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.