Length of time for flexion tests.

[jhoward]

is there an average time a leg is held? I thought 30 seconds was the normal? could peopletell me what they have experianced?

glass of white and some choccies...

 

[flowerlady]

My vet times 1 minute then immediate trot off.

I prefer red

 

[proctor]

I've always been told 1 minute. When my vet vetted my horse before I bought him, he did 1 min too so!! No longer than a minute though!

 

[jhoward]

ah ok.. i thought the norm was around 30 seconds, then today vet done 45 seconds and was thinking it long..

 

[flowerlady]

Apparently up for one minute and expect full recovery in 10 seconds so I think 30 seconds is not long enough.

 

[pastie2]

I really dont like flexion tests, be it one second or one minute.

 

[proctor]

I really dont like flexion tests, be it one second or one minute.

Can I ask why? I've never heard anyone be so against them before so I'm just curious as to why!!!

 

[Bertthefrog]

Definitely 1 minute!

Many people don't like flexion tests - as a diagnostic method it is very difficult to flex and therefore test one joint when raising the entire leg. Also - when done badly you can pretty much lame the soundest of horses - especially if held for too long.

I have to admit, from my experiences, you often have a pretty good idea how a flexion test will go before it's done - when you look at the conformation and strength of the hock.

 

[pastie2]

Can I ask why? I've never heard anyone be so against them before so I'm just curious as to why!!!

I dont like them as they do untold damage to the horse, if done repeatedly can make a sound horse lame. I personally would not turn down a horse on the result of a negative flexion test. To me its is the same as banging the horses leg with a hamer and saying, look its lame.