Every horse owner knows the tension that comes with a vetting or the frustration when a performance horse feels just a bit "off" without clear signs of lameness. The immediate question is often: Is the horse sound today? While this is important, a more critical question deserves attention: Is the horse structurally built to handle the demands we place on it over time? A horse can pass a veterinary soundness exam with no issues today but still lack the physical balance and str

Why Soundness Is More Than an Absence of Lameness When we talk about horses and their overall health, the term "soundness" often comes up. It's also one of the most misunderstood words in the barn. Many people equate soundness with the simple absence of lameness. But by the time a horse is visibly lame, the underlying problem has often been building for weeks, months, or even years. Soundness encompasses more than just the ability to walk, trot, or canter on a lunge line or