Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of leg lameness
Locomotion is at the very heart of what most domesticated horses do for a living. The way a horse moves (specifically) often is taken for granted. Locomotion is directly linked to conformation as it dictates “the way a horse moves.”
Both horse owners and veterinarians spend a lot of time observing horses for lameness, but not all observers perceive lameness the same. Sometimes this is because of a less than clear understanding of equine biomechanics. Researchers such as
As the old saying goes, knowledge is power. Nuclear scintigraphy and MRI evaluation proved their worth yet again in this study by giving information about the exact nature and location of these horses’ injuries, which helped practitioners select the
Horse breeders have long known that problems can develop in the bones of young horses as they grow. The term developmental orthopedic disease (DOD) was coined in 1986 to encompass all orthopedic problems seen in the growing foal and has become
As a responsible horse owner, you make management decisions that affect the current well-being of your horse and his future vitality.
Shin soreness, or bucked shins, in Thoroughbred racehorses is a partly preventable condition according to a recent Australian study. Horses with shin soreness display signs of pain on the front of the shins between the knee and fetlock, said
Through the years, the treadmill has been a valuable asset in diagnosing various respiratory problems and complications in athletic horses, especially those involving the larynx and upper airways. Now another dimension has been added–the evaluation
Though a seemingly innocuous injury, a stone bruise can result in a horse’s demise if left untreated.
Arthritis causes considerable pain in your horse, and understanding the disease cycle is necessary in order to prevent further damage from occurring.
Your horse is limping and a detailed visual exam by your veterinarian reveals a small black spot, suggesting a puncture wound. Your veterinarian radiographs the hoof: The X rays confirm the diagnosis, clearly showing the direction and depth of
There were a couple of take-home messages from Dyson’s presentation. One was that sacroiliac joint problems can dramatically compromise a horse’s ability to perform, and the other was that using an analgesic injection can be a valuable technique in diagnosing sacroiliac problems.
My 29-year-old Quarter Horse gelding has been diagnosed with a condition that my veterinarian called “stringhalt.” What causes this condition? What is the treatment and prognosis?
There are a number of modes of therapy that can help maintain joint health and reduce pain associated with joint disease.
The results of a recent study published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research suggest that hind limb lameness in the horse can be evaluated most effectively and objectively by measuring changes in pelvic height during trotting.
Like keeping the pistons of an engine lubricated for smooth, easy movement, the tendon sheaths of a horse function similarly by providing a friction-free environment in which tendons can move.
There are many reasons a horse might stumble. Work with your veterinarian and farrier to determine the cause, since the onset of stumbling might indicate a shoeing/trimming problem, or could be a warning of serious health problems.
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