How good are you at recognising lameness in horses?

Research indicates that many horse owners, riders, and equine professionals often struggle to recognise lameness in horses. Problematic or unwanted behaviours that occur as a result of pain or discomfort are frequently misattributed to the horse simply being “naughty.”

It can be easy to identify if a horse is hobbling or dragging their feet, but less obvious signs of lameness or low-level pain are often overlooked. Recognising these subtle indicators is crucial for early intervention and effective care.

In this webinar, veterinary behaviourist Roxane Kirton and veterinary physiotherapist Holly Gallacher will explore how to identify the less obvious behavioural and bio-mechanical signs of lameness. They will provide practical tips to help you detect early signs of discomfort, allowing for prompt treatment, reduced costs, and shorter recovery times for your horse.

Webinar content includes:

  • How lameness affects a horse’s daily routines and time budgets

  • Changes to trained behaviours caused by discomfort

  • The emergence of unwanted or problematic behaviours

  • Detecting physical signs of lameness

  • How to do a basic lameness exam

  • The long-term physical effects of lameness on the rest of the horse’s body

After the presentation, Roxane and Holly answered questions from the audience.

This presentation is for horse owners, students, equine professionals interested in horse behaviour and physiology.

Once enrolled, you have 60 days to watch this recording.

Who is this course for?

  • HORSE OWNERS

  • EQUINE STUDENTS

  • EQUINE PROFESSIONALS

Continuing Professional Development (CPD/CEU)

  • Course Contents

    1 x webinar recording and 1 x CPD/CEU quiz

  • Course Duration

    1.5 Hours

  • Certificate of Completion

    You can download a personalised CPD/CEU certificate after watching the webinar and completing the quiz.

  • BHS

    This course has been approved for 2 CPD points for BHS Accredited Professional Coaches by the British Horse Society. Upon course completion APCs can log their points by completing the CPD Feedback form on the BHS website.

  • IAABC

    This course has been approved for 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU) by the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC). You will need to request an IAABC CEU certificate directly from us, so please get in touch once you have completed the course and quiz

  • IAAT

    Understand Horses is a trusted partner of the International Association of Animal Therapists, offering external CPD courses for its members.

  • KPA

    This course has been approved for 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU) by the Karen Pryor Association (KPA). Once you have completed the course you can contact us for an event code, then email both code and CEU certificate to the KPA.

Recognising Lameness in Horses

Your Instructors

ROXANE KIRTON

Roxane Kirton BVMS MSc MRCVS graduated as an equine vet from the University of Glasgow in 2005. She has spent most of her career working in the equine charity sector and it was the challenges of working with horses and ponies with histories of cruelty and neglect that started Roxane’s interest in equine behaviour. This led to her obtaining a MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour with Distinction from the University of Lincoln in 2020. Her MSc research project was investigating the welfare impact of different grazing systems on outdoor living ponies. Roxane has a particular professional interest in the relationship between unwanted behaviours and physical health. In addition to continuing to work in the charity sector to improve the welfare of horses, Roxane also offers private behaviour and acupuncture consultations.

HOLLY GALLACHER

Holly Gallacher is an Equine Veterinary Physiotherapist, registered with the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP). Holly received a BSc (Hons) in Equine Science, followed by a PgDip in Veterinary Physiotherapy from Harper Adams University in 2016. She has been around horses since the age of four and owned her lovely mare Roxy (above) for over 15 years. Professionally she enjoys working both in the field with her own private clients as well as being a university lecturer and teaching the next generation. Holly is passionate about improving horse welfare and has a particular interest in the link between pain and behaviour in equines.

COURSE PRICE

Archived webinar recording