HORSE SENSE: Understanding bone fatigue injuries 27 July 2018 Premium

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27 July 2018

Irish Field Contributor on 27 Jul 2018

HORSE SENSE: Understanding bone fatigue injuries

Part two of Debby Ewing’s coverage of the ARVS summer scientific meeting.

Irish Field Contributor

27 July 2018

Chris Whitton, main speaker at the ARVS conference.

The computerised limb model gives researchers a better understanding of how the equine limb reacts to the stresses of training and racing. Photo: Debby Ewing

Conor Moore’s Ebony Topnotch works through raised trot poles which encourage him to use his core muscles to lift and strengthen his back, and improves his overall flexibility, suppleness and balance. Raised poles quickly show if a horse has a weakness or stiffness in his body and can then be used to improve that. Photo Debby Ewing

DR Chris Whitton, Head of the Equine Centre at the Melbourne Veterinary School, discussed bone injuries, the latest knowledge of how and why they occur and how best to reduce the risk of fractures, chips and POD (Palmar Osteochondral Disease).

As part of the Equine Limb Injury Prevention Program (funded by Racing Victoria, the Victorian State Government and the University) a computational model of the forelimb, and mathematical models of bone behaviour are being developed to allow better understanding of how bone reacts to the stresses of training and racing.