Incidence, causes and outcomes of lameness cases in a working military horse population: a field study.

Authors: Putnam J R C, Holmes L M, Green M J, Freeman S L

Journal: Equine veterinary journal

DOI: 10.1111/evj.12084 PubMed: 23662972Log in to save

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Lameness in Military Working Horses Putnam and colleagues conducted a prospective questionnaire study across 294 horses in a UK military establishment to establish baseline data on lameness incidence, causes and outcomes—a gap in the literature that had previously focused on performance, racing and referral populations. Over the study period, veterinary surgeons and qualified farriers diagnosed 273 horses' lameness episodes, revealing a mean monthly incidence of 2.1% (equivalent to 25.4 cases per 100 horses annually), with affected horses averaging 1.2 lameness episodes each. The aetiological profile differed markedly from existing equine literature, with cellulitis (18.6%), skin wounds (16.3%) and foot/shoeing problems (11.6%) dominating rather than typical orthopaedic diagnoses; notably, 88% of cases returned to previous work levels by study conclusion. Interestingly, neither age nor duration of service distinguished lame from non-lame populations, suggesting that working military horses experience different injury patterns and recovery trajectories than their performance-horse counterparts. These findings warrant expanded field studies across broader working populations to establish whether military horses represent a distinct epidemiological cohort, potentially informing tailored management and preventative strategies within this sector.

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Practical Takeaways

•Expect lameness in working military horses at approximately 25 cases per 100 horses annually; cellulitis and skin wounds account for more than one-third of cases in this population
•Most lameness cases (88%) resolve and return to full work, suggesting prognosis is generally favorable with appropriate management
•Foot and shoeing problems remain a significant concern (11.6% of cases); farriers should prioritize preventive hoof care in working populations

Key Findings

•Annual lameness incidence was 25.4 cases per 100 horses per annum (2.1% monthly rate) in military working horses
•Cellulitis (18.6%), skin wounds (16.3%), and foot/shoeing problems (11.6%) were the most common causes of lameness
•88% of lameness cases returned to previous work levels by study conclusion
•Horse age and duration of service were not significantly associated with lameness incidence

Conditions Studied

lamenesscellulitisskin woundsfoot problemsshoeing problems

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