Leg Injuries in Horses

Most owners know when their horse is lame, but identifying the affected limb can be difficult if there is no obvious wound or swelling

First, watch the horse as it is standing still. If it is severely lame, it might stand with the hoof tipped up on the toe without wanting to bear any weight on the sole of the foot. Another sign is that it might stand pointing the hoof forward of the normal standing position, called “pointing.” Sometimes a horse will try to point with both hooves and rock backwards.

Secondly, feel your horse’s limbs. Many common hoof injuries cause the foot to be palpably hot. Pick up the foot to ensure your horse hasn’t stepped on something like a nail; if you see one call your veterinarian immediately for further instruction without pulling out the object. If the nail may penetrate the sole further unless removed, remove the nail after taking photos of its exact location to assist in veterinary treatment. This treatment may include radiographs to assess damage and a tetanus vaccination. Feel up your horse’s limbs for swelling over joints, within tendons, or over the whole leg.

The skin on the legs is very thin, and horses can often get caught up in fencing or kicking through stall walls. Small pieces of fencing may cause small puncture wounds. Even major wounds can be treated with prompt medical attention. Always practice safety when feeling for swelling or cuts; even a good horse may react strongly if it is painful.

Finally, if your horse is not severely lame, watch it walk and trot on a loose lead over firm, level ground. If the horse is lame on one front leg, the horse will nod its head. You can determine which leg is lame by carefully noticing when the head goes up and which leg has hit the ground at that moment. The horse will dip its head downward as the sound (non-lame) leg hits and conversely lift the head as the lame leg contacts the ground. There may be no head nod if a horse is lame on both front limbs; its strides instead will be choppy and short.