepping down on a rock or other hard object. He'll just need a little time to get better.

    • 5

      Call the farrier, as your horse may be outgrowing his shoes. If the shoes are new, they might be a poor fit. The farrier can also help correct poor conformation by trimming his hooves or putting special shoes on him.

    • 6

      Call the vet if the limb is hot or swollen. When the horse is standing still and seems to be putting all his weight on his back legs with his front legs pointing forward, this is a sign of laminitis. Laminitis is relatively common, but must be treated as an emergency.

    Navicular Disease, Laminitis and Founder

    • 7

      Have the vet and farrier work together to correct navicular disease. It is caused by poor conformation and causes damage to the soft tissues in the heel and degeneration of the navicular bone.

    • 8

      Identify laminitis by observing the horse's behavior. He may lean his hindquarters against a fence or stall in order to relieve the pressure on his front feet. He may appear stiff and unwilling to move, or he may constantly shift his weight from foot to foot.

    • 9

      Founder is severe laminitis. It occurs when the pedal bone starts to sink through the sole of the foot. Horses with repeated cases of lameness are more likely to founder. Look for a wider white line on the sole and feel for heat.