Recognising lameness in your horse

Lameness is defined as an abnormal stance or gait. It can come from any part of your horse’s body and alter the way they move, their behavioural traits and their ability to perform. Lameness is not a disease itself, but a symptom of underlying issues. Pain is the most common cause of lameness in all horses. 

Due to their natural flight instincts, horses mask signs of lameness and pain to avoid making themselves vulnerable. This can make lameness difficult to spot. 

It is essential that you are able to recognise both subtle and obvious signs of lameness in your horse, so you are able to get the right treatment as soon as possible.

Signs of lameness in horses

Lameness can be caused by many different things and there are lots of signs that could indicate that your horse is lame. Signs can range from mild to severe and include:

• obvious heat, swelling or injury – usually to their leg
• shortness in stride or reluctance to fully move a leg
• a shortened or shuffling gait in both front feet
• resting or pointing a front leg – usually with weight taken off the heels
• a laminitic stance – with legs stretched forwards, with their weight on the heels
• shifting of weight when stood and not holding the tail straight

It’s important to be able to recognise these signs, so you can seek help as soon as possible. If you think your horse is lame, speak with your vet so they can determine the cause and provide the correct treatment.

How to check your horse for lameness

There are a few checks you can do if you think your horse is lame:

1. Check their feet

Pick up each of your horse’s hooves and make sure there are no stones caught in the gaps. While you’re there, also look for any cracks or dark spots that could indicate an injury or bruising. You can also check for heat in your horse’s feet by holding your hand over the wall of their hoof and comparing it with the opposite hoof, using the same hand.

2. Feel their lower legs

Feel your horse’s lower legs for heat or swelling and look for any obvious cuts or wounds.

3. Gently move their joints

Look at their range of motion which will help to determine if your horse is in any pain.

4. Check how your horse moves

Ask someone to lead your horse on a hard flat surface, so you can watch how they move. Ask them to walk your horse in a straight line away from you, turn and walk back past you. Then, repeat in trot.

Look to see if there are any obvious shorter strides and if your horse is placing all four feet on the ground correctly. Their foot should land flat or slightly heel-first on the ground. You should also watch how they turn, looking to see if they are able to cross their legs easily or if any stiffness shows.

If your horse is lame in front, they will raise their head as the lame foot hits the ground. This can result in an obvious pronounced or subtle head nod.

Hind leg lameness can be more difficult to spot, so you will need to look out for even stride lengths, by watching the hips rise and fall.

5. Check their neck and back

Run your hands over your horse’s neck and back, and carefully watch for any flinching. Feel for any swelling or heat which could indicate inflammation.

6. Watch your horse’s behaviour

Signs of lameness can be subtle, but you may notice a change in your horse’s behaviour or ridden performance. Keep an eye out for unusual behaviours or expressions of pain, including:

• an unwillingness to work
• tail swishing
• putting their ears back
• an intense or withdrawn stare

You may see these signs when tacking your horse up. If you notice any abnormalities, contact your vet for advice.

What to do if your horse is lame

If your horse is showing signs of lameness, it’s important to speak with your vet immediately so they can assess the cause. 
In the meantime, you can:

• clean your horse’s hooves – cleaning out your horse’s hooves with a hoof pick will dislodge any debris trapped and, if this is the cause, you won’t need to contact your vet
• keep them stabled – sometimes the reason your horse is lame is unclear. If this is the case, then keeping them stabled until they can be looked at by your vet will stop them from hurting themselves further.
• stop riding your horse – adding more weight to an injury can cause more harm, so stop riding your horse until you have been advised by your vet that it’s safe to do so

Causes of lameness in horses

Lameness can be caused by many different things. Some of the most common causes are:

• laminitis – signs of this often include a lamanitic stance, where your horse will stretch their leg forwards, with their weight on their heels
• bruises or injuries to the hoof – signs of this often include a red or purple discoloration on the sole, pain when pressed, a strong digital pulse or lameness in just one foot
• tendon or ligament damage – signs of this include obvious heat, swelling or injury, usually to their leg
• degenerative diseases, such as arthritis – signs can include a shortened or shuffling gait in both front feet. This typically develops in horses with upright conformation (referring to the shape or structure of your horse).
• back and neck issues – if your horse has back or neck pain, they may shift their weight when stood and their tail may not be straight
• infection – if your horse has an infected wound, the area may be warm to the touch, swollen and painful. The wound may also ooze pus with an unpleasant smell, and it may not heal properly.

Only your vet will be able to determine the cause of lameness in your horse and provide you with treatment.