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ROSSDALES HERTFORDSHIRE 13 Weston Barns, Weston, Hertfordshire SG4 7AX Vet Profile Vetwatch www.rossdalesherts.com

Fig 4 Fig 5 lifeless, unenthusiastic and low grade liver disease may present with the horse resenting grooming DIAGNOSING POOR PERFORMANCE of the abdomen and not going By Susanna Ballinger MRCVS forward. Both can be diagnosed by Problems relating to poor or gamma scintigraphy (bone with sore backs can present as a blood sample and once performance or loss of scan) to gain further information if being resistant to working, bending recognised can be managed. performance are not clear cut other methods have not or jumping, but this is less Stiffness and resenting exercise can and can present in a variety of ascertained a diagnosis. common. Impingement of the be due to muscle problems. This ways. Low grade orthopaedic conditions dorsal spinous processes (‘kissing can be a low grade tying up Name: Susanna Ballinger Qualifications: BVSc MRCVS Typically, clients may say: that may not appear to cause overt spines’) should be considered (azoturia) or in some cases a Year of Qualification: 1998 “Why can’t my horse... bend right? lameness include osteoarthritis. when the back remains sore storage myopathy, where the Susanna qualified from the Jump a double? Work through Some of the most common despite the treatment of other An ECG may be required to determine The dynamic endoscope allows acquisition of muscles inappropriately utilise the high quality video images of the upper airway University of Bristol in 1998. from behind Keep going for the examples are ‘bone spavin’ underlying problems. the cause of a heart murmur under normal exercise conditions nutrients given in the food. Blood She subsequently spent 18 whole lesson? ” (osteoarthritis of the samples are often useful or a months as Assistant Trainer and It is important initially to rule out tarsometatarsal joint of the hock), Cardiovascular problems can be less obvious to the owner. oxygenated blood around the body Paralysis of the larynx, the opening muscle biopsy might be needed to Veterinary Surgeon to Mark potential simple issues such as ill ringbone around the pastern and Cardiovascular poor performance The horse might present as tiring becomes impaired and this causes to the trachea, obstructs airflow provide a definitive diagnosis. Johnston Racing in Middleham, followed by 4 years as a fitting tack, poor or inappropriate Observing a horse trotting on a hard surface foot pain including navicular easily – for example, it may not the horse to tire quickly. Initial and can cause the horse to make a Gastric ulceration, which can cause can often reveal a subtle lameness Fig 1 Fig 2 veterinary surgeon at Peter diet for the level of work, training syndrome. Soft tissue problems, able to fulfil a day’s hunting assessment is to auscultate the whistling noise when exercised. In teeth grinding, tail swishing, Scott Dunn’s Equine Clinic in problems and limitation of the especially inflammation of the high despite perceived fitness, or it heart at rest and after exercise with some extreme cases, the horse headshaking and a poor coat Berkshire. She joined C P Harris horse, or simply a lack of fitness. repeat refusals when show trotting on a circle (Fig 1) on a suspensory ligaments (proximal resents working on a contact as & Associates in 2004, where simply may not be able to keep a stethoscope. Often an ECG or condition also leads to loss of she was Senior Associate and However, frequently there is an jumping, the most common hard surface can reveal a subtle suspensory desmitis), are going for the whole lesson. A ultrasound scan will be required to this bends the neck and reduces performance. built up close relationships with underlying cause which may not be underlying factor is lameness. lameness, particularly if the frequently encountered, especially blood sample (Fig 2) can prove determine the cause (Fig 4). the airflow. In summary, there is a large variety her clients. In April 2012, the immediately obvious but requires lameness involves the front feet. in that work regularly on an invaluable to assess the general Frequently assessment pre and Other upper airway problems can of causes for poor performance. A practice merged with Rossdales Lameness include dorsal displacement of the Newmarket and was renamed investigation to establish its origin. With subtle problems, in addition artificial surface. wellbeing and screen for post exercise is needed as not all careful evaluation involving a full Rossdales Hertfordshire. Once this is determined then a Frequently the rider reports the to careful palpation, nerve blocks underlying infectious or metabolic heart conditions show up at rest. soft palate, which could require clinical examination, supported by Susanna has become a partner decision can be made regarding horse to be a ‘bit stiff’, or that it may be required to pinpoint the Back problems disease. Chronic virus infections are endoscopic evaluation of the blood tests or advanced diagnostic at Rossdales Hertfordshire and now heads the team under its appropriate treatment to return to has been treated repeatedly for a problem. Many of the lamenesses Back pain is commonly thought by Blood samples are sent to our laboratory Respiratory disorders larynx whilst being exercised. In quite common, showing up on a procedures, may be required to new identity. for screening. the correct level of performance. sore back. When examined by the causing poor performance are non-veterinarians to be a primary blood profile (Fig 3) as a Respiratory causes of poor recent years, dynamic endoscopy reveal underlying problems and Susanna’s role involves all Poor performance in horses (or not vet, lameness is often evident. bilateral (evident in both pairs of problem. Most sore backs are in subnormal white cell count with or performance include inflammation has been developed to allow the provide an accurate diagnosis. aspects of equine practice and attaining the desired level of Evaluation includes examination legs). Even though it may initially fact caused by lameness issues without anaemia. The post-viral of the lower airways or laryngeal acquisition of high quality video Many of these cases can be treated she is happy to advise clients on trotting in hand and lungeing, but paralysis. Chronic lower airway images of the upper airway whilst routine healthcare and performance), commonly can be appear that only one leg is located in the legs. As the horse is fatigue syndrome can result and and managed to allow the horse to management of their horses attributed to orthopaedic (bones, in many cases it is also important affected, when this is anaesthetised not moving correctly, the back the horse can take a long time to inflammation can present as heavy the horse is being ridden (Fig 5). return to its previous level of use and ponies. She is particularly joints and muscles), cardiovascular, to watch the horse being ridden. If and the horse is sound on that leg, muscles become inappropriately recover. breathing during exercise, nostril and competition. Sometimes, interested in lameness in all Metabolic conditions levels of equestrian activity, respiratory or metabolic diseases. there isn’t any obvious problem, there will be lameness evident on loaded and sore. Once the Heart murmurs might develop flaring and coughing. Harsh lung expectations are even exceeded!, Underlying metabolic problems from family ponies to top Many horses and ponies develop asking the horse to undertake its one or more of the others. underlying problems are treated, over a period of time or be sudden sounds are often evident on Never ignore a minor issue! competition horses. can be frustrating to diagnose. low grade underlying orthopaedic normal discipline can reveal Following localisation of the the back soreness will often settle. in onset. These stop the heart auscultation but diagnosis may Prompt investigation, diagnosis Her equine interests outside Clear and consistent obvious signs disease as they get older, but are lameness – for example, a problem, x-rays or ultrasound It can be helpful to have a qualified pumping efficiently due to leakage require endoscopy of the upper and treatment is likely to yield the work include flat Fig 3 are often absent. Early onset racing and breeding. able to continue to do their normal horse that cannot perform half scans may need to be taken to physiotherapist or animal-trained from valves and can result in its respiratory tract. This may include a quickest and best long term A blood profile, analysed by qualified Cushing’s disease (pars pituitary work. When there is resistance to pass on the left rein but appears achieve a diagnosis. Sometimes it osteopath treat the horse at this enlargement because the muscle is tracheal wash to take a sample of outcome. laboratory technicians, may suggest viral intermedia dysfunction) results in a performing a dressage test or normal on the right rein. Often is also necessary to do an MRI scan stage to aid rehabilitation. Horses or bacterial infection overworked. The circulation of the fluid from within the windpipe.

Monday Digital radiography provides us with time for owners, but fortunately it resolves disease and was not only unwell but was As an ‘ambulatory’ vet, I visit my clients at images that can be viewed immediately with on yard medical treatment. unaware of his surroundings and very Fig 8 their own yards. First call is to see a top and the farrier and I discuss with the owner Wednesday is my duty night and wobbly, making him a danger to his dressage horse with an ongoing respiratory how the pony will be shod to rectify the fortunately this evening is quiet and I owners. It is never easy to give bad news to condition, which has hindered its ability to foot problems. I recommend a programme catch up on some paperwork. a client, even when it is in the best compete at Grand Prix level. He is of restricted exercise and a strict diet. With interests of the horse or pony and is a very endoscoped and a tracheal wash is taken. many shows planned this season, it is Thursday sad time. I then attend a few routine calls Treatment will be decided when the results important to get him back into action as Fig 7 One of the benefits of the job is the – it is nice to do these after the morning’s are received from our laboratory. Later I soon as he is sound. interaction with people and although events. Late afternoon, a call comes in to Rossdales Hertfordshire meet a farrier to examine and x-ray a show being a vet is perceived as an animal job, it attend a mare with a wound from a kick Samples can be cultured in the laboratory to Office and dispensary (no horse admissions) pony with low grade laminitis (Fig 6). Tuesday diagnose bacterial infections actually involves dealing with the owners injury to the lateral cannon bone. This I am up early and on the Kent coast by just as much. Thursdays are spent with proves to be serious and x-rays reveal a 13 Weston Barns, Weston, Hertfordshire SG4 7AX 8am to undertake a pre-purchase be treated with a course of antibiotics (Fig some regular and large yards and it is fractured splint bone (Fig 8). I’m concerned Tel: 01462 790221or 01992 554436 (24 hours) examination (vetting) of a young great knowing your clients and their horses that the tendon sheath has been Fig 6 An x-ray reveals 7). Email: [email protected] rotation in the that will have a career well. Lameness is my special area of compromised, which will require emergency pedal bone of a in showjumping. It passes the vetting with Wednesday interest and I have several work-ups to treatment to flush the wound to prevent laminitic pony flying colours and the new owners are The day begins with a standing castration carry out on the yards, involving nerve infection. The owners agree for me to refer Rossdales Equine Hospital & Diagnostic Centre A WEEK IN BRIEF IN WEEK A delighted. I will enjoy monitoring progress of a four year old colt. The clients are new blocks, x-rays and scans out. her to our hospital at Newmarket, where (All horse admissions) X-ray showing a fracture to the splint bone as he moves up through the grades. Back to the practice and I am pleased that surgery is undertaken to remove the (arrowed) Cotton End Road, Exning, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7NN. to Hertfordshire to attend some routine everything goes like clockwork. I am then Friday fragments of bone and the tendon sheath Tel: 01638 577754 (Office hours) Tel: 01638 663150 (24 hours) calls, including vaccinations and rasping called to attend an emergency colic where The day starts on a sad note when a much is flushed. The prognosis is good and the teeth. The results of yesterday’s tracheal the horse is lying down and rolling. loved, elderly family pony has to be put to mare will be home in a few days. Email: [email protected] wash reveal a respiratory infection that will Understandably, this is always a fraught sleep. He had developed end stage liver

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