Jessica Jahiel's HORSE-SENSE Newsletter Archives

Mary

From: Flexion Test

Jessica, The following came up in equine-l. I too am very interested in the answer and wondered if you could address it in horse sense. Thankyou. Mary

"Did you know that *every* horse is lame for a few strides after the flexion test? What matters is the way the horse recovers".

Is this true???? I'd really like to know. Thanks!

Hi Mary -- no, it's not true. On the contrary, the lameness in the first few strides is exactly what a flexion test is designed to find! The whole point of the test is what happens in those first few strides.

"Flexion" means "bending the joint" or "bending a set of joints." The purpose of any flexion test is to stress a specific joint or joints, and the tissues surrounding the joint or joints. ANY resulting pain (lameness) will show up IN THE FIRST FEW STEPS. A hock problem such as a spavin in its early stages, for instance, might not have shown itself yet under saddle - - but if the veterinarian performs a "spavin test," which is a hind-leg flexion test, and the horse takes several lame strides before trotting normally, it's generally considered that the test was positive for bone spavin.

If you're trying to analyze an obvious lameness, flexion tests can help you pinpoint the problem. The tests are always performed on both sides: first the good side (to give you a standard of comparison), then the bad side. The difference is usually very noticeable.

It's ALWAYS the first few strides that are the most important. That's why there are often three people involved -- the vet to flex the leg, the handler to lead the horse off at a trot the SECOND the vet drops the leg, and a third person to smack the horse on the rump to ensure that it moves off into trot IMMEDIATELY. If the horse takes a few walk steps and then trots, the test won't be clear or conclusive, and will have to be repeated until the horse can move off instantly into trot.

So if you have your vet look at a horse that you're thinking of buying, and the horse takes several lame steps before his trot smooths out, don't listen to anyone who says "Oh, that doesn't matter, they ALL do that" -- because it isn't true. Put your checkbook back into your pocket, and keep looking ...

- Jessica

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