By Fernando Cardenas, DVM, 2016
Equine veterinarian medicine exists because horses get sick or injured, and owners who love them, want to help. Show jumping, for example, would never possible without veterinarian medicine. The sport can be brutal on both the athlete and rider, but with best practices for care and precision tools for preventive and curative lameness, the results are as amazing.
It would be hard to say, however, which to credit as the source of the relationship: the inspiration of the equine athlete or the vision of what was possible, by the vet. Which one propelled the other to newer and better ways to handle equine lameness? Like the lyrics in country music, “Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow”.
The question has been especially perplexing, but never daunting. In fact, 3H Vet Rehabilitation Facility within our mobile practice was my answer. Such powerful rehab equipment was not an option until the twenty-first century an is evolving all the time. Supporting Quincy Car’s potential by making rehab an integral part of his training became a vision of reaching the potential of all horses. No different than humans, equines, too, perform and respond more effectively to treatment when “fit”. Therapies range from water and/or incline treadmills to vibration, solarium and laser treatments, with many other possible tools available. Workouts are complemented by chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, shockwave and regenerative laser treatments. These work together to correct and prevent issues as much as they heal the inflammation and soreness leading to a diminished range of motion and pain. For the serious equine athlete, a preventive care plan is as important as a remedial one, and the rehab facility is key. A new equine “CPR” is emerging:
Correct diagnosis, Precise prescription and Rigorous rehabilitation.