The Horse:Your Guide To Equine Health Care provides monthly equine health care information to horse owners, breeders, veterinarians, barn/farm managers, trainer/riding instructors, and others involved in the hands-on care of the horse.
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44 TheHorse.com The horse April 2015 successfully to perform well over long periods of time," Peters says, but "don't be set on a particular expectation of how well the horse does or how often he competes." Prepurchase Considerations A prepurchase examination is an ex- tremely helpful resource for considering a horse's future athletic possibilities. During this process the veterinarian meticulously assesses a horse's athletic ability and also carefully evaluates his potential based on conformation and hoof structure. In addition to the veterinarinarian's insights, you might consider getting input from a trainer and farrier well-versed in your discipline. As a buyer, it is important to ask about a horse's qualities relative to the intended discipline. Take, for example, a horse's feet: A horse with tiny hooves that you intend to compete on hard surfaces will likely suffer the effects of impact more than a horse with large, robust feet, says Peters. Also consider the geographic location of where a horse will live and compete. For example, a horse with navicular syndrome, which is often as - sociated with small feet, might perform poorly on the hard ground of the western United States, but he might do well if moved to softer, sandy footing in Florida. "Often a horse is selected based on what the horse is doing at the particular time he is offered for sale," Peters notes. "Because the horse is successful, there may not be much focus on conformation. Despite the horse performing well at the current time of the exam, it behooves the buyer to question the potential for that animal to continue a long-term competi - tive career." No one has a crystal ball for peering into the future, but at least have a con - versation with your veterinarian about what might potentially go wrong with a prospective horse and what management techniques you might need to apply to maximize his athletic performance and longevity. How to Manage Issues and Prevent Injuries In general, any horse with limb rota- tion or club foot conformation is at risk of developing soreness in the joints and/ or soft tissue structures of the limb. Com - pensatory lameness problems can also de- velop, such as back soreness due to stifle or hock pain. A thorough veterinary exam helps identify the source of lameness so you and your veterinarian can make a plan to improve the horse's comfort. A medical plan for a conformationally challenged horse is no different than one for a lame horse with correct conforma - tion. The difference is you might see the lameness issues develop sooner in the horse with poor conformation. Further, that horse is likely to need ongoing maintenance to remain comfortable once problems develop. Recognizing these issues early and being proactive with your care are key strategies for getting the best out of a horse's performance for as long as possible. SPORTS MEDICINE While Western breeds often have a small foot size relative to their body mass, Dr. Duncan Peters says this doesn't always impact their performance remarkably. shawn hamilton/clix photography