Why daily hands-on grooming can spot early health and hoof issues In a world of thermography scans, digital lameness detectors, and ever-expanding supplements, it’s easy to overlook the most basic tool in equine care: your hands. But experienced horsemen have long known that grooming isn’t just about shine, it’s about surveillance. Done properly and consistently, daily…
Q: I have realised that I really cannot see lameness and it makes me worry that I don’t see issues with my own horses. How can I learn to get better at this so that I don’t miss something important? A: Lameness is not always easy to spot, especially when it’s mild. A lame horse…
Sacroiliac disease is a relatively common condition that affects the sacroiliac (SI) region in horses. The sacroiliac joints, located where the spine meets the pelvis, play a crucial role in the horse’s locomotion and ability to carry weight. Damage and dysfunction in the joints and the region generally can give rise to obvious pain and…
Q: I've fallen in love with a particular horse and am desperate to buy him. The problem is that he is lame. He's only just come off the track and apparently pulled some muscles in his back while still racing. I’m hoping his lameness will come right but everyone tells me to avoid him. What…
Q: What are the signs that your horse is ageing? A: Horses don’t all age at the same rate. Some of this is due to genetics, and some to the care they have received throughout their lifetime. Horses are, generally speaking, labeled as ‘senior’ when they reach the age of 15, but this is a massive…
What is a capped hock, elbow or knee? And how are they caused? Check out this post to find out more.
Q: What is topline? A: To put it simply, a horse’s topline are the muscles that support the spine from the neck all the way to the hindquarters. The topline of a horse stretches along the spinal column from the end of the neck at the wither area, down the back and loin. Three main muscle…
Understanding one of the most common causes of lameness A hoof abscess is a localised accumulation of purulent fluid (pus) within the horse’s hoof. The pus is produced as a reaction by the horse’s body to infection. A hoof abscess causes sudden-onset, severe lameness. Despite the dramatic onset and severity of the lameness associated with…
The prepurchase exam varies considerably from vet to vet, with some vets putting more emphasis on some aspects than others [dropcap]M[/dropcap]ost people buying a horse today will request at least a basic ‘prepurchase exam’ to be carried out by a veterinarian. Others will want a more advanced prepurchase exam that includes blood tests and radiographs, for…
If a sharp object penetrates a horse’s foot, it can damage the sensitive tissues and deeper structures underneath Puncture wounds of the equine foot are common and can be very serious. The most common objects that penetrate horses’ feet are nails and screws, but other sharp objects such as pieces of farm implements can sometimes cause…
