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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract / Lameness Evaluation of the Athletic Horse.
The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice2018; 34(2); 181-191; doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2018.04.013

Lameness Evaluation of the Athletic Horse.

Abstract: Lameness examination is commonly performed in the athletic horse. A skilled lameness diagnostician must have keen clinical and observational skills. Evaluation starts with a detailed history and thorough physical examination. Next, gait evaluation in the moving horse is performed. Lame horses have asymmetrical body movement due to unconscious shift of body weight. Recognition of the resultant head nod and pelvic hike is the basis for lameness diagnosis. Lameness identification is enhanced by circling, limb flexions, and riding. Most lame horses do not exhibit pathognomonic gait characteristics, and therefore, diagnostic analgesia is the best way to authenticate underlying sites of pain.
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2018-07-17 PubMed ID: 30007446DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2018.04.013Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article explores the process of diagnosing lameness in athletic horses, the importance of an experienced diagnostician with strong observational skills, and the steps included in the evaluation process.

Lameness Evaluation Process

  • The examination of lameness starts with a detailed collection of the horse’s history and a thorough physical examination. This means the diagnostician collects data about the horse’s physical activities, past injuries or specific actions that might have led to lameness.
  • The next stage involves gait evaluation, where the horse is made to move and its movements are observed for asymmetry or any abnormal behaviour. The distinctive feature of lame horses is their asymmetrical body movement due to a shift of body weight that occurs unconsciously.
  • Additionally, the recognition of a head nod or a pelvic hike in the horse’s movements can further signify lameness. This is vital for the diagnostician to identify any deviation in standard locomotion.

Lameness Identification Strategies

  • The identification of lameness can also be enhanced using circling, limb flexions, and riding, depending on the condition and comfort of the horse.
  • Contrary to regular belief, not all lame horses exhibit explicit (pathognomonic) gait characteristics. Therefore, purely relying on visual gait analysis might not conclude an accurate diagnosis.
  • Instead, diagnostic analgesia, which involves the application of analgesics to alleviate pain temporarily, is considered the best method to verify the underlying sources of pain causing lameness. This is typically performed through local anaesthesia of specific regions to identify the area causing issue.

The Role of the Diagnostician

  • The role of an adept lameness diagnostician also comes into focus through this research. A diagnostician must possess keen clinical and observational abilities as the examination involves understanding and assessing body movements and physical conditions that are usually subtle.
  • The diagnostician must be able to link the horse’s history with its physical examination results and observed movement patterns to successfully identify the cause of lameness. Thus, a combination of experience, observation, and comprehensive testing aids in the complex process of diagnosing lameness in athletic horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Davidson EJ. (2018). Lameness Evaluation of the Athletic Horse. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 34(2), 181-191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2018.04.013

Publication

The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice
ISSN: 1558-4224
NlmUniqueID: 8511904
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 2
Pages: 181-191

Researcher Affiliations

Davidson, Elizabeth J
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA. Electronic address: ejdavid@vet.upenn.edu.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Gait
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horses
  • Lameness, Animal / diagnosis

Citations

This article has been cited 19 times.
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