Musculoskeletal examination of the hind limb of the horse.

Systematic physical examination of the equine hind limb and back is essential for accurate lameness identification.

This tutorial video article presents a systematic approach to musculoskeletal examination of the equine hind limb and epaxial (back) region, demonstrated on an 18-year-old Quarter Horse stallion. The publication, authored by Kamm, Odegaard, and Mogannam in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, serves as an educational resource for veterinary professionals seeking to standardize their approach to equine lameness evaluation. The examination techniques illustrated encompass physical assessment methods designed to identify abnormalities potentially associated with hind limb lameness or musculoskeletal disease. Key areas addressed include the hind limb structures and the epaxial musculature of the back. The video format provides a practical, visual guide to palpation, conformation assessment, and range-of-motion evaluation relevant to a complete lameness workup. Given the prevalence of hind limb lameness in performance and working horses, proficiency in these examination techniques is clinically essential. The tutorial is particularly valuable for veterinary students, recent graduates, and practitioners seeking to refine their systematic approach to equine lameness examinations. While the article is descriptive and educational in nature rather than experimental, it consolidates established clinical examination protocols into a reproducible format applicable in field and clinical settings.

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