Equine Lameness Examinations
Are The Focus Of Our Practice

​Dr. Morgan uses a step wise process to evaluate soundness based on objective data. 
 There are two parts to an equine lameness examination. A dynamic gait examination and a static physical examination. She has been using the Lameness Locator by Equinosis as an integral part of the dynamic examination since 2008.

Dynamic Gait Examination & Analysis

Horses are fitted with 3 small Lameness Locator wireless inertial sensors and asked to trot a straight line and  longe left & right on the surface they most often work. 
Dr. Morgan evaluates gait quality and symmetry, assesses muscular development, fitness and neurological status while collecting gait analysis data.

More Information about the Lameness Locator

Horses can also be evaluated in Harness with the Lameness Locator

Static Physical Examination

Next, Dr. Morgan will perform a thorough static physical examination. Systematic palpation of muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments starting at the nose on the left side, moving around the entire body and carefully inspecting all four limbs.

At this point, Dr. Morgan will discuss the physical examination and motion evaluation from both a clinical perspective and the gait analysis objective data that was collected from the Lameness Locator.  She will assign importance to all of the findings.

Then she typically asks to hear the whole history so, as a team, all of the puzzle pieces can come together. This allows her to evaluate the horse without any preconceived notions and maximizes your ability to get all of your questions answered.

A diagnostic plan that fits into the goals of the horse and rider and the budget of the visit is discussed. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half to complete the initial evaluation. 

Next step:
Lameness Diagnostics

Notes From Clients About Lameness Examinations With Dr. Morgan:

"I just wanted to say thank you for making the process so interesting and informative.  I can see that you really love your work and invest a lot of yourself into it.  I really appreciated that you shared your thought processes with me as you went along, made me feel involved in the process, and raised my level of knowledge.  Thank you very much!" Wendy P.

"I can't imagine doing a lameness evaluation any other way. You've shown me how thorough an examination is supposed to be." Brenda M.

Appointment Tips & Suggestions

• Do not pre-medicate your horse with anti-inflammatory agents such as (but not limited to) banamine, bute, equioxx or isoxsuprine. They should be off all NSAID medications for 12 to 24 hours if possible. Remember that equioxx is a 5 day withdrawl.
• They should remain on their special medications such as respiratory or thyroid medications, hormonal treatments, antibiotics, supplements, etc. 
• Have accessible on your phone or tablet (please open the files ahead of time), radiographs, ultrasounds or other images from Veterinarians who have seen your horse, especially if they have been taken with in the last six months. Anything older than one or two years may not be helpful.
• Do not have your horses shoes removed specifically for the appointment.
  
• If your horse is due to be shod:  In general, we would much rather see them with newly shod feet than over-due feet (more than 6 weeks since the last shoeing appointment).  Over-due feet can cause lameness irregularities that are simply improved by being shod. 
• People shoes. Who ever is going to be jogging the horse should wear appropriate footwear. Everyone remembers this tip on the second visit!
• If you are experiencing the lameness issue while only under tack or harness, have your riding attire, a helmet and appropriate footwear along with your tack or harness ready to go. You may be asked to tack up, ride or hitch your horse. All riders and drivers, at Morgan Equine, must sign a consent form. Riders and drivers under 18 must have an adult present and sign a consent form. 
• A snack. At Morgan Equine, we have water, coffee and tea available with small snack items. If this is your first time with a new horse that needs a full lameness examination and motion evaluation, it can be a long day.
• Bring a water bucket for your horse and a slice of hay when visiting Morgan Equine.
• Upon arriving at Morgan Equine, please check in before unloading. If it is raining, be sure your horse has a sheet on before it gets out of the trailer. We would like them to be dry.
• Bring past history, images and treatment information to your appointment. No need to send in advance. We will go through all the information together.