Lameness Diagnosis and Treatment
Lameness is the number one cause of restricted mobility in horses, and can stem from a variety of conditions and injuries. We can pinpoint the underlying cause and create a treatment plan tailor-made for your horse’s activity level and performance expectations.
Lameness Exams
Your horse’s lameness exam will include a complete health history (if needed) and your input about the injury and onset of symptoms. We’ll perform a thorough physical examination, observe your horse in motion, and administer joint flexion tests. We’ll also apply hoof testers to look for pain or unusual levels of sensitivity in the feet.
We might also use nerve and joint blocks to numb portions of a limb. This helps us identify, through the process of elimination, the location of the pain. Occasionally, we might use x-rays or ultrasound for a proper diagnosis.
Sports Medicine
Lameness, overuse, and repetitive injuries are the most common reasons for performance issues in show horses and athletes. We have decades of experience with equine athletes, so we have a deep understanding of your high-performing horse’s needs. Once the cause of your horse’s lameness is identified, we can use a combination of therapeutic treatments to help your horse recover from an injury and maintain peak condition.
Hoof Podiatry
We offer ambulatory podiatric evaluations both as a response to a problem or as a preventive measure. We can diagnose and treat both chronic and acute equine hoof conditions including hoof wall injuries and defects, laminitis and founder, hoof diseases, and other hoof-related issues. We’re also happy to consult with your farrier so that we can work together to correct your horse’s hoof issues.
Please call us right away if your horse suffers an injury or is displaying any symptoms of lameness.
