When Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide is welcomed at the Kentucky Horse Park this Friday, Dec. 5, it will signal a new era of complete retirement and rest for a
A triad of factors, namely sex, breed, and age, are all associated with the development of cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM) according to one of the latest studies published by researchers at the College of
Veterinary researchers at the University of California, Davis, are working to classify a newly observed bone fragility disorder that might prove to be the culprit behind some cases of intermittent chronic lameness that have no other explanation.
“Oh, my aching back!” It’s a complaint heard worldwide and one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work. So, it’s not hard to imagine what a horse with back pain might feel like. Unfortunately, very few veterinarians are
Some of the more typical clinical signs horses with a neck problem might present include stiffness, muscle atrophy, patchy sweating, shortened forelimb stride, forelimb lameness, and abnormal head carriage.
The sacroiliac joint, which forms the articulation between the pelvis and the spine, is often considered a location of elusive pain in horses. However, its deep location and, thereby, limited accessibility make diagnosis (via nerve blocks) and
Back pain is often suspected in horses, but most treatments haven’t been researched much or at all. Results of a study designed to measure the effects of massage, chiropractic, and phenylbutazone (Bute) on back sensitivity were presented at the 200
Subluxation (partial dislocation) of the coxofemoral joint between the femur and pelvis in horses is rare; only two cases have been reported in the literature. However, six cases were seen at the University of California, Davis, in a three-year
Silicosis in horses is a respiratory condition caused by exposure to certain types of silicate dust found in some geographic regions. While silicosis is not a commonly diagnosed equine ailment in most areas of the country, Matthew Durham, DVM
My 17-year-old Half-Arabian gelding underwent colic surgery, recovered well, but his back has dropped.
Want to know how your horse’s body works? Find out in The Horse’s 12-part Anatomy and Physiology series.
My mare appears to be in pain particularly in the withers, shoulder, and stomach areas. Is it possible that she has a pinched nerve?
Even a horse with excellent conformation can wind up with back problems if ridden by a rider out of balance or if outfitted with inappropriate tack.
The horse is an amazing athlete, with great speed and endurance considering his body size and weight. For the past 20 years, researchers have evaluated what makes the equine locomotive system so efficient for racing and other strenuous
The initial saddle fit examination begins with evaluation of the horse’s back, including a fingertip exploration of the entire area under the saddle to identify any bumps caused by friction or areas of localized pain or swelling, he said. Also, the horse should extend and flex his back willingly, and his vertebrae should be palpated.
What is good saddle fit? Simply put, it involves a saddle–English or Western–that spreads weight evenly on the longissimus dorsi muscles along either side of the spine. This well-fit saddle has clearance over the withers and doesn’t impede movement of the scapulas (shoulder blades). This saddle puts the rider’s weight in concert with the horse’s center of balance.
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