A Vet’s guide to lameness: Part 1: The Static Exam

How do vets spot lameness before the horse even moves? In this episode, we break down the static examination - the first stage of every lameness investigation - and show you the subtle clues hiding in plain sight. From stance and symmetry to digital pulses, hoof balance, tendon contours and pelvic alignment, this video walks you through exactly what vets look for (and why it matters). Perfect for horse owners, vet students, and anyone wanting to understand their horse’s movement and comfort better. --- ⭐ What you’ll learn in this video • How vets assess a horse before the trot‑up • Normal vs abnormal stance and posture • What hoof shape, balance and heat can reveal • How to interpret digital pulses • Tendon and ligament surface anatomy clues • Joint effusion: what’s normal, what’s not • Pelvic symmetry and topline indicators • Static red flags that point to likely diagnoses --- 🐴 Why the Static Exam Matters Before the horse ever trots, the static exam already narrows the field. A parked‑forward limb, a dropped hip, a bounding digital pulse, a filled tendon sheath - these clues help guide the rest of the investigation. If you’ve ever wondered “What is my vet looking at?” - this episode is for you. --- 🎥 Next Episode: Dynamic Examination In Episode 2, we’ll look at the horse in motion - straight lines, circles, flexion tests, and under‑saddle assessment - and show how movement patterns help pinpoint the source of lameness.