How well can you recognise lameness? - Research Survey

[Fjord]

I got them right regarding lame or sound and whether front or hind, but wasn't fully correct on exactly which leg (there was at least one guess in there). I think the main thing is to recognise if they are lame or not, and to stop riding them and seek help.

 

[Surbie]

Really enjoyed this,it was helpful to have the more than one look at it though! I did get most of them, other than the bilateral which I had as hind, and I thought the sound horse was off as well. I would love more of these, with annotated videos after showing what to look for and where.

Given they asked for your views on ridden/non-ridden/box rest/other I would like to know what the diagnosis and treatment was for each.

 

[splashgirl45]

I skipped through the thread so haven’t seen any info, started to do the quiz on my phone but found the image too small as I’ve got an iPhone mini, so will stream on to tv later to try

 

[skint1]

I spotted which were lame but rarely got the correct leg.

 

[MereChristmas]

I give up. I’ve tried 3 times and I get to number 6 and it freezes.
Got them all right that I saw but more by luck than judgement I think

 

[nagblagger]

Like others got them right, knew fore or hind but not always which leg. Reassuring I vaguely know something. Must admit, you could convince yourself the sound horse was lame..I watched that one a few times.
Good quiz but wish they put the explanation of why it was that leg so you could rewatch and understand.

 

[HollyWoozle]

I can spot the lameness but terrible at working out which leg/s, although I think it would be easier in reality as you could see them travelling in more directions and have more chances to assess.

It’s an interesting survey… I feel that so many of the horses I see in videos on social media (I mean those which are posted by amateur riders like friends, clients etc) or in adverts show a lame horse and I’ve often wondered if I’m just mad, since I’m certainly no expert. This survey makes me think that maybe I am right sometimes after all.

 

[ElvisandTilly]

Spoiler

The right hip is dropping,

I thought it was pretty clearly lame but yes they are pretty much all that subtle but not all the same angle.

I'm not sure I agree that the sound one/s is/are sound
.

I also didn’t think the sound one was sound

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

What a nice little survey! Really interesting, and you learn from it too.

I did get the "Sound" horse correct, tho' didn't get the right foot/feet with a couple of the others.

 

[claracanter]

I enjoyed that. Very educational. I got all right lame or sound ,hind or foreleg but not always correct left and right. There were a few people further up the thread who did the same. Pleased I can tell a lame one though as that’s the main thing really

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I got them right regarding lame or sound and whether front or hind, but wasn't fully correct on exactly which leg (there was at least one guess in there). I think the main thing is to recognise if they are lame or not, and to stop riding them and seek help.

I agree that's what vets are for to tell you what leg I wouldn't expect every horse owner to know which leg, I've mostly been right when mine have been lame but on the odd occasion it's been bilateral and I think without nerve blocking it's really hard to tell.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Wish I could print this off and pin it up on some livery yards! I know too many NQR/lame horses being 'treated' and they have no intention of referring them to a vet and likely never will

I know what you mean!!

Once saw a horse walked for the farrier and even I could see it was very lame on both front legs, it was shuffling rather than walking and owner called the farrier rather than the vet. I overheard farrier saying "I can't put a shoe on that, you really need to call the vet"...yep, owner had asked if he could put the shoes back on to make it less lame.

 

[little_critter]

I thought I was reasonable at spotting lameness but I struggled with my own boy just the other day. I find it easy if the lameness is consistent, you can get into a rhythm and spot what the head/hip is doing.
When I lunged my boy the other night to asses his lameness I really struggled. I could clearly see he was lame on a front leg but couldn’t be sure which. My problem was it wasn’t a consistent lameness every stride. I’d notice a lame step but hadn‘t seen what the head was doing at that moment. Maybe I’m odd!
At least yesterday when he saw the vet he was around 4/5 lame and even I could clearly see it was right fore

 

[SEL]

I know what you mean!!

Once saw a horse walked for the farrier and even I could see it was very lame on both front legs, it was shuffling rather than walking and owner called the farrier rather than the vet. I overheard farrier saying "I can't put a shoe on that, you really need to call the vet"...yep, owner had asked if he could put the shoes back on to make it less lame.

I once phoned the owner of an obese Welsh pony who was struggling to get up in the field. I'd been watching it for 30 mins while poo picking and it looked crippled all round

Well he can't have laminitis he's got shoes on was the terse response. Excellent - why didn't the rest of us think of that then.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Did anyone who participated in this survey get any follow up communication about the outcome? Or by some miracle happen to remember nearly a year on which university the research was with?! I would love to know what they found. Annoyed with my OP for not putting more info as the link no longer works.

 

[Surbie]

No, nothing received here. Shame, it was interesting.