Page 32 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

Musculoskeletal system: 1.1 A pproach to the lame horse 7

VetBooks.ir 1.14 1.15

Figs. 1.14, 1.15 Trotting a horse towards the examining veterinarian on a firm level gravel surface (1.14).
Note the loose way the horse is led to allow any movement of the head to be clearly seen. Horses that are lame
should always be examined from in front, behind and the side (1.15).

1.16

Fig. 1.16 Lungeing exercise
on a soft and/or hard surface
can be useful to give a further
baseline lameness to record
before embarking on diagnostic
analgesia as part of a full
lameness examination.
Fig. 1.17 Examination of a driving horse in harness 1.17
to assess all movements and to discuss with the driver
what they are feeling and seeing in relation to what
the veterinarian observes.

forelimb lameness, a ‘head nod’ is appreciated with
the head being raised when the lame limb strikes the
ground. In the hindlimbs, a ‘hip hike’ (also termed
‘pelvic hike’) is present in the lame hindlimb. The
pelvis ‘hikes’ upward when the lame hindlimb hits
the ground and moves downward when the sound
limb hits the ground. It is easier for some clinicians
to see a downward movement of the pelvis on the
side of the lame limb as it leaves the ground. ‘Fetlock
drop’ or extension of the fetlock joint may also be
helpful in recognition of the lame limb. In general,