Lameness and Pain

Lame. No one wants to hear that word.

If your horse is in pain, however, it is important to notice and take care of the problem so that the chance of long term problems are reduced.

How can you tell if your horse is in pain as opposed to "moving funny"? 

Horses and other animals very very rarely "move funny" unless it hurts. Occasionally scarring or prior injury can cause an odd way of going, but this would be a permanent result of an injury, not something that comes and goes.  Most forms of unusual gait can be treated, whether pain or some other problem is the cause. Bottom line? If your horse moves funny, it needs to be diagnosed by a veterinarian.

Does your horse need pain medication?

By the time you can tell your horse is in pain, he needs medication. Think of yourself. Many minor aches and pains come and go without being obvious to someone looking at you.  How much pain are you in before someone can just look at you and tell something is wrong? The same is true of our animal companions. Most minor pains you won't even see; they will suffer them in silence. By the time the pain is enough to cause lameness, behavior change, or other signs it is enough that it needs treatment.