Equine Soft Tissue Injuries

03/21/2024

03/21/2024

Hock OCD is quite common and can range from non-threatening and not cause any lameness in the horse, to particular scenarios where it can become quite destructive. Specifically with one form of hock OCD referred to as “joint mouse” where the OCD dislodges, moves around, and causes damage and fragmentation to the cartilage in the joint. This can eventually lead to arthritis in the horse. Learn more at equinearthritis.info

03/21/2024

𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗶𝗽 - 𝗦𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗺 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀
A great exercise that can be done in-hand or ridden to stimulate the thoracic sling muscles.

Make sure you repeat this exercise on both reins.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝘁
Place 5 poles end to end and raise them up a little (this makes the more stable and less likely to roll if your horse knocks them)
Walk your horse so he steps across the pole sideways and then back again - in an 'S' shape
Your horse should step over the pole with his leg closest to the pole first

03/21/2024

The mechanical relationship of the kidneys within the body is vast, and includes:
The diaphragm, the spleen, Psoas, adrenals to name a few.
In the image shows the immediate SPINAL correlation Th17,18 (thoracics) right under the edge of the saddle,

The 2 kidneys also sit slightly differently and are of a differing shape as shown in the image. The right kidney is securely held surrounded by other organs, but the left has the spleen coming off it via a ligament

The kidneys are a major part of your horse’s urinary system, responsible for the extraction and removal of waste products from the blood.
Each kidney weighs on average around 680g but the right kidney is shaped like the heart on a playing card whereas the left is a more conventional kidney shape. The left kidney sits slightly further back than the right and due to its vascular connections with the spleen also hanging from it/pulling, this is often the one found to be under tension and in restriction. Creating a pull on the thoraco-lumbar region and often when riding pushing the saddle off to the right. Add to this the psoas relationship and you will eventually have a restricted left hind limb.
During respiration the diaphragm moves caudal so the kidney needs to move also.

So maybe you ride a lot of horses with the same feeling in the saddle, like your left stirrup feels shorter?the saddle moves off to the right? so presume its you, or maybe actually you are riding a few horses with this common restriction!

Take home message: the WHOLE horse approach is invaluable when dealing with ridden horses!

More to come 😊

Repost.

03/21/2024

🐴 Happy Foal Friday, everyone! 🌟 Today, let's bring attention to a vital aspect of the new foal exam: rib fractures. Understanding these injuries is vital, and early detection is key. That's where the comprehensive new foal exam plays a pivotal role.

One important aspect of the new foal exam is assessing for fractured ribs, which can occur as the foal is being squeezed through the mare’s pelvis during delivery. This evaluation is critically important as the rib cage overlaps numerous critical internal organs, including the heart and lungs. The sharp edges of fractured ribs can puncture these important structures, resulting in internal bleeding and rapid death.
During the new foal exam, the veterinarian will carefully palpate the ribs and evaluate for swelling, pain, and crepitus (crunching or clicking) associated with broken ribs. Ultrasound imaging, as seen in this picture, can also aid in diagnosing and assessing the severity of the fracture.
The majority of simple rib fractures can be managed by maintaining the foal on strict activity restriction/stall rest until the fracture has stabilized, typically one to two weeks. Occasionally, if the fracture is severe and the broken edges are actively threatening internal organs, surgical stabilization may be warranted.
We typically recommend that newborn foals be evaluated within a day of birth and before turnout in order to detect and manage complications such as rib fractures!

03/21/2024

03/21/2024

We're pleased to be uniting with member bodies to endorse the highest standards of equine welfare, wellbeing and ethics 🤝

The new British Equestrian Charter for the Horse outlines actions we all must observe to ensure individual mental, physical and behavioural needs of our horses are met.

Read the full charter here 👉 https://bit.ly/3TJXY8j

Support the charter by sharing the poster on tackroom walls, noticeboards and social media 🙏

03/21/2024

Empower your horse to find its own footing and confidence, deepening the trust between you with SURE FOOT!
Shop now:
https://shop.surefootequine.com/

03/21/2024

03/21/2024

03/21/2024

02/25/2024

Part 2 of this series explains the different types of hoof wall cracks that can develop as a result of imbalance in the horse or environment.

02/25/2024

02/25/2024

Neck and Back Anatomy and Pain in Performance Horses
Brian S. Burks, DVM
Diplomate, ABVP
Board Certified in Equine Practice

Neck and back pain are known to have negative effects on equine performance; however, neck and back issues are often undiagnosed and go untreated. There are many causes for pain associated with the spinal column and most can be treated once they have been properly identified.
Several different anatomical structures must be considered when trying to diagnose neck and back pain. The vertebrae, the bones that make up the spinal column and protect the spinal cord, are divided into five groups. The seven cervical vertebrae are located from the back of the skull to just in front of the first rib. The eighteen thoracic vertebrae, which also articulate with the ribs, extend from about the level of the point of the shoulder and through about 2/3 of the back. The six lumbar vertebrae make up the last 1/3 of the back. The dorsal spinous processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae extend from the main body of the vertebrae (which houses the spinal cord) up to just under the skin. These are the structures that make the shape of the withers. The five sacral vertebrae are located behind the lumbar vertebrae and are fused together to make the sacrum. The sacrum is attached to the pelvis at the sacroiliac joints. The caudal vertebrae vary in number and make up the spinal column in the tail. Intervertebral discs are located between the vertebrae. Many ligaments extend between individual vertebrae and keep the spinal column in alignment. The nuchal ligament (which extends from the back of the skull to the withers) and the supraspinous ligament (which extends from the withers to the sacrum) are located on top of the vertebral column and act as a “spring” when the horse rounds its neck and back. Finally, the epaxial muscles run along either side of the vertebral column and enable a horse to bend from side to side.
Although many problems can occur with such complex anatomy, there are a few issues that are most commonly seen in the neck and back of the performance horse. In the neck, the joints between the cervical vertebrae (called cervical facet joints) can develop osteoarthritis. This is usually a degenerative process that occurs over time and is more common as horses get older. Narrowing of the facet joint spaces can be seen on radiographs. Proliferation of bone at the joint spaces can also be seen on ultrasound. Inflammation of these joints can be seen via bone scan. Signs of cervical facet joint osteoarthritis may include decreased range of motion in the neck, especially from side to side, reluctance to bend laterally under saddle and resistance to the bit when bending. The facet joints can be medicated under ultrasound guidance with steroids, which decrease inflammation in the area and will often make the horse more comfortable for 6 months to a year. In conjunction with joint injections, horses will often benefit from neck stretching exercises (“carrot stretches”) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as firocoxib).
Another condition is overlapping or overcrowding of the thoracic and lumbar dorsal spinous processes, also known as “kissing spines”. The spaces between the dorsal spinous processes decrease, causing inflammation and bony changes. This may be secondary to trauma, but is probably more commonly associated with exercise and spinal conformation. It is particularly common in hunters and jumpers and horses may refuse to jump. Kissing spines can be particularly painful because they often occur where the saddle sits on the back.
Horses may resent the saddle and palpation of the back and may move quite stiffly. Diagnosis of kissing spines may include deep palpation of the back, radiographs, ultrasound or nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan). Once accurately identified, the narrowed spaces between the dorsal spinal processes can be medicated with steroids. The muscles surrounding the affected bones may also be quite tight and will add to the pain associated with kissing spines. Steroid injections into the surrounding muscles and mesotherapy (intradermal injections to decrease pain conduction) will help break the pain cycle and allow horses to continue exercising and building back muscles. A less invasive method of treating back pain is therapeutic laser. Our laser penetrates deep into the muscle and has consistently given relief to muscle bound (spasms, knots) horses. Shock wave therapy has also been beneficial.
It is important to remember that back pain can be caused by compensation for lameness in either the front or hind limbs. When diagnosing a horse with back pain, the entire clinical picture must be taken into account. With more awareness for neck and back diseases, horse with decreased performance due to neck and back pain are being diagnosed and treated more appropriately.

www.foxrunequine.com

Fox Run Equine Center

(724) 727-3481

02/21/2024

02/21/2024