Equine lameness can be a concerning and frustrating symptom for you and your equine, especially when you are unsure as to what may be causing the lameness in your horse. An equine lameness investigation can help you to gain clarity as to the causes, so your horse can begin treatment and when clinically ready can return to what they do best.
At Avonvale Equine, our qualified and experienced equine vets are equine lameness experts and have access to excellent ambulatory diagnostic equipment. We can diagnose and treat many lameness issues in horses, whether they affect performance, competition, leisure or veteran horses and ponies. If you suspect lameness in your horse, we can help you. Call our friendly practice team on 01295 670 501 to arrange an appointment with one of our equine vets.
Our equine lameness exams start by reviewing a horse’s medical history and completing a thorough examination of your horse at rest. This helps us to understand any related issues that may be contributing to lameness in your horse. We will carefully palpate the horse, feeling for any swelling, heat, or conformational abnormalities.
Following the initial static equine lameness examination, we will view the horse walking and trotting in hand, usually performing flexion tests on relevant limbs and then view the horse on the lunge. Depending on the facilities available and the nature of the horse's lameness, we may lunge the horse on both hard and soft ground. In some circumstances we view the horse under saddle too, depending upon the presenting complaint.
As a well-equipped ambulatory equine vet practice, we can carry out most equine lameness investigations at your yard. This is often a less stressful and convenient way to diagnose lameness for both equine and owner. However, we can also carry out equine lameness investigations at our partner facility, Lynwood Stud.
If you would like to prepare in advance for your equine lameness exam, we have prepared a guide on how to trot up your horse for your equine vet to help.
Once the equine lameness has been identified and quantified, we will work to isolate the underlying cause. This process usually starts with nerve blocks. However, it may start with imaging depending on the specific nature of the lameness. When we start with nerve blocks, we use these to isolate a specific anatomical area for accurate imaging, which often helps to pinpoint the underlying cause.
Imaging for horse lameness generally includes radiographs (x-rays) and ultrasound scanning. Our equine vets, who are lameness experts, use high quality portable x-ray and ultrasound equipment to carry out imaging at your yard or at our partner facility. Radiographs/x-rays help us to assess equine bones while ultrasound scanning aids the assessment of soft tissues. Both forms of diagnostic images are often required to reach an equine lameness diagnosis.
Equine lameness can be caused by a variety of conditions and varies from horse to horse. Common causes of lameness in horses include arthritis, injuries, infections and laminitis.
Horse lameness can have complex roots, whereby it can be caused by a number of issues together. Our equine vets always take a methodical approach to diagnosing lameness in horses and will consider a range of possible causes during equine lameness exams.
Our equine lameness vets, who are led by Claire Maher, an RCVS Recognised Advanced Practitioner in Equine Orthopaedic Surgery, are ready to help you identify the causes of lameness in your horse/s. As an independent ambulatory equine vet practice, we are skilled in the field of lameness and well-equipped to carry out diagnostic tests using high quality portable diagnostic equipment either at your yard or at our partner facility. If your horse requires advanced diagnostics, such as scintigraphy (bone scan) or MRI scans, we can refer you to an equine hospital.
Fortunately, there are a number of treatments available that can help in many cases of equine lameness. The most suitable equine lameness treatments will depend on the type and severity of the root problem that is causing the lameness.
Once one of our equine vets has diagnosed equine lameness, they will discuss appropriate treatment options with you. These vary significantly depending on the underlying cause of the equine lameness. Treatment for lame horses often includes joint medications and controlled exercise programmes.
We also offer equine shockwave therapy to treat lameness alongside a range of other equine conditions, many of which could be the root cause of equine lameness. Our shockwave treatment for horses can be performed at your yard for convenience.
For further information on equine lameness treatments and other ailments, please see our therapies and treatments page.
Find out how we have helped a client’s horse with equine hindlimb lameness and how we addressed a pony’s case of multifactorial hindlimb lameness by working closely with other equine professionals to diagnose and treat complex lameness.
Laminitis is a common cause of horse lameness, especially in native ponies. Our emergency equine vets are experienced in diagnosing and treating cases of laminitis, as well as helping owners manage their horses’ diet and wellbeing to minimise the reoccurrence of laminitis.
If your horse or pony is displaying any symptoms of laminitis, call our equine vet practice 24/7 365 days a year on 01295 670 501. All our emergency call-outs are covered by one of our own equine vets, so you will always see an Avonvale Equine Vet, whenever you need us.
Our vets are equine lameness experts and are skilled at identifying, diagnosing and treating lameness in horses of all ages. We provide horse lameness exams and lameness treatments to equines within our coverage area, which includes large parts of Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Birmingham, The Midlands as well as areas of Worcestershire, The Cotswolds, and Gloucestershire.
Whether your horse requires a horse lameness exam for a new case of lameness or specialist treatment for a recurring case of lameness, our friendly, dedicated and experienced equine vets are here to help.
If your horse or pony is showing any signs of lameness, call our independent equine vet practice on 01295 670 501. Our experienced and highly qualified equine vets are fully ambulatory, and we can refer cases requiring more advanced diagnostics or treatments on to an appropriate facility where required.
If you are looking for a new equine vet for your horse/s that delivers excellent equine veterinary care, can investigate and treat lameness and provides 24/7 in-house emergency care, why not get in touch with us?
We look after all types of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules within our coverage area, which includes large parts of Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Birmingham, The Midlands as well as areas of Worcestershire, The Cotswolds, and Gloucestershire.
To register your horse with us, complete our new client registration form online or call our practice on 01295 670 501.
