When a horse is described as "lame," it means there is a change or abnormality in its gait or stance, often caused by pain, mechanical issues, or neurologic conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, or joints. Lameness is not a disease itself but a symptom indicating a problem, commonly pain, that causes the horse to alter the way it moves, often to avoid bearing weight on an affected limb or area. Signs of lameness can vary from subtle changes like stiffness, shortened strides, asymmetrical gait, or head nodding, to more obvious signs such as swelling, heat, reluctance to move, or inability to bear weight on a limb. Proper diagnosis by a veterinarian or expert is important for treatment.
