Oakley Equine Sports Medicine and Rehab

28/06/2025

As a large portion of the country continues to experience extreme heat, it's imperative that horse owners do their due diligence to keep their horses safe and healthy during heat waves.

One of the side effects of the heat for some horses is the inability to sweat properly. This condition, called anhidrosis, is potentially dangerous for horses because it compromises their ability to thermoregulate even in weather that doesn’t seem that hot, and therefore puts them at higher risk of heat stress.

Anhidrosis is not fully understood yet; it is widespread in the hot and humid regions of the southeastern United States and the Gulf states, but it is also widely reported elsewhere during the summer and particularly during heat waves. If your horse has a high respiratory rate and does not seem to tolerate turnout on hot days, be sure to discuss it with your veterinarian.

Remember that administering unnecessary medications without consulting your horse doctor first could do more harm than good, as it puts your equine friend at risk of developing harmful side effects!

18/06/2025

What an incredible two days at our Foundations in Equine Lameness Symposium!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for making this event such a success! The conversations, case discussions, and hands-on sessions reminded us just how powerful it is when a community of veterinarians comes together to learn, collaborate, and raise the standard of care.

A special thank you to our sponsors for supporting continued education and innovation in equine lameness diagnostics and treatment. Your commitment makes events like this possible!

13/06/2025

We had a wonderful first day of our Foundations in Equine Lameness June Symposium for Equine Vets! We are looking forward to more education, ultrasound skills, and joint injections tomorrow!

01/06/2025

Veterinarians - Join us for a 2-day practical, hands-on symposium covering:
- Lameness exams
- Nerve blocks
- Joint injections
- Ultrasound techniques

This symposium is perfect for veterinarians who want to strengthen their joint injection and essential ultrasound skills.
🗓️ June 12 & 13 2025
📍 Loxahatchee, FL
🔗 Register here: https://www.oakleyequine.com/ultrasoundtraining

26/05/2025

A big thank you to all of our heroes. We honor you today.

This Memorial Day, we honor the heroes who gave everything for our country and thank all the brave men and women who serve. 🇺🇸

04/05/2025

Equine Veterinarians - Refine your joint injection and ultrasound skills in a supportive, hands-on lab!
Join Dr. Suzan Oakley & Dr. Scott Hancock for a small-group, 2-day lameness symposium in Loxahatchee, FL. Practice on cadaver limbs and live horses. Limited spots!

🗓️ June 12-13, 2025
📍 Loxahatchee, FL
For more details and to register: https://www.oakleyequine.com/ultrasoundtraining

30/04/2025

Recovering from an injury can be stressful for your equine partner. Help support your horse feel stress-free during rehab by:

- Creating a calm environment
- Providing mental stimulation
- Monitoring for signs of stress

Remember, healing is a holistic process—body and mind!

26/04/2025

Have you ever heard of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)? This rehab tool helps horses reactivate weak or inhibited muscles.

🔵 What is FES? FES uses low-level electrical pulses to stimulate muscle contractions, mimicking natural nerve signals.

🔵 How does FES help? FES helps to restore muscle function in areas that aren’t engaging properly, improves nerve-to-muscle communication, and enhances strength and coordination without excessive strain.

Studies show that horses using FES in rehab can regain muscle strength and function within 3 to 9 months, leading to faster and more complete recovery.

02/04/2025

Rehabilitation is crucial in maintaining your horse's performance and preventing future injuries. By incorporating targeted rehabilitation therapies, we can help strengthen your horse’s body, improve flexibility, and reduce the risk of injury.

27/03/2025

Beyond regenerative treatments, complementary therapies play a vital role in your horse’s recovery. Techniques such as acupuncture help reduce pain and inflammation by stimulating natural pain-suppressing mechanisms, while spinal manipulation and myofascial therapy improve joint range and ease muscle tension. These therapies work in tandem with our medical treatments to promote overall balance and performance.

19/03/2025

Here’s a before and after of an acupunture treatment on an older horse with arthritis, who could not stand straight. We love being able to provide relief and see these results!

19/03/2025

While corticosteroids have been a standard treatment for joint inflammation, they have a number of negative side effects such as joint degradation with long-term use and increasing insulin levels. Regenerative medicine offers a more holistic, effective, long-term approach to equine musculoskeletal health. Here’s how they compare:

Regenerative Medicine:
- Targets the root cause: Modulates inflammation rather than just masking pain.
- Slows disease progression: Protects cartilage and promotes true tissue repair.
- Enhances healing: PRP, stem cells, and A*M actively improve joint, tendon, and ligament integrity.
- Longer-lasting effects: Can provide sustained benefits without repeated injections.

Corticosteroids:
- Short-term relief: Reduces inflammation but does not support tissue regeneration.
- Cartilage damage risk: Prolonged use may contribute to cartilage deterioration.
- Frequent reinjection needed: Effects typically last 2-3 months, requiring ongoing treatment.
- Increases insulin levels

For horses in high-performance disciplines, regenerative medicine offers a science-backed alternative that supports long-term joint health and soundness.