ORTHOPEDICS
Assessing Back Pain CAN BE A PAIN IN THE REAR M a r i e
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Although lower back pain is not typically thought of as a primary cause of lameness in a horse, it can be a source of pain that can affect performance, especially for horses doing barrel racing or dressage, according to Philippe H. Benoit, DVM, MS, DACVSMR, of Cardiff, Calif. And it is kind of a pain in the rear for veterinarians because a precise diagnose can be difficult to ascertain, he said. Typically, lower
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Issue 10/2020 | ModernEquineVet.com
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back pain and discomfort have been considered as a compensatory issue caused from hind limb lameness, but issues related to the back and pelvis can be the primary source of the problem. The history doesn’t always help either, because clients often complain that the horse just isn’t “working right.” And the physical examination and flexion during the examinations can be “normal.” It is not unusual to hear the referring veterinarian tell you: “I know this horse is sound,” Dr. Benoit said, “but he does not perform well.” Often, the complaint is a lack of scope, defect of push or poor arc in flight. And there are behavior issues that
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