Our poor performance and investigation includes:

• Video Endoscopy
• ECG
• Lab work
• Lameness assessment

We are often presented with horses which are not performing up to their expected ability. To get to the root of the problem requires perseverance and a good diagnostic work up. Occasionally when we listen to the heart we suspect an underlying cardiac problem which we can investigate at the surgery with an ECG or an Electro Cardiogram. This allows us to look at the electrical potentials involved in the heartbeat. Occasionally we are able to make a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation based on the ECG and the clinical signs can be corrected.

Video endoscopy is also frequently used on these horses to assess the health of the lungs. Following a period of exercise the horse will be endoscoped to examine both the upper airways for any evidence of laryngeal abnormality such as a soft palate displacement, or laryngeal paralysis. Both of these conditions are treated surgically at Rainbow Equine Clinic. Bob Ordidge has probably done more soft palate cautery on horses than anyone else in this country and has a good success has enabled many horses to return to racing successfully.

Endoscopy of the trachea can reveal evidence of low grade haemorrhage or low grade infection and either of these can be assessed further by taking a tracheal wash which can be analysed in the lab and looking at the types of cells present and also culturing for bacteria. Occasionally the poor performance may be due to an underlying metabolic condition and we are able to use the in-house lab to investigate this having taken blood samples from the horse.

Our new video endoscoping includes a 3 metre scope allowing us to visualise the stomach to assess presence of ulcers which can cause poor performance and ill-thrift in all types of horses.

Sometimes, however, all medical investigations draw a blank and it is important to carry out a full lameness examination to assess if there may be some orthopaedic problems which are contributing to the horse’s loss or lack of mobility. Whatever the cause of the poor performance we will do our best to find it at Rainbow Equine Clinic.

For further details about our facilities and services please contact us.