Living Anatomy of the Horse

24/09/2024

15/09/2024

08/09/2024

🐴🌸 Equine Manuel Therapy @ www.livinganatomy.co.nz 🌸🐴

28/08/2024

The Veterinary Compendium has been an invaluable resource for me, offering trust-worthy information on different topics like the latest webinar on the hot topic of 'kissing spine'. It’s an incredible platform for horse owners, equine therapists, and clinicians, bringing together global experts from different fields. What I love most is how it fosters healthy, respectful conversations within our community. If you haven't explored it yet, I highly recommend checking it out at www.vetcompendium.org There is a lot of FREE content about spinal function, dysfunction and pain in the in the Video Library and on the research page. The Blog posts and Community Gatherings cover interesting topics like "Compensation in the Horse", "The Whole-Body Assessment", "Scientific Accuracy - why it should matter for all members of the horse's care team" and so much more!!

🤩𝐍𝐄𝐖 - 𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬! 🤩
In order to encourage you to participate in more of Dr. Haussler's very comprehensive educational webinars, we are offering discounted bundles until December 31st.

These 2.5 hour webinars - which include a 30-minute discussion period and a CE certificate of attendance - are priced at US$55. You can now purchase a bundle of any 3 webinars (past or upcoming) for $150 (value $165) or a bundle of any 6 webinars for $300 (value $330). Offer expires December 31, 2024.

Webinar replays are available for life.

Please use one of these coupons on the invoice page:
Bundle of 3 webinars: 𝟑𝐟𝐨𝐫𝟏𝟓𝟎
Bundle of 6 webinars: 𝟔𝐟𝐨𝐫𝟑𝟎𝟎

To make your selection, please consult testimonials and webinar catalog at vetcompendium.org/webinars/

18/08/2024

🐴 I’m truly humbled and excited to be listed among the renowned lecturers at the German Institute for Horse Osteopathy DIPO Deutsches Institut für Pferde-Osteopathie. Early next year, I will be hosting my first webinar, "Mindful Riding: Recognizing Early Signs of Discomfort and Pain Under Saddle." The DIPO is one of Germany’s leading Institutes for Equine and Canine Osteotherapy/Physiotherapy, providing education of the highest standards, including further training for veterinarians recognized by the Academy for Veterinary Training (ATF) 🐴

25/07/2024

I am so looking forward to being a part of this wonderful Seminar '𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞' held in Blenheim, together with our NZ Elite Coach 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢 𝘙𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 and Animal & Human Physiotherapist 𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘦𝘺 𝘚𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳 from Core Physio: The Home of Equestrian Performance. An excellent chance to unite and learn from one another. Please email Anna 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧@𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞.𝐜𝐨.𝐧𝐳

21/07/2024

Shane’s first ever runner to the races was a winner, and it was very fitting & special for our team that his final runner, a horse he co-bred in Ugo powered down the outside to win the Rating 65 1200m race at Oamaru this afternoon. A beautiful steer from Leah Hemi had Ugo tracking strongly into the straight, finding the best part of the track and letting down well to the line 👏🏽💙

Coming into a new campaign, Ugo has really flourished physically and we are so thrilled for his connections Shane Kennedy, Paul & Noel Cunneen, Phil Blacktopp, Ron Ferriman & Robert Webster to see him back at his best, a big congratulations to you all. This was the third win from 20 starts for this Zacinto five-year-old with an exciting prep to come 👏🏽⭐️

Thank you to the team at home & our supporters for making it all happen!
Equine Products NZ LTD
Dunstan Horsefeeds
Premier Equine Vets
Nicolett Geldermann - Living Anatomy of the Horse
Jared Hayston
Roger Austin

📸 Tayler Strong

17/07/2024

Fantastic webinar on "Assessing Pain and Behavioural Cues"! A wealth of educational resources and conversations are available, thanks to Dr. Kevin Haussler and his team. Grab a cuppa and explore: www.vetcompendium.org.

08/07/2024

🐎🌸A truly special day at the CHIO Aachen yesterday, soaking in the exceptional equestrian flair together with our NZ Equestrian Elite Coach, Andrea Raves, and Beatrix Schulte Wien, Founder and Owner of the German Institute for Horse Osteopathy DIPO. Tickets are already booked for next year's dressage and eventing!!! 🌸🐎

04/07/2024

Wir gratulieren , die auch Dozentin im DIPO ist, zu dem wunderbaren Ritt beim CHIO in Aachen und der tollen Note 76,043. 🥂 🐴

01/07/2024

Still buzzing from my DIPO CPD course "Similarities and differences between Osteopathy and Chiropractic", linking together treatment methods for the sacropelvic region and the thoracolumbar spine in theory and practice. It was inspiring learning together with attending Equine Osteotherapists, Physiotherapists and Veterinarians. I'm extremely grateful for being able to connect with the DIPO, which is motivation for the expansive, and occasionally challenging of equine physical therapy and rehabilitation. And just like that, more CPD finds its way into the basket this time🦄😄

24/06/2024

💕🌼Sending warm summer greetings to you all from my beautiful German home, Münsterland! I feel incredibly lucky to be able to visit the places where my love for horses was born. Even more, I cherish spending precious summer moments with my mum🌼💕

18/06/2024

🐴🐴🐴 The LIVING ANATOMY OF THE HORSE Office is closed until 17th July🐴🐴🐴 for my annual trip to Germany. I'm looking forward to seeing my mum, close friends and sun. Some exciting CPD at my educational base DIPO is booked, continuing my humble journey of learning. You all stay safe and warm during the next few winter weeks💚

09/06/2024

🐴Some important information about Dental Care for our horses🐴

Dental Vet; Equine vet practice for dental health and surgery

How do vets train in dentistry and how is the content of that training unique?⁣
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🦷 As I am marking ANZCVS exams, I reflect on post graduate qualification for vets.⁣
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🌺 I was humbled to be invited as one of the 4 examiners this year.⁣
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🤓 As an examiner, a regular tutor at AU and NZ dental courses and having been involved in the Animal Welfare Act Regulation changes, I am up to speed with vets’ qualifications in dentistry and who is able to do what in the mouth.⁣
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🤓 To gain ‘Membership’ level with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, a vet must have practiced and studied for a minimum of 4 years. After that, they may sit a series of exams. Both written and oral.⁣
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💪 Are these exams easy? No. These exams are all based on Evidence Based Medicine. The examiners go through full-on training and their exams approved by a string of professional educators and scientists. Which is unique to vets.⁣
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🏫 Education does not only depend on how many hours one has done, but also on the scientific quality and the CONTENT of these studies.⁣
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💉 So what is the content of veterinary dental education?⁣
- Like non-vets, they learn how to float teeth, balance the entire mouth etc. But veterinary dentistry does not stop at this mechanical/physical work.⁣
- Uniquely, vets must also reach competency in the diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases.⁣
- It includes modern clever ways to treat these diseases.⁣
- Key is, dental diseases start with very small lesions and the earlier these are picked up on, the more elegant the solution⁣
- Veterinary solutions include little mechanical procedures during tooth floating exclusive to vets, use of certain gum dressings and tooth dressings, root canals, extraction methods, X-rays, medication.⁣
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⏰ Typically, vet courses in any subject, are one or multiple days at each occasion. We cannot leave our patients for weeks at a time. Vets learn in these small blocks, building each time on their skills.⁣
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⏰ Vets are also required to learn with other vets in a practical sense. ⁣
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⏰ Vets are required to clock their study, reading time. ⁣
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📝 The vet council requires vets to do the above constantly and regulates the vets' competency. This REGULATION is unique to vets.⁣
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🎻 Doing a course of a few days and then proclaiming advanced skill in dentistry is like doing a violin course for two days and then going home doing a concert (Pferdepraxis Stoll 2023). Do not quote this out of context with the rest of this post!!⁣
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🏫 Yes we need veterinary profession to increase training in dentistry, both for vets practicing it but even more importantly, for vets not practicing it or assisting non vets. The entire equine industry needs to expand knowledge how equine dental diseases manifest. Because in many cases disease progresses until we have a lump, weight loss etc which is way too late. Do not quote this out of context with the rest of this post!!⁣
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Currently more than 110 vets in NZ have done post grad training in vet equine dentistry and these vets refer diseases onto advanced ANZCVS vets all the time. These are geographically placed throughout NZ. And yes, we need to train more! This year 21 vets are sitting exams! There are 42 non vets floating teeth in NZ going by the last count known to NZVA, take this as an approximate number as there currently is no regulation in place/bit of an unknown.⁣
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🏫 The ANZCVS program can be taken in many different areas. To give an example, I am a fully qualified vet. However my competency in even simple cat surgeries is minimal. That does not reflect on the entire profession or that vet schools do not train sufficiently in cats: we have exceptional cat vets!⁣
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😈 Sadly misinformation has been circling emboldening the idea that vets know nothing about teeth, that they only get a few hours in vet school and then a two-day course. And that regulations just take away work from non-vets. This could not be further from the truth.⁣
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💜 All dental practitioners should be treated with respect.⁣
🫡 Recognizing and acknowledging who has what scope of practice is a hallmark of a professional. Misrepresenting or overstating one’s scope of practice has no place in being an equine professional.⁣
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💎 Competent and ethical practitioners know the extent and the limits of their scope. This goes for vets (dentistry practicing vets and sedation providing vets) and non-vets alike.⁣
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📝 the NZ Animal Welfare Act restricts who can do what. For instance if person has gingivitis, the kind of gum cleaning treatment a person would get, is also required for horses and this is restricted to suitably trained vets. Going by 120 years worth of scientific studies and data from dental exams, 40-80% of horses require such simple yet essential treatment at each dental.⁣
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🎉 photo of bunch of vets celebrating or drowning their sorrows after exams at the conference!!

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30/05/2024

Today Tinks, Spotty and Tyson had their routine visit from our amazing Marieke Dental Vet; Equine vet practice for dental health and surgery. Your care , skills and expertise make all the difference in maintaining their dental health and contributing to their overall wellbeing. Thank you for everything you do 💕🦄🦄🦄💕

19/05/2024

𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝗪𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒 - 𝐊𝐄𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐒⁣
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𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐧 𝐌𝐄𝐝, 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐈𝐏𝐎, 𝐅𝐄𝐈 𝐏𝐄𝐓, 𝐏𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐫𝐭 (𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞), 𝐏𝐆𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐄𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧⁣
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In our modern days of social media, we as Horse Owners have an abundance of information and different opinions available about how to manage and train horses, and how to judge on their wellbeing.⁣
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I believe that this search for knowledge requires an open mind and a critical attitude, because our thinking and actions are always framed by our assumptions. ⁣
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Assumptions are always present, some of them are deeply rooted and they are not necessarily wrong or right.⁣
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Critical Thinking is a tool, which is described as the habit of mind characterized by the comprehensive exploration of issues, ideas and events 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 accepting or formulating a conclusion or assumption.⁣
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The learning process of CT begins with:⁣
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a) reflecting on, or ‘hunting’ (Stephen Brookfield) an assumption,⁣
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b) checking the assumption for accuracy and validity and ⁣
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c) explore different viewpoints. ⁣
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The final step of this process is the ability to take informed action, that is based on evidence and credible research. ⁣
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Critical Thinking is designed to stop us rushing into premature analysis, judgements and solutions.⁣
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It is about making 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 regarding our horse’s care, treatment and the 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝗪𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠.⁣
⁣

18/05/2024

𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐏𝐎𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 - 𝐊𝐄𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐒⁣
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𝐃𝐫. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐤𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐕𝐌 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐙𝐂𝐕𝐒 ⁣
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There is an exciting opportunity for horse owners to recognize developing problems in dental health by getting more familiar with the challenges of each age group:⁣
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- Like recognizing certain conformations in foals to understanding why your 5.5 year old suddenly changes ridden or yarded behaviour, to recognizing dental pain in older horses.⁣
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- By understanding that dental disease starts very discreetly and is picked up by a detailed veterinary dental exam. A swollen jaw or loosing weight really only happens at the bottom of the cliff!⁣
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- Awareness of the kind and straightforward options to diagnose and treat available from suitably trained dental vets.⁣
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- This includes ‘root canals’, treatment of infected gums, advanced extraction methods, routine use of radiographs and intra oral cameras. As well as preventative management, diet and bitting.⁣
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- We also explored the history of veterinary dentistry and looked at 100 year old advanced treatment methods that most of our present day NZ horses 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 get offered!⁣
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17/05/2024

𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐘 𝐌𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐕𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 - 𝐊𝐄𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐒⁣⁣
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𝐃𝐫. 𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐕𝐌 𝐂𝐕𝐀 𝐀𝐁𝐌 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝.𝐝𝐢𝐩.𝐑𝐌𝐓⁣⁣
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- Integrated veterinary care can be powerful- conventional veterinary medicine has specific diagnostics and procedures that are outstanding for treating and diagnosing acute symptoms or injury, however underlying issues which may have contributed to the acute injury/disease and chronic/long term conditions are better addressed by looking deeper into the systems and assessing vital life energies to return to and maintain health and function. Using both together can address many aspects for ultimate function and wellbeing. ⁣⁣
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- Energy makes up our personalities or constitutions as well as our horses. These elemental constitutions influence both horses, health and their way of relating to the world. Horses don’t exist in a vacuum, they have humans connected to them in many ways, in the way of care, riding, and training. There will be ways the elemental constitutions of all involved can affect the horses, in both negative and positive ways. Awareness of the elements and constitutions is a powerful way to work with the health of the horses, as many holistic modalities do (TCVM for example), and consciously work in relationship on a daily basis. This can allow horses to function to their full potential in a deeper way and to understand them and our energetic contribution to the dynamic. By focusing on the health and strength of the horse, yet being aware of systems compromised and addressing weaknesses attached to that, horses can be brought into balance.⁣⁣
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- Other ways to ensure that the body is functioning to the highest potential is through manual therapies which work with functional anatomy as well as subtle energies for function- these are a more direct way to assess and address function than working through the meridians or other forms of maintaining Qi. Living and functioning anatomy is beyond structure. ⁣⁣
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- All functional modalities used in this practice, TCVM, Osteopathy, Chiropractic or Reiki are on some level working with the nervous system, which processes thoughts and reactions, as well as controls physical function and movement. ⁣⁣
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- Therapies can strengthen the nervous system on a physical level for resilience, but this system can also be affected through relationship as well. There are training methods now considered cutting edge where the nervous system is considered, and horses can learn to process tension and be in the learning space of the brain, to prevent trauma and unconscious reactions. This would lend itself to healthy relationships between humans and their horses based on shared experiences and learning, rather them intense or survival, which may have happened in the past where horses were used for work, transport, pioneering and war. ⁣⁣
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- We have an opportunity now that horses are mainly recreational and for sport/competition in our society to continue our evolution with them, heal historical trauma, and evolve even their learning to include deeper ways of performance, which could make them more dynamic as athletes. ⁣⁣
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- Horses are living and dynamic beings, existing in a physical body, with a multifaceted life and they contribute greatly to the people who are committed to supporting them in their life’s journey. They have inherited athletic abilities and movement which have evolved over thousands of years, and have a shared pathway with people for thousands of years. ⁣⁣
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- If we are able, we owe them the highest regard to be healthy, become educated, and perform to the highest of their ability whilst having relationships with all the people and horses they come into contact with through their life.⁣⁣

16/05/2024

𝐆𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂 𝐔𝐋𝐂𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐄: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐍 𝐂𝐔𝐋𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐓 𝐁𝐄𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐌𝐒 - 𝐊𝐄𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐒 ⁣⁣
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𝐃𝐫. 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐀 𝐁𝐕𝐒𝐜 (𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐬) 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐙𝐂𝐕𝐒 & 𝐃𝐫.𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐕𝐒𝐜 ⁣⁣
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When dealing with Equine Gastric Ulcer ⁣⁣
Syndrome (EGUS), there are 3 main points to take away:⁣⁣
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𝟏. Correct diagnosis - gastroscopy provides knowledge on location and severity.⁣⁣
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𝟐. Correct treatment and length of treatment - based on gastroscopy. ⁣⁣
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𝟑. Management changes for treatment and PREVENTION. ⁣⁣

15/05/2024

🐎𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒: 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 - 𝐊𝐄𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐒⁣🐎
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𝐃𝐫. 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐒𝐜 𝐁𝐕𝐌𝐒(𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐬) 𝐈𝐕𝐂𝐀⁣
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We need to remember that horses can't tell us where it hurts, but if we look and listen to their subtle behaviour changes and expressions, they usually are trying to tell us that something is wrong.⁣
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Sometimes we have to search systematically, usually starting from the bottom and working our way up, until we find the source of the lameness. ⁣
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Lameness can present in many ways, and it is important to get the right diagnosis through a thorough veterinary examination so that we can target treatments and rehabilitation appropriately. ⁣
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Luckily, in Canterbury, we have access to many skilled practitioners and advanced diagnostic tools that can help us in our quest to find the root of the problem. ⁣
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And, with modern science improving our treatment options, we can get more horses sound and happy and back in action than ever before.

14/05/2024

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 - 𝐊𝐄𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐒⁣⁣
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𝐃𝐫. 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐕𝐒𝐜 (𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭) 𝐏𝐆𝐃𝐢𝐩𝐕𝐂𝐒 𝐃𝐢𝐩 𝐀𝐂𝐕𝐒, 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐲 ⁣⁣⁣⁣
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𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
Clinical signs of neck pain or dysfunction in the horse commonly cause performance problems or pain related behaviours and are not specific to neck pain alone. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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A comprehensive clinical exam is required to diagnose neck pain or dysfunction in order to rule out other problems that commonly cause the similar clinical signs. This will likely include a lameness exam, neurologic exam, range of movement assessment and soft tissue palpation, and a ridden examination. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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Radiographs, ultrasound, and a bone scan may be required to confirm the diagnosis. The findings on imaging must be interpreted in light of the clinical exam findings before a conclusive diagnosis and treatment plan is made. Many horses have radiographic abnormalities in this region that are incidental or not causing clinical signs. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝟔/𝐂𝟕:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
Congenital variations of C6/C7 can be identified on high quality radiographs and is a relatively common finding (up to 38% of thoroughbreds and 34% of warmbloods). Recent literature shows that horses diagnosed with neck pain or dysfunction are no more likely to have congenital variations of C6/C7 than those that don’t have the variation. Additionally, there is no association of congenital variations of C6/C7 and radiographic signs of neck joint osteoarthritis. The presence of C6/C7 variations is therefore unlikely to be clinically significant if the horse is not showing signs of neck pain or osteoarthritis of the neck joints.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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𝐊𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
The radiographic diagnosis of ‘kissing spines’ does not always cause back pain or performance problems in the horse. The severity of the radiographs is not proportional to the severity of the back pain, however horses with higher grades of kissing spine are more likely to show back pain at some stage in their life. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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If your horse does have back pain that is due to kissing spines following a diagnosis by your veterinarian, the condition can be successfully managed by local medication/treatment, therapeutic exercises, and working in a correct frame/engagement to ensure back muscle mass is maintained to support normal function. Integrative modalities such as acupuncture, massage, chiropractic and osteopathy can also help to maintain normal muscle mass and function. If a horse is spelled and muscle mass is lost, the horse is more likely to show signs of back pain when ridden exercise is commenced. Surgery should be considered as a last resort. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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𝐒𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐂 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
The clinical signs are often related to hindlimb dysfunction such as poor engagement, poor transitions, and lack of propulsion. Confirmation of the diagnosis can be aided by detection of pain responses to palpation of the SIJs, bone scan, and a positive response to treatment of the joints with corticosteroid. SIJ pain is commonly concurrent with hind limb lameness, and this should also be addressed if diagnosed. Management is aimed at reducing pain at the SIJs, addressing associated back tension or hindlimb lameness, and maintaining muscle mass and function through therapeutic exercises. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
To diagnose abnormalities and pain of the axial skeleton patience, comprehensive evaluations and diagnostics are required. Secondary or compensatory pain regions are commonly encountered that also need to be addressed. To treat and manage abnormalities of the axial skeleton a collaborative approach between veterinarians, the owner, and other industry professionals including integrative therapists and farriers is required. ⁣⁣⁣⁣

13/05/2024

🐎🐎WHOW!!! What an incredible day at our Conference "From Veterinarians for Horse Owners - The Ethics of Wellbeing"!!! The turnout was amazing, with passionate Horse Owners and Equine Professionals coming together for a day of education and ethical considerations. Stay tuned, as I will be sharing the key messages of all presenters in an upcoming post.

Thank you to all the esteemed Veterinarians, who shared their time and expertise with us. Thank you to Selwyn Equestrian Centre for hosting us. Thank you to my elves in the background Merle, Kim, Kirsty, Katy, Katie and Jess. Thank you to Sarah Gray from Snaffle Design. Thank you to my partner Nigel. Thank you to all Vets, who weren't on stage, for doing an amazing job. And lastly, thank you to everyone who attended and made this day so special!

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. SHARING KNOWLEDGE IS THE KEY TO UNLOCK THIS POWER. (Martin U. Ugwu)🐎🐎

08/05/2024

🐎🐎🐎 Just 3 more sleeps left until we can experience this inspiring first ever Conference from Veterinarians for Horse Owners! Don't miss out!!! For tickets please email: [email protected] 🐎🐎🐎

07/05/2024

🐎🐎🐎 Just 4 more sleeps left until we can experience this inspiring Conference panel of leading Equine Experts. It will be a day filled with Education, Research and unified Discussions. Don't miss out!!! For tickets please email: [email protected] 🐎🐎🐎