EQUINE

EQUINE LAMENESS EVALUATIONS & SPORTS MEDICINE

Lameness is one of the most common problems affecting horses of all ages, breeds and disciplines, from racing Thoroughbreds and competitive sport horses to pleasure horses and miniature ponies. A thorough lameness investigation begins with a detailed clinical examination to identify the source of pain and determine how it may be affecting your horse’s movement and performance. This may include close inspection and palpation of the limbs and body, gait assessment on a straight line and evaluation on the lunge. Flexion tests and diagnostic nerve or joint blocks may also be performed when appropriate to help localise the source of pain. 

Depending on the findings, further investigation may be recommended using diagnostic imaging, including radiography (X-rays) and ultrasound, or additional testing such as blood work where indicated. These investigations allow us to better understand the underlying problem and develop an appropriate treatment and rehabilitation plan. 

Our veterinarians are experienced in investigating lameness, poor performance and sports-related injuries and provide comprehensive assessments on-farm. We can bring portable radiography and ultrasound equipment directly to your property, allowing many diagnostic investigations to be performed conveniently on site. Our goal is to identify the cause of lameness as accurately as possible and provide a personalised treatment and rehabilitation program to support your horse’s comfort, performance and long-term soundness. 

We use a step-by-step diagnostic approach to identify the source of your horse’s pain or performance issue. Once the affected area has been localised, diagnostic imaging can be used to confirm the nature and severity of the problem and guide the most appropriate treatment plan. Radiography (X-rays) is particularly useful for assessing joint alignment, joint spaces, bone structure and density, as well as identifying changes such as fractures, arthritis, bone remodelling and other bony abnormalities. Ultrasound is commonly used to assess soft-tissue structures, including tendons, ligaments and muscles, and is particularly valuable for identifying and monitoring soft-tissue injuries. 

Personalised Treatment & Rehabilitation 

Once a diagnosis has been established, we will develop a personalised treatment and rehabilitation plan tailored to your horse’s condition, workload and individual needs. This may include appropriate pain management, medical treatment and a structured, step-by-step rehabilitation program to support a safe return to work. Pain management options may include oral medications, targeted local treatments and intra-articular joint injections, depending on the underlying condition. We can also provide ongoing reassessment throughout the rehabilitation process and adjust the treatment or exercise program as your horse progresses. 

Mesotherapy and Kissing Spine  

Back pain associated with kissing spine is relatively common in athletic horses. Mesotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment option that can provide longer-term pain relief for horses with confirmed kissing spine. 

Our veterinarians are experienced in performing standing mesotherapy procedures at the your property with mild sedation, avoiding the need for general anaesthesia or hospitalisation. 

Mesotherapy involves injecting a carefully selected steroid based combination of medications subcutaneously along both sides of the spine, targeting the areas associated with the kissing spine lesions. The medication gradually diffuses through the surrounding tissues towards the affected vertebrae over approximately 1-2 weeks. Depending on the severity of the kissing spine and the individual horse’s response to treatment, pain relief may last approximately 3, 6 or up to 12 months. 

Compared with directly injecting medication into or around the affected vertebrae, mesotherapy is a less invasive treatment option because we don’t directly inject into the spine, while still providing effective and longer-lasting pain management for many horses. 

Osteoarthritis, lameness, and Joint Treatment  

Osteoarthritis and OCD lesions are among the most common causes of lameness and reduced performance in competition horses. These conditions can develop due to poor conformation in young horses, acute traumatic injuries, or chronic wear and tear associated with ageing, training and competition. The resulting joint inflammation can progressively lead to cartilage damage, erosion and thinning. Prevention and management of osteoarthritis involve maintaining a realistic exercise and training program, regular hoof trimming and shoeing, early detection of joint disease, and timely initiation of appropriate joint treatment.