Leg Injuries in Horses

your horse for a shortened stride from the side may also help in localizing the lameness.
Causes of Leg Injuries in Horses
When looking for the site of injury start with the hooves and work your way up. Only evaluate your horse at a walk and trot if it can put some weight on the affected limb. Some of these causes will result in lameness that still allow the horse to stand weighted on all four legs while others are emergencies because they result in nonweight bearing lameness. The latter are starred with an asterisk below
Injuries to the foot
Sole bruising or tender soles after an aggressive trim
Foot abscess
Penetrating trauma
Laminitis11
Navicular syndrome
Injuries to tendons and ligaments
Strains bows
Traumatic cuts to tendons and ligaments
Injuries to joints
Arthritis
Osteochondral fragments bone chips
Penetrating trauma
Swelling over a large part or the entire limb
Infection in the skin and abnormal lymph drainage cellulitis22
Major bone fracture
Diagnosing Leg Injuries in Horses
Your veterinarian will perform a lameness exam starting with the steps described above. Theyll also apply hoof testers where the foot is pinched with a specialized tool to localize lameness.
If the site of lameness isnt obvious from the initial exam as your horse is standing still walking and trotting your veterinarian may recommend temporary nerve blocks. Nerve blocks use a local anesthetic lidocaine or similar drug applied just under the skin to desensitize an area. Again because horses dont have muscles in the lower limb where most injuries occur these only serve to relieve pain for diagnosis and wont affect your horses natural ability to move.
Once the lameness is localized your veterinarian may recommend imaging such as ultrasound or xrays. Advanced imaging like MRI and CT are available for horses but are usually reserved for hardtodiagnose cases.
Treatment
Treatment is very diseasespecific and will be welldetailed by your veterinarian. Athome care may consist of stall rest pain relief with drugs such as phenylbutazone and bandaging or wrapping limbs. Horses with wounds or cellulitis will often receive antibiotics. Some causes of lameness require specialized farrier work while others need to be treated at a hospital or even have surgery. It is good practice for owners to know how to put on a routine leg wrap or bandage in case the need arises while waiting for their veterinarian.
Prognosis for Horses with Leg Injuries
Many of these causes of lameness will heal with appropriate management. As always it is very important to follow your veterinarians recommendations.
How to Prevent Leg Injuries in
Horses
The hoof is the most common site of lameness keeping your horses living area clean and free of debris is critical to foot health as is regular farrier work. Maintaining highquality feed and an appropriate body weight are also key for wholehorse health including limbs. In regard to exercise regular routines with gradual increases in time and effort will promote athletic longevity.