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Identifying the source of Back / Body Problems and checking Saddle Fit
It is very often the case that a symptom that shows up as pain in the back for example actually has its root cause somewhere else for instance the foot. The horse will very often compensate for the injury by transferring its weight to the other leg, causing twisting and undue stress along the spine. Traditional methods of diagnosis would be to treat the back, give physiotherapy treatment or rest the horse. By doing a scan of the entire body, areas that are showing abnormalities in temperature can be easily identified and the relevant areas of the horse given suitable treatment. This often alleviates the secondary symptoms, in this example the pain in the back
Case Study
Infrared image showing abnormal heat in stiffleAbbie is a middle aged cob who slipped and fell in her field.
A full body scan was carried out using the thermal camera, and the results show some inflammation in the stiffle area. She is also showing areas of heat between her back legs and across her back end.
After consultation with her vet following the thermal examination, Abbie is currently being rested.
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Although most experienced horse owners are able to identify heat in a leg or foot, usually indicating inflammation, a pulled tendon or an abscess, there are often symptoms of discomfort or poor performance where the horse is showing no physical signs of injury. A human touch cannot identify changes in temperature of less than 2 degrees, however, a thermal camera can “see” and detect changes of less than 0.5 degree, making it easy to identify problem areas, where heat is not obvious to the touch. This is displayed as an instant, clear image on an LCD screen, enabling a diagnosis to be made and treatment carried out.
Used extensively in the equine world since the 1996 Olympic Games, infrared thermal imaging inspections are a quick non contact method of examining a horse to identify and locate the source of problems or injuries. Thermography as a science has many applications, but for horses has 3 main benefits:
Thermal imaging Inspection on a horse's kneePreventative:
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Pre Purchase Inspection or Sale to confirm there are no "hidden" problems with the horse
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Check saddle fitting and rider balance
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Monitoring Competition horses during training to ensure that no undue stress is placed on the horse which may result in a potential injury
Diagnostic
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Identify damaged tendons, ligaments, Navicular, laminitis and the source of non specific lameness
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Musculoskeletal injuries
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Easily examine the horse for tooth and jaw problems
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Locate the source of miscellaneous strains, sprains and injuries
Treatment Monitoring
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Monitor ongoing conditions to assess the level of improvement or deterioration during treatment
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Monitor Hoof Maintenance and balance |
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HOW CAN THERMAL IMAGING HELP MY HORSE IF HE DOESN'T HAVE A PROBLEM?
Thermal imaging is "another set of eyes" to see stressed areas up to two weeks before you are aware of them.
Correlated with veterinary physical findings and rider/trainer knowledge of the horse, this provides opportunity for earlier intervention.
A regular thermography schedule lets you compare thermal patterns and see changes coming on before your horse is sidelined.
Imaging is performed onsite in the horse's home environment or vet's office.
Which horse should you buy?
The one on the bottom-left, or on the bottom-right?
Looking at the equine infrared imaging used below, you'll notice the horse on the right has problems involving the thoracic and sacral vertebrae. Pre-purchase exams are an important area where equine thermography can help to select the best horse, or to show up non-visible physical problems that should be evaluated before the purchase is finalized. Equine infrared thermography is an important tool in helping to insure that both parties are protected and knowledgeable with regard to the horse's overall physical condition before completing the purchase/sale transaction.Which Horse
WILL I RECEIVE IMAGES TO REVIEW WITH MY VET & FARRIER?
Yes, images are saved and sent to you or your vet. Images are viewed immediately onsite.
Comparative permanent files can be maintained on areas that you, your vet and farrier want to keep an eye on.
Comparative images are especially useful for the competition horse.
DOES THE CAMERA TOUCH THE HORSE?
No, most views are taken 4-6 feet from the horse.
DOES THERMOGRAPHY MAKE A DIAGNOSIS?
No. The vet uses thermal images in conjunction with physical exam and other tools, such as xray and ultrasound, to come to a diagnosis.
Thermography screens for "where" hot or cold areas exist on the horse's body, which can indicate inflammation or disuse due to pain.
As a prey animal, the horse unloads the hurt area to keep going, creating stress in other parts of the body. The problem you first notice may be secondary to something else that is not apparent.
Thermal imaging can help you see the bigger picture.
Rider asymmetry or poor saddle fit?
"Four-point" contact pattern of saddle panels on horse's back with bridging: Hunter Jumper.
WHAT IS ARTIFACT?
Extraneous things causing a "false" hot or cold spot that may interfere with a true reading in certain areas. For example; sunlight, breeze, wet areas, liniments, some grooming products.
Most of these things can be worked around with preparation. A history and overview of the horse is done to note areas of missing or shorter hair, for example.
Preparation of the horse is reviewed before appt. to avoid artifact as much as possible.
WHAT IS THE THERMOGRAPHY TECH'S ROLE
The thermography tech should be trained in veterinary imaging protocol accepted by the American Academy of Thermology.
Provides images for owner, vet, farrier, saddle fitter with appropriate views & positioning, controlling for artifact. Reports objective thermal asymmetries.
HOW LARGE IS THE INFRARED CAMERA?
It is a small hand-held camera that measures heat being emitted from the horse's body.
HOW DO I PREPARE THE HORSE?
In general: a dry groomed horse.
Leg protection & blankets removed 2 hours earlier.
Hair coat free of topical solutions.
Some exercise needed to increase blood flow. If the horse has been standing around or in a stall, legs may be too cold to get a good reading.
When you make the appointment, we'll talk about having the horse prepared.
WHERE CAN HORSES BE IMAGED?
In a shelter with dry even surface, out of direct light, free of bedding. Eg: Dry washstall, un-bedded stall, barn aisle, clinic exam room. A handler is needed to position the horse for a standard set of images.
DOES WEATHER AFFECT THERMOGRAPHY?
When summer heat becomes a factor (> 85 degrees F), imaging is done as early as possible in the AM or in a climate controlled area. In cold weather, the horse requires more exercise prior to imaging in order to obtain a good reading on the legs and feet.
BENEFITS OF MONITORING SADDLE FIT& RIDER SYMMETRY:
1. See patterns of subtle rider imbalance affecting saddle fit.
2. May point you in the direction of exploring physical problems affecting your horse's back that need to be addressed by the vet, especially if you are constantly buying new saddles and your horse is still unhappy.
WHEN SHOULD I USE THERMOGRAPHY TO MONITOR SADDLE FIT?
Saddle fit is a combination of horse, rider & saddle. Thermography can offer clues to assist your saddle fitter, riding instructor & vet sort these factors out.
As your horse's body changes through training & conditioning.
Onsite with your saddle fitter.
When you & your vet are looking for clues to a vague problem.
If your horse exhibits unhappy behavior when the saddle is presented.
Horse is cranky, shorter strided, refuses jumps.
Reluctant to go forward or down hill. |
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Votum Thermography, LLC
Equine
