Science to practice: how I keep sport horses going – the vet’s viewpoint

Introduction

Veterinary management of high-level sport horses is a complex and challenging undertaking. The horse was not designed to deal with the stresses placed upon it by elite-level competition. In spite of this, our equine athletes are expected to sustain high level performance over careers which may span well over a decade, with potentially hundreds of competition starts. It is little surprise that the majority of horses need significant help along the way. Successful management of an equine athlete’s career requires a thorough understanding of the sport involved. A good relationship with the rider, owner, trainer and all those involved with day-to-day management of the horse is essential. Further to this, a willingness and ability to communicate with other veterinary surgeons and paraprofessionals involved with the horse will optimise the chances of success, and provide the opportunity to share the burden of expectation.

Clinical examination of the performance horse

My clinical examination of performance horses follows a similar format to the established 5-stage vetting procedure, whether the horse is being examined for the first time, or has been seen on multiple occasions. A standardised examination protocol allows objective assessment at each examination, facilitates identification of changes to the horse’s normal state, and minimises the likelihood that subtle problems will be overlooked. […]