Are Dropped Fetlocks Painful?

It is important to be aware of this condition—especially if you observe excessive drop of your horse's hind fetlocks. It is a terribly painful, progressive disease that often goes unrecognized by well-meaning owners who attribute its appearance simply to conformation.

What causes a dropped fetlock?

The most commonly implicated tendon associated with subtle dropping of the fetlock is the suspensory ligament. Cutting of the flexor tendons and suspensory ligament causes collapse of the fetlock to the ground. ... Older horses commonly have sagging fetlocks, especially older brood mares that have had numerous foals.

Is DSLD in horses painful?

DSLD horses will be severely lame on affected limbs after a fetlock flexion test and will be noticeably painful on palpation of the suspensory ligament and its branches. The suspensory will also feel harder and thicker than normal, and the area may be hot or swollen.