An impairment of the normal cycle of movement of one or several limbs. The cause of this impairment may be  mechanical dysfunction, pain or paresis. Depending on the stage of the cycle in which the impairment is visible one differentiates between a supporting limb lameness, a swinging limb lameness and a mixed lameness. 

A lameness in which an impairment is visible both in the supporting and the swinging phase of a limb's stride cycle.

A type of lameness where maximal pain is experienced during the supporting phase of the affected limb. A supporting limblameness is often an indication of a problem in the distal portions of the limb, as the increase in pressure during weight-bearing leads to pain in the affected structure.

A gait abnormality seen during the swing phase of a limb. The limb's protraction phase is shortened and disturbed due to mechanical or pain related factors.

The highest grade of lameness where a horse refuses to place any weight in one of its limbs. This is often the case if a bone is fractured, it may however be due to other reasons entirely.