JUNE/JULY 2011 THE RIDER /23


How Hot Is Your Horse? - Thermal Imaging Can Show You!


By Kelly Bowers.


Martin Hymus, in a previ- ous life and town, worked as an electrician performing preventa- tive maintenance on industrial- scale buildings but as luck would have it, during that time, Martin was introduced to a new technology called thermal imag- ing, and his interest was piqued. A bit more research quickly led to thoughts of starting a new career.


Thermal imaging has been around for years, detecting faults in electrical work and more recently being used in the renovation sector. By pointing a high tech camera at an exterior wall missing insulation, the tool can detect a temperature drop which the on-screen image dis- plays using colours. You might have seen the technology being used on the TV show ‘Holmes on Homes’, the host being a big fan of this useful “green” tool.


The popularity of thermal imaging has increased in recent years due to significant improvements in the cameras (high definition) and advances in the image-processing soft- ware which makes medical applications possible. The cam- era is now sensitive enough to detect changes in the body such as muscular, vascular, skeletal and nervous systems, registering temperature differences of less than 0.05 Deg. C (40 times more sensitive than the human hand).


In horses, these tempera- ture variations have been shown to appear 2-6 weeks prior to the onset of clinical signs of lame- ness, when the tissues are in a state of stress. With recent catastrophic injuries in the rac- ing industry and injuries in other


To Martin, there appeared to be a use for high-tech thermal imaging as preventative mainte- nance for the horse industry. So, last fall, he invested in a good quality “Flir” camera. He then received camera-specific training to become a Certified Level 2 Thermographer who has also studied equine specific applications. Hymus describes thermal imaging as a non-inva- sive and completely safe pro- cess with no sedation required and no exposure to radiation. However, he reminds that “Infrared thermography should not be used in place of other veterinarian diagnostic tech- niques. It is intended to enhance the evaluation of existing condi- tions and to identify what may be making your horse feel off when other clinical techniques are not effective until the horse shows the physical signs of lameness. Thermal imaging is intended to be used in conjunc- tion with a Veterinarian or other Equine Specialist, similar to an x-ray where the image needs to be further evaluated by a doc- tor.”


His new business, Ther- malBridge, offers a mobile ser- vice, eliminating travelling stress for the animal. It takes about 40 minutes to complete a scan and a report is e- mailed with- in 24 hrs. In March, they had a booth at the Can- Am All Breeds Equine Emporium


competitive fields, the emphasis has been turning to diagnosing and even preventing injuries. Early detection provides the opportunity to begin treating sooner and even preventing the actual lameness from develop- ing. This saves the pain and suf- fering of the horse, the adminis- tering of pharmaceuticals, extra vet visits, plus the necessary time, energy, stress and finan- cial cost to care for a lame ani- mal. Not to mention shortening the recovery time and reducing the risk to the horse.


should see the amazing images that come from thermography - works of art really.


Phone: (519) 268-2050 email: grantontrailers@execulink.com www.grantontrailers.com


in London. He was excited about all the positive feedback from vis- itors who stopped by his booth and to watch them- selves being ther- mally monitored. Hymus will also be demonstrating his fancy camera to groups or asso- ciations upon request, and you


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