Gait Patterns

Flexion testing, using the sensor-based system, at the University of Glasgow's School of Veterinary Medicine.

Article

Research Shows Responses to Flexion Tests can be Measured

May 23, 2013

Recent research shows that a sensor-based system can effectively measure a horse’s response to flexion tests.... Read More

Article

Consider Trotting Speed when Diagnosing Subtle Lameness

May 21, 2013

Slowing down the trot during exams for mildly lame horses could yield more accurate results, researchers say.... Read More

Article

How Much Weight Can Horses Comfortably Carry?

May 17, 2013

Horses topped out at 29% of their body weight in a study that evaluated gait changes when loaded.... Read More

Article

Horse Gaitedness: It's in the Genes

April 17, 2013

Swedish researchers discovered that genetic makeup affects locomotion patterns in horses.... Read More

Article

Hind-Limb Flexion Test Times Compared (AAEP 2012)

February 28, 2013

In this particular study, the 5- and 60-second flexions did not yield the same results.... Read More

Article

'Gaited' Gene Mutation and Related Motion Examined

September 05, 2012

Researchers have identified and are studying a gene mutation linked to altered gait in horses.... Read More

Article

Equine Gait Abnormalities as a Diagnostic Tool

May 03, 2012

Some disorders produce gait abnormalities and lamenesses that aid in a quick and accurate diagnosis.... Read More

Article

Equine Lameness Detection

May 01, 2012

Some veterinarians are adding a new tool to their lameness diagnosis arsenal... Read More

Article

Diagnosing Gait Irregularities in Horses

October 01, 2011

To get to the bottom of subtle performance-limiting gait abnormalties, vets must consider every puzzle piece.... Read More

Article

Detecting Equine Lameness with Motion Sensors

March 21, 2011

The most common ailment to affect a horse is lameness. A University of Missouri equine veterinarian has developed a system to effectively assess this problem using motion detection. The system is referred to as "Lameness Locator." Kevin Keegan ... Read More

Article

Stringhalt in Horses

October 01, 2010

Stringhalt seems to make horses yank their legs up and halt them there momentarily before taking their next step. This is the outward sign of neurologic disease, sometimes caused by toxicity, sometimes of unknown origin.... Read More

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Equine Lameness

May 01, 2010

Get the facts on lameness in horses, from causes of the disorder to diagnosis, treatment and future prognosis.... Read More

Article

Lameness: Getting to the Bottom of It

April 01, 2010

Pinpointing lameness in horses is crucial before proper treatment can be prescribed. There are several approaches to lameness examinations and diagnostic methods, which will be partly determined by the age of the horse and what it does for living.... Read More

Article

Vets Assess Back Pain, Vertebral Lesions in Trotting Horses

March 29, 2010

In a retrospective study of 118 French Trotters, a team of veterinarians found that horses with back pain had more severe and localized lesions identifiable on X ray than horses with no evidence of back pain, but even pain-free horses had lesio... Read More

Article

Indistinct Gait Deficits: Musculoskeletal and Neurologic Causes

March 01, 2010

Strategies to identify specific problems in a horse with indistinct or unusual gait deficits, particularly if... Read More

Article

Lameness Problems in Gaited Horses, AAEP 2009

January 14, 2010

About 75 veterinarians gathered to discuss common lameness problems faced by gaited horses during the 2009 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention. Foot lameness was the first topic of discussion, especially th... Read More

Article

Lameness Exams: Vets Seek Reliable Approach

December 20, 2009

After identifying a lack of reliability and repeatability in experienced veterinarians' evaluation of lameness, a group of vets have challenged the industry to search for and develop "a more objective and reliable method of lameness evaluation for us... Read More

Article

Training Alters Stride in Racehorses

September 19, 2009

Training mature racehorses produces a decrease in the protraction (extension) time of the forelimb and might reduce the risk of training-induced injuries, said Marta Ferrari, DrMedVet, PhD, MRCVS, of Park Veterinary Centre in Watford, U.K, and... Read More

Article

Surface Safety, Step By Step

April 14, 2009

What type of impact do various terrains actually have on the health of a horse's hooves and legs? French researchers are using a highly sensitive 3-D dynamometric shoe and other instruments to give unprecedented insight into the biomechanical... Read More

Article

Lameness in the Gaited Horse

April 06, 2009

There were comments from practitioners representing both the Morgan and American Saddlebred Horse breeds, stating that they had heard many positive breed industry comments in support of this white paper. Everyone in the room showed support for maint... Read More

Article

Lame or Ataxic? Kinetic Gait Analysis Can Tell

March 12, 2009

Being able to tell the difference between a mild lameness and subtle spinal ataxia is an important, yet challenging, endeavor in equine practice. Ohio State researchers recently reported that kinetic gait analysis--the computer... Read More

Article

Ataxia in a Young Horse: A Matter of Time and Luck

January 21, 2009

When we got a call from our boarding stable on the day of my 6-month-old Trakehner colt's first vaccinations, one word we weren't expecting to hear was "ataxia." As a freelance news writer for The Horse, I'm subject to the same kind... Read More

Article

Stiff Hocks and Knees

April 01, 2008

Q: My husband and I have raised several hundred horses over the last 40 years, but we have never seen an issue like the one affecting my 4-year-old Quarter Horse gelding. He does not like to bend his knees and hocks. When I ride... Read More

Article

Gait Analysis During Lameness Rehabilitation

October 26, 2007

At the AAEP Blue-Ribbon Panel Research Meeting in Ft. Collins, Colo., on Aug. 1, 2007, Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS, Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at Michigan State University, presented her findings on... Read More

Article

Sticky Stifles

October 01, 2007

My Thoroughbred's stifles have been making a popping noise for quite some time.... Read More

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Equine Lameness

Farm Call: Your Questions Answered

Stiff Hocks and Knees

Q. Q: My husband and I have raised several hundred horses over the last 40 years, but we have never seen an issue like the one affecting my 4-year-old Quarter Horse gelding. He does not like to bend his knees and hocks. When I ride him, he feels like he is walking on stilts. He does not like to go downhill and seems most comfortable at a slow lope. I had a vet check him out

A. Read the Vet's Answer

Sticky Stifles

Q. I had my vet come out when I first got my horse to investigate a strange popping sound I heard when he turned in a small circle. My vet said it was in his stifles, but I'd like to get a second opinion. What questions should I ask?

A. Read the Vet's Answer

Hitch in the Giddy-Up

Q. Question:I have a Trakehner/Thoroughbred cross that starts flexing his hind legs rather noticeably when trotting and/or beginning to canter. He usually does not do this unless he gets excited in the trot, is striking off in the canter, or is transitioning to trot from canter. He never does this at the walk. He is three years old and quite big, and he is probably still growing. His hind legs appear

A. Read the Vet's Answer

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