Lameness Investigations
From poor performance investigations to abscesses and laminitis, Anglesey Equine has got you covered. Whether it’s pinpointing the cause of lameness, addressing common issues like abscesses, or managing more complex conditions such as laminitis, we provide comprehensive care and accurate diagnosis to keep your horse happy, healthy and performing at their best.
Why a Horse May Not Perform to Full Potential?
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Horses can fail to perform to their best for a variety of reasons. While lameness is the most common cause of poor performance, there are also other factors that may be easier to address, such as poorly fitting tack, inadequate fitness, or dental issues. A full and thorough clinical examination, combined with a detailed history, is essential in guiding us to the right course of action.
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Where to Begin?
The process starts with gathering a detailed history of the horse’s training, performance and any changes in behaviour. This is followed by a comprehensive clinical examination of the horse's general health, posture and movement. Observing the horse’s movement under different gaits is crucial to identify any obvious lameness or discomfort.
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A methodical, multi-step approach is then used to pinpoint the exact cause of the lameness. The first step is to localise the source of pain or discomfort. While an initial examination may offer some clues, many cases of lameness can't be definitively diagnosed by visual inspection alone. To accurately locate the source, we use nerve and joint blocks. These blocks involve administering small volumes of local anaesthetic into specific regions of the limb to numb certain areas sequentially. This helps narrow down which part of the limb is causing the issue.
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Once we've identified the affected area, we move on to imaging techniques, typically using radiography (X-rays) or ultrasonography (ultrasound), to further investigate any structural problems or soft tissue injuries.
This methodical approach ensures that we don’t overlook any potential causes and allows us to provide the most effective treatment plan tailored to the horse’s needs.
