Table 1 The Obel method of laminitis diagnosis and severity grading (Obel, 1948)
Laminitis grade | Grade description |
|---|---|
Normal | Horse appears sound |
Obel grade 1 | At rest, the horse shifts its weight between the forelimbs; the horse is sound at the walk, but the gait is stilted at the trot in a straight line and on turning |
Obel grade 2 | The gait is stilted at the walk and the horse turns with great difficulty, but one forelimb can be lifted |
Obel grade 3 | The horse is reluctant to walk and one forelimb can only be lifted with great difficulty |
Obel grade 4 | The horse will only move if forced to |