How Lame is Your Horse?

I decided to post the following as a useful reminder of the "levels" of lameness in the horse. The next time you have to have a lameness discussion with your veterinarian (hopefully not in the near future!) they will most likely characterize the lameness on a scale of 1-5.

Grade 1: Difficult to observe; not consistently apparent regardless of circumstances (weight carrying, circling, inclines, hard surfaces, etc.)

Grade 2: Difficult to observe at the walk or trotting a straight line; consistently apparent under certain circumstances (weight carrying, circling, inclines, hard surfaces, etc.)

Grade 3: Consistently observable at a trot under all circumstances

Grade 4: Obvious lameness; marked nodding, hitching or shortened stride

Grade 5: Minimal weight bearing in motion and/or at rest; inability to move