vet focus
Hitting a fence whilst competing cross country is one cause of injury seen by vets at competitions
Sudden onset lameness
So often significant lamenesses occur at competitions, but they can easily appear in horses at turnout where it is assumed they have been kicked by another horse, collided with the fence or a tree perhaps - or have simply slipped and fallen.
Paragon Veterinary Group, Townhead Veterinary Centre, Newbiggin, Nr Stainton, Penrith, CA11 0HT
Paul May BVMS, MRCVS, Sarah Glenn, and Gregor Hepburn BVM&S, MRCVS Equine Page 28
Injuries at competitions commonly result from hitting a solid cross country fence, a fall either on the flat or whilst jumping or sometimes we see a horses that has pulled up lame with no obvious reason. Despite some of these horses being very lame, it can be difficult to establish the cause at this early stage, so the main priority is to get them to a place where they can cool down, away from the excitement of the competition, where they can be examined thoroughly. In some cases this may involve the use of a horse ambulance, but if it is judged that the horse is sound enough to walk back off the competition field and that
walking will not make things worse, that walk can help to settle the patient and some lamenesses may appear to improve with a gentle walk. Back in the stable block or lorry park, the horse can be washed down and the process of evaluation can continue. If the underlying cause(s) cannot be established, the horse will treated symptomatically, according to the signs it is showing, and then re- examined at regular intervals.
A number of these cases resolve over 24 to 36 hours and the cause of the lameness is never established, however those horses in which lameness persists can be divided into two groups: • Those with an obvious wound or swelling
• Those without heat, palpable pain or any clear swelling
The first group will be made up of the cuts and bruises, soft tissue injuries to tendons and ligaments, and fractures.
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