Common Causes of Lameness

by Boehringer Ingelheim / May 17, 2024

Vet checking joints and footing on a horse

Seven Common Causes of Lameness

Whether it’s a subtle change in gait or noticeable head bobbing, any sign of lameness is cause for concern. Most causes of lameness are not career ending and can be treated, though some can be more serious. Recognize the most common causes and signs of lameness to ensure your horse has the best chance of recovery.

1. Foot Abscess

A foot, or hoof, abscess can occur when bacteria is able to enter the hoof through cracks in the sole, hoof wall or a penetrating wound. Wet and/or muddy conditions offer a greater risk for abscesses to develop.

Signs

Abscesses are quite painful, and affected horses can be severely lame, sometimes seemingly out of nowhere. Signs of an abscess include:

“Toe-touching lameness”
Hesitancy to put their full weight on the affected hoof
Hoof and skin above it feel warm to the touch
Prominent pulse felt just above the hoof

Treatment

Treatment of an abscess can include:

Soaking in a mixture of warm water and Epsom salt
Packing the hoof with a poultice
Managing pain with medication
Creating a drainage path by your veterinarian or farrier

2. Subsolar Bruising

Subsolar bruising may occur when there is repetitive trauma to the horse’s sole, most commonly due to working on hard ground. Poor hoof conformation, such as thin soles or flat heels, can predispose a horse to subsolar bruising.

Signs

A horse with subsolar bruising may show persistent mild lameness in both front legs, as well as:

A reluctance to walk on hard ground
Lameness that may wax and wane, day to day
Visible bruising, as seen by discoloration on bottom of sole, if light-colored

Treatment

Treatment of subsolar bruising often requires the teamwork of both a veterinarian to manage pain and a farrier to
change shoeing.

3. Navicular Syndrome

Navicular syndrome is a broad term, used to refer to horses with caudal heel pain related to the navicular bone or any of its surrounding tendons and ligaments.

Signs

The onset of navicular syndrome is often gradual, and typically presents as a chronic or progressive lameness in the
front end:

Initially, lameness may only occur from time to time or on hard ground
While both front feet can be affected, a horse may occasionally have one foot that is affected more than the other

Treatment

Diagnosis of navicular syndrome may begin with radiographs, but in some cases requires an MRI to determine the full extent of the disease. Treatment varies case by case, but common treatments may include:

Corrective shoeing
Oral anti-inflammatories
Systemic bisphosphonates
Joint injections

4. Laminitis

Laminitis is an extremely painful condition, affecting the tissue that connects the coffin bone to the hoof wall. Laminitis can be caused by many different conditions, such as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), insulin dysregulation or sepsis.

Signs

Weight-bearing is very painful for horses suffering from laminitis. Signs include:

Resting in a rocked-back stance, to take weight away from the area of most severe pain over the toes
Exhibiting lameness at the walk
Spending more time lying down
Hooves that are warm to the touch and/or have digital pulses

Treatment

Treatment for laminitis is meant to reduce further progression of the disease and manage pain through:

Addressing any underlying diseases
Stalls with deep bedding
Using NSAIDs
Cold therapy
Special farrier care

5. Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive deterioration of the structures of the joint that can develop in horses of any age. Degenerative joint disease usually begins with synovitis (inflammation of the joint fluid and joint lining), which, if unchecked, begins to cause cartilage damage, then irreversible bony changes (OA).

Signs

The main clinical sign of OA is lameness, which is usually a gradual onset, but can happen acutely. Additional signs include:

Heat and swelling around the affected joint
Possible decreased range of motion

Treatment

While OA cannot be cured once bony changes have occurred, treatment options are available to reduce pain and prevent further joint deterioration, including:

Rest
Systemic medications such as NSAIDs or hyaluronic acid
Joint injections

6. Soft-tissue Injury

Soft-tissue injuries are most often seen in performance and racehorses, but can be seen in any age, breed or discipline. They refer to any damage done to a horse’s tendons or ligaments.

Signs

In addition to lameness, clinical signs at the injured site may include:

Swelling
Pain
Heat

Treatment

Diagnosis, treatment and recovery timelines vary case by case. Initial treatments typically include:

Cold therapy
Bandaging
Rest

7. Traumatic Injury

Traumatic injuries are inclusive of anything from a wound or laceration to a fracture.

Signs

Such injuries are typically visible and easy to identify, though often difficult to discern the severity. A horse that has sustained a fracture from a traumatic event will typically exhibit severe non-weight-bearing lameness.

Treatment

A veterinarian should be called whenever there is a traumatic injury, to provide a proper assessment. Diagnostic imaging such as radiographs or computed tomography (CT) is crucial in the diagnosis of a fracture.  Any wound that is over a joint or tendon should also be evaluated by a veterinarian to determine if synovial structures are involved, which can be life-threatening.

When to Contact Your Veterinarian

If your horse is exhibiting any signs of lameness, contact your veterinarian right away. They will be able to properly diagnose your horse and begin treatment. You can learn more about what to expect during a lameness exam here.