Following on from Part I of our series.
Because each horse has individual characteristics, evaluating lameness can be challenging. Veterinarians have developed a lameness scale that ranges from one to five, with one being no perceptible lameness, and five being extremely lame:
1 = Lameness not perceptible
Lameness is not observed and is not consistently apparent, regardless of circumstances (e.g., weight carrying, circling, inclines, hard surfaces, etc.)
2 = Lameness is difficult to observe at a walk or when trotting in a straight line, but consistently apparent under certain circumstances (e.g., weight carrying, circling, inclines, hard surfaces, etc.)
3 = Lameness is consistently observable at a trot under all circumstances
4 = Lameness is obvious at a walk
5 = Lameness produces minimal weight-bearing in motion and/or at rest or a complete inability to move
In some cases, especially if your horse has had the same problem before, you can follow the procedures established previously in working with your farrier and/or veterinarian.
In other cases, once you have observed your horse’s physical condition as per Part I and in conjunction with the lameness scale to determine urgency and severity, you most likely will need to call your farrier or veterinarian to confirm or determine the diagnosis and treat the problem before the condition worsens.
PART III COMING UP…
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