Musculoskeletal
Full lameness assessment including ridden work, thorough limb, neck, back and pelvis examination, and diagnostic analgesia where it is needed.
Services
Poor Performance Investigations
For the horse that is not quite right, and for the horse you are thinking of buying.
Poor performance
Not lame. Just not right.
Some of the most difficult cases in equine practice show no obvious lameness at all. The horse feels flat. It has lost some of its usual scope. It is late behind on one rein. It is not the horse it was last season, and nobody can say exactly why.
These cases are rarely one thing. More often they are a small orthopaedic problem plus a saddle that no longer fits, or a low-grade lameness the horse has been compensating for so successfully that the compensation has become the complaint.
They are worth investigating properly, because they almost always have an answer.
What gets looked at
A poor performance investigation
Broad to begin with, then narrowing as findings emerge.
Dental and comfort
Oral examination, saddle, bit and bridle fit, and other potential sources of discomfort that can be easily overlooked in a more complex case.
Wider health
Respiratory and general health assessment, bloodwork where indicated, and referral for further investigation if the picture calls for it.
Pre-season
Baseline assessments before the season
A baseline musculoskeletal examination before a season starts identifies what needs attention while there is still time to do something about it, and gives you a record to measure against if the horse changes later in the year.
- Full musculoskeletal examination and gait assessment
- Findings recorded as a baseline for comparison through the season
- Practical advice on workload, surfaces and management
- Repeat assessments during the season where a horse is being campaigned hard
Looking at a horse you are thinking of buying, rather than one you already own? See pre-purchase examinations.
Common questions
Performance questions
My horse is not lame but feels wrong. Is that worth investigating?
Yes. Poor performance cases are among the most rewarding to work up, precisely because the answer is rarely obvious. A subtle bilateral lameness, a low-grade orthopaedic problem or a source of discomfort under saddle will often show itself under systematic examination.
Can I ask a veterinary question through the website?
The enquiry form is for general questions — registering, availability, arranging a visit and accounts. Clinical questions need a conversation, and the inbox is not monitored around the clock, so anything concerning your horse’s health should come by telephone.
How do I register as a new client?
Send an enquiry through the contact page or telephone the practice. You will be asked for your details, your yard, and a little about your horses so the right amount of time can be set aside for a first visit.
Something is not right
If a horse has changed and nobody can say why, it is worth a proper look. Get in touch and we can talk it through.