How can I help your horse?
PRE-PURCHASE
EXAMINATION
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VIDEO ASSESSMENT
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I strongly believe that in order to promote optimal performance, longevity and well-being of horses, be they horses used entirely for pleasure or an upper-level competition horse, we need to know what is normal – what a pain-free horse should look like in terms of demeanour, posture, behaviour, quality of paces and trainability.
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Longevity of performance in a horse used for any athletic purpose is dependent on
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selecting the right raw material
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managing the horse appropriately (including turn-out and social interactions)
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training the horse correctly (including in a wide variety of settings and on variable terrain and footing)
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using tack that fits the horse, and a saddle that also fits the rider
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being aware how much rider position, balance, coordination, fitness and skill can influence a horse’s performance.
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Early recognition of underlying pain-related problems is key to ultimate successful treatment and management, to promote a successful and lasting athletic career.
PRE-PURCHASE ASSESSMENT
The purchase of a new horse is always a challenge. Horses are often not as described by the vendor.
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I can advise you from the outset, suggesting the questions that should be asked before you go to see a horse and what video recordings should be acquired.
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I can review good quality video footage and help you select which horses to go and see.
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I can also review footage acquired during the trial of a horse or accompany you, depending on the horse’s geographical location.
The old adage ‘buyer beware’ is highly valid, particularly in the knowledge that there are studies from Denmark, Swtzerland, Sweden and the United Kingdom which show that at least 50% of horses that are in regular work and are assumed by their owners to be working comfortably are in fact lame.
VIDEO ASSESSMENT
Are you having training difficulties?
Has your horse changed in its performance?
Has your trainer advised you to use a stronger bit or longer spurs?
Has your horse started stopping uncharacteristically?
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I can review video footage of your horse and advise whether or not it is likely that it has a pain-related problem and if it has, how it should be investigated further.
IN-DEPTH EVALUATION
Are you having training difficulties?
Has your horse changed in its performance?
Has your trainer advised you to use a stronger bit or longer spurs?
Has your horse started stopping uncharacteristically?
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An alternative to video assessment is an in – depth evaluation of you, your horse and the tack at a suitable facility where the horse can be assessed moving in hand, on the lunge on both soft and firm surfaces and ridden. I can then suggest if further investigations should be performed, and if so by whom.
IMAGE ASSESSMENT
Has you horse undergone a prepurchase examination and the sale did not go through because of radiographic (x-ray) abnormalities?
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Has your horse been diagnosed with a problem and you are not convinced of the significance of what has been found on radiographic, ultrasonographic, magnetic resonance or computed tomographic examination?
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I can offer an independent opinion on the images.
EDUCATION
Equestrianism at all levels involves life-long learning.
We need to learn by listening to others, watching others, absorbing information, thinking, questioning, experimenting, thinking again and maintaining an open mind to alterative views.
Reliance on social media posts is not enough and may in fact be misleading.