Page 161 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

lameness will show up more on a particular surface. Foot problems are often more obvious

on a hard surface, whereas some soft tissue injuries tend to show up more on a soft surface.
VetBooks.ir The temperament of the horse must be taken into consideration because the lungeing of an
excitable horse on a hard slippery surface is inadvisable. Although lungeing allows the horse

to balance itself naturally and move more freely, in cases involving excitable horses, leading
the horse around may be more appropriate.

Figure 4.9 Lungeing on a hard surface

The horse should be walked and trotted in a relaxed fashion on a 15–20 m circle.

Excessive chasing of the horse or excitement can mask subtle lameness. Some types of
discomfort are only momentarily obvious as the horse makes a downward transition. The size

of the circle can then be gradually reduced.
Whether the lameness is more obvious when the affected limb is on the inside or outside

of the circle can give the vet valuable information.

However, the results have to be interpreted with care and experience. A horse that is not
used to being schooled and that is not particularly athletic will find trotting in a circle on a
hard surface difficult and will look very awkward. This should not be interpreted as

lameness.