A hoof abscess is a painful pocket of infection inside the hoof. It can make a horse suddenly very lame, sometimes almost overnight. It can look dramatic, but once properly diagnosed it is often treatable with help from your vet and/or farrier.
An acute injury is something that happens suddenly, such as a slip, strain, kick or wound. Sudden lameness, swelling, heat or reluctance to bear weight should be taken seriously and discussed with your vet.
Asymmetry means the horse is moving differently from one side to the other, or from one limb to another. It can be one of the clues vets look for when assessing subtle lameness or monitoring change over time.
This quiz is educational, not diagnostic. It helps you check what you already know and learn what vets often ask owners to look for.
Owner-first guides to help you notice patterns, reduce worry and feel prepared for your next vet visit.
Treating without diagnosing can work. But it can also mean months of time, money and effort spent managing a problem rather than solving it, while the underlying cause quietly becomes harder to treat.
Treating without diagnosing can work. But it can also mean months of time, money and effort spent managing a problem rather than solving it, while the underlying cause quietly becomes harder to treat.
Proximal suspensory injuries are a common cause of lameness and poor performance in horses. Clinical signs can vary depending on whether the forelimbs or hindlimbs are affected, and a thorough lameness examination is essential to localise the source of pain.
