L

LAME

Describes a horse who is suffering sufficient pain and/or mechanical defect to interfere with normal movement and weight bearing in one or more limbs. Limping.

LAMINA

(plural laminae): The tissues which attach the PIII to the hoof wall. The inner laminae are attached to the bone and are called sensitive laminae. The outer laminae are attached to the wall and are called horny laminae. With magnification from the solar viewpoint, the horny and sensitive laminae can be seen to be folded together or interdigitated. The unique structure of the laminae give the PIII/hoof wall union several square feet of attachment surface while allowing the wall to grow down in relation to the bone.

LAMINITIS

A systemic illness in the horse which involves the malfunction of the AVAs in the hooves. The blood flow through the hoof may be increased, but it is diverted away from the fine capillaries which supply the laminae. This results in the death of some laminar tissue, and causes the horse pain. Laminitis can lead to founder.

LATERAL

(1) The outer side, away from the centerline. Opposite of medial. (2) On the same side of the horse; such as the near foreleg and the near hind. (3) Towards or on the side of something.

LATERAL CARTILAGES

Cartilage structures which extend, one from either side, rearward from the wings of the PIII. These form the internal support posterior part of the hoof. a.k.a: Collateral cartilages.

LATERAL EXTENSOR TENDON

The LET assists the common extensor tendon in extending the front leg and the long extensor tendon in extending the hind end. The LET is anatomically different in the front and hind limbs of the horse. In the front limb, the LET runs separately but parallel to the CDET and inserts on the upper end of the outside surface of the long pastern bone just below the fetlock joint. In the hind limb, the LET may vary, but generally joins the LEDT just below the hock. Occasionally it will form an attachment on the long pastern bone. Horses with the condition known as "stringhalt" will sometimes have that portion of the LET which passes over the hock surgically removed.

LATERAL GAIT

Both off limbs move more or less in unison, as do both near limbs. A pace is a good example of a lateral gait.

LEG

The portion of the limb of the horse below the knee or hock.

LESION

A wound or local degeneration of tissue or bone.

L.H.L.T.

Low Heel, Long Toe: A condition in equine hooves in which the heels are excessively low due to trimming, wear, or underrun growth; and the toe is excessively long, often in the form of a flare. L.H.L.T. is known to contribute to navicular disease and gait defects such as forging and overreaching. a.k.a: L.T.L.H.

LIGAMENT

Ligaments are strong fibrous tissues which connect bones to one another. (Except for check ligaments, which connect tendon to bone.) Ligaments are subject to sprains and tears.

LIMB

The entire equine appendage, from the scapula or hip down.

LIMPING

Limping is any unevenness of gait, typically due to lameness.

LINE GAITED

Describes a horse who trots with each hind hoof following directly in line with its lateral fore hoof. See also: Passing gaited.

LIP CHAIN

A chain (between the lip and gum) used for controlling a nervous horse.

LONG DIGITAL EXTENSOR TENDON

aka: Main Extensor Tendon, is found in the hind limb, and is essentially the same from the hock down, as the Common Digital Extensor Tendon is below the knee.

LUXATE

[from the Greek loxos, slanting]: To put out of joint or dislocate.

Return to the Dictionary main page.