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By Maria Rondon

Head of Health Sciences at LCAO

Unlike humans or other species who can enjoy perfect living standards even with limb problems, horses often require extra attention to their limb health, as both their productivity and quality of life can significantly drop when they suffer from problems in their extremities. Not only that but as they have to support their immense weight (along with, sometimes, the weight of cargo or humans), horses are not lacking from limb problems, sadly.

For this reason, it’s vital for any horse caretaker, physician or owner to know about limb deformities that might affect their horses before the problem becomes difficult to manage and the horse develops arthritis, laminitis, instability, and lameness.

Most of the angular limb deformities horses suffer tend to slip under the radar, given that the images and texts that describe them often show them in the most exaggerated form. A vet with an X-ray or an animal osteopath with a good eye can detect them and determine if they are an issue, or mild enough to not cause a problem.

To learn how to differentiate between the known angular limb deformities, check the list below.

1- Valgus

The term “Valgus” refers to an outward deviation of a limb or joint compared to the midline of the animal. Depending on which specific joint presents valgus it might appear that it has the contrary effect: the adjacent joint deviating inwards.

Valgus can present itself in almost every joint of foals and horses’ joints, each type of valgus is known by a different colloquial name.

• Carpal Valgus or Knock Knees: in young horses and foals, the hoof often points outwards when the carpal valgus is in place; in older horses, it might turn inwards to compensate. It receives this name because, because of the fetlock valgus, the knees appear to be closer together.
• Tarsal Valgus: this limb deformity is often confused with the famous “cow hocks”. In this type of limb deformity, the point of the hock deviates inwards, while the rest of the limb deviates outwards. As the hoof is deviated outwards, the horse with tarsal valgus appears to be splay-footed.
• Fetlock Valgus or Toe Out: most times this limb deformity is associated with knee abnormal rotation. In this limb deformity, the hoof and the pastern angle are away from the midline at the fetlock level.
• All types of valgus are often congenital and can affect one or both legs. However, in the case of tarsal and fetlock valgus, one leg is often worse than the other.

2- Varus

Contrary to valgus, the term “Varus” refers to an inward deviation of a joint or limb. Often, varus tends to be more destructive to the joints than valgus, and the horse with these deformities is more likely to suffer osteoarthritis in contiguous joints given that they compensate for the deformed joint.

Varus is more common in the regions of the carpus and tarsus but, even then, it is rare to find a horse with varus.

• Carpal Varus or Bow Legs: in this type of deformity, the leg is angled inwards from the carpus, forming a “bow” shape in the front legs. These tend to appear in old horses with arthritis, horses who had lax ligaments at birth, or who suffered a rupture of the common digital extensor tendon while young.
• Tarsal Varus, Toe in, Pigeon Toes or Fetlock Varus: here, the horse’s limb deviates towards the midline below the fetlock. This deformity often appears combined with metatarsal misalignment (also known as “offset cannons”) as a compensation mechanism. 
  

  3- Limb hyperextension

  Also known as “Lax tendons”, this limb deformity is common in newborn/post-mature foals and, in these cases, it can resolve on its own in the first days of life as the animal grows with the help of therapy and exercise. However, if not treated, the foal can also develop incomplete ossification and lax ligaments, further complicating the correct development of the limbs.

  Its main characteristic is that the limbs appear to bend unnaturally, mostly in the carpal and tarsal joints. It can affect both forelimbs or both hindlimbs at the same time.

  

  4- Windswept legs

  This is how it is known as the classic combination of limb deformities in post-mature foals: carpal valgus and varus in the front limbs and/or tarsal valgus and varus. The legs often look bent sideways forming a curvature. Sometimes, hyperextension is also present.

  It often originates if a foal had a long gestation and ran out of space in the womb. Gladly, it often resolves on its own in just a few days after birth with the help of exercise and therapy.

  

  5- Offset Cannons

  This limb deformity is characterized by a misalignment of the metacarpal or metatarsal bones compared to the tarsal/carpal joints. Although some consider it a conformational treat, it involves structural weakness if it’s present in both hindlimbs or forelimbs (i.e. the horse might be less stable when going downhill or other situations)

  If a horse has offset cannons it has a higher risk of developing a splint (or exostosis), so their legs need close monitoring. They also have a high risk of developing acquired fetlock varus, given their tendency to turn their foot inwards.

  Race horses with offset cannons also have an increased risk of suffering injuries in the medial carpals, and sport horses overall are more prone to suffer carpal and tarsal osteoarthritis.

  

  6- Carpal rotation

  Also known as “bench knees”,  this limb deformity is also known by some as a conformational trait of quarter horses, or in horses with a wide chests and narrow limbs.

  In this limb deformity, the cannon bones, the lower knee bones, and the feet are rotated slightly outwards. It’s often accompanied by fetlock valgus. The medial part of the hoof often wears out faster in horses with this deformity.

  

  Identifying the first signs of a limb deformity, whether it’s present in a newborn foal or in an older horse, it’s the first step to ensure the integrity of their musculoskeletal system. After knowing how to identify the 6 most common types of horse limb deformities you can act fast and prevent further deterioration of the limb with osteopathic care, veterinary attention, and exercise therapy.

  Additional Resources: https://thehorse.com/139117/conformation-and-limb-deformities-in-horses/

By Jane Clothier

Head of Health Sciences at LCAO

Much like with any other animal, checking for pain in horses can be very difficult. As they are technically prey instead of predators, they tend to hide their pain under certain circumstances, such as unknown environments, the presence of strange animals, or other people. If you are going to treat a horse for the first time, this can be a bit of a challenge.

Nonetheless, there are still some signs that there is something not quite right with the horse. These can be very hard to notice but also can be obvious, in which case it’s better to start seeking professional help.

You should know how your horse usually behaves, so keep that in mind because it’ll make it easier to notice these signs.

Here are some of the subtle signs.

1. Ear position

Your horse may not be feeling all too well if its ears are back for more than 5 seconds while being ridden. Horses use their ears as part of their body language. You can count that your horse may be afraid of something if its ears are back or that maybe there’s something else happening to your horse.

2. Eyes

Monitor your horse’s eyes. If the muscles around your horse’s eyes are tense, its eyes have a glaze, or your horse shuts them while being ridden, that’s a sign that your horse is in pain, and you should try to see what’s happening.

3. Mouth

A horse with its mouth open and its tongue sticking out might be hurting. If your horse has never done this before and you find it has become common, seek help as your horse might be in pain. It could mean that something is happening to its teeth, in which case, you have to try to figure out what is making your horse behave this way.

4. Head

Probably one of the most obvious signs that something is happening to your horse. Trained horses usually have their heads in vertical positions.

Nonetheless, a horse that can’t keep this position, going a bit more up or going overbent, is a clear sign that something’s happening.

Another sign related to the head is if your horse is shaking its head a lot. It could mean that there’s something happening to your horse, and you should seek immediate help.

5. Inconsistent Eating

Horses have a big appetite.

If you have noticed that your horse is not eating consistently, doesn’t want any of the food you’re giving to it, and doesn’t want to move while being ridden; then it could mean that your horse is in pain; it can be related to ulcers.

Although this isn’t in any way a definitive sign that your horse has ulcers, it’s worth noting that it does mean that the horse may be in pain.

6. Bucking or Kicking out

Most people blame disobedience and stubbornness when their horses constantly kick or refuse to go into a trot. It could very well mean that your horse is in physical pain, mainly back pain.

7. Switching leads behind while in canter

Often horses that have inflammation of the suspensory ligament in their hind legs change their leads. Lameness would be hard to detect if both behind legs are affected. If you notice your horse bunnyhopping or changing leads in its behind legs, it could mean that something is not right with it.

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Although these are only some signs that your horse is in pain, keep in mind that there are many others. What’s most important is to know your horse and how it behaves when it is healthy. Remember, prey animals like horses tend to conceal their pain, so it’s up to you to identify the signs your horse is making.

By Jane Clothier

Head of Health Sciences at LCAO

Interest in treating animals with osteopathy has grown considerably in recent years, with an unprecedented number of postgraduate and lay programs in musculoskeletal therapies emerging in online programs. As a global leader in animal osteopathic education, London College of Animal Osteopathy (LCAO), has recently launched one of the highest levels of training currently available, providing osteopaths with the opportunity to expand their careers through work with animals. The rapid uptake of the International Diploma in Animal Osteopathy by veterinarians, osteopaths, and animal body workers has demonstrated this kind of accessible learning for animal osteopathy is in high demand.

The International Diploma in Animal Osteopathy, with optional equine and canine streams, has grown from the lifelong work of the LCAO’s founder, Stuart McGregror, D.O. Stuart’s interest in treating animals was already showing itself when he graduated from the UK’s European School of Osteopathy in 1984, with his dissertation The Principles of Osteopathy Applied to the Horse being the first known work about osteopathy for horses. His long-term aim was to find a way to use osteopathic techniques to work with and benefit animals, and he achieved that sooner than expected.

Upon graduation, he immediately began treating horses and dogs, and it was not long before his Osteopathy Centre for Animals in Oxfordshire, England, was formed. Other osteopaths and veterinarians soon came across Stuart’s work and were keen to learn more. It made sense to start bringing his new and evolving techniques together in the equine and canine osteopathy programs that he has now been teaching since 1998 in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Throughout this time, he has continued to refine both the approach and his methods of instruction, leading to the Osteopathic Articular Balancing training that he practices and teaches today.

What is Osteopathic Articular Balancing (OAB)?

Stuart describes OAB as a general osteopathic treatment that is deeply rooted in classical osteopathy and the philosophies of Andrew Still. It gently disrupts the body’s state of dysfunction and restores integration, thereby creating a homeostatic state of health. This is achieved through functional techniques with slow, controlled, long lever moves, with a focus on quality of movement rather than range of motion.

As Stuart says, “One of the main principles in osteopathic medicine is that treatment should restore health to the local tissues. This involves the restoration of blood supply, nerve supply, and lymphatic drainage. Where any of these are absent, the tissues can only be in poor health.”

In practice, OAB is a system of techniques that ease pain, remove tension and restriction, and restore full movement in every joint of the animal’s body. The therapist examines the functional anatomy of each joint and its accompanying structures, before mobilizing associated bones. The direct and indirect relationships throughout the skeletal system are also considered, with posture, gait assessment, and palpation forming part of the assessment.

To learn more about the International Diploma in Animal Osteopathy (Int’l DipAO)  clickhere