NAVLE Equine Lameness and Diagnostics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A horse with chronic forelimb lameness shows 'pointing' at rest — standing with the affected limb extended cranially. This posture is MOST commonly associated with:
- Laminitis
- Navicular syndrome (Correct answer)
- Coffin joint arthritis
- Extensor tendon injury
Correct answer: Navicular syndrome
Pointing at rest is a classic postural sign of navicular syndrome, as the horse reduces weight on the heel to relieve pressure on the navicular apparatus.
Question 2: Soft tissue swelling along the dorsal aspect of the fetlock with pain on palpation of the dorsal pastern in a young racing Quarter Horse is MOST suggestive of:
- Ringbone (high)
- Sesamoiditis
- Extensor tendon laceration
- Fetlock synovitis (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Fetlock synovitis
Fetlock synovitis with joint effusion presents as dorsal soft tissue swelling and pain on palpation, commonly seen in young performance horses under heavy training loads.
Question 3: Which grading scale is the standard used in the United States to assess equine lameness severity?
- British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) 1-10 scale
- AAEP lameness scale 0-5 (Correct answer)
- FEI grading 0-4
- Obel grading system
Correct answer: AAEP lameness scale 0-5
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) 0-5 lameness scale is the standard used in the US, with 0 being sound and 5 being non-weight-bearing.
Question 4: During lameness examination on the lunge, a horse with LEFT forelimb lameness will characteristically:
- Nod the head DOWN when the right forelimb strikes
- Nod the head UP when the left forelimb strikes (Correct answer)
- Show a hip hike when the left forelimb strikes
- Lower the croup when lunging to the right
Correct answer: Nod the head UP when the left forelimb strikes
With a painful forelimb, the horse lifts (nods up) the head when the painful limb contacts the ground to reduce load, and nods down on the sound limb.
Question 5: Ultrasonography reveals a core lesion in the body of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in a sport horse. The MOST appropriate initial treatment is:
- Immediate return to full work to promote collagen remodeling
- Controlled rest with hand-walking rehabilitation program (Correct answer)
- Surgical splitting of the tendon
- Intravenous administration of bisphosphonates
Correct answer: Controlled rest with hand-walking rehabilitation program
Core lesions of the SDFT require controlled rest and a graduated hand-walking rehabilitation program to allow fibrous repair while minimizing further damage.
Question 6: A horse presents with acute onset of severe bilateral forelimb lameness, leaning back on the hindlimbs, and bounding digital pulses. The MOST likely diagnosis is:
- Bilateral coffin joint sepsis
- Laminitis (Correct answer)
- Bilateral navicular bursitis
- Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM)
Correct answer: Laminitis
Acute laminitis classically presents with bilateral forelimb pain causing a characteristic saw-horse stance, bounding digital pulses, and reluctance to walk.
Question 7: What is the PRIMARY purpose of measuring the palmar angle of the distal phalanx on a lateral radiograph in a horse with laminitis?
- To determine the degree of coffin joint arthritis
- To assess the degree of rotation and aid in corrective shoeing (Correct answer)
- To evaluate navicular bone morphology
- To measure third phalanx bone density
Correct answer: To assess the degree of rotation and aid in corrective shoeing
The palmar angle of P3 on a lateral radiograph quantifies the degree of coffin bone rotation relative to the hoof wall, guiding corrective trimming and shoeing to restore proper alignment.
NAVLE Equine Lameness and Diagnostics 3
A horse with chronic forelimb lameness shows 'pointing' at rest — standing with the affected limb extended cranially.
This posture is MOST commonly associated with: