Page 395 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

and e).

VetBooks.ir

Figures 8.21a–e Knee conformation: side view – in the normal horse a vertical line from the tuber of the scapular spine
passes through the elbow joint, knee (carpus) and fetlock to meet the ground behind the heels – a) normal; b) back at the
knee; c) over at the knee; front view – in the normal forelimb, a line dropped from the point of the shoulder bisects the limb
– d) normal; e) offset (bench) knees, the cannon bone is offset to the lateral side

CLINICAL SIGNS

These include:

• lameness
• shortening of the stride

• a base-wide gait when the condition affects both knees

• distension of the joint capsule

• increased heat over the front of the knee

• pain when firm pressure is applied
• pain on flexion; this can be severe and the horse may rear to avoid flexion

• a reduced degree of flexion

• a tendency to stand with the knee slightly flexed.

DIAGNOSIS