How could I make a horse lame?

Agree and Agree!

So I got the vet out and Robohog you are absolutely right, she was running around and injured her suspensory ligament or the flexor tendons. Slap me silly, I shouldn't be thinking such negative things! Some cold hosing, bute, leg wraps and a little babying on the way. Thanks peeps for your input!

I know this thread is a little "aged" but I thought I would answer you a little bit. Yes, horses have survived in the wild for years. Yes cowboys put them through some pretty rough stuff and to an extent, they did survive. However, the average life expectancy of a horse in those times was roughly about 10 years. Why, because they would suffer illnesses, injuries, etc and either die of said injury or illness, or die because of it leaving them vulnerable to a predator who would find them and have them for lunch (and I don't mean as a guest).

Nowdays, horses in captivity have it good BECAUSE they have caring people who keep injuries from becoming causes of death. In the wild a horse would eat something bad, and chances were they would die a horrible death of colic or poisoning within a day or so. Nowdays, we prevent them from eating bad things, and in case they do a vet can give it something to help it get over the poisoning or colic. Back then a horse would come up lame, and that was the kiss of death. Today we have medicine to not only prevent it, but to help the horse when something bad happens.

Back then, we treated horses as if they weren't expected to live long, and as if they were a little more disposable. They were tools, vehicles to get a job done. When they broke down, they were replaced. Today, horses are a family member, we love them, and we want the best for them. They are no longer replaceable so we take better care of them. Today horses have a life expectancy at least twice what it used to be and still, it's nothing to hear of a 25 YO horse these days, even 30.

Oh, and sorry for hijacking the thread...

1+ for Annie31 reply! It is likely that your horse did something while running in the arena. Many injuries do not show up until hours after the initial damage. Some icing/cold hosing should help, but your vet could also prescribe some anti-inflammatory medication such as bute (phenylbutazone) to decrease the swelling/soreness.

Also as an equine vet, I would like to state that we are not millionaires - approximately 1/2 of your bill goes towards buying supplies, 1/3 goes towards taxes & the small remainder goes to pay ourselves/our school loans. While there are some vets who will overcharge, you can usually find out who is worth the money and who is just gouging you.

Hope that helps!