LAMENESS Predisposing factors: Immaturity for hard work (racing 2-year olds) Faulty conformation Poor condition or conditioning Nutritional deficiencies or imbalances Fatigue - tendon and ligament sprains Improper shoeing Illness Local leg infections

LAMENESS WARNING Change In Posture Performance Clues Chronically uncomfortable horses Change in Posture Does he point a foreleg or hold a leg slightly off to one side? Does he rest a leg on the toe rather than bearing weight on the full perimeter? Does he lean forward or backward? Performance Clues Clumsiness, tripping & gait irregularity Rapid deceleration in turns Leaning on one rein during turns Rough upward and downward transitions Tracking to the inside or almost crossing legs Refusals, run-outs & other uncooperative behavior Chronically Uncomfortable horses Slight depression Appetite loss Restlessness or unease Changed resting habits Difficult in rising after resting or rolling

LAMENESS General Signs: Head bobbing, dropping hip, pointing, strong digital pulse Soft swelling - Inflammation or reduced circulation Thickening of the tendons - Strain Hard limps - trauma or calcification Elevated surface temp. - Usually occurs with swelling, inflammation Digital pulse - Sever inflammation or infection Higher up Sensitivity in jaw, neck, withers or shoulders Abnormal enlargements and hollows in muscle masses Lightly press fingertips down both sides of spine. Horse should flex (hollow) back but not flinch Press on croup, about 2/3 of the way from sacroiliac to the tailhead. Horse should swing his hips or dip his tailhead. No movement or excessive movement could indicate pain if the horse is not normally ticklish.

LAMENESS Increased heat Changes in shape or size Discolored spots on sole Abnormal wear patterns Soft swelling Thickening of tendons Hard lumps Soft swelling - Inflammation or reduced circulation Thickening of the tendons - Strain Hard limps - trauma or calcification Elevated surface temp. - Usually occurs with swelling, inflammation Digital pulse - Sever inflammation or infection Higher up Sensitivity in jaw, neck, withers or shoulders Abnormal enlargements and hollows in muscle masses Lightly press fingertips down both sides of spine. Horse should flex (hollow) back but not flinch Press on croup, about 2/3 of the way from sacroiliac to the tailhead. Horse should swing his hips or dip his tailhead. No movement or excessive movement could indicate pain if the horse is not normally ticklish.

LAMENESS BACK PROBLEMS Poor shoeing Cold water on a hot back Poorly balanced diet Turning out a fresh horse Inadequate dental care & bitting problems Improper training, riding techniques Cold water on a hot back Inadequate warm-up & cool-down Poorly fitting saddle &/or dirty padding Leaving the cinch too tight for too long Inadequate grooming

LAMINITIS - FOUNDER Prognosis 30% return to soundness 10% intermittently lame 10% permanent severe lameness 50% death

ACUTE LAMINITIS Sudden Shifting weight Stilted, shuffling gait Fore feet extended – hind feet under the center of the body Reluctant to move

ACUTE LAMINITIS Resists lifting feet Elevated heart rate Sweaty Distressed Strong digital pulse

CHRONIC LAMINITIS Pressure on the sole from a rotated or sunken pedal bone Breakdown of the hoof wall-pedal bone bond Permanent changes in blood supply to the hoof wall

CHRONIC LAMINITIS More susceptible to: Sole bruises Abscesses Flaring & separation of the wall at the toe Infection beneath the separated wall Hoof wall cracks Degeneration of the tip of the pedal bone Chronic lameness Slowed hoof wall growth  

LAMINITIS – FOUNDER Contributing Factors Bacterial Toxin Colic Colitis Potomac Horse Fever Pleuropneumonia Endometritis Water founder Postoperative colic Black walnut wood shavings

LAMINITIS – FOUNDER Contributing Factors Carbohydrate overload Severe dehydration or shock Corticosteriods Pituitary gland dysfunction in older horses Extreme load Repeated concussion (“road founder”) Stress related

LAMINITIS - TREATMENT Prevent or limit coffin bone rotation Frog support Wedges & trimming Reverse shoes Deep bedding Restricted exercise Surgery

LAMINITIS TREATMENT Relieve the pain Improve blood flow in feet Medications Poultices Nerve blocks Improve blood flow in feet

Navicular Syndrome

Tendon by eroded cartilage Navicular Syndrome Weight Bearing Activates navicular bone Compression of navicular bone Tension of supporting ligaments Navicular Bursitis? Abnormal increase In bone density Fracture? Cartilage degeneration, Especially on flexor surface Abrasion of flexor Tendon by eroded cartilage

Navicular Syndrome Weight Bearing Activates navicular bone Compression of navicular bone Tension of supporting ligaments Ligament strain & Inflammation, especially At bottom Tearing of Ligament(s)? New bone Production at Sides (“canoeing”) Compensation from Vessels at upper edge Reduced blood flow To & from navicular bone Increased blood Pressure within navicular bone Loss of bone Density around vessels Cavities (“flasks” or “lollipops”) along lower edge

NAVICULAR SYNDROME CONTRIBUTING FACTORS Foot shape Long toes, low heels Narrow, upright feet Improper trimming, shoeing Activity

NAVICULAR SYNDROME Signs Appears slowly Lameness gets progressively worse Horse tries to land toe first Intermittent lameness Heels contract & rise

NAVICULAR SYNDROME Treatment Shoeing Training Drugs Vasodilators Anti-inflammatory Surgery – Palmar Digital Neurectomy

LAMENESS PREVENTATIVE MEASURES Icing & cold hosing Massage Stable wraps Topical preparations Braces Poultices Sweats Liniments Icing and cold hosing 1st 48 hours after an injury. Decreases bleeding and/or initial swelling Immersed in tub of ice or ice water or cold hosed for ~20 min at a time. 15-20 min of cold therapy should be alternated with periods of hand walking. Foot bruises and draining abscesses respond well to alternate tubs of hot and cold water along with hand waling. Massage Massage in upward direction to help move blood and fluids out of leg. Stable wraps - Standing bandaged can increase circulation to legs by creating warmth. Topical preparations Braces - Astringent liquids that reduce heat and minor puffiness. Poultices - Reduce heat and acute swelling of lower legs. Applied in thin layer and covered with plastic wrap Sweats - mildly irritating preparations for use with chronic swellings. To soothe a sore back, can be amplified by cover of warm towels, topped y a ripped open plastic bag and a cooler Liniments - Strongest of superficial irritants to increase circulation and heat in sore, stiff muscles.