Lameness

No hoof. No horse.

We are familiar with the challenges of hoof care in our West Coast climate. Lameness may be severe and obvious, as in cases of a foot abscess, or it may be subtle and complex, such as in cases of sacro-iliac (SI) disease.

To diagnose a wide range of lameness issues, we use standard lameness examination techniques, such as hoof tester application, limb palpations, flexion tests and nerve/joint blocks, as well as digital x-ray and ultrasound equipment. Because our diagnostic equipment is portable, results can be analyzed immediately.

Treatment Options

Once the cause of lameness is diagnosed, we will design a treatment and management plan that may include:

  • Stall rest

  • Joint injections

  • Anti-inflammatories such as Phenylbutazone (Bute) and Previcox/PrevEquine

  • Joint supplements such as Intravenous Legend, which is a naturally occurring element of joint fluid.

Epona Equine Veterinary Services takes pride in being knowledgable about all of the latest products to manage difficult issues such navicular disease.

Referrals

Understanding that effective treatment for some cases requires a multi-faceted approach, we also work with a wide range of industry professionals and may provide a referral for:

  • Farrier services

  • Chiropractic treatment

  • Surgery

  • Standing MRI, if required.

Sleip App: Motion Analysis powered by AI

Epona Equine is excited to offer a new lameness diagnostic tool that can assist our veterinarians in detecting issues at an early stage or for identifying subtle lamenesses that would otherwise be hard to block. The Sleip app uses AI to track over 100 anatomical key points on the moving horse, quantifying gait asymmetry and detecting even small irregularities.

Please contact us if you would like to add on a Sleip lameness evaluation to your horse's annual exam appointment to establish a baseline.

Pro Stride APS: Biologic Joint Injections

With 60% of equine lameness related to osteoarthritis, having an effective, safe tool for managing it is important. The less-than 20-minute two-step process of Pro-Stride APS uses the horse’s own blood to create a concentrated solution that amplifies the healing process when injected into the joint. This is a great option for any horse, but particularly those with metabolic issues where standard steroid injections are more risky.