The Occurrence and Causes of Lameness and Laminitis in the U.S. Horse Population

Based on this national study, it is estimated that 50% of horse operations with 3 or more horses have one or more lame horses annually and on a given day as many as 5% of the horses could be expected to be lame. Leg or joint problems account for half of all lameness cases in the spring and winter and foot problems account for half of all cases that occur in the summer. Laminitis, although less common, still affects approximately 13% of operations and 2% of horses annually. Improved grazing management could prevent the majority of cases of laminitis. Author’s addresses: Equine Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Equine Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523 (Kane); Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523 (Traub-Dargatz); Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, USDA:APHIS:VS, 555 South Howes, Fort Collins, CO 80521 (Losinger and Garber). © 2000 AAEP.