If a horse comes in lame from turnout, what should be your immediate action?

When a horse comes in lame from turnout, the immediate priority should be to clean out its feet. This action is crucial because foreign objects like stones, thorns, or debris lodged in the hooves can often be the source of lameness. By cleaning out the feet, you can quickly identify if there’s anything that needs to be addressed right away.

If no hoof-related issues are found, the next steps can involve further assessment of the horse's legs and body for any signs of injury or distress. Taking this action first allows you to eliminate a common but often overlooked cause of lameness before moving on to more comprehensive evaluations or calling for professional help.

The options related to calling a veterinarian, putting the horse in a stall, or checking for injuries around the stable may all be appropriate considerations after the initial assessment of the feet has been made, but they are not the immediate action to take when a horse shows signs of lameness.