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Although most experienced horse owners are able to
identify heat in a leg or foot, usually indicating
inflammation, a pulled tendon or an abscess, there are
often symptoms of discomfort or poor performance where
the horse is showing no physical signs of injury. A
human touch cannot identify changes in temperature of
less than 2 degrees, however, a thermal camera can “see”
and detect changes of less than 0.5 degree, making it
easy to identify problem areas, where heat is not
obvious to the touch. This is displayed as an instant,
clear image on an LCD screen, enabling a diagnosis to be made and
treatment carried out.
Used extensively in the equine world since the 1996
Olympic Games, infrared thermal imaging inspections are
a quick non contact method of examining a horse to
identify and locate the source of problems or injuries.
Thermography as a science has many applications, but for
horses has 3 main benefits:
Preventative:
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Pre Purchase Inspection or Sale to
confirm there are no "hidden" problems with the
horse
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Check saddle fitting and rider balance
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Monitoring Competition
horses during training to ensure that no undue
stress is placed on the horse which may result in a potential injury
Diagnostic
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Identify damaged tendons, ligaments,
Navicular, laminitis and the source of non specific
lameness
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Musculoskeletal injuries
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Easily examine the horse for tooth and
jaw problems
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Locate the source of miscellaneous
strains, sprains and injuries
Treatment Monitoring
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