We all love our horses and seeing them being able to gallop freely in the meadows is something that brings a sense of tranquillity to many. However, while we do enjoy the majestic view of them running in the wild, it does gives us the subtle chance of observing the horse’s gait and to quickly identify problems that the horse might be having. One possible problem is that the horse might be lame.
If you ever detect that your horse is having an abnormal gait or that it is unwilling to move, then there is a chance that the horse is suffering from a disorder of the musculoskeletal system, which gives horse their ability to move. While this may seem to be a very normal issue, which actually it is, it can also be a sign of a severe problem that is affecting your horse.
Reasons For Lameness In Horses
There are several reasons that contribute to the lameness in horses. For one, it can be caused by congenital disorders, but this is something that is less prominent than other causes. The main contributing factors could be trauma or even nervous system diseases. Perhaps of all the possible problems, the latter is something that most owners would be worried about.
Well, interestingly, one cannot view lameness in the horse as a disease. Rather, it is, as mentioned earlier, a problem that arose most commonly through trauma or through damage to the horse’s nervous system. As there can be many contributing factors to the lameness, you will need to correctly identify the root of the product so that you can administer the proper remedy.
Here are some of the more common factors that cause lameness in horses.
- Infection
When a wound is infected, it can cause much more problems than the injury itself. Some wounds can cause the horse to lose their balance and hence affect their gait.
- Nutrition
Yes, the lack of proper nutrition can be the root of the issue. Always ensure that you feed the horse with Zinc, Protein as well as omega 3 fatty acids.
- Injuries
Injuries to your horse are perhaps the most common reason that causes the horse’s lameness. It can be an open injury or even an undetected fracture. Common sprains can be an issue here, while damages to the horse’s ligaments or tendons can be tricky.
How To Remedy Lameness In Horse
First of all, you should learn how to identify some of the common causes of lameness in the horse. For example, if the give your horse some painkillers to help alleviate the pain, yet the hose is still unable to move the kneecaps, then it can be a sign that the horse is suffering from a mechanical lameness. If the horse responds to the painkillers and is able to move as per normal, then it can be a case of your horse suffering from an injury and hence trauma.
Actually, the best way to remedy lameness in a horse is always to visit the vet as the vet will know how to properly administer the correct remedy to your horse.
