My Horse Is Lame: Where and Why

Year Published: 1975

Creator: Kerr-Gray Enterprises

Description: Dating to 1975, "My Horse Is Lame: Where and Why" is apparently one of a series of films in the "Equestrian Film Library" and shot at the Sleepy Hollow Riding School in Chatsworth, California. It was produced by Kerr-Gray Enterprises. The film explores the issue of lameness in horses, a common and often painful condition that threatens the enjoyment and utility of these animals. It explains that lameness typically results from pain and falls into two categories: swinging leg lameness, caused by muscle issues, and supporting leg lameness, which involves bones, tendons, or ligaments. It underscores the importance of early veterinary consultation and outlines practical prevention strategies such as proper conditioning, safe footing, warm-up and cool-down routines, and prompt treatment of injuries. By learning to “listen” to a horse’s body language and applying good care practices, lameness can often be identified early or prevented altogether. 00:00 The film begins by highlighting the deep bond between humans and horses, emphasizing the care and training involved in riding 1:10: However, lameness is a constant threat to the joy of horsemanship 1:47: Lameness is usually a sign of pain and falls into two types: swinging leg lameness caused by muscle issues 2:05: and supporting leg lameness related to bones, tendons, or ligaments 2:33: To detect lameness, it's important to let the horse move freely and observe its motion on a hard, flat surface while walking and trotting 3:19: Lameness is easier to detect at a trot. Watch the horse’s head: it nods when the sound leg hits and rises when the lame leg strikes 4:02: If both forelegs are lame, the horse will move stiffly 4:20: and if a hind leg is affected, one hip will drop more than the other 5:00: A waddling gait suggests lameness in both front and hind legs 5:08: When the horse trots again, focus on stride length: a shorter, normal-swing stride suggests lameness below the knee; an outward swing hints at issues in the shoulder 5:42: Circling can help identify where the lameness lies—below the knee shows more on the inside, and above the knee on the outside of the circle 5:59: Most front-leg lameness occurs below the fetlock, and hind-leg issues often center in the hock 6:17: Observe whether the horse lands on the toe or heel—toe-first landings usually indicate rear leg issues, heel-first suggest front leg problems 6:43: Next, always check the foot first—ensure the shoe is intact, remove stones, and inspect for nail punctures or cracks like quarter or sand cracks 7:29: Use a hammer to tap the sole; flinching indicates pain, possibly from a stone bruise or puncture 7:33: If a puncture is found, mark it and call a vet 7:59: Look for signs of thrush, heat, or founder, comparing temperature to the opposite leg 8:02: Founder often shows in both front feet, and horses may adjust weight depending on the issue—standing on the heel for founder, or on the toe for navicular disease 8:27: If the foot is clear, examine the leg—compare to the sound leg by feeling from the elbow or stifle down to the coronet 9:23: Flexing joints and observing increased lameness during a trot can help locate the problem 10:01: For hind limbs, it’s hard to differentiate between hock and stifle due to joint overlap 10:18: For shoulder issues, manipulation often causes a reaction, and trotting afterward may worsen the limp 10:45: Horses lame in the shoulder will often rest just the toe and resist backing up 11:00: while stifle pain causes resistance to leg lifting or stretching 11:20: The film advises calling a veterinarian early for all lameness cases and stresses the value of communicating clear observations 11:49: For prevention, avoid hard terrain, condition the horse properly, use warm-up and cool-down routines, keep surroundings free of hazards, and address injuries promptly 13:11: With attentive care and judgment, lameness due to accidents or illness can be significantly reduced.

Online Copy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QONAavQSx_4

Metadata Source:YouTube