Page 155 - Adams and Stashak's Lameness in Horses, 7th Edition

Examination for Lameness 121

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A B

C D
Figure 2.111. A (10″ × 10″) 15 wooden wedge block with a medial wedge (D). Depending on the orientation of the block,
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nonslip surface can be used for distal limb manipulation during different tissues within the hoof are placed under compression or
lameness evaluation. The foot is typically placed in four different tension. Source: Courtesy of Dr. Randy Eggleston.
orientations; toe wedge (A), heel wedge (B), lateral wedge (C), and

help suggest neurological problems. Hindlimb weakness Limb placement can be assessed by walking the horse
can be assessed by either pushing the horse from one side over a curb, circling, positioning the limb across midline
to the other or more commonly be pulling its tail to each while standing, and trotting in a serpentine pattern.
side. This has been referred to as the sway test or tail pull Repeated stumbling, hitting the curb, circumduction of
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test. Normal horses resist pulling the tail, while many the hindlimbs, and a general sense of not knowing where
ataxic horses appear relatively weak and do very little to the hindfeet are suggest a neurologic problem. Some
resist being pulled from one side to the other. However, horses that have bilateral hindlimb ataxia may also appear
this test is very subjective, and many young Warmblood very “bouncy” when trotted and when stopped suddenly
horses with underdeveloped hindlimb musculature often from a trot may stumble in the hindlimbs. A variety of
appear to be very weak but are not neurological. neurologic conditions may be confused with lameness