As imaging technologies advance, practitioners have learned the limitations of relying on radiographs alone. X rays might not catch certain problems or might show anomalies that aren't useful for determining clinical relevance—especially when the horse is sound. | Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt/The Horse

Ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), MRI, and nuclear scintigraphy are finding a place alongside radiography (X rays) when it comes to assessing a horse’s soundness prior to sale. However, with the 50 shades of gray these technologies present, which diagnostic images will be most revealing?

Well, that depends.

During her presentation at the 2019 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 7-11 in Denver, Colorado, Florida-based radiologist Natasha Werpy, DVM, Dipl. ACVR, said prepurchase diagnostic imaging in Western performance horses is becoming more complex. Horses across all Western disciplines commonly show wear and tear in their feet, hocks, stifles, and knees. However, each sport tends to manifest its own set of problems