EHVC-Equine Sports Medicine/Lameness Services

All your performance and lameness needs can be taken care of by the veterinarians of EHVC-Equine. Our field veterinarians have the training and the equipment to diagnose and treat many lameness problems on your farm. The clinic setting provides a warm, weather-friendly facility where EHVC-Equine veterinarians can efficiently work up any lameness issue from the simple to the very involved, or work with horses that are referred from outside of our practice area.

EHVC-Equine is equipped with many tools used to diagnose lameness problems in the horse. We also have portable, stall-side digital radiography equipment available for immediate diagnosis of radiographic abnormalities, whether in the clinic or on the farm.

Sports Medicine

Sport Horse Medicine addresses the needs of competitive horses with the goal of maximizing their athletic performance and prolonging their competitive careers. Although lameness is typically the number one problem associated with equine athletes, many other medical conditions can impair their performance and quality of life.

Lameness Evaluations

Lameness problems continue to be one of the most common causes of performance issues in our equine athletes. While some lameness problems can be worked up on the farm it is helpful to do these at the clinic where the diagnostic equipment is more readily available.

A thorough exam, which often includes flexion tests and diagnostic nerve or joint blocks, is used in combination with a good history to identify the location of the lameness problem.

Once the area of concern has been identified the next step usually requires some type of diagnostic imaging. Whem more advanced imaging is necessary for a diagnosis, we work closely with a local equine hospital to utilize their diagnostic imaging equipment should that modality be most appropriate for a patient.

After the images have been evaluated a treatment plan will be designed for your horse and may include joint injections, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, rest, specific exercises or even surgery. Frequently many lameness issues respond well to a combination of therapies to hopefully return the horse to its desired occupation.