Subtle signs your horse is lame

 

  • Sometimes lameness in horses is glaringly obvious, sometimes it’s barely noticeable. We can, however, start to notice the finer details about our horses. When we know their normals, we are alerted to their abnormals.

 

  • You can start to notice things in the stall, when you are walking them, when you are tacking them up, and when you are riding. Remember, too, that lameness can arise from his neck and spine, shoulders and hips, too.

 

jump to shopping

 

Pay attention to the whole body of your horse and you can spot lameness!


In the stall:

 

  • What are your horse’s resting vital signs? An increase in heart rate and/or respiration indicate pain. They also indicate exercise, so be sure it’s a true resting measure. To learn how to check TPR, read this.

 

  • How do your horse’s legs feel? Any heat, swelling, or flinching when you run your hands down them?

 

  • Are the hooves hot? This is a sign that either your horse has been standing in the sun or there might be danger in the hooves.

 

  • What’s going on with the digital pulse? A pulse that is obvious or strong is a clear sign of hoof danger. Most horses have a digital pulse that is barely perceptible. The video below shows you how you can check the pulse.

 

 

 

This video shows you how the digital artery “works” to check your horse’s hoof health.

 

 

 

 

 

This video shows you how to measure the digital pulse.

 

 

 

farrier using hoof testers on a hind leg

ANY signs of a hoof problem should be evaluated by your veterinarian. It could be something minor, it could be something major.

 

  • Does he want to keep his hooves on the ground instead of picking them up for you?

 

  • Is your horse turning in the stall as he normally would? Lameness often creates awkward turning.

 

  • Does he want to stay on the cushy mats and shavings instead of going out?

As you are walking your horse:

 

  • Does your horse hesitate on harder surfaces?

 

  • I’ll just assume you know exactly how far his hind hoof prints overstep the front hoof prints. Are any steps shorter?

 

  • What do you hear? Is his regular walking rhythm thrown off?

 

  • Is he making an expression of pain as he walks? Ear pinning, stubbornness, wiggly lips or the flehmen response can indicate pain.

 

horse with ears pinned back

 

In the grooming area or cross ties:

 

  • Is he resting one leg more than the other?

 

  • Where is he flinching as you groom your horse? Granted, this might mean he’s just ticklish or sensitive. It also might mean he’s sore.

 

  • How’s his overall demeanor?

 

  • Does he appreciate a little massage, or not? He could be sensitive, or sore, or there’s an injury or muscle issue.

 

  • Does he resist being tacked up? Swishing tail or mashing teeth? How’s girth tightening going for you?

 

Under saddle:

 

  • What feels normal or weird?

 

  • Is there any head bobbing at the trot? This is a very clear sign, but most horses are going to be more subtle than this.

 

  • Does he go off your leg easily? Any resistance?

 

  • Is one direction harder than the other to turn?

 

  • Are both canter leads equally easy (or hard) to pick up and sustain?

 

  • Do the gaits feel the same in both directions?

 

jogging a horse for a vet exam

Your vet may want to see your horse jog.

 

Lameness is often tricky to spot, until it’s not.

 

  • Little subtle changes and signals from your horse give you the big picture. Always work with your veterinarian if you have any lameness concerns. Treat hoof heat and bounding digital pulses as emergencies. They might indicate something totally easy to treat, or it might be laminitis.

    go shopping button for horse products

 

Stock up here for your horse supplies! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, but it’s ZERO extra cents to you.  You can also visit my Amazon storefront here:  PEG storefront.

iProven Pet Thermometer for Accurate Fever Detection
$14.97

Every horse owner needs a digital thermometer for fast and accurate vital signs

12/11/2024 06:14 am GMT
Back on Track Therapeutic Welltex No Bow Leg Wraps for Horses - One Pair
$65.73 $62.09

Hi-quality no-bows with Back On Track reputation (that's good!)

12/11/2024 06:22 am GMT
12/11/2024 07:03 am GMT
12/11/2024 10:59 am GMT
Eskadron - Tendon Boots PRO Flex Classic Front
$169.00

These boots are the gold standard for jumpers and horses that like to interfere. 

12/11/2024 07:58 pm GMT
Back on Track Therapeutic Knee Boots
$87.39

No more bed sores!

12/12/2024 02:28 am GMT
12/11/2024 09:08 am GMT
12/11/2024 06:49 am GMT
Weaver Leather Polo Leg Wraps, 4-Pack, Cactus
$29.59 $27.81

Be practical when wrapping your horse's legs with a traditional color, but toss in some spice with the understated pattern!

12/11/2024 11:23 am GMT
12/11/2024 10:03 am GMT
HORZE High-Visibility Reflective Neoprene Protective Horse Boots, Pair
$40.39

Protect your horse's legs and let them shine bright.

12/11/2024 11:03 am GMT
12/11/2024 06:07 am GMT
12/11/2024 11:03 am GMT
Finish Line Horse Products Fura Free Gel (1 lb)
$19.27

This salve is an alternative to Fura-Zone!

12/11/2024 06:14 am GMT
Woof Wear Reflective Club Boot - Lime
$41.94

Show off your horse's legs with these safe, reflective, and fashionable boots.

12/11/2024 07:29 am GMT
12/12/2024 03:03 am GMT
EquiFit Silver Individual Pack Horse, Black
$36.95

These SilverSox are great for protecting the legs from rubs, help with scratches and mud fever, and provide some compression, too.


12/11/2024 03:17 pm GMT
Whinny Wellies from Sox For Horses

Tough, weather-resistant covering for wraps and bandaging.

12/12/2024 03:04 am GMT
iProven Pet Thermometer for Accurate Fever Detection
$14.97

Every horse owner needs a digital thermometer for fast and accurate vital signs

12/11/2024 06:14 am GMT
Horse Measuring Tape
$5.95

Use coupon code 15PROEQUINE to save!

Weaver Leather CoolAid® Equine Cooling Blanket
$151.99

Help your horse cool out in hot and humid weather.

12/12/2024 12:53 am GMT
The Essential Hoof Book: The Complete Modern Guide to Horse Feet BOOK
$45.00 $29.36

If hooves are your jam, this book is for you. 

12/12/2024 01:38 am GMT
A+D Original Diaper Rash Ointment
$14.99

For bits, sores, dry patches, cracked skin, and more. Great for your horse's first aid kit!

12/11/2024 04:13 am GMT
EasyCare Easyboot Cloud Hoof Boot
$103.95

Support and softness for laminitis and other painful hoof conditions.

12/12/2024 01:39 am GMT
Johnson & Johnson B07J56J4HG Elastikon Elastic Tape, 4" x 5 Yards, Pack of 6
$71.91

This medical tape will quite literally hold your life together, it's that amazing.

12/11/2024 07:14 am GMT
Finish Line Horse Products Fura Free Gel (1 lb)
$19.27

This salve is an alternative to Fura-Zone!

12/11/2024 06:14 am GMT
Cavallo Horse & Rider Sport Regular Sole Hoof Boot
$149.51

These boots are my favorite for wrapping hooves with poultice or clay and a diaper. No more duct tape boots! You can also use inserts with these for more squish.

12/12/2024 01:38 am GMT
EquiFit Silver Individual Pack Horse, Black
$36.95

These SilverSox are great for protecting the legs from rubs, help with scratches and mud fever, and provide some compression, too.


12/11/2024 03:17 pm GMT
Whinny Wellies from Sox For Horses

Tough, weather-resistant covering for wraps and bandaging.

12/12/2024 03:04 am GMT

Thank you!

 

 

Scroll to Top