An experienced veterinarian, Phillip Kapraun has owned and managed operations at the Phillip R. Kapraun DVM, PC, Harvard Equine Practice in Harvard, Illinois, since 1984. In this position, he excels in diagnosing lameness in horses.
There are a number of symptoms that may indicate horse lameness, including several behaviors that are specific to certain degrees of lameness. That said, some of the symptoms can be quite subtle and difficult to diagnose without proper training.
For example, when one hind leg does not extend as far forward as the other while the horse is in motion, it can be indicative of lameness, as can an overall shortening of strides. Such differences can be hard to notice in real time, particularly for those unfamiliar with different horse gaits.
Other subtle cues only occur in specific scenarios, such as resisting a single lead that is pulled, or altering movements only when taking a particular diagonal direction. In some cases, a change in gait may only be observed when the horse moves from soft footing to firm footing and back again.
People who notice these or similar changes in their horses’ behavior or gait should immediately discuss the potential of horse lameness with a knowledgeable veterinarian.
2. Introduction
An experienced veterinarian, Phillip Kapraun has owned and managed operations at
the Phillip R. Kapraun DVM, PC, Harvard Equine Practice in Harvard, Illinois, since
1984. In this position, he excels in diagnosing lameness in horses.
3. There are a number of symptoms that may indicate horse lameness, including several
behaviors that are specific to certain degrees of lameness. That said, some of the
symptoms can be quite subtle and difficult to diagnose without proper training.
4. For example, when one hind leg does not extend as far forward as the other while
the horse is in motion, it can be indicative of lameness, as can an overall shortening
of strides. Such differences can be hard to notice in real time, particularly for those
unfamiliar with different horse gaits.
5. Other subtle cues only occur in specific scenarios, such as resisting a single
lead that is pulled, or altering movements only when taking a particular diagonal
direction. In some cases, a change in gait may only be observed when the horse
moves from soft footing to firm footing and back again.
People who notice these or similar changes in their horses’ behavior or gait
should immediately discuss the potential of horse lameness with a
knowledgeable veterinarian.
