By Dr. Meg Bacon, DVM, MS, IVCA and Fear Free Certified

Just because your horse seems to be doing great does not mean you should skip out on your annual exam with your veterinarian.

Why? Your veterinarian is a trained professional that can let you know when there are early indicators for disease or pain. Some of those conditions can be much more easily managed in the early stages to reduce progression or stop secondary symptoms—keeping your horse’s overall well-being the best it can be. In the long-run it can save a lot of money.

Every veterinarian may be different on what they consider part of their basic exam, so make sure to ask questions. It is a time to discuss body condition concerns, nutrition, and behavior, as well as a chance to discuss any long-term goals or plans for your animal. In this author’s opinion, a complete annual wellness exam includes:

• temperature
• heart and lung evaluation
• gastrointestinal sound evaluation
• unsedated brief oral evaluation
• brief eye evaluation
• overt lameness impression, and general body palpation for areas of swelling, sensitivity, reduced motion, muscle loss

Horse care can get expensive but identifying medical concerns early can often mean the ability to begin preventative measures.

Think about how much is spent on a car’s annual upkeep to make sure that major mechanical parts last as long as possible. Dedicated annual care can keep your horse feeling his or her best, allowing for peak performance. After a complete evaluation the veterinarian should discuss and/or e-mail the findings with any further recommendations. An honest discussion about goals and costs can help identify the most important health concerns for your animal given those guidelines.

What kind of things may be found or discussed on an annual examination of your horse?

Eye evaluations

Horses can have some changes of the eyes simply due to environment. Eyes can have some appearance changes that are associated with cancers, especially in horses with pink pigmented skin around the eyes. Keeping track of these grossly visible changes with photos and/or measurements can determine how quickly further action should be sought after for best outcome. Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common cancers (neoplasias) to find. This can be diagnosed further with a biopsy. A precursor to that can be benign changes secondary to light stimulation called Solar Elastosis. If neoplasia is caught early, the eye and vision can be saved. Instances of late diagnosis may result in complete removal of the eye.

Dental Concerns

Not all dental evaluation requires a full dental float. Looking at the gums and front teeth alone can identify some significant conditions. Some are quite painful, and may result in:

• weight loss
• emergency choke situations
• colic
• behavioral problems like head-shyness or reactive bridling

One such conditions is called Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis. This is a painful and progressive condition of the incisor teeth. It is best addressed as soon as possible to reduce the effects on the bones of the jaw, as well as reduce side effects of inadequately chewing food which can lead to weight loss, choke, and colic. If there are indicators for growing dental points or pain, your doctor may recommend a sedated oral exam or float.

Joint Pain or Swelling

Minor fluid in areas associated with joints are not uncommon in aged horses. Inflammation has many stages and may or may not be associated with lameness. Brief gait analysis and limb/hoof evaluations at a complete examination may show indicators for pain or conformation prone to arthritis.

Early lameness detection can be paramount in supporting our horses’ longevity. Delaying progression of arthritis can occur with systemic supplements and medications such as Adequan®, Legend®, and Platinum Performance® CJ. It can also occur with early joint therapies such as joint injections which can more specifically target the areas of concern.

Working with a professional performing animal chiropractic, either a veterinarian (DVM) or chiropractor (DC) that received specific specialty training, can enhance joint mobility and long term health. Other adjunctive therapies like acupuncture, PEMF, laser and shock wave can also be helpful depending on the case.

Muscle Changes

Whether it is generalized muscle loss or uneven muscle quality found during examination, both are important and worth a veterinarian’s advice. Generalized muscle loss or wasting can be indicative of a metabolic disease such as Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID; Equine Cushing’s), which is a treatable condition with medication. Untreated PPID can lead to recurrent infections, recurring hoof abscesses and laminitis.

Muscle loss along the topline without indicators of metabolic disease is often an indicator of back arthritis and inflammation. Asymmetry in larger muscle groups can indicate areas disuse atrophy secondary to pain, hypomobility, or innervation deficits. Horses with changes in neck musculature may indicate arthritis or chronic joint hypomobility that could be addressed by an animal chiropractic professional. In these instances, your horse may benefit from further diagnostic work such as radiographs, ultrasound, or more thorough lameness exam. Depending on examination findings, rehabilitation exercises, pain medications, shock wave, or joint injections can be options for management. Muscle loss can be minor at first, but then becomes more profound the longer a condition goes unsupported.

• The grey horse pictured (left) would have benefited from early rehabilitation and pain management guidance.
• The bay horse (far right) would have benefited from early rehabilitation exercises, chiropractic treatments, and pain modulators.

Preventative Health for Optimal Well-being

It goes without saying that your annual exam is the most common time to take care of some of your regular preventative health care such as vaccinations, deworming, and bloodwork. Not sure what things are best for your horse? That is what your veterinarian is for! Call your primary care provider to ask what you could be or should be doing for your horse. Where does your veterinarian get his or her recommendations? From eight or more years of advanced education, plus continuing education and research updates from overseeing organizations and universities conducting studies to better your animal’s health.

About the Author

Dr. Meg Bacon is a veterinarian based out of Boulder County. She is the owner of Medicine in Motion Veterinary Services, offering ambulatory mixed animal chiropractic work and consultations. Dr. Bacon is certified by the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA) in animal chiropractic and maintains Fear Free Accreditation. She worked in both large animal and small animal general practice prior to moving to Boulder County in Spring 2021. Find our more at medicineinmotionvet.com.