1. Equine Lameness

2. Equine Lameness Exam
One of the most common (if not the #1) body systems evaluated and treated is the musculoskeletal system
Detecting the source of lameness can be daunting – many probs. have no obvious external signs
Common Clinical Signs include
swelling, heat
Discharge
muscle atrophy
lameness (#1)

3. Equine Lameness Exam

4. Equine Lameness Exam 3 reasons for lameness include: Pain (#1)
Mechanical interference w/out pain (scar tissue)
Neurological

5. 3 goals of a lameness exam
Equine Lameness Exam
3 goals of a lameness exam
Identify the location
Diagnose
Treatment plan

6. Equine Lameness Exam 1st step is to obtain a complete history
- Signalment
- Length of issue
- Previous health issues
- Speed of onset
- Exercise induced
- Known trauma
- Any treatment started
- Pattern to the lameness

7. Equine Lameness Exam Next the horse is observed at rest & in motion
Observe from a distance for any obvious abnormalities, confirmation, how horse stands (holds legs)
Motion
Observe horse walking to & from the clinician, may need multiple surface types, may need to remove shoes, observe head & neck carriage

8. Equine Lameness Exam Motion (cont.) 1. Walk
In a straight line
Up & down an incline
Backing up
2. Trot – usually the most informative gait
In a circle (both directions)
Flexion tests

9. Equine Lameness Exam
Palpation – feeling for any heat, swelling, or pain
The wear pattern of the hoof or shoe is evaluated
Hoof test for pain
Nerve blocks may be used to localize the area of pain

10. Equine Lameness Exam Misc. tests include - X-rays - Ultrasound
- Thermography
- Nuclear scintigraphy
- MRI
- CT
- Arthrocentesis
- Rectal exam
- Biopsy
- Force plate gait analysis
- High speed cinematographic gait analysis

11. Hoof Testers

12. Equine Lameness Predisposing factors to lameness
Heredity – Very few are directly inherited, but confirmation types that often lead to lameness are inherited (small feet, straight pasterns, cow-hocked)
Congenital – Bone, tendon, joint, & ligament development may be impaired while in utero

13. Equine Lameness Predisposing factors to lameness cont’d:
Negligent or improper foot care
infrequent trimming
unbalanced trimming
poor fitting shoes
shoeing aids

14. Equine Lameness Predisposing factors to lameness cont’d:
Improper training methods or over training
over use of a lunge line
lunging in small circles
one direction lunging
poor footing in training area
training too early, training too rapidly

15. Lunging

16. Equine Lameness Predisposing factors to lameness
Nutrition of the growing horse – feeding high levels of protein, improper mineral content, overweight
Wounds
Overuse – racing, jumping, barrel racing, roping

17. Equine Lameness http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH4YySG1D_w

18. Equine Lameness
The Laminae is a structure between the hoof wall and coffin bone (P3) composed of a network of interlocking blood vessels and tissue (epidermis) that serve to connect the hoof to the foot and to provide blood supply

19. Laminitis/Founder Equine laminitis is a vascular disease
Associated with areas of ischemia or hemostasis within the laminae
The laminae secure the coffin bone/distal phalanx to the hoof wall

20. Laminitis/Founder
Inflammation associated with delamination interferes with the wall/bone bond
In advanced laminitis, the coffin bone becomes detached from the horny wall and may rotate or sink.
In lay terms, this is known as “founder”

21. Laminitis

22. Laminitis Three phases of laminitis in horses are identifiable:
Developmental
Acute
Chronic

23. Laminitis

24. Laminitis
Since pre-existing illness leads to laminitis, the symptoms of early laminitis are also the symptoms of the precipitating illness.
Digital pulses and distal limb temperatures may be increased or decreased but no lameness is evident
Occasionally, no development phase can be recognized; the horse is simply found to be in the acute phase with no apparent ill health preceding or accompanying it

25. Laminitis - Treatment
Treatments for laminitis vary according to the severity of the condition but include:
Encouraging the horse to lie down to relieve pressure on the hoof/hooves.
Imposing dietary restrictions to prevent overeating and obesity.
There is a strong link between excess blood Glucose and laminitis
Administering fluids if the horse is ill or dehydrated.
Administration of painkillers, since moderate to intense pain often accompanies laminitis and founder