As veterinary medicine and equine healthcare become increasingly complicated (the more we know, the more we realise we don’t know!), there is an increasing need to call upon the skills and experience provided by multiple trained personnel.
Both within the veterinary sector and outside it, we see a greater specialisation and diversity of fields in which we can work. General practitioner equine vets are no longer expected to work in isolation. Instead, they are expected to work with and refer to hospital-based and peripatetic specialists when indicated.
General practitioner equine vets are no longer expected to work in isolation. Instead, they are expected to work with and refer to hospital-based and peripatetic specialists
Beyond the veterinary profession, there is a growing population of allied professionals to work alongside and greater awareness of the value of working together to benefit the horse and its owner.
Unravelling unsoundness and championing soundness in the equine industry
Last month, BEVA held its first continuing professional development (CPD) event at the London International Horse Show. Since its inception in 1907, this family-friendly, festive-fuelled annual event has been a major landmark in the equestrian calendar.
There were two days of lectures and panel discussions aimed at sport horse clinicians working from grassroots to the Olympic level. Day one was titled “Unravelling unsoundness” and covered the most common causes of lameness and poor performance in competition horses. Day two was “Championing soundness”, which sought to understand the factors that increase the risk of injury and cause poor performance and how they can be better managed.
While some delegates attended either one or the other of the courses, many attended both. Attending delegates were invited to appreciate the enormous breadth of the impacting elements, which can make or break performance and success or, more insidiously, summate to cause the same deleterious effect.
While equestrian sports may not have the funding afforded to cycling, football and athletics, the course speakers and the knowledge they shared was evidence of how far some of the disciplines have come over recent years.
Marginal gains
David Brailsford rose to fame over his meticulous and team-centred approach while he was the performance director of British Cycling and manager of Team Sky. His demonstration of how marginal gains can impact athletes, both on an individual athlete and across the team level, brought to light the effect of this methodology.
Teamwork makes gains in evidence-based equine research
Orthopaedic specialist Rachel Murray of Rossdales, Newmarket, has worked tirelessly in the field of sports medicine, creating an evidence base for the influencing factors that impact our equine athletes and riders. Through the BEF World Class Programme, she has worked and published with some of the most experienced and pioneering vets, physiotherapists, saddlers and farriers in the UK.
Teamwork makes the dreamwork in equine rehabilitation
On day one, Rachel was joined by Olympic team equine vet Liz Brown, veterinary physiotherapist Anna Johnson and chartered physiotherapist Lee Clark to talk the delegates through their individual approaches to a case of poor performance. It was quickly evident how important it is for healthcare providers to communicate early on, when a problem first arises.
It is no surprise that in incidents where individuals work together in an open and honest way, they will achieve more and do so more efficiently and effectively for all involved
Given the expertise and skills offered by the various members of the “team”, it is no surprise that in incidents where individuals work together in an open and honest way, they will achieve more and do so more efficiently and effectively for all involved. We all know that the earlier a problem is detected and addressed, the greater the chance of recovery. Similarly, the greater the effort invested in rehabilitation, the better the chance of success and the lower the risk of relapse or re-injury.
Historically, it has, perhaps, been commonplace to concentrate on diagnosis and treatment and not so much on the journey thereafter. But we now have overwhelming evidence from human athletes that rehabilitation after injury can be as influential as the choice of treatment, if not more. It is likely that this element is often neglected due to the associated costs and time and the readiness to turn horses out after injury and let “Dr Green” do his thing. While rest is of considerable benefit and often works wonders, a controlled, tailored and evidence-based rehabilitation programme should not be overlooked in terms of its cost:benefit ratio.
It is likely that [rehabilitation post-injury] is often neglected due to the associated costs and time and the readiness to turn horses out after injury and let ’Dr Green’ do his thing
The field of equine rehabilitation is young but of vital importance for those working in equestrian sports and veterinary medicine. Of course, it cannot be taught on a day course, but the understanding of the tools, skills and theory and the depth of knowledge we now have access to is astounding. This wealth of available information demonstrates how essential it is that vets seek advice from experts and specialists if they are to give their patients the best possible chance of recovery.
Prevention and teamwork: early communication matters
Day two saw Rachel return (albeit remotely, due to unforeseen circumstances) with master saddler Mark Fisher, British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association president Ben Benson, veterinary physiotherapist Annabelle Galt and equine vet and event rider Sam Cutts. This wonderful group discussed the intricacies of keeping competition horses sound and “on the road”.
In large part, keeping horses “on the road” requires prevention; however, the panel observed that in the “real world”, things don’t always work out that way. Owner and riders, for example, sometimes overlook problems until their symptoms cause overt signs of pain or significantly affect performance. By forming a more cohesive team at home, the various allied professions can contribute more at an earlier stage with the appropriate training, experience and diligence.
When subtle changes are communicated sympathetically yet promptly, there can be opportunity to alter course, be it farriery, nutrition, a new training regime, tack fit or rider influence. But only by sharing experiences and research can we begin to understand the vast array of stimuli and subtle symptoms that precede the more commonly seen presentations we are all familiar with.
Cheers to that! Collaboration and discussion at veterinary events
After a well-earned rest and rehydration at the Champagne bar and retail therapy offered by the Shopping Village, the evening’s performance provided the perfect cerebral decompression from a long day of learning. With highlights including the Shetland Pony Grand National, the Pride of Portugal Lusitano display, the FEI Dressage World Cup, the Musical Drive of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Puissance, there was something for all to enjoy while catching up with old friends and making new friendships.
The way we work and interact with our clients and fellow professionals is essential to enabling us to grow in our abilities as individuals and as a wider profession
The discussions delegates delved into late in the evenings were a testament to the importance of holding such CPD courses. They emphasise that the way we work and interact with our clients and fellow professionals is essential to enabling us to grow in our abilities as individuals and as a wider profession – that way, we not only better ourselves but learn how to better serve our clients and improve the welfare of the horses under our care.
