Performance Horse Care / Lameness
The Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine provides lameness evaluations for performance horses in our hospital and on the farm through our Equine Field Service. If you have questions about our services, please contact us at 540-231-4621 for in-hospital or on-farm treatment.
Pre-purchase exams
Pre-purchase exams based on the intended use of the horse can be performed.
- Full physical and history
- Observe the horse in hand (walk, trot, canter)
- Additional assessment as needed (lameness, neurology, reproduction)
Lameness exams
Steps of a lameness exam:
- Full physical and history
- Observe the horse in hand (walk, trot, canter)
- Flexion tests
- Nerve blocks to identify the origin of the lameness
- Joint blocks, if necessary, to identify the origin of the lameness
- Digital radiology, ultrasound, and/or endoscopy
Available treatments
- Intra-articular injections
- Shock wave therapy
- Farrier service
- Surgery
- Stem cells
- IRAP® (Interlukin-1 receptor antagonist protein)
- PRP (platelet rich plasma)
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Acupuncture
- Mesotherapy
- Conservative therapy