Lame horse: how to assess it step by step

Always start at rest: the horse standing still

Before you ask a horse to move, take a calm look at it first in the stable or on a level surface. Stand directly in front of and directly behind the horse. Pay attention to how the legs are positioned: is one leg resting, slightly bent, or consistently placed forward? A horse that consistently rests a foreleg is in pain somewhere in that leg or the shoulder. Also check for swelling, heat, and a pain response to pressure around the pastern, fetlock, cannon, and knee. Use the back of your hand to feel for heat — it is more sensitive than your palm. Record what you see in the horse profile in EquiSight, including which leg is affected and how clearly it is being rested.

Assess the walk on hard and soft ground

Walk the horse on a hard, flat surface, preferably tarmac or a concrete path. Watch from the side: is the stride length equal on the left and right? Then move to the front and check whether the head movement is symmetrical. A horse with forelimb lameness lifts its head when the affected leg contacts the ground — the head rises as the painful leg bears weight. With hindlimb lameness, the hip on the sound side drops lower. Repeat the assessment on a soft surface such as sand. Some lamenesses worsen on hard ground, others on soft ground. This difference gives the vet valuable information about the location of the pain.

The trot: how to observe effectively

• Have someone else trot the horse in hand on a straight line of at least 20 metres.
• First watch from behind: does one hip drop noticeably lower or rise higher than the other?
• Then watch from the side: are the stride lengths equal in front and behind?
• Watch from the front: does the head make a clear up-and-down movement?
• Score the lameness on a scale of 0 (none) to 5 (non-weight-bearing), based on the AAEP scale.
• Always film it — a video from three angles is invaluable for the vet.

Circles and flexion tests provide additional information

After the straight line, trot the horse on a circle, first to the left and then to the right. A circle of approximately 8 metres often makes lameness in the outer limbs more clearly visible. Note whether the lameness worsens on a particular rein — this may indicate a problem in the limb on the outside of the circle. You can also perform a flexion test: hold a leg flexed for 60 seconds and then immediately trot the horse off. An increase in lameness after the flexion test points to a joint problem in that leg. Only do this if the horse is already at least mildly lame; skip this step in cases of severe lameness.

When should you call the vet immediately?

• Lameness grade 3 or higher: clearly visible at the walk, horse barely bearing weight.
• Heat and significant swelling in a joint, especially the knee, fetlock, or hock.
• Horse is unwilling or refuses to bear weight on the leg at rest.
• Visible wound, puncture wound, or a foreign object that has penetrated the hoof.
• Lameness that worsens rapidly within 24 hours.

Record everything before the vet's visit

A thorough record makes the consultation more efficient and helps the vet reach a diagnosis more quickly. Note in the horse profile in EquiSight: when you first noticed it, which leg, the score on the AAEP scale, whether it improves or worsens after exercise, and any recent changes in workload, farriery, or feeding. Add your video as an attachment. EquiCoach also helps you structure your observations and asks targeted questions you might otherwise overlook — handy when you're in the middle of a busy yard.

Prevention: recognising signs early

Many lamenesses start subtly: a horse that takes a little longer to get up, pushes off slightly less freely, or is just a fraction less willing on one rein. By evaluating your horse regularly — not only when something is wrong — you get to know its normal way of going. Use the calendar in EquiSight to schedule a brief movement assessment each month, especially after intensive training periods or seasonal changes. The sooner you notice an irregularity, the greater the chance of a straightforward and less costly solution.