Monday, April 24, 2017
Of all animals, horses are the most prone to lameness. Particularly feared, owners and riders are not always able to detect it early enough.
These conditions can quickly impair quality of life and lead to a decline in the horse's performance. As a result, Seaver has developed a tool to help detect lameness.
Let's start with a few definitions.
Lameness is not a disease but an abnormality in posture or movement, usually caused by discomfort or pain in a limb. Also known as claudication, lameness prevents normal movement. When a horse begins to limp, its weight shifts to another limb to relieve the pain, resulting in asymmetrical locomotion.
There are several reasons why a horse might limp. It can occur following an impact, causing swelling. In this case, the limp is considered benign and may disappear after a few days. It is also possible that a stone has lodged in the hoof, making it painful to put weight on. In this case, intervention by a veterinarian or farrier is essential. Lameness in horses can also be caused by pain in one of the limbs. This pain may be pathological, such as osteoarthritis or navicular disease, for example, or it may result from a strain or tendonitis. Appropriate treatment is then required to ensure the animal's recovery. The cause of lameness can also come from higher up, particularly the kneecap, stifle, or shoulders.
As a general rule, if the lameness is due to an injury to the skeleton, joints, or feet, it will be more pronounced on "hard" ground. Conversely, if it is due to a muscle or tendon injury, it will be more pronounced on "soft" ground. It is essential to identify the location and causes of the pain in order to treat lameness effectively.
As mentioned above, when a horse limps, it tends to put less weight on the affected limb to reduce pain. The Seaver strap measures weight distribution per limb, helping you detect problems as early as possible. To do this, the tool compares the upward and downward movement as well as the left-to-right movement of the horse's chest as each limb is placed on the ground.
By definition, a healthy horse moving in a straight line on flat ground should have symmetrical movements. It bears the same weight on its left front leg as on its right front leg, and the same applies to the hind legs. Obviously, this rule only applies to symmetrical gaits, i.e., walking and trotting.
A threshold of approximately 25% movement asymmetry is suggested for detecting a problem, so a horse putting 25% less weight on one limb compared to the opposite limb could have a problem with that limb. Please note that movement asymmetry does not always indicate lameness. Other factors must be taken into account, such as poor rider position, poor saddle positioning, or a saddle that is not suitable for the horse. If in doubt, it is best to consult a veterinarian.
For more information on movement symmetry, take a look at our article in collaboration with Camille Judet Cheret, professional dressage rider: here
An abnormal increase in heart rate for the same intensity of exercise can also be a telltale sign of lameness. Thanks to electrodes placed inside the strap, Seaver records your horse's heart rate in real time. This allows you to quickly spot any abnormalities and anticipate lameness.
Don't panic if we're not sure about you, we've thought of everything. The Seaver strap is equipped with an alert system. Notifications will be sent to your mobile app to warn you of any lameness.
Lameness can also be confirmed visually. To do this, it is necessary to observe the horse moving on flat ground, in a straight line from the front, from behind, and from the side, at a walk and a trot.
In the event of lameness in a front limb, the head and neck will tend to rise abruptly when the painful limb is bearing weight, and to lower when the healthy limb strikes the ground.
In the case of lameness in a hind limb, it is slightly different. The hip rises when the painful limb is bearing weight, and lowers when the healthy limb strikes the ground.
The Seaver team
