Page 104 - August 2021

VETERINARY VIEWS
Even with a thoughtful and consistent re-training regimen, not every horse is able to accommodate the demands after a lay-up.
POSITIVE PROGRESS
Positive progress of muscle development
is monitored using photos taken from the right, the left, and the rear, with the horse positioned in the same way in all photo sessions. A pliable wire over the butt can provide a baseline objective measurement that is then compared every 3-4 weeks using a new wire. A pliable wire is also useful for evaluating girth measurements and joint range-of-motion.
CONSIDERATIONS
Even with a thoughtful and consistent re-training regimen, not every horse is able to accommodate the demands after a lay-up. It may be appropriate to slow the process down if a horse displays any of
the following:
• Resistance to exercise demands
• Attitude changes
• Lameness – subtle or overt
• Signs of fatigue – many times these are subtle • Problems with respiratory or
cardiovascular parameters such as elevated heart rate or respiratory rate and/or delayed heart rate recovery
• Muscle difficulties like overt muscle discomfort or tying-up
Any conditioning program, regardless of equestrian pursuit or level of fitness, needs
to be tailored to each individual. There is
no specific recipe; each horse’s needs and response to conditioning are different. The underlying theme is to take the time to approach it slowly while shaping expectations to progressive demands that each horse can accept and accomplish safely.
Cryotherapy (cold) is an important technique for managing all equine athletes and is important for a horse starting back into work, applied for 20-40 minutes once or twice a day.
102 SPEEDHORSE August 2021
An underwater treadmill allows controlled walking that strengthens muscle timing and motor control and is especially useful for a horse with limb injuries.