Dr. Phillip Kapraun is an equine veterinarian in Harvard, Illinois, with more than three decades of experience. Moreover, Dr. Phillip Kapraun is highly experienced in the treatment of equine lameness.
Equine lameness does not affect all horses uniformly. With this in mind, the American Association of Equine Practitioners has developed a numerical scale for the description of the condition. The scale ranges from zero to five, with a Grade 0 horse being sound.
At Grade 1, the condition is still very difficult to detect, and the symptoms are not always visible. At Grade 2, the horse starts to consistently demonstrate signs of lameness in specific situations. However, it may be difficult to notice its lameness when it is trotting in a single direction or walking. Regarding Grade 3, some degree of lameness is apparent in the animal when it is trotting under any conditions. At Grade 4, lameness is apparent in the walking animal.
Grade 5 equine lameness is the most severe version of lameness. At this stage, animals struggle to bear their weight on their limbs while in motion and at rest. Alternatively, they may be completely immobile.
Equine lameness does not affect all horses uniformly. With this in mind, the American Association of Equine Practitioners has developed a numerical scale for the description of the condition. The scale ranges from zero to five, with a Grade 0 horse being sound.
At Grade 1, the condition is still very difficult to detect, and the symptoms are not always visible. At Grade 2, the horse starts to consistently demonstrate signs of lameness in specific situations. However, it may be difficult to notice its lameness when it is trotting in a single direction or walking. Regarding Grade 3, some degree of lameness is apparent in the animal when it is trotting under any conditions. At Grade 4, lameness is apparent in the walking animal.
Grade 5 equine lameness is the most severe version of lameness. At this stage, animals struggle to bear their weight on their limbs while in motion and at rest. Alternatively, they may be completely immobile.
