LAMENESS.
ABOVE: ACCORDING TO RESEARCH, HORSES CARRY 60-65% OF THEIR WEIGHT ON THEIR FORELEGS.
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LAMENESS CAN LIMIT THE DRESSAGE HORSE’S POTENTIAL OR END A CAREER, SO EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE TREATMENT IS VITAL. A COMBINATION OF THE LATEST TECHNIQUES AND AN EXPERIENCED EYE CAN SHOW THE WAY FORWARD, REPORTS BARBARA YOUNG.
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efined as any alteration of the horse’s gait, minor lameness can manifest in many ways, including change in attitude and loss of performance. While these abnormalities can be caused by pain and discomfort in the neck, withers, shoulders, back, hips, legs or feet, a vet evaluation can keep potentially small problems from becoming big ones. According to research, horses carry 6065% of their body weight on their forelegs, (the site of most common lamenesses with 90% in or below the knee) with 80% of hind limb injuries occurring in the stifle and hock. If your vet has cause for concern based on initial examination, they may recommend further tests, including diagnostic nerve or joint blocks, radiographs, nuclear scanning, ultrasound, arthroscopy or examination of 12 // Issue 6 2021 // BRITISH DRESSAGE
blood, synovial fluid and tissue samples. More recently, vets’ toolboxes have expanded to include new technology, including gait analysis and stem cell treatment. According to Robert Oulton, senior veterinary surgeon at Scott Dunn’s Equine Clinic and support team vet for the British Equestrian Federation Podium Potential squads, the first step for diagnosis of lameness involves taking a thorough history on the individual horse from the rider.
VARIOUS GAIT ANALYSIS SYSTEMS ARE BEGINNING TO BE USED TO ASSIST WITH LAMENESS.
He points out that questions such as ‘When were problems noted? What was the horse doing at the time? What does the horse find difficult to do typically in work?’ and ‘Has the horse had any issues or treatments in the past?’ can all help build a picture of which potential issues could be at play. “This is followed by a thorough clinical examination, evaluating the horse’s musculature, limb placement, posture and general conformation. Palpation of limbs (tendons, joints), palpation of musculature for areas of tightness or tenderness, and evaluation of static foot balance can provide important clues. “After this, the horse is evaluated in a straight line in walk and trot and flexion of each limb is performed. The horse is assessed to ascertain how it responds to passive flexion and how a brief period of holding the limb in
