September 2002

You Can Become A Hind-End Lameness Sleuth

The more clues you give your vet about your horse’s movement and attitude changes, the better the chance of a firm diagnosis.

Talk with your vet about your options, ûwhich many include regular light work ûand maximum turnout.

Jerry is a 16.2-hand, substantially built Thoroughbred/Hanoverian cross gelding. He was broken at three but had basically been a pasture ornament since age four until he was placed for sale at age seven. When his new owner tried him, Jerry did a lot of head tossing and was reluctant to pick up a canter. However, she thought he had potential and he passed the vet exam with a comment that his stifles were weak.

The goal for Jerry was dressage, but the plan was to put him into general conditioning work for a year and then evaluate his suitability. …