Veterinarians attending the Lameness in the Sport Horse Table Topic at the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif., discussed the need for taking a complete history and performing a clinical examination before making any imaging recommendations. Imaging is only as good as the history and clinical exam that directs the clinician.

Those in attendance discussed history and clinical examination of many typical hind limb lamenesses. They noted that once the decision to perform diagnostic analgesia (nerve blocks) or treatment is made, the concern for safety should be foremost in the clinician’s mind and appropriate restraint is critical.

Has there has been an increase in hind limb lameness since the round pen has become more popular?