Can lyme disease cause rear lameness in horses?

Answer 1

Rear lameness can be caused by a multitude of things, however to answer your question: Yes. Since lyme disease, (called Borreliosis) causes Arthritis in one or more joints, it is possible that lyme disease could be making your horse lame. The only way to know for sure if it is lyme disease is for a vet to take a blood sample and run tests. Since there is no vaccine to prevent lyme disease and the horse can have it for weeks or months before the symptoms show, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Try to keep ticks off of your horse as much as possible. Check them for ticks often and if you find a tick, remove and dispose of the tick properly. (Always wash your hands after handling a tick) There are horse sprays, both commerically bought brands and homemade recipes, that you can spray on your horses legs and under the belly to help keep ticks off and keep them from attaching. It is a very good idea to spray your horse down with a repellant before AND after a trail ride. Use a repellant that is made for horses or safe for all animals. (NEVER use an insecticide made for home, garden or outdoor use (such as Raid or Hotshot) on any animal!) Avons Skin So Soft Original Bath Oil is a safe repellant. Because it is mostly oil, it is best diluted with water first so as not to contribute to your horse overheating or getting a sunburn because of all of the oil on his or her skin. Imagine yourself trying to jog or exercise in the sun while covered with suntan oil!! (1/4 cup of Skin So Soft to 1 cup of water should be strong enough to repel most ticks)