By Cooper Williams, VMD, DACVSMR

Equine athletes, like human athletes, are collections of repetitive trauma. It is the practitioner’s job to be a detective and gather all evidence of the patient’s issues. A thorough baseline clinical examination allows veterinarians to judge the evolution of patients over time, and the conditions affecting that patient over time. This clinical examination is based around detailed anatomy and functional anatomy. Localization of primary areas of interest is the goal. The clinical examination, sometimes in combination with diagnostic analgesia, guides toward the next step, imaging. Imaging leads to a diagnosis and ideally, the clinical findings link the two together. Diagnosis leads to treatment, and depending on the injury, rehabilitation. 

CE accreditation has expired for this course, but you may still view the presentation.

Course objectives:

With the successful completion of this course, you will understand

• the need for a whole-horse exam
• hindlimb palpation and manipulation
• observation of movement
• the clinical exam
• sequential blocking
• combined imaging
• basic ultrasound tools
• treatment and therapies