Lameness defined
-Stiffly backward ears
•Eye tightening
•Tension above the eye area
•Strained chewing muscles
•Muscles strained
•Pronounced chin
•Flared Nostril
Factors that affect the concussive force on the horse's leg:
ground
horse's overall fitness
horse's conformation
name 3 shoulder conditions that can cause lameness in a horse:
• Developmental disease (OCD, Subchondral bone cysts)
• Fracture
• Arthritis, Luxation, Infection of joint
• Soft tissue (Nerve, Muscle, Ligament) damage
Define high ringbone non- articular
new bone forms in the pastern area without arthrosis in the joint
How much did Secretariat's heart weight?
a). 15 lb
B). 29 lb
c). 22 lb
D). 33 lb
While the average horse's heart weighs 7.7-11 lbs, Secretariat's heart weighed a whopping 22 lbs
What are the facial markers showing the greatest significant difference between lame and sound horse?
> EARS BACK
> TIPPING THE HEAD
> EYES PARTIALLY OR FULLY CLOSE
> TENSION AROUND THE EYE
> AN INTENSE STARE
> OPEN MOUTH WITH EXPOSED TEETH
> BEING SEVERELY ABOVE THE BIT
what are the horses mechanisms to counteract the effects on concussion?
high moisture content of the hoof
elasticity of the hoof wall
collateral cartilages
digital cushion
Frog
What is "Sweeney" shoulder injury caused by?
Pinching/damaging nerve (Suprascapular N., Brachial Plexus, or Caudal Cervical injury)
– Heavy harnesses to pull
– Blunt trauma
• Chronic pressure on muscles
• Laminitis/other lameness causing prolonged recumbency
• Poor recovery from anesthesia
Causes of a rupture in the DDFT:
– Trauma
– Fracture of short pastern
– Advanced navicular disease post neurectomy
How small was the smallest horse ever recorded?
a). 4 hh
b). 3.2 hh
c). 5.5 hh
c) 6 hh
From Missouri (USA), Thumbelina, the smallest horse ever recorded, measured in at a mere 4hh (44.5cm)
Why does a horse alter its movement when lame?
Avoid Pain
Biomechanical Restriction
Maintain Balance
What is plaiting "rope walking"?
Horse places foot directly in front (sometimes even to the outside) of the contralateral (opposing) foot at the walk or trot/
What are the clinical signs of a fractured ulna?
• pain and swelling of the elbow
• If Joint involved: elbow is dropped, incapable of extension, carpus and fetlock are bent, with the toe resting on the ground.
Too cold water after exercise
▪ Running on hard surfaces
▪ Carbohydrate Overload
▪ Fever from infection
▪ Endotoxemia from systemic disease
▪ Placentitis
▪ Histamine release (allergic reaction)
▪ Metabolic conditions
▪ PPID, Insulin Resistance
▪ Long Toes over time
▪ Uneven weight support (Ipsilateral limb)
▪ Genetics
▪ Heat
How long was the longest horse tail ever recorded?
a). 13 ft 8 in
b). 6 ft 10 in
c). 8 ft 2 in
d). 12 ft 6 in
Kansas mare JJS Summer Breeze currently holds the world record for the longest tail. When last measured in 2007, her flowing locks reached extreme lengths of 12ft 6in (381cm)!
What are you observing in the hind limb when trying to identifying lameness from a hind leg?
the hip that stays high/least movement is on the non-lame side
Horse will tense try to take the load off the painful leg
Standing – High Hip may indicate lameness on opposite leg
What are three signs of a healthy hoof?
• the bony column is aligned
• there is laminae integrity
• dorso-palmar and medio-lateral balance supports the bony column under the limb with optimal breakover
• good form of structures: bars are straight, good heel base, healthy frog tissue and fibrous digital cushion and collateral cartilages: Support Concussion
• tight suspensory system and healthy joint function
What causes splints?
– young horse over worked before ligament at full
strength
– improper nutrition (heavy Phosphorous, low calcium)
– Conformation: Ex: Pigeon toed (increase weight on medial aspect of limb)
– Fracture of splint bone
What is the treatment for navicular disease?
-Shorten the Toe & Raise the Heel
– this increases the breakover & decreases the force on the DDFT
– Inject Navicular Bursa/coffin joint
– Systemic medication: Osphos & NSAIDS
How much was paid for the most expensive horse at auction?
a) 19 million
b). 100 million
c) 70 million
d). 60 million
Fusaichi Pegasus, the legendary Thoroughbred, galloped his way into history with a stellar racing career highlighted by his 2000 Kentucky Derby victory. His record-breaking purchase price of $70 million cemented his status as the most expensive horse ever sold
Define lameness
Any ALTERATION or ABNORMALITY during any Normal Gait
Describe what is sickle hock:
When the hock angle looks normal on a sickle-hocked horse, the hind legs will often be farther behind the horse than they should be (camped out).
Name 4 treatments for bucked shins:
– check cannon for heat/pain decrease workload stop breezing/running
– Hydrotherapy
– Laser Therapy
– Continue light work to keep bone remodeling
– Increase workload after remodeling is finished
– Bone remodels based on work not age
– Careful Training to avoid issue
What are the clinical signs of a hoof abscess?
– Acute lameness
– Heat, Swelling in limb
– Increased Digital Pulse
– +/- Fever
Longest walk done from the hind legs of a horse
A) 10 meters
B). 7 meters
C). 13 meters
D) 23 meters
Desert Kismet, a 16-year-old pure Arabian horse, holds the record for walking long distances on his hind legs unassisted. Desert Kismet is also known for his record-breaking time of 9.21 seconds for the fastest 10 meters on his hind legs