Understanding Your Horse's History

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A successful lameness evaluation starts with understanding your horse and the problem you have noticed.

 

Our veterinarian may ask about:

• When the problem first appeared and whether it was sudden or gradual

• Changes in performance or behavior

• Recent injuries, heat, or swelling

• Previous episodes of lameness

• Shoeing or trimming history

• Current medications or previous treatments

• Exercise and training schedule

• Discipline and level of competition

• Previous diagnostic imaging or veterinary findings

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Videos of the horse moving or performing when the problem is most noticeable can also be helpful, particularly when the issue is intermittent or difficult to reproduce during the appointment.

 

The Lameness Examination

Your veterinarian will begin with a physical and hands-on examination of the horse.

The limbs, joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles, back, and feet may be evaluated for heat, swelling, sensitivity, asymmetry, reduced range of motion, or other abnormalities.  Hoof testers may be used to evaluate sensitivity within the foot.

 

Your horse will then be evaluated in motion. Depending on the individual case, this may include observing the horse:

• At the walk and trot

• In a straight line

• On a circle

• On different surfaces

• Under saddle or performing a specific movement when appropriate

 

This allows our veterinarian to evaluate gait symmetry, stride length, head and pelvic movement, stiffness, weight shifting, and other subtle changes that may help identify the affected limb or area.

 

Flexion Tests

Flexion tests may be incorporated into the examination when appropriate.

During a flexion test, a portion of the limb is held in a flexed position for a short period before the horse is immediately observed at the trot.  The horse's response provides additional information that is interpreted alongside the rest of the examination. Flexion tests alone do not diagnose a specific condition, but they can help guide further investigation.

 

Diagnostic Nerve & Joint Blocks

When the source of lameness cannot be identified through examination alone, our veterinarians may recommend diagnostic anesthesia, commonly referred to as nerve or joint blocks.  A small amount of local anesthetic is used to temporarily desensitize a specific region. The horse is then reevaluated in motion to determine whether the lameness improves.  By systematically narrowing down the area responsible for the horse's discomfort, diagnostic blocks can help our veterinarian determine where diagnostic imaging should be focused.

 

Digital Radiography

Jacksonville Equine Associates utilizes digital radiography (X-rays) to evaluate bones, joints, and other structures when indicated.

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Radiographs can help identify conditions such as:

• Osteoarthritis and other joint changes

• Fractures

• Certain hoof abnormalities

• Bone remodeling

• Developmental abnormalities

• Other changes involving bone and joints

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Digital images can be reviewed immediately, allowing our veterinarian to correlate imaging findings with the results of the lameness examination.

 

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

Ultrasonography allows our veterinarians to evaluate many of the soft-tissue structures that cannot be adequately assessed with radiographs.  Ultrasound is particularly useful when evaluating tendons, ligaments, joints, and other soft-tissue structures.  It can also be used to monitor healing over time and may provide image guidance for certain injections and regenerative medicine procedures.

 

Objective Gait Analysis

For subtle, complex, or multi-limb lameness, Jacksonville Equine Associates has access to objective gait analysis technology.

Motion sensors measure aspects of the horse's movement that can supplement the veterinarian's visual examination and provide objective data about gait asymmetry. This technology can be particularly helpful when evaluating subtle lameness, horses with more than one affected limb, or changes before and after diagnostic blocks or treatment.

Objective gait analysis is used alongside the veterinarian's clinical examination rather than as a replacement for it.

 

Additional Diagnostics

Depending on the findings, additional diagnostic procedures may be recommended.

These can include collection and analysis of joint or other synovial fluid, laboratory testing, additional imaging, or referral for advanced diagnostics when necessary.  The goal is to establish the most accurate diagnosis possible before developing a treatment plan.

 

Treating Equine Lameness

There is no single treatment for lameness because treatment depends on what is causing the pain.

Once a diagnosis has been established, our veterinarians will develop an individualized treatment and rehabilitation plan based on your horse's condition, intended use, and goals.

 

Treatment options may include:

• Anti-inflammatory or other medications

• Rest and controlled exercise

• Individualized rehabilitation programs

• Joint injections

• Shockwave therapy

• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

• ProVet® APC

• Pro-Stride® APS

• Other regenerative or orthobiologic therapies

• Farrier or hoof-care recommendations

• Recheck examinations and diagnostic imaging

 

Some conditions respond quickly to treatment, while others require a structured rehabilitation program and periodic reevaluation before returning to full work.

 

Rehabilitation & Return to Work

Treatment doesn't necessarily end when your horse becomes sound.

For many musculoskeletal injuries, appropriate rehabilitation is an important part of recovery. Returning to work too quickly can increase the risk of reinjury, while excessive rest may not be appropriate for every condition.  Our veterinarians can develop a rehabilitation plan based on your horse's diagnosis and monitor progress with follow-up examinations or imaging when indicated.  The goal is not simply to make the horse appear more comfortable, but to give the affected structures an appropriate opportunity to recover before returning to normal activity.

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Equine Lameness Evaluations in Northeast Florida & Southeast Georgia

Jacksonville Equine Associates provides comprehensive lameness, sports medicine, diagnostic imaging, and rehabilitation services throughout our Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia ambulatory service area and at our Green Cove Springs haul-in clinic.

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Our ability to combine a detailed examination with diagnostic blocks, digital radiography, ultrasonography, objective gait analysis, joint therapies, shockwave, and regenerative medicine allows us to investigate both straightforward and complex lameness cases.  If your horse develops an obvious lameness or simply isn't performing or moving like normal, an evaluation can help determine why.

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To schedule an equine lameness or sports medicine examination, contact Jacksonville Equine Associates at (904) 387-3330.