07/27/2025
Did you know?
UC Davis Veterinary Medicine found that forelimb lameness is more commonly seen in horses because 60% of their body weight is carried on the front end. They use their heavy head and neck to control the amount of weight delivered to each front limb; allowing us to evaluate head motion and positioning.
The most classic sign of forelimb lameness is the “head nod”. Horses will typically raise their head when the affected limb impacts the ground, then drop it when the sound limb lands. This can often be summarized as “down on sound”. In cases where both of the forelimbs are affected, a head nod might be less noticeable, and the horse may display a shorter, choppy gait.
It’s important to recognize that lameness can range from subtle discomfort to severe pain. Severe lameness, such as non-weight bearing, often warrants immediate veterinary attention as it can indicate serious issues.
I chose this field to help be a resource for your horse(s) to feel their absolute best; alongside a various range of equine professionals. Between yourself, your veterinarian, your farrier, your bodyworker, your chiropractor, your saddle fitter and many others in the industry; a knowledgable team. We can help advocate and make all the difference for these amazing animals whenever its needed. 💞
