Revealed: How much will a lameness investigation cost?
Lameness in horses is a major problem for horse owners when it occurs. An awful lot of emotion, time and money is invested into a horse to get ready for competition at whatever level, and if lameness occurs this can feel like a real disaster.
Finding where the pain is coming from in the horse is essential, and as a horse owner in the UK, you’re likely wondering how much will a lameness investigation cost even before the treatment. This guide tries to break down the typical costs and steps involved in identifying lameness so you can plan and feel confident in your next steps.
1. Initial Veterinary Examination £50–£100 (excluding call-out fees)
- Assessing the horse’s overall condition and movement.
- Observing the horse at walk and trot in a straight line, and ideally on the lunge on a hard and soft surface. Sometimes seeing the horse ridden is also very valuable.
- Palpation and manipulation of limbs and joints to detect swelling, heat, or pain.
2. Nerve and Joint Blocks £40- £100 depending on the volume of local anaesthetic required
Joint blocks are where we inject local anaesthetic directly into a joint: if the lameness improves after this, then it shows that the lameness is coming from the joint injected.
Joint blocks may also be performed if joint pain is suspected or to localise the source of pain further after nerve blocks. Joint blocks have some risks but are a routinely performed procedure and a vital part of a lameness investigation in many cases.
3. Lameness Investigation Cost: Imaging Techniques – £100 – £2000+
X-rays (Radiography)
- Excellent for looking at the bones. We can see issues such as fractures, developmental bone diseases and arthritis on X-rays.
- It will likely involve taking multiple views of the affected area.
- It can be done at the yard using wireless, battery-operated equipment.
Cost Estimate: Less than £200 to £300+, depending on the area imaged and the number of images required.
Ultrasound Scans
- Effective for diagnosing soft tissue injuries, such as tendon or ligament damage.
- Non-invasive and typically performed on-site.
Advanced Imaging (MRI/CT)
- MRI or CT scans provide a detailed view of both soft tissue and bone structures.
- Typically performed at specialist equine hospitals.
- MRI is especially useful for imaging of the horse’s foot and related structures.
Cost Estimate: MRI: £1500–£2,000 for bilateral front feet imaging.
4. Lameness Investigation Cost: Laboratory Tests – £100+
5.Lameness Investigation Cost: Treatment Costs – £ – £££
- Anti-inflammatory medications or pain relief.
- Corrective shoeing or trimming (in collaboration with your farrier).
- Rest and rehabilitation plans.
- Surgery or regenerative therapies
6. Lameness Investigation Cost Overview
To give you an idea, here’s an example breakdown of costs for a typical lameness investigation cost of a workup:
- Initial Exam + Call-Out Fee £150
- Nerve/Joint Blocks (2) £85
- X-rays (5 views) £350
- Ultrasound (if needed) £120
Estimated Total £705
Advanced diagnostics like MRI/CT or specialist treatments will increase the total cost, but your vet will discuss these options before proceeding.
Lameness Investigation Cost: How to Plan for Diagnostics
If in doubt, contact South Moor Equine today.
If you’re concerned about lameness in your horse, give our equine reception team a call. Our experienced equine vets are here to help with diagnostics, treatment, and care tailored to your horse.