THERMAL IMAGING

When you need to know more about problems that are hard to find, but aren’t at the ‘call the vet’ stage, Infrared Thermal Imaging is a very useful tool. Easy, quick and cost-effective, the images show changes in the surface temperature of your horse’s body.

 A horse has a very specific temperature pattern. Changes in this pattern, as a result of inflammation, injury or disease, can be detected with an infrared camera. For example, a lame horse might have shoulder, elbow or back issues. Traditionally, to determine the exact location requires blocking and costly imaging of multiple body regions as well as multiple visits to the vet. With thermal Imaging, photos can accurately detect the location of a developing or existing dysfunction in its early stages. This can be done without sedation or touching of the animal. This can help to pinpoint the site of injury, level of inflammation, stress areas secondary to injury, and the progress of healing. The images can also provide an early step towards veterinary diagnosis. After veterinary attention, the images can help us to monitor the level of recovery.

Screening is non-invasive and completely safe, as it emits no radiation. Imaging can be repeated as often as needed, is mobile and costs less than standard methods. It often results in an earlier diagnosis, a more accurate treatment, and considerable financial savings for the owner. 

I offer a high value, comprehensive service, combining thermal imaging with her hands-on palpation skills, backed up with experience and knowledge of equine anatomy and saddle fit/back issues.  After imaging, you will receive a comprehensive report that outlines the findings on the images.

Once a problem is located, you can call your vet if required, or address your horse’s problem with therapeutic bodywork.

 Your horse is showing subtle or shifting lameness that is hard to locate – Your horse is presenting on-off performance with no obvious cause – You can’t find a niggling issue and don’t want to spend thousands on tests – Your horse has more than one problem, or hasn’t been ‘quite right’ for a while – Your horse has been injured, and you need to monitor recovery – You’re not sure how well your saddle fits when your horse is in motion.

Tendon and ligament damage – Young horse joint and growth plate issues, including physitis. – Shifting lameness – Areas of back pain, including misalignment or kissing spines – Muscle, fascia or nerve damage – Monitoring the progress of arthritis and osteoarthritis – Pressure related inflammation due to hoof imbalance – Signs of recurrent laminitis – Inflammation at recovery stages from injury – Heat caused by saddle friction – Inflammation due to training stress.

Solid training in equine thermal imaging is essential, or all you’ll have are pretty pictures that aren’t much help to you at all. You need a carefully controlled environment and a well set-up horse (dark barn is best). Much of the work goes into putting together a well-constructed report that you can show your vet if necessary.

Conditions that Equine Infrared Imaging
can help to assess include: 

*Lameness & Referred Pain *Sprains/Strains *Infections *Inflammatory Processes *Neurological Dysfunction *Malignancies *Vascular Dysfunction *Stress Fractures *Musculoskeletal Injuries *Success of Treatment *Healing Process and Prognosis *Pre-Purchase Exams
Our services include: *Early Detection & Assessment *Preventative Care *Treatment/Recovery Monitoring *Pre-Purchase Exams *Saddle Fitting Issues 

I Use a FLIR Camera