Sports Medicine

Sports Medicine/Locomotion & Comprehensive Lameness Evaluation

Abnormalities in gait are some of the most common causes for decreased athletic performance and discomfort in horses. Depending upon the specific site and cause of injury, the choice of therapy varies greatly from horse to horse. The main goal of any lameness evaluation is to isolate the origin of the pain by the implementation of diverse techniques:

• Palpation

• Hoof-tester application

• Observation at different gaits in hand/under saddle

• Flexion (stress) tests

• Diagnostic anesthesia (regional and joint blocks)

• Digital radiographs

• Digital ultrasound