| Lameness can present itself in a number of different | | | | balance is essential for this discipline and despite a |
| ways and for different reasons; | | | | good farrier being able to shoe to accommodate for |
| -There is more that one area of pain | | | | problems that may be evident. If a horse has an |
| -The horses performance drops | | | | upright foot concussion related problems can occur |
| -The horse shows behavioral changes | | | | more frequently. |
| Sometimes assessment of the problem can be | | | | When training Show Jumpers engagement and |
| challenging if there is no clear reason for the change / | | | | collection is required however this can accelerate |
| drop in performance and associated lameness. | | | | problems in the thoracic lumbar region as it puts a lot |
| Knowing the history of the horse can greatly assist in | | | | more stress and strain on the area. Forelimbs will be |
| the diagnosis of the problem. The horses training | | | | constantly put under a lot of impact pressures, a good |
| schedule, length of time taken to reach levels of | | | | rider that stays stable and with a good center of |
| fitness and types of exercises will help to determine | | | | balance will prevent the horse from having to cope |
| what types of strains and stresses muscles etc, have | | | | with uneven weights as they regain position after a |
| been put under. | | | | jump. |
| When assessing the horse the main aims are to | | | | The experience and strength of the horse will, if not |
| determine whether the problem relates to; | | | | suitable for the job, hinder the horse, causing more |
| -Pain | | | | stresses and strains as it jumps incorrectly due to |
| -Weakness | | | | tiredness and fatigue. The training surface needs to be |
| -Young horses often show signs of weaknesses | | | | considered carefully to help rather that slow down the |
| possibly relating to being tired. Training programs for | | | | training of the horse. Too hard and concussions can |
| youngsters should be relative to growth rate. | | | | occur, too deep and suspensory injuries can occur. |
| -Neurological defects | | | | Joint, bone, foot bruising, inflammation of these areas |
| -Clinical Problems | | | | and hoof wall problems are all common when horses |
| -Poor shoeing can lead to bilateral foot pain, fetlock | | | | are ridden on unsuitable surfaces. |
| pain, hock pain, carpal pain, thoracic lumbar pain, | | | | When training Dressage horses training schedules are |
| sacroilliac pain, tying up. | | | | often dependent on the horse's age. The dressage |
| -Good shoeing can assist horses with some minor | | | | horse will spend a lot of time in the arena performing a |
| problems stated above, when they perform. | | | | lot of gymnastic exercises. Injuries and lameness are |
| -Rider problems | | | | often tissue specific rather than concussive. The |
| -A poorly skilled rider can hinder horses when e.g. | | | | dressage horse needs to spend a lot of time working |
| jumping - poor eye coming into a jump can cause a | | | | towards strengthening in order to not fatigue when |
| greater strain on horses' muscles / ligaments / joints. | | | | performing difficult weight bearing movements. |
| This can cause tying up due to weaknesses from this. | | | | Desmitis in the hind limbs can occur due to the transfer |
| -Horse problems - sometimes the horse is just not | | | | of weight between front and hind limbs if the horse |
| skilled enough, suitable or has the right temperament | | | | has not built up enough strength. Acute injuries are not |
| for the discipline it is being ridden in. | | | | often seen, instead, due to the repetitive nature of the |
| Show Jumping and Dressage. | | | | training, it is these types of lamenesses that can occur. |
| Subtle lameness may only slightly impede the horse's | | | | As the horse spends so long working in the arena, the |
| performance and as many injuries tend to be | | | | surface is so important. Consistency and levelness |
| repetitive, accumulating over time. Many trainers prefer | | | | across the entire surface must be maintained. It is |
| to wait until the end of the season to investigate fully | | | | worth considering that constant work on a soft |
| into the cause and future treatments. As the season | | | | surface as found in arena will not stimulate remodeling |
| ends and workloads reduce the demands on horses | | | | within the horses bones, important for strength. Training |
| become less, the lameness seen at the height of | | | | should incorporate work on hard ground occasionally |
| competition season may be seen less, affecting the | | | | to achieve this. Caution should be taken though not to |
| horse less. | | | | shock the horse. |
| Conformation has a clear impact on injury. Foot | | | | |