Horse Leg & Hoof Injury & Diseases

Every horse enthusiast has heard it: "No hoof, no horse." When a horse becomes lame, he can't do his job. That's why proper care for hooves and legs should be a top priority for horse owners.

Bucked Shins

Hard, fast turning can cause the front of a horse's shin to harden and swell. Caused by fractures that aren't given time to heal, bucked shins can cause the horse to become lame.

Laminitis and Founder

Laminitis, also known as founder, occurs when the laminae becomes inflamed and the coffin bone begins to separate from the hoof wall. In acute cases, the coffin bone can penetrate the sole of the foot.

Bowed Tendon

Bowed tendons occur when tendonitis goes undiagnosed. The suspensory ligament will appear bowed outward and inflamed. It can take up to a year for bowed tendons to heal.

Stringhalt

Stringhalt is caused by nerve degeneration affecting the hocks, possibly due to the ingestion of poisonous plants. Mild stringhalt causes a slight limp. In more severe cases, the hind leg jerks up rapidly, sometimes striking the horse in the belly.

Navicular Disease

Navicular disease causes heel pain and occurs in horses who frequently step toe first, as hunters and jumpers do when they jump a fence.

References

• Bowed Tendons and Tendon Problems
• Shin Injuries
• Navicular Disease

Resources

• Acreage Equines