Is There a Relationship between Tail Carriage and Lameness in Horses?

• Published in: Equine veterinary journal 2014-06, Vol.46 (S46), p.55-55
• Main Authors: Weller, R, Love, A, Clark, B, Smith, R, Pfau, T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0425-1644; 2042-3306
• DOI: 10.1111/evj.12267_167

Introduction Tail deviation in horses is anecdotally viewed as an indicator of lameness. Compensatory mechanisms in lame horses are well documented, however there is no information published on the relationship between lameness and tail carriage in horses. The objectives of this study were to quantify differences in tail carriage in relation to the type of lameness (front/hind, left/right) and to establish a relationship with confounding variables. Methods Videos of 150 horses presented for lameness examination were evaluated. Tail carriage angles were measured in 50 horses and subjectively assessed using a categorical 4‐point scale in 100 horses. Lame leg(s), lameness score(s), age, sex, breed, duration and cause of lameness were recorded. Differences in tail carriage between lameness types were assessed using paired T‐tests (continuous data) or chi‐square tests (categorical data). Logistic regression evaluated the effect of degree and duration of lameness, and age on degree of tail deviation. Results 87.2% of the horses showed some degree of tail deviation. The mean ± SD tail angle was 92 ± 14.5° (90° = midsagittal) for forelimb and 87 ± 11.2° for hindlimb lameness. The mean ± SD tail angle was 91.1 ± 17.3° for right‐sided and 89.5 ± 16.9° for left forelimb lameness; 89.8° ± 8.8 for right and 86.5°± 9.8 for left hindlimb lameness with no statistically significant difference between front/hind (P = 0.52) or left/right lameness (P = 0.237). No statistically significant correlation was found between degree and duration of lameness, age of horse and presence or degree of tail deviation. Conclusions No significant relationship between tail carriage and lameness was identified in this study and tail carriage should therefore not be considered an indicator for lameness. Ethical Animal Research This study was approved by the authors′ institution's ethics and welfare committee. Explicit owner informed consent for participation in this study is not stated. Sources of funding: Royal Veterinary College. Competing interests: none.