Intas Polivet (2012) Vol.

13 (II): 187-191 Research Article

Equine Lameness - A Retrospective Study of 176 Animals

J.N. Mistry1, S.S. Nirurkar2, P.B. Patel3, S.R. Chaudhary4 and V.S. Dabas4
Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology
College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry
Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University
Sardarkrushinagar - 385506 (Gujarat)

Abstract
Retrospective investigation was undertaken of ten years equine case records. A total 176 cases (22.11 percent)
with various kinds of lameness ailments were reported. Amongst these majority of the horses belonged to Non-
descript breed (156) followed by Marwadi (16), Kathiawari (3) and Thoroughbred (1). The highest incidence was
recorded in younger age group of less than 2 years as well as in females. The incidence of foot affections were
highest followed by hock and fetlock joint disorders. Out of different causes reported wounds had highest
incidence followed by laminitis, arthritis, fractures and others.

Keywords: Equine; incidence; lameness

Introduction (22.11 percent) with various kinds of lameness

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Lameness is an indication of structural or ailment were reported. Amongst 176 cases of

functional disorder in one or more limbs or the lameness, majority of the horses belonged to non-
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back that is evident while horse is standing or in descript breed (156) followed by Marwadi (16),
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movement (Stashak, 1987). Lameness is found
more in fore limbs because they carry 60-65
percent of horses body weight and thus is
subjected to much greater concussion than hind
limbs. In horses, lameness problem constitute a
huge source of loss financially and athletically
within the equine industry (Dyson, 2000). Thus,
present study was conducted to determine the
prevalence of lameness in equines presented at
the clinics for past 10 years.
Materials and Methods
Retrospective investigation of previous (January'
2000 to June' 2010) ten years equine case
records was executed. The data obtained was
used for procurement of information regarding
aetiology, types and site of lesions. The data was
further analysed to determine resultant incidence
and types of lameness prevalent in this region.
Results and Discussion
During the period of study a total 796 equine cases
were reported, wherein 302 cases (37.93 percent)
of all types of surgical affections and 176 cases
1 Professor and Corresponding Author
E-mail:jnmistrynau@gmail.com
2 Research Fellow
3 Associate Professor
4 Professor
Kathiawari (3) and Thoroughbred (1). The cases
of lameness were found well distributed
throughout the year, nevertheless their frequency
was recorded higher in month of May (18.18
percent) and December (10.23 percent).
Furthermore, amongst the main three seasons
experienced in this tropical region summer
recorded highest incidence (Table-1) of equine
lameness (37.50 percent) followed by monsoon
and winter each reporting equal incidence (31.25
percent).
In the present study, lameness was found well
distributed throughout the year however highest
incidence was recorded in month of May followed
by December. Majority of the equine population
maintained in this region is for the marriage
ceremony and in these two months generally more
number of marriage are being arranged as a
tradition. Hence, this might be the reason of
frequent use of these animals resulting in
lameness problems due to over exertion.
However, in Thoroughbreds more incidences
were noticed in August, September and October
by Varshney (1997) and he opined that it might
be related to management and performance
condition of the animals. Kane et al. (2000)
reported that foot problems were most common
cause of lameness in summer season. Similarly,

187
 Mistry et al.
high incidences of lameness were found in
summer season as compared to monsoon and
winter in the present survey work.
Few problems have the potential to affect all
horses of age, breed, gender or use like lameness
can. In the present study, analysis of ten years
data of 796 horses revealed that 22.11 percent
cases were affected with lameness problem and
the incidence found was very high. Though such
type of study could not be found during the review
of literature, however the incidence of lameness
was reported highest in equines as reported by
various scientists (Stashak, 1987; Varshney, 1997;
Kane et al., 2000; Naeini and Niak, 2005 and
Cogger et al., 2008). In the present study out of
176 cases of lameness, highest incidence was
noticed in non-descript breed followed by
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Marwadi, Kathiawari and Thoroughbred horses.
This might be due to equine population in this
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region where non-descript breed of equine were
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observed; while Marwadi breed having the
second highest number because of its native tract
Rajasthan state is near to the border of Gujarat
state of this region. However, Thoroughbred
horses suffering with lameness entity were
reported by Varshney (1997) as the data was
collected from organised stud of this breed only.
Whereas, Naeini and Niak (2005) examined
horses for lameness and reported the high
incidence for show jumping horses belonging to
Thoroughbred, Turkmen, Arabian, Mixed,
Caspian, Kord or Russian breed.
In the present study, highest incidence was
recorded in younger age group less than 2 years
with 59 cases (33.52 percent), followed by 39
cases (22.16 percent) in age group above 10
years, 37 cases (21.02 percent) in the age group
2 to 4 years, 16 cases (9.09 percent) in the age
group 4 to 6 years, while 13 cases (7.39 percent)
and 12 cases (6.82 percent) in age groups 6 to 8
years and 8 to 10 years respectively (Table-2).
Similarly, Varshney (1997) and Cogger et al.
(2008) reported high incidence in yearlings and
2 years old respectively. However high incidence
was noticed in show jumper horses of 6 to 8 years
old group as reported by Naeini and Niak (2005).
Further, they opined that this age group was
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affected because of maximum performance at this
age.
The incidence was higher in females (143, 81.25
percent) than males (33, 18.75 percent) of all the
age groups. Similarly, Varshney (1997) also
reported high incidence in females of
Thoroughbred. Whereas Cogger et al. (2008)
found no difference between male and female
groups in general except for shin soreness where
male horses were more likely affected than
females. Higher incidence in female group in the
present study might be due to population
difference prevalent in this region.
Involvement of unilateral hind limb was reported
(Table-3) in 63 cases (35.79 percent) followed by
unilateral fore limb in 53 cases (30.11 percent).
However, in bilaterally affected limbs, fore limbs
recorded 23 cases (13.06 percent) and 21 cases
(11.93 percent) in hind limbs; while 13 cases (7.38
percent) were reported with involvement of all four
limbs. Further analysis revealed involvement of
right hind limb (18.18 percent) more than left hind
limb (17.61 percent), whereas in fore limbs the
involvement of left fore (15.90 percent) was higher
compared to right fore (14.20 percent). In foot
affections bilateral involvement of fore limbs had
maximum incidence. The incidence of affections
of foot (27.27 percent) were highest followed by
hock and fetlock joint disorders (14.20 percent
each). In lameness affected cases which involved
all four limbs reported highest incidence in foot
affections (6 cases) immediately followed by
fetlock joint disorders (4 cases) and tendon
abnormalities (3 cases). Analysis of the data as
per unilateral limb affections revealed that high
incidence of lameness was in hind limb as
compared to fore limbs while other scientists
(Varshney, 1997; Stashak, 1987 and Cogger et
al., 2008) reported high incidence of fore limb
affections. They opined that more weight bearing
of fore limbs and chance of injuries to occur during
jumping may result in lameness of fore limbs.
However in the present study, the affections were
noticed in hind limbs were very obvious as these
horses were being used for dance in wedding
ceremonies where, generally horses has to stand
on hind limbs for different type of dance shows
resulting in hind limb affections.
 Equine Lamness - A Retrospective study

Table 1: Month and season wise incidence common occurrence in the geriatric horses
of equine lameness (above 10 years). Further the incidence of fracture
was highest in foals of less than 2 years of age
Months No. of Percent Season wise
cases incidence (13 cases) (Table 4). The anatomical distribution
(percent) of affections showed high incidence in foot of both
fore limbs as compared to hind limbs. This
March 17 9.67 observation was at par with the observations made
April 07 3.97 Summer by Stashak (1987), who opined that forelimbs bear
May 32 18.18 66 (37.50) 60 to 65 percent of body weight in equines. The
June 10 5.68 highest incidence of foot abnormalities in
July 15 8.52 Thorough bred horses was also noticed by
August 16 9.09 Monsoon Varshney (1997).
September 15 8.52 55 (31.25) In the present study, different etiological factors of
October 09 5.11 lameness grouped with different ages, the high
November 10 5.68 incidence of wounds in young animals and in
December 18 10.23 Winter overall lameness disorders. In older animals
January 10 5.68 55 (31.25) laminitis was second highest lameness disorder.
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February 17 9.67 Maximum numbers of fracture cases were noticed

in age group of less than 2 years. Similarly, this
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Total 176 100 176 (100) age group was having high number of different
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affections as compared to other age groups.

Table 2: Age and sex wise incidence of Likewise, high incidence of affections was
equine lameness reported in yearlings by Varshney (1997).
Whereas, Naeini and Niak (2005) reported high
Age groups Male Female Total
incidence of lameness resulting from incorrect
(years) (percent) (percent) (percent)
shoeing almost in all age groups. The animals
<2 24 (13.63) 35 (19.88) 59 (33.52) included in the present study were mostly owned
24 01 (00.56) 36 (20.45) 37 (21.02) by village farmers and they did not follow shoeing
pattern, hence this type of affections were not
46 02 (01.13) 14 (07.95) 16 (09.09)
observed.
68 02 (01.13) 11 (06.25) 13 (07.39)
8 10 00 (00.00) 12 (06.81) 12 (06.82) Thus, in present retrospective analysis the
> 10 04 (02.27) 35 (19.88) 39 (22.16) seasonal incidence indicated comparatively
higher incidence in summer season with highest
Total 33 (18.75) 143 (81.25) 176 (100) cases presented in the month of May followed by
Out of different causes reported wounds had December due to wedding ceremonies. Horses
highest incidence (17.62 percent) followed by with age less than 2 years and geriatric animals
laminitis (13.08 percent), arthritis (11.36 percent), with age more than 10 years reported highest
fractures (10.79 percent) and abnormalities of incidence of lameness with common causes for
tendons or ligaments (9.65 percent) with lameness were found to be wounds followed by
miscellaneous causes involving luxation, fractures and laminitis for the respective age
congenital defects and foot abnormalities.The groups. The preference for rearing females in this
most common cause of lameness was due to region resulted in observed higher incidence in
wound (17.2 percent) with highest cases reported females in all the age groups when compared to
in the age group 2 to 4 years old horses (12 cases) male equines irrespective of any breed. Further,
followed by foals less than 2 years old (9 cases). the type of activity performed in the region
The second most prevalent cause of lameness especially at wedding ceremonies resulted in
was laminitis (13.08 percent), reported as a higher incidence of unilateral hind limb lameness

189
 Mistry et al.

Table 3: Incidence of equine lameness as per anatomical involvement

Anatomical Unilateral All No. of Percent
location Fore limb Hind limb Bilateral limbs Cases
Left Right Left Right Fore Hind
limbs limbs
Foot 7 5 6 6 14 4 6 48 27.27
Fetlock 5 6 3 4 1 2 4 25 14.20
Hock - - 8 10 - 7 - 25 14.20
Tendon/
ligaments 1 3 2 4 2 2 3 17 9.66
Knee 6 7 - - 3 - - 16 9.09
Stifle - - 5 5 - 2 - 12 6.82
Shoulder 7 3 - - - - - 10 5.68
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Hip - - 5 2 - 3 - 10 5.68
Elbow 1 1 - - 3 - - 5 2.84
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Multiple 1 - 2 1 - 1 - 5 2.84
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Back 3 - - - - - - 3 1.70
Pastern - - - - - - - 0 0.00
Total 28 25 31 32 23 21 13 176 100
Per cent 14.20 18.18 15.90 17.61 13.06 11.93 7.38 100 100

Table 4: Incidence of equine lameness disorders in different age groups

Age/Disorders <2 2-4 4-6 6-8 8 - 10 > 10 Total (%)

Wounds 9 12 3 2 3 2 31(17.62)
Laminitis - 3 3 2 5 10 23 (13.08)
Arthritis 8 4 - 1 1 7 20 (11.36)
Fracture 13 1 - 2 - 3 19 (10.79)
Tendon/ ligaments 7 6 2 2 3 2 17 (09.65)
Luxation 5 2 - - 1 - 08 (04.54)
Congenital defects 4 - 1 - - - 05 (02.84)
Hoof affections 1 - 1 - - 1 03 (01.70)
Other conditions 10 9 6 6 3 12 50 (28.40)
Total cases 57 35 16 15 16 27 176
(percent) (32.38) (19.88) (9.10) (8.52) (9.10) (21.02) (100)

190
 Equine Lamness - A Retrospective study

whereas bilateral fore limb affections were found
higher than hind limbs.
Acknowledgement
Sincere thanks to the Department of Clinic for
making available relevant records and Dean,
College of Veterinary Science and Animal
Husbandry, S.D.A.U., Sardarkrushinagar for
providing required facilities for the study.
References
Cogger, N., Evans, D.L., Hodgson, D.R., Reid, S.W.
and Perkins, N. (2008). Incidence rate of
musculoskeletal injuries and determinants of time to
recovery in young Australian Thoroughbred racehorses.
Aust Vet J. 86: 473-80.
Dyson, S.J. (2000). Lameness and poor performance
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in the sports horses: Dressage, show jumping and
horses trials (eventing). In: Proc. Ann. Conv. AAEP. 46:
308-15.
Kane, A.J.; Traub-Dargatz, J.; Losinger, W.C. and
Garber, L.P. (2000). The occurrence and causes of
lameness and laminitis in the U. S. horse population. In:
Proc. Ann. Conv. AAEP. 46: 277-80.
Naeini, A.T. and Niak, B.T. (2005). Field study of the
prevalence of lameness in horses in three provinces of
Iran. Pakistan Vet. J. 25: 140-42.
Stashak, S.T. (1987). The relationship between
conformation and lameness. Adams Lameness in
Horses. 4 th Edn., Lea & Febiger Publications,
Philadelphia.
Varshney, J.P. (1997). Equine lameness - A
retrospective study. Indian J. Vet. Surg. 18 : 27-28.

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