Tell us where it hurts

If your horse is experiencing ongoing issues and you have a gut feeling that something is amiss, despite the absence of clear clinical signs of lameness, thermographic scans can serve as a useful tool to investigate and uncover the underlying problems. Thermography can be used as a general health check; it's a great way of monitoring recovery as it allows you to look at what's happening inside your horse. Excellent for pre-purchase examinations, training monitoring, poor performance, and lameness. IRT is also helpful in locating injuries such as leg disorders, back disorders, hoof unbalance, teeth and muscle problems.

By using Thermal Imaging, you can take action early and prevent serious injuries from developing.

red yellow and blue horse on a blue backround that represents thermographic picture

Full Body Evaluation

A full body scan using IRT can provide horse owners, veterinarians, and trainers with valuable information about the horse's condition. This scan involves using a specialized camera that captures the infrared emissions from the horse's body, which are then converted into a color-coded image. This image shows the variations in temperature across the horse's body, reflecting changes in blood flow and highlighting areas of concern. One of the main benefits of IRT in horses is its ability to identify potential problems before they become serious. By detecting areas of increased heat or inflammation, IRT can alert owners and veterinarians to issues such as early-stage lameness, muscle strains, or unexplained discomfort. This early detection allows for prompt intervention and treatment, preventing further deterioration of the horse's condition and potentially avoiding more serious injuries or long-term complications. Furthermore, IRT can help monitor the effectiveness of treatments and therapies. By comparing the thermal images taken before and after treatment, veterinarians can assess whether the interventions have successfully reduced inflammation or improved blood flow. This information can guide further treatment decisions, ensuring that the horse receives the most appropriate and effective care. Additionally, IRT can play a role in evaluating a horse's performance and fitness. By monitoring changes in temperature patterns during exercise or after strenuous activity, trainers and veterinarians can assess the horse's recovery time, muscle and joint health, and overall condition. This information can be valuable for managing the horse's training regimen, preventing overexertion, and optimizing performance. One of the advantages of IRT is that it is a non-invasive procedure that does not require sedation or shaving, making it comfortable and stress-free for the horse. The scan can be performed within approximately 30 minutes, allowing for quick assessments that can be repeated as needed to monitor progress or identify new issues. In conclusion, IRT offers a powerful tool for assessing the health and well-being of horses. By revealing areas of inflammation, injury, infection, or stress that are not visible to the naked eye, it enables early detection and intervention, monitoring of treatments, and evaluation of performance and fitness. Incorporating IRT into the routine healthcare of horses can contribute to their overall welfare and optimize their athletic potential.

red yellow and blue horse legs nad hooves on a blue backround that represents thermographic picture

Leg Health Assessment

Horse leg health assessment through the use of Infrared Thermography (IRT) is a valuable tool used in monitoring issues that may arise after an initial full body scan. Horses, like humans, can suffer from various leg-related conditions and injuries that can significantly impact their performance and overall well-being. After conducting a full body scan, which is a comprehensive examination conducted on the horse to assess overall health, assessment using IRT becomes particularly useful in targeting specific areas of concern. This method helps to provide a more detailed and precise assessment of any potential leg-related issues, allowing for pin pointing spot of concern. IRT is widely regarded as a valuable tool in equine veterinary medicine due to its ability to detect early signs of injury or inflammation even before visible symptoms appear. By surveying the horse's legs with an infrared camera, veterinarians and equine professionals can identify areas of interest, enabling them to provide focused care and prevent potential injuries from worsening or becoming chronic. This form of leg health assessment is particularly beneficial for horses involved in athletic performances, as these animals are more prone to developing leg-related injuries such as tendonitis, splints, or muscle strains. The use of IRT allows for regular monitoring of these athletes, aiding in the prevention of serious damage and improving overall performance. Another advantage of IRT in horse leg health assessment is its ability to provide objective data. Traditionally, veterinarians often relied on subjective assessments, which could vary depending on the individual's expertise. By utilizing IRT, the heat patterns detected by the cameras provide measurable and quantifiable data, allowing for a more objective evaluation of the horse's leg health. Horse leg health assessment with the use of Infrared Thermography is an effective method for monitoring and diagnosing issues that may arise after an initial full body scan. This technique provides a non-invasive and objective assessment of the horse's leg health, enabling early detection of injuries, inflammation, or vascular problems. By incorporating IRT into equine wellness monitorring, professionals can offer timely interventions and tailored treatments, thus ensuring the overall well-being and performance of our equine companions.

red yellow and blue horse head on a blue backround that represents thermographic picture

Pre-Purchase Exam

IRT, or Infrared Thermography, has become an increasingly popular tool in horse pre-purchase exams. This non-invasive technique uses advanced thermal imaging technology to detect and visualize variations in surface temperature, providing valuable insights into a horse's health and potential issues. Here are some of the benefits of using IRT in horse pre-purchase exams: Early detection of injury or inflammation: IRT helps identify areas of increased heat or temperature differences, indicating potential injuries or sources of inflammation. This is particularly useful for detecting hidden injuries or chronic issues that may not be readily apparent during physical examinations or at rest. Non-invasive and painless examination: Horses can often be sensitive or resistant to invasive procedures, such as ultrasound or needle aspirations. IRT offers a non-invasive, non-contact method of assessing a horse's overall condition, minimizing stress and discomfort during the pre-purchase exam process. Evaluation of musculoskeletal injuries: IRT is highly effective in assessing musculoskeletal injuries, such as tendon and ligament strains, muscle tears, joint inflammation, and back pain. These conditions can significantly impact a horse's performance and future soundness, making IRT a valuable tool for potential buyers. Objective assessment: IRT provides objective data, eliminating any potential bias or subjectivity in evaluating a horse's health. The thermal images provide clear visual evidence of any temperature asymmetry or abnormalities, enabling buyers to make informed decisions based on scientific data. Cost-effective screening tool: Infrared thermography can be done relatively quickly and at a relatively low cost compared to more advanced diagnostic imaging techniques. It can serve as an initial screening tool, helping buyers identify horses that may require further diagnostic tests or specialized examinations. Comprehensive examination: IRT can be used to assess a horse's overall health, identifying a range of issues beyond musculoskeletal injuries. It can help detect dental problems, hoof issues and circulatory problems. Monitoring progress and tracking changes: In cases where a potential buyer already has IRT images from a previous examination, comparing new images with previous ones can help track changes in a horse's condition over time. This can be particularly valuable for assessing the effectiveness of treatments or therapies. While IRT is a powerful tool, it should not replace a comprehensive pre-purchase exam that includes a physical examination, lameness evaluation, and other diagnostic tests. Instead, it should be seen as an additional tool that offers unique insights into a horse's health. Together with other diagnostic modalities, IRT can help potential buyers make well-informed decisions and ensure the long-term health and soundness of their future equine partner.

red yellow and blue horse saddle on a blue backround that represents thermographic picture

Saddle Fit

InfraRed Thermography, is a non-invasive imaging technique that has gained popularity in recent years for assessing horse saddle fit. It involves using thermal cameras to detect and visualize heat patterns on the horse's back, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of how the saddle interacts with the horse's anatomy. This technology offers several benefits for horse owners, riders, and professionals in the equine industry. One of the primary advantages of using IRT for horse saddle fit is its ability to help prevent discomfort and pain for the horse. Improper saddle fit can cause a range of issues, including pressure points, muscle tension, and reduced blood flow. By identifying these problems early on, IRT helps prevent potential long-term damage to the horse's back. Furthermore, IRT can provide valuable insights into saddle pressure distribution. Through the thermal imaging, it becomes easier to identify areas where the saddle might be causing excessive pressure or uneven weight distribution. This allows for adjustments to be made to the saddle or padding to optimize fit and minimize the risk of soreness or injuries. Another benefit of IRT for saddle fit is its objectivity. Unlike subjective evaluations that rely on human feel or visual inspection alone, IRT provides a quantifiable and objective measurement of saddle fit quality. This eliminates potential biases and ensures a more accurate assessment of the horse's comfort. Additionally, the visual nature of IRT images also makes it easier to demonstrate and explain saddle fit issues to horse owners or riders who may not have a deep understanding of equine anatomy. Moreover, IRT can be a time-saving tool. It allows saddle fitters and veterinarians to quickly identify problem areas on the horse's back, reducing the need for trial and error adjustments. This not only saves time but also improves overall efficiency in the saddle fitting process. By addressing saddle fit issues promptly, it contributes to the wellbeing of the horse and the success of the rider. Finally, IRT can serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for ongoing monitoring. By regularly performing thermographic assessments, any changes or anomalies in the horse's back can be detected early on and appropriate measures can be taken to address them. This proactive approach helps maintain optimal saddle fit and prevents potential performance issues or discomfort for the horse. IRT technology offers numerous benefits for assessing horse saddle fit. It promotes equine welfare by preventing discomfort and injuries caused by poor saddle fit, provides an objective evaluation of pressure distribution, saves time in the fitting process, enhances rider-horse communication, and allows for continuous monitoring for optimal long-term saddle fit. Adopting IRT as a standard tool in the equine industry can significantly improve the overall comfort and performance of horses.

The infrared thermal imaging examination provided is not a substitute for a veterinary exam and should only be regarded as a professional third-party opinion. While the results obtained from the infrared thermal imaging can provide additional insights, it is critical to understand that it does not replace the expertise and knowledge of a qualified veterinarian.

If you have any concerns or veterinary-related questions regarding your horse's health or well-being, we strongly advise you to promptly contact your trusted veterinarian. Your veterinarian is the most qualified individual to diagnose and provide appropriate treatment for any potential issues or conditions affecting your horse.

Please note that the information provided through infrared thermal imaging is not intended to replace or override the advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a licensed veterinarian. Any reliance on the results of the infrared thermal imaging examination is done at the discretion and responsibility of the user.

By utilizing the services of infrared thermal imaging, you acknowledge and understand that it is not a substitute for veterinary care and should only serve as an additional tool in assessing your horse's condition. It is your responsibility to consult with your veterinarian and make informed decisions regarding your horse's healthcare.

We always recommend seeking professional veterinary advice for any concerns or questions you may have about your horse's health. Only a licensed veterinarian can provide a comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plan to ensure the well-being of your equine companion.