Flexion tests

Home>Horses>Flexion Tests

Flexion tests involve holding one or more joints in a horse's limb in a flexed position, usually for 40-60 seconds, and then immediately having the horse trotted away and back on a firm surface. Problems causing low grade joint stiffness or pain in associated structures may be unmasked and cause overt lameness (a 'positive' flexion test) under these conditions even if they do not normally do so.