How to Detect Horse Lameness

Horses can be tricky creatures. They can seem to be completely sound one minute and go dead lame the next. The truth is that horses try to hide any signs of pain. In the wild, any sign of pain would signal to a predator that they would be easy to catch for dinner. Here are some tips on how to detect lameness in horses from Redtail Equine Veterinary Services in Parker, Denver, Elizabeth, Kiowa, Castle Rock, and surrounding areas.

Watch Your Horse Closely

Before searching for “horse vet near me” on Google, watch your horse closely when he or she is standing or grazing. A horse with slight lameness tends to “point” a leg, or purposefully not put as much weight on it. The horse will stand with the lame leg always a bit more forward than the other three.

Clean Your Horse’s Hooves

Before calling an equine vet, clean out your horse’s hooves. This helps eliminate anything like pebbles that could cause a wobbly step or two. Check the hooves and frogs for damage. If possible, remove the shoes to get a further inspection of the hooves.

Feel the Legs

Gently run your hands up and down the horse’s legs to feel for anything abnormal, such as a patch of warmth or swelling. See if the horse reacts to your handling and note the tender area. Your equine vet will need to know this to help diagnose the cause of lameness.

Trot the Horse

Watch the horse trot. It’s best to have a friend lead the horse while you watch. This is when lameness is most apparent. The horse will often nod the head whenever the bad leg strikes the ground. Listen to hear that all of the hooves are hitting the ground with the same force. A lame leg will hit the ground more quietly than the others.

Schedule an Appointment with our Equine Vet in Denver, Parker, Elizabeth, Kiowa, and Castle Rock 

If you still have questions about detecting lameness in horses that have not been answered here and live in the areas of Parker, Denver, Elizabeth, Kiowa, and Castle Rock, please contact Redtail Equine Veterinary Services today at (303) 775-4061.