Which statement best defines obvious lameness?

• A. Consistently observable at a trot under all circumstances
• B. Marked nodding, hitching or shortened stride
• C. Minimal weight-bearing in motion and/or at rest and inability to move
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Obvious lameness is a gait abnormality that a judge can see without special testing. It shows up when the horse is moving, particularly at a trot, across typical conditions, and is characterized by signs such as a consistently observable gait deviation, head nodding or body hitching, a shortened stride, and reduced or absent weight bearing both while moving and at rest. These features together indicate a readily detectable lameness, so including all of these aspects best defines it.