Lameness investigations
We can perform lameness investigations at all 3 of our clinics. The investigation is started by observing and palpating your horse.
- Observing how your horse is standing,
- Carefully feeling up and down the legs.
- Watching your horse as it trots and walks in a straight line.
- Lunging on both reins on both hard and soft surfaces.
- Performing flexion tests to see if lameness is exacerbated
- Using hoof testers to watch for a pain response.
Once the lame leg(s) has been identified and the degree of lameness recorded, we will attempt to localise the site of lameness through nerve blocks and/or joint blocks.
Diagnostic imaging techniques will then be used to attempt to identify the cause of the lameness.
- Radiography.
- Ultrasound.
- Nuclear scintigraphy (bone scanning)
Appropriate medications, exercise regimes or surgical treatments will then be discussed.