Table of Contents
Can horses twist their ankles?
A horse sustains a sprained ankle when the ligaments that support the fetlock joint become over-extended. The horse is referred to as “lame” and is often put to sleep if the sprain is very bad. Call your vet and have your horse checked out.
What causes ankles to twist?
What causes an ankle sprain? An ankle sprain often occurs when the foot suddenly twists or rolls, forcing the ankle joint out of its normal position. During physical activity, the ankle may twist inward as a result of sudden or unexpected movement. This causes one or more ligaments around the ankle to stretch or tear.
How do you tell if a horse has a sprained ankle?
Symptoms of Strains and Sprains in Horses
- Decreased level of performance.
- Pain upon palpation of injured area.
- Heat and swelling.
- Discomfort.
- Lameness in the first 1 to 2 days of injury.
- Limping.
- Tender areas.
- Muscle stiffness.
Are twisted ankles serious?
Without proper treatment and rehabilitation, a more severe sprain can weaken your ankle—making it more likely that you will injure it again. Repeated ankle sprains can lead to long-term problems, including chronic ankle pain, arthritis, and ongoing instability.
How can you tell if a horse is injuries?
Assess each leg from knee or hock to hoof. Look for swelling or other signs of asymmetry between left and right legs. Run your hands down one leg, comparing it to its opposite leg. Heat and swelling are classic signs of injury, but sensitivity to pressure is also telling.
How do you fix a twisted ankle?
Treatment
- Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort.
- Ice. Use an ice pack or ice slush bath immediately for 15 to 20 minutes and repeat every two to three hours while you’re awake.
- Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the ankle with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops.
- Elevation.
How do you treat a horse with a sprained ankle?
Treatment usually includes these steps: Cool down. Your vet may prescribe cold therapy (icing or cold-hosing several times a day) and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as phenylbutazone or Banamine (flunixin meglumine), to reduce inflammation. Stall rest to give the ligament time to heal.
What does Devil’s Claw do for horses?
Devil’s Claw has a long history of use as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent. It has been effective on symptoms of arthritis, muscle pain, headaches, improving digestion and rheumatic pain. In horses it has been found beneficial for degenerative disorders, inflammation, pain due to arthritis and muscle pain.