And The Vet Said...

Lameness

R. Dean Meyer DVM
Lodi Veterinary Hospital and Madison Equine Clinic

As the show season progresses into late summer and early fall, our clinic has begun to see the annual influx of lameness issues in many of these horses. The stress these animals have been under has begun to take its toll. Every year it is the same and I would like to help prevent some of these cases in the future by implementing some simple management changes.

In a recent study it was determined that the lame horse in the United States will cost $368 million dollars to the horse owner. That is a lot of lost revenue that, in my opinion, could have been prevented in many situations. There are many reasons for lame horses in the equine industry. In most if not all show disciplines, we are asking horses to do things that are not natural for a horse physically to do. These forms of movement are not a normal state for these animals.

I recently was examining and discussing some lame horses with a client when I was asked the question "Doesn't every horse have some degree of arthritis?" My answer was no, not every horse we radiograph has arthritis. When I am referring to arthritis I am talking about degenerative joint disease, a very common condition and cause of lameness in the horse.

As an equine veterinarian it is satisfying for me personally to help prevent conditions rather than continuously treat things after they have already occurred. It is rewarding to see what a proper nutrition and management program can achieve in producing a sound athletic animal that will hold up under the demands that today's equine industry places on these individuals.

We are fortunate to have many different methods of diagnosing and treating lameness in modern veterinary medicine. These include x-ray (radiographs), ultrasound, thermographs, and MRI. Treatment can range from intra-articular injections to oral supplements and a wide range of anti-inflammatory agents that are very effective.

What can we do to help prevent these costly lameness issues? First and foremost is proper hoof care and this needs to begin with the young animal. Many lameness issues can be corrected by getting a horse properly balanced and set at the correct angle. An AP and Lateral radiograph are invaluable to both the veterinarian and the farrier to achieve the proper bony alignment. Many times joint injections are needed to help with inflammation as these changes are made.

Exercise is also very important, especially for the young growing individual to develop the skeletal system. Horses that stand in a box stall as foals, weanlings, and yearlings do not get the skeletal development and density to the skeletal system they need to be an athlete.

Weaning at three months of age is also paramount for proper skeletal development. The mare's mineral levels in her milk begin to drop significantly at this time and the foal will need mineral supplementation. Many foals that are pastured or still nursing from three to six months of age can gain 3-4 lbs per day if not strictly monitored and controlled. This rate of gain can put tremendous stress on the growing skeletal system. Weaned foals can easily be controlled to gain 1.5 to a maximum of 2 lbs per day.

One of the most important factors to prevent lame horses is this "generational nutrition" philosophy. This begins with a properly balanced diet in the mare prior to breeding her, and through out her entire pregnancy. It has been proven that not only skeletal development, but also immune system and reproductive system development begins in utero. This proper development will continue by weaning the foal at three months of age, giving proper exercise, hoof care, and nutrition through out the entire growth stage. This will help prevent lameness and ensure a sound athlete in the future.

Please contact your veterinarian about proper management for your athlete.