Acres of Clover • Photo by: Stefan & Barbara Wielebinski

Internet Address: http://www.usyd.edu.au/su/rirdc/
Acknowledgement "Reprinted from the RIRDC Equine Research News with the permission of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation".
Linking Lameness & Back Pain
NEWS FROM THE JOURNALS...
The relationship between back
pain and lameness has long been
debated. Some studies have
shown an association between the
two problems and other studies
have suggested there is no link.
With recent developments
in methods used to
analyse kinematics (movement),
researchers in the Netherlands
have been able to accurately
study changes in the movement of
the horses back when mild
lameness is present.
Mild lameness was induced using a
modified shoe that had a small nut welded
to the inner surface of the toe region.
A bolt could be tightened in the nut to
exert pressure on the sole. The degree
of lameness induced was so subtle that
it could not easily be judged by the
human eye but was confirmed using high
tech equipment that calculated the amount
of weight that the horse put on each limb
as it moved.
Light reflecting markers were placed at a
number of points on the head, neck, along
the spine, on the hips and hooves of the
horses. The horses were videoed at the
walk and trot and movement data was
analysed.
Not surprisingly the researchers found
significant movement of the head and
neck in lame horses at the trot. It is well
established that lameness results in an
increased up and down movement of the
head and neck. It has been a commonly
held belief by some, that apart from an
increased movement of the head and neck,
the effect of subtle lameness would be
absorbed by the limbs and would not be
transferred to the upper body and spine.
This study established that with mild
lameness there is a significant change in
the movement of the entire back when the
horse is walking and trotting. This finding
has implications for the management
and investigation of back problems and
lameness in horses.
The changes in back movement with mild
lameness could affect muscle tension and
normal back function, leading to back
pain and associated problems. This raises
a question of whether some horses with
back pain should also be investigated for
subtle lameness issues as an underlying
cause. Also, horses with known chronic
lameness, that does not otherwise impede
their training, should be monitored for the
development of back pain.
Reference: Alvarez, CB, Wennerstrand, J,
Bobbert, MF, Lamers, L, Johnston, C, Back, W
and van Weeren, PR, 2007, 'The effect of
induced forelimb lameness on thoracolumbar
kinematics during treadmill locomotion' Equine
Veterinary Journal, 39(3), 197-201.
Learn to Recognise Your Horse’s Dental Problems
Reference: Horse Health Article (2003), Reprinted with the permission of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and Bayer Animal Health.
Horses with dental problems may show obvious
signs such as pain or irritation or they may show no
noticeable signs at all. This is because some horses
simply adapt to their discomfort. For this reason,
periodic dental examinations are essential to your
horse’s health.
It is important to catch dental problems early. If a horse starts
behaving abnormally dental problems should be considered as
a potential cause. Waiting too long may increase the difficulty
of remedying certain conditions or may even make remedy
impossible. Look for the following indicators of dental
problems provided here from the American Association of
Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to know when to seek veterinary
attention for your horse:
• Loss of feed from mouth while eating, difficulty with
chewing, or excessive salivation.
• Loss of body condition.
• Large or undigested feed particles (long stems or whole
grain) in manure.
• Head tilting or tossing, bit chewing, tongue lolling,
fighting the bit, or resisting bridling.
• Poor performance, such as lugging on the bridle, failing
to turn or stop, even bucking.
• Foul odour from mouth or nostrils, or traces of blood
from the mouth.
• Nasal discharge or swelling of the face, jaw or mouth
tissues.
Mouth examinations should be an essential part of an annual
physical examination by a veterinarian. Every dental
examination provides the opportunity to perform routine
preventative dental maintenance. Mature horses should get a
thorough dental exam at least once a year, and horses 2-5
years old should be examined twice yearly.
The Paint Horse Journal 39
April/May 2008