How I Keep Competition Horses Moving

Hopefully this presentation will appear as a logical progression from the previous talk on the science behind the treatment of lameness. There is a mystique surrounding the treatment of high- level sport horses but the majority of the time it is just the proactive application of standard orthopaedic principals. The rider will have far more influence than the vet over keeping the competition horse sound. Veterinary involvement in the selection and training process of sport horses is critical. Veterinary involvement in the routine monitoring of horses in training for the early identification of problems is critical but this presentation will concentrate on treatment. Debates rage about ‘prophylactic’ treatment and this can be a very lucrative field, more commonly employed in the USA than in Great Britain. More commonly we would be looking at the early treatment of any problems. This may be followed by maintenance therapy of previously diagnosed problems, often timed around competitions. Different veterinary surgeons employ different strategies with respect to medication. I prefer to work-up and block mild lamenesses to identify the pathology to be treated. Others would claim to have more developed clinical or psychic powers and to be able to tell the type of treatment required based on a brief clinical examination. Sometimes this is the only course of action available if there is only a very short time between presentation and competition. [...]